DATE: Saturday, September 27, 1997          TAG: 9709270402

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JO-ANN CLEGG, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   42 lines

OBERNDORF IS NAMED NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR

In her 21 years on City Council and her nine years as mayor, Meyera E. Oberndorf has received enough awards to fill several trophy rooms.

Everyone from the Virginia National Guard, which recognized her for distinguished service, to Newsweek magazine, which named her one of ``25 Mayors to Watch,'' has handed her something to set on her desk or hang on her wall.

Today, at a Richmond luncheon, she will be adding another. The Virginia Press Women, a group not easily impressed by public figures, will present her with their Newsmaker of the Year Award.

The honor is given annually to a Virginia woman who has ``made news through her energetic efforts to improve or enhance the lives of her fellow citizens.'' Previous winners have included philanthropist Patricia Kluge, actress Elizabeth Taylor and author Patricia Cornwell.

Oberndorf was nominated by Mary Bruner, director of news and media relations at Virginia Wesleyan College, and Barbara Bell, former manager of communications at the College of William and Mary.

``We chose her, of course, because she has run and been elected, but particularly because of her openness about her own breast cancer,'' Bruner said.

Oberndorf made national news last June when she chaired a U.S. Conference of Mayors forum on the subject.

The mayor discovered that she had breast cancer as she was preparing to run for re-election last spring. She continued to tend to city business while undergoing surgery and radiation treatment.

Oberndorf expressed surprise at her latest award.

``I've never thought of myself as a newsmaker of the year,'' she said. ``I just go about my daily rounds and communicate with people so we can all work together for the quality of life we enjoy here in Virginia Beach.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Meyera E. Oberndorf made national news last June when she chaired a

U.S. Conference of Mayors forum on the subject of breast cancer. KEYWORDS: NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR

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