Meet the 2018 Women of the Year

They are advocates for foster care, education and mental health. Champions for the homeless and heroes in the battle against racism and hate.

They are the 10 dynamic women selected as recipients of the 2018 Enquirer and The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Women of the Year awards. The women will be celebrated at an awards luncheon Friday, Oct. 26, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.

Luncheon tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.gcfdn.org/woy.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Women of the Year awards. While the interests of this year's honorees are diverse, they have one thing in common: They all give of themselves to elevate the quality of life in their communities and the region, according to Michael Betz, head of marketing and community relations for The Enquirer.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation has been connecting people with a purpose in our region for 55 years, said Ellen M. Katz, President/CEO of GCF.

“We are proud to stand again with The Enquirer to celebrate 50 years of honoring exceptional women who have all had great purpose and dedication to making our region a place where everyone can thrive,” she said. “This year’s 50th class of Women of the Year honorees shows the diversity of our region and how even one person can truly make a difference.”

The story of each Women of the Year honoree will be shared by The Enquirer ahead of the awards luncheon. For now, here’s a snapshot of this year’s honorees:

Kelly Dolan of Hyde Park is a businesswoman with a focus on giving back to the community. In 2011, she founded Ingage Partners, a company that donates 25 percent of its proceeds to nonprofit organizations. Dolan is also co-owner of Thrive Impact Sourcing, a business incubator dedicated to creating opportunities for diverse individuals to enter the IT industry. Thrive received an international award for sourcing from the Global Sourcing counsel. Dolan is involved in numerous organizations, including Crossroads Church and Freeset USA.

Nancy Eigel-Miller of Mariemont is on a mission to change the conversation about mental health. After losing her husband, Jim, in 2008, to suicide, Eigel-Miller founded 1N5, a nonprofit organization with the mission of eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Earlier this year, Eigel-Miller was honored at the 2018 Jefferson Awards and presented with the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities.

Maureen France of Fairview is a celebrated artist and longtime associate professor at the School of Design in DAAP at the University of Cincinnati. France is also known for her community involvement. As a West McMicken Improvement Association member, she was instrumental in reopening the long-closed Warner Street steps. France was the key voice in the successful effort to stop plans for an I-75 interchange at the Western Hills Viaduct. She serves on various committees including the Community Development Advisory Committee. She is also the coordinator of the award-winning West McMicken Community Garden.

Judith Harmony of North Avondale is a retired biochemist and a trailblazer. She was the first female faculty member of Indiana University’s chemistry department. At the University of Cincinnati, she was instrumental in creating the PhD-MD program. Harmony has served on many local boards and was instrumental in the development of The Women’s Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s first PULSE study in 2004. She also founded the Harmony Garden and is an advocate for Jobs and Family Services focusing her effort on child poverty and foster care.

Tillie Hidalgo Lima of Loveland came to the United States as a young girl after her family fled Cuba. She is the CEO of Best Upon Request and a community advocate with a focus on healthcare, women and the Hispanic community. Her volunteer efforts are extensive and include serving as co-chair of the YMCA Academy of Career Women of Achievement and as a member of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Lima's volunteer efforts have earned her numerous awards, including recognition as the Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Hispanic Woman of the Year.

Chandra Mathews-Smith of Anderson Township has dedicated her life to improving her community. As the co-owner of C&C Premier Cleaning Services, Inc, she employs people in need of a second chance. During her 20 years with Beech Acres Parenting Center, she expanded the center's foster care program. She also led an initiative to design the Hamilton County Department of Jobs and Family Services Emergency Therapeutic Foster Care Program. Mathews-Smith serves on various boards including the Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency.

Maria Ahmed Munir of Amberly Village is an active volunteer in the faith community. She co-chaired the inaugural Festival of Faiths. At the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, Munir is a board member and volunteer. She co-founded two companies, Harmony Medical Weight Loss Center and Southwest Ohio Stem Cell Center. She is COO of the weight loss center. At work, Munir created a fund to help female employees with young children through difficult times. She also established care plans for patients in need.

Alandes Powell of Forest Park is passionate about working to address racism, empowering women and supporting families. She is chairman and board member/volunteer of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio where she was instrumental in leading conversations and initiatives resulting from "The State of Black Cincinnati: Two Cities" report. Powell serves on numerous boards and committees. She's also the recipient of several awards, including the YWCA Cincinnati Career Woman of Achievement award in the category of nonprofits and activism.

Mary Burke Rivers of Over-the-Rhine has dedicated her life to finding solutions to ending homelessness. For a quarter-century, Rivers has served as executive director of Over-The-Rhine Community Housing. In 2010, she received the Buddy Gray Award from the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. Rivers serves as board member of The Finance Fund, Community Development Association of Greater Cincinnati, Affordable Housing Advocates and Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio.

Mary Welsh Schlueter of Hyde Park is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for Innovation in Education (PIE). The organization was recently named one of Ohio’s Top Nonprofits by the Ohio Secretary of State. Schlueter serves on various boards and committees. She’s also the recipient of numerous recognitions, including the Direct Energy Citizen of the Year and the USA Chamber of Commerce WE Empowerment & New Business Award.