ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050107
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-11 EDITION: METRO
YWCA honors outstanding women
The YWCA of Roanoke Valley recently honored four Roanoke-area women with the 1996 YWCA Women of Achievement Award. This award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to their community through both their professional achievements and community service. The winners are Freda Carper, Patricia Diffenderfer, Peggy Thornton and Mary Ella Zelenik.
Carper works for Crestar Bank as vice president/regional marketing officer. Active in the community, Carper has been involved with a number of civic and charitable organizations including the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, Roanoke Symphony Volunteer Association, United Way, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Mill Mountain Zoo, YMCA and Roanoke's Festival in the Park.
Diffenderfer is a paralegal in the law offices of King & Higgs P.C. and specializes in real estate transactions. Diffenderfer has been a volunteer with her church and the Boy Scouts. In 1995 she was named Cubmaster of the Year by the Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Thornton owns and operates a desktop publishing company called Computer Wizards. Computer Wizards has donated its services to the American Diabetes Foundation, Festival in the Park and First Night Roanoke. Thornton is also the creator and editor of Collage, a monthly magazine by, and about, women of the Roanoke Valley. She is currently planning a series of seminars for women on topics ranging from cosmetics to auto mechanics.
Zelenik is a radiologist at Lewis-Gale Medical Center and Clinic. In addition to serving on a variety of hospital and medical committees, she serves on a doctoral committee at Virginia Tech. Zelenik also volunteers her services at the Bradley Free Clinic and serves on the Roanoke County School Board Foundation.
Dickens noted as top draw
Roanoke's annual Dickens of a Christmas has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event. The Southeast Tourism Society is a nonprofit organization whose goals are to develop, market and promote travel in the Southeastern states.
Last year's Dickens of a Christmas attracted approximately 30,000 people. It is organized by Downtown Roanoke Inc., and will be held this year on Dec. 6, 13 and 20.
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