From the first class in 2000 to the group of 20 outstanding ladies featured in this booklet, 200 women have been recognized for their professional accomplishments and tireless efforts in the southwest Missouri communities where they live and work.
This year's class of honorees was selected from among 81 women who applied to be considered for the award.
Our judges, who are featured on page 5, no doubt had a challenging task, scoring each woman's accomplishments, based on these questions:
• How have you demonstrated leadership in your endeavors?
• As a leader/woman of influence, what is your proudest accomplishment?
• How have you influenced the success of others?
• Detail your leadership and influence in civic affairs.
These questions are designed to bring to light the accomplishments of each individual woman, and their answers were used by contributing writers Clarissa French and Tresa McBee to share their stories.
This group of women represents myriad industries, including banking and finance, health care, law and education. And while each woman contributes to the community beyond her "day job," this class also has several women who actually work within the nonprofit sector, addressing everything from housing to poverty to disaster relief and health issues.
Clearly, this group of women understands that there's a great deal of work required to make the Ozarks a great place to live and work. Each woman is willing to do her part - and then some.
In addition to sharing the stories of the Most Influential Women, this booklet also is designed to give readers a sense of who they are beyond what they do.
Along with each profile is a Q&A about their families, early career goals and favorite words to live by. And just for fun, we asked them to tell us something about themselves that most people don't know. The answers to those questions aren't printed here, but you can find them online (see box). You might be surprised that this class features a Harley rider, a die-hard Elvis fan, an aspiring children's author and a former Major League Baseball scout.
One thing is certain: There's no shortage of influential women in the Ozarks. It's likely that most of you know some women who aren't among this year's class who have made big differences in business and in the community. The good news is that it's not too soon to nominate those women - or yourself, for that matter - for Most Influential Women recognition in 2010.
In the meantime, please join me in congratulating Springfield Business Journal's Most Influential Women of 2009. Their journeys offer insight to women and men alike.
Maria Hoover is features editor of Springfield Business Journal. She may be reached at mhoover@sbj.net.
