Stanislaus women's commission to recognize 17 as outstanding

The Stanislaus County Commission for Women has announced its Outstanding Women of Stanislaus County honorees for 2010.

The Outstanding Women are Sandra Benitez, Kathleen Blom, Debra Brady, Joanna Cusenza, Eileen Hamilton, Jane Howard, Barbara Miller, Brenda Morris, Rochelle Rosen and Ronna Rutishauser.

The 2010 Living Pioneer is Doris Wanty, and the 2010 Woman of History is Mayris Baddell.

This year's Outstanding Young Women are Nadine Khedry, Cody Malone, Kelli O'Bannon, Maggie Rolicheck and Sonam Virk.

Awards will be presented March 13 at the Stanislaus County Commission for Women's 31st annual dinner, held at the Assyrian Cultural Center of Bet-Nahrain, 3119 Central Ave., Ceres.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with no-host cocktails, and dinner is scheduled to be served at 6:30. The awards program gets under way at 7.

Cost is $40 per person, and pre-paid reservations are required by March 3. Contact Lynn Lysko at 324-0399.

The Stanislaus County Commission for Women is an independent, nongovernmental organization to promote within the community an awareness of issues that concern women.

Mayris Baddell, 1934-2008

Woman of History 2010

Mayris Baddell was a longtime educator for Modesto City Schools. Her career spanned 54 years, teaching second and sixth grades at Beard and Fremont elementary schools, serving as principal of Burbank, Muir and Sonoma elementary schools and closing her career as the director of elementary education. Two years after she retired, Mayris was honored when the child care facility at Johansen High School was named in her honor. The center is a living symbol of her dedication to both women and children. She was a visible presence at the center, devoting many hours each month to all who walked through its doors. Mayris was a positive role model to all who knew her, a nurturing presence in the lives of her students, and an invaluable asset to our community.

Joanna Cusenza

Outstanding Woman 2010

Joanna is a successful and respected special-needs teacher in Stanislaus County. For the past 23 years, she has taught at Fremont Elementary School in Modesto.The young children in her care experience activities on a daily basis that create a sense of worth, well-being and confidence in future personal success. Joanna advises, guides and educates the parents of her students, always focused on the best outcomes for the child. She is an active member of the California Teachers Association's Special Education, Women's Issues and Human Rights committees and is an important voice from the Central Valley. Her involvement with these committees enables her to share and gain new perspectives and insights with fellow special education teachers and remain current and involved with important issues of equality.

She is a devoted champion for each of her students and is committed to justice and equal treatment of all people. She was a fervent advocate for the landmark safe-schools policy adopted by Modesto City Schools.

Joanna is a member in good standing of Alpha Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma, professional honor societies of female educators.

Debra Brady

Outstanding Woman 2010

Debra Brady has been the senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Modesto since 2002. For years, she has been a champion of social justice, especially for women. Much of Debra's work is done in a confidential setting. She counsels and helps many women who are dealing with a variety of issues such as incest, divorce, domestic violence, loneliness, death and grief. As part of her ministry, she recently held informational forums to educate her congregation and the public on important and potentially controversial ballot issues such as same-sex marriage, immigration reform and treatment of farm animals in agricultural practices. She has worked tirelessly to better the lives of women and children through her work with Habitat for Humanity and Family Promise, an organization that provides temporary shelter for homeless families in transition.