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2019 WOMEN OF THE YEAR

2019 Women of the year

We asked, and the Inland Northwest answered. We put out a call seeking nominations of impressive women, leaders in business, politics, arts, philanthropy and social services. We received more than 150 nominations, and today we continue a 10-day series honoring but a few of those phenomenal civic leaders. Here we dedicate a special section to our 10 honorees, in addition to five other women honored for their lifetime achievements.

Legacy Women of the Year

News >  Spokane

Women of the Year: Susan Virnig has ‘lived a lot of lives,’ all of them devoted to doing good

About 5 million people came to Spokane in 1974 for the World’s Fair. Most left, but not Susan Virnig. And he’s been educating and getting Spokanites involved ever since. From her founding of Northwest Regional Facilitators – which begat a host of beneficial Spokane organizations – to her leadership of the YWCA to her years teaching poetry to children, Virnig has touched a lot of lives.

2019 Women of the Year

A&E >  Books

Best and brightest: Spokane-area women, past and present, blaze trails

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 12, 2019

Earlier this fall, The Spokesman-Review honored 15 women for the work they have done to improve the quality of life in the Inland Northwest. (Revisit those stories at spokesman.com/sections/women-of-the-year/.) On Thursday night at the Bing Crosby Theater, we’ll give these fine community members a proper shoutout during a special Women of the Year event with the Northwest Passages Book Club. Joining us will be two impressive women who talk about “Making Life Work on Your Terms.” Karen Wickre is a former executive at Google and Twitter, and Tess Vigeland is a former reporter and host for the public radio business magazine “Marketplace.” Joining them onstage to moderate the conversation will be Mary Cullinan, president of Eastern Washington University.
News >  Spokane

The nominees are…

Thank you. We asked to hear from you about the fantastic women you know. You answered in a big way, with names of many accomplished and talented individuals. Although we could only profile 15 women from your suggestions, we want to give everyone a little love. So here are your nomination letters. They have been edited for length. Jessica Bonar
News >  Spokane

Women of the Year: Meidl found her calling in policing

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 19, 2019

Spokane Police Capt. Tracie Meidl developed an affinity for proactive, community-oriented policing early in her career, and she continues to be recognized for taking that approach, even as she’s ascended the ladder to captain.
News >  Spokane

Women of the Year: Sandy Williams publishes black newspaper, eyes community center for African American community

Sandy Williams said her commitment to fairness started very young. Since 2015, she’s published the Black Lens newspaper, incorporating the work and ideas of black journalists and writers in Spokane and across the country. Her latest endeavor is the Carl Maxey Center in East Central, which she hopes will build on strides in the neighborhood to unite a community that at times has lacked a voice and conviction in Spokane.