Local Women Honored For Outstanding Deeds

The 17th annual Women of Distinction Awards Banquet recently honored women of the Inland Empire for community service deeds and outstanding achievements in their field.

The banquet featured Spokane television personality Debra Wilde as keynote speaker as part of the 1999 Women’s Forum held recently at Cavanaughs Templin’s Resort in Post Falls.

This is a final list of honorees, listed by category.

Tourism and Hospitality

Winifred Gregory, a Coeur d’Alene bed and breakfast owner, was noted for her quiet manner of enriching the lives of locals and tourists alike by her recommendations to local businesses and eagarly lending a helping hand where needed. She has served as the chairperson for the Taste of Coeur d’Alene event for the past 12 years and is also the chairperson for the Festival Committee, which sponsors the Fred Murphy Days, the Christmas Ornament Medallion Committee and Fine Art in the Park.

Public Service

Chris Pappas, a Post Falls resident who is described as a “worker bee”, has been active in the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, The Post Falls Historical Society, the Post Falls Days Parade, the Community Picnic, Festival at the Falls, the Post Falls Biathalon/Dualthon, October Fest, and more. She was cited as being a positive image for the City of Post Falls.

Women Helping Women

Dr. Elizabeth Bianchi Spokane, was recognized for her exemplary efforts to provide health care to many individuals regardless of their ability to pay for services. She is described as a tireless advocate for a woman’s right to receive a full array of high-quality reproductive health care services, regardless of her race, religion or income level. Dr. Bianchi spends hours consoling and caring for women who have been diagnosed with cancer or other diseases and also offers education and hope. She was also honored for taking a personal interest in the care of a patient and her ability to touch the lives of all those she comes in contact with.

Business and Professional

MaryHelen Flaherty, Spokane, an outstanding poet and writer who created the Kids Newspaper that features local principals, teachers, and volunteers, along with poetry and artwork from Spokane students. The paper has a distribution of more than 36,000. She was cited for interviewing and writing each article with honesty, humor and integrity. Her competent parenting skills were also noted.

Spirit of the American Woman

Sandi Bloem, owner of Johannes Jewelry, has been a downtown Coeur d’Alene merchant for 21 years. She was honored for her ability to impact the entire community with unlimited enthusiasm as well as her overall community achievements and contributions.

She holds a BA degree in education with advanced studies in counseling and served as a local educator for 10 years. She is also a charter member of the Downtown Association, where she served as president for eight years, was on the board of directors for 20 years, and has chaired every committee.