By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Tina Salamone, the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts director who died in March, has become the second person to be nominated posthumously for the YWCA of McLean County’s Woman of Distinction Award.

A record 48 women have been nominated for the award in eight categories. The honors will be presented May 16 at the 28th Annual Women of Distinction Awards Banquet at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Normal.

“The amount of nominations we received this year was astounding,” said Liz German, YWCA McLean County vice president of operations. “There are a lot of amazing women in our community and I’m thrilled we’ll be able to recognize so many.”

Each woman was nominated in one of eight categories – Business, Creative Arts & Entertainment, Education, Professions, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Social Services, Volunteer Service, or Young Professional – that highlight her achievements and contributions to their respective fields and to McLean County.

This year’s nominees are: Dr. Dana Altenburger, KMB SC; Alexis Astorina, Colene Hoose Elementary School; Susan Baller-Shepard, Heartland Community College; Ann Bastian White-Retired, Dr. Dawn Beichner-Illinois State University, Mary Bennett Henrichs-Integrity Technology Solutions, Shelleigh Birlingmair, Children’s Discovery Museum; Nicole Bruno, Normal Police Department; Olivia Butts, Illinois State University; Tammy Chewe, State Farm Insurance; Shelly Clevenger, Illinois State University; Chemberly Cummings, State Farm Insurance; Faye Freeman-Smith, Counseling Resource Institute; Natalie Galligan, Shoo Shoo Baby Boutique and Lulu Louise Boutique; Stacey Hardin, Illinois State University; Colleen Kannaday, Advocate Health Care; Ciarra Kohn, Country Financial and Pastelle magazine; Tahnee Lathrop, Retrofit Culture; Tiffany Lawson Grant, SKL Planning and Events; Kim Lockwood Travers, Heartland Community College; Luella Mahannah, Integrity Counseling; Kim McCord, Illinois State University; Rev. Christine McNeal, St. John’s Lutheran Church; Meta Mickens-Baker, State Farm Insurance; Julie Navickas, Illinois State University; Katie Novak, Green Top Grocery; Ashley Pettit, State Farm Insurance; Tiffanny Powell, Children’s Home + Aid; Katie Pratt, Illinois State University; Samantha Quigle, Positive Training; Angelique Racki, BCAI School of Arts; Dr. Laura Randolph; Gretchen Reid, Cattails Feline Rescue; Colleen Reynolds, Heartland Community College; Kristina “Tina” Salamone, Bloomington Center for Performing Arts; Kari Sandhaas, Country Financial; April Schermann, Normal West High School; Aslihan Spaulding, Illinois State University; Pamela Starks, Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Marilyn Tarver-Spare and Share Shop; Kourtney Tarvin Erbes, Tarvin’s Culligan of Bloomington; Desetra Taylor, Center for Hope Ministries; Sherrilyn Thomas, Bloomington Junior High School; Maura Toro-Morn, Illinois State University; Tracey Vincent, State Farm Insurance; Alicia Whitworth, Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal; Cathy Woods, Community Cancer Center; Angela Yoches, McLean County Orthopedics.

YWCA McLean County also received 15 applications for the WINGS award, a scholarship set-up and funded by previous Women of Distinction winners. Those being presented with WINGS awards will also be recognized at the banquet.

YWCA spokeswoman Christy Germanis said the first woman nominated posthumously was Bloomington councilwoman and Illinois Wesleyan University trustee Jean Anderson in 1996.

Dallas lawyer Lorie Burch will serve as keynote speaker. Her address, titled ‘Equality Through Responsibility: Creating a Better Legacy,’ will explore diversity and inclusion and how a community can come together using their talents and strengths to be better stewards for their children and future generations.

Reservations for the Women of Distinction Awards Banquet are available at $55 each or a table of eight for $440. To make reservations or learn more, please call Emily Fisher at (309) 662-0461, ext. 298 or visit www.ywcamclean.org.