2005 Touchstone Awards Honorees
Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis' annual Touchstone Awards acknowledges women whose personal and professional achievements inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and boldSM.
Kim Seybold-Catron
|
|
Olympic figure skater Kim Seybold-Catron is an all-star athlete in both the competitive and non-competitive circuits. In addition to competing with her brother in pairs figure skating at the 1988 Olympic Games, Seybold-Catron is a six-time national medalist and a four-time member of the U.S. Figure Skating World Team. She and her brother won several international competitions and toured with various programs in the ice-show circuit.
After retiring from professional figure skating, Seybold-Catron has retained her passion for the sport. She is a master-rated figure skating coach, the highest rating in the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) and is the director of skating at the Arctic Zone Iceplex. At the 2008 Annual PSA Awards, the association awarded Seybold-Catron with The Betty Berens Award, presented to a coach who has overcome adversity while continuing to serve his or her profession.
Seybold-Catron currently coaches full time and is head coach for the Junior Classic Circle City Flames synchronized skating team. She lives with her husband and their two daughters.
Click here to check out the other strong, smart, and bold Touchstone Awards honorees!
Joyce Sommers
|
|
As president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center, Joyce Sommers devoted 33 years to the art community. Sommers began her involvement with the Art Center (formerly the Indianapolis Art League) as a student. After volunteering on the board of directors, she became the first paid staff member in 1976. As executive director, Sommers was responsible for the advancement and guidance of the Indianapolis Art Center in its vision, mission, programs, development, and operations. She represented the Art Center to the Indianapolis community at large and provided leadership and motivation for the staff, linking with the board for stewardship and policy decisions.
Sommers directed the $8.5 million capital drive which funded the construction of a new center, designed by world-famous architect Michael Graves, and raised nearly $6 million for ARTSPARK, the 12-acre outdoor creativity and sculpture park. In 1989, she started the award-winning ArtReach program, which provides youth with year-round art instruction from professional artists from Indiana.
Sommers earned her bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1958. She received her Certified Fund Raising Executive certification from the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE) and earned her portfolio equivalent master’s degree in arts administration and fund raising.
Community Involvement
• Arts Education Northwest, Seattle, WA – advisory board
• Indianapolis Consortium of Arts Administrators – past president
• Arts Indiana Magazine – founder and board member
• Martin Luther King Multi-Service Center – emeritus, executive committee member
• Spirit and Place – emeritus advisory board member
• Arts Committee to select all art for new Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
• Committee member to select artist and artwork for historic mural in Birch Bayh Federal Building
Awards & Achievements
• Most Influential Women – Indianapolis Business Journal (2008)
• Torchbearer Award – Indiana Commission for Women (2004)
• Fundraising Executive of the Year – American Society of Fundraising Professionals, Indiana Chapter (2001)
Click here to check out the other strong, smart, and bold Touchstone Awards honorees!
Dr. Patricia Keener
|
|
Patricia A. Keener, M.D., has built a solid reputation at the Indiana University School of Medicine developing programs for underserved youngsters, guiding students to meaningful careers and working side-by-side with colleagues and community representatives to establish health initiatives in her community and across the country.
Professor emeritus of clinical pediatrics and retired dean of medical service learning at Indiana University, Dr. Keener has been responsible for originating or spearheading numerous programs, including the Indianapolis Campaign for Healthy Babies, the Wishard Memorial Hospital Community Health Centers, the Hispanic/Latino Health Access Initiative and the Hispanic Pediatric Clinic and Immunization Outreach.
Dr. Keener founded the Safe Sitter program in 1980 as a resource for child-care/parenting education. In 2001, she authored Caring for Kids, of which over a million copies were distributed to parents and caregivers for free. Dr. Keener retired in 2008.
A board certified pediatrician and neonatologist, Dr. Keener received her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine where, after completing residency training at the Medical College of South Carolina, she returned as director of undergraduate education for the department of pediatrics.
Award & Achievements
• Maynard K. Hine Medal – Indiana University Alumni Association
• The Ernest A. Lynton Award for Faculty Professional Service and Academic Outreach (2002)
• Humanism in Medicine Award – Pfizer-American Association of Medical Colleges
• Bynum Mentor Award (1999)
• Chancellor’s Prestigious External Award Recognition (2002)
• Women in the Lead Award - Network of Women in Business and Indianapolis Business Journal (2002)
• Award for Leadership in Medical Outreach – Perham Indiana Women of Achievement (2003)
• Hoosier Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)
• American Academy of Pediatrics Ross Award for Lay Education
• Sagamore of the Wabash
Click here to check out the other strong, smart, and bold Touchstone Awards honorees!
Carolene Mays
|
|
Carolene R. Mays was appointed a commissioner for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) by Governor Mitch Daniels in February 2010. Prior to joining the IURC, Mays was the publisher and president of the nation's fourth-oldest African-American newspaper, the Indianapolis Recorder, and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. She has worked extensively as a community advocate, communicator, and business leader.
Her commitment to service and community led her to run for the Indiana State House of Representatives. Mays served three terms as the state representative representing District 94 (Indianapolis). She served on the ways and means and public health and transportation committees, and as vice chairman of the small business and economic development committee. On a national level, she served on committees with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Conference of State Legislators, and Women in Government. Mays retired from her state representative position in November 2008.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing, Mays quickly earned leadership roles in business. At Mays Chemical Company, she was manager of customer service and national accounts, and at Occidental Chemical Company, she held various positions in sales and corporate account management throughout the country.
At the helm of the Indianapolis Recorder from 1998 - 2010, Mays was a catalyst for change, redesign, and growth of the newspaper, increasing its readership dramatically by over 50%, to nearly 100,000. The Indianapolis Recorder is now ranked among the top Black newspapers nationwide. The Indiana Minority Business Magazine grew under her management by over 100% in the first year. Additionally, Mays is the co-host of the "Recorder On Air Report Television Show" (ROAR) on Central Indiana cable networks and WDNI-TV, and was previously the co-host of a weekly television news segment, "Community Link," on the Central Indiana CBS affiliate, WISH-TV.
Mays is a member of Eastern Star Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Circle City Chapter of the Links, Inc. She is married and has one daughter and three stepsons.
Community Involvement
• Chairperson of 2011 NCAA Women’s Final Four
• Chairperson of Human Resources and Administration of 2012 NFL Super Bowl
• Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
• Executive Committee of Indianapolis 500 Festival Board
• Vice-Chairman of Indiana Sports Corporation Board
• Peyton Manning’s PeyBack Foundation Board
• National Co-Founder of African American News and Information Consortium
• Engaging Solutions Board
• Shrewsberry & Associates Board
• Ambassador – American Heart and Stroke Association
• Founder and Director of Community Resource and Health Fair at Lafayette Square Mall
Awards & Achievements
• Legislative Trailblazer Award – Rehabilitation Hospital of Indianapolis (2008)
• Legislator Award – Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care (2008)
• Legislator of the Year – United Senior Action (2007)
• Legislator of the Year – Brain Injury Association (2007)
• Indiana Business Journal’s One of Indiana’s Most Influential Women (2007)
• Indianapolis Monthly Magazine – One of Indy’s Most Powerful (2007)
• Ben Davis High School Alumni Hall of Fame (2007)
• Indiana Chamber Small Business Champion Award (2007)
• Indiana N.A.A.C.P. Membership Award (2006)
• Today’s Woman Leadership Award (2006)
• Legislator of the Year Award – Indiana Minority Health Coalition (2005)
• Legislator of the Year Award-Indiana Hotel, Lodging and Tourism Association (2005)
• Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award (2005)
• Rising Star in Indiana Politics by the Washington D.C. publication, Roll Call (2004)
• Drum Major for Justice Award (2003)
• Coalition of 100 Black Women, Breakthrough Woman Award (2003)
• Cover feature in the October issue of Indianapolis Woman Magazine (2002)
• Indiana State University Distinguished Alumni (2002)
• Martin Luther King Center Living the Legacy Award (2002)
• Indiana Black Expo Media Award (2002)
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Regional Communications Award (2002)
• Center for Leadership Development Mass Media Award (2001)
• National Council of Negro Women - Indianapolis Chapter Award (2001)
• Women’s Expo Trailblazer Award by Indiana Black Expo and WTLC Radio (2001)
• Indianapolis Business Journal’s Woman to Watch (2000)
Click here to check out the other strong, smart, and bold Touchstone Awards honorees!
