The Legacy of Women Awards luncheon honored five local women.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County announced five winners for its 2009 Legacy of Women Awards, a luncheon which took place earlier this month at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The non-profit organization, dedicated to fighting domestic abuse, annually honors local women for their work in various categories. This year’s categories and the honorees were: arts,
Margo Dean, owner of Margo Dean School of Dance; business, Christine Cook, president of Sleep Experts; education, Nina Jackson: director of adolescent pregnancy services of Fort Worth school district; health and human services, Ramona Osburn: director of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Springwood; and volunteerism, Louise Appleman, a volunteer for Tarrant County College District, Streams and Valleys, Visiting Nurse Association, Women’s Foundation of North Texas

The Legacy of Women luncheon raised $150,000 to support SafeHaven’s emergency shelters and other critical services for domestic violence victims and their children. Elizabeth Ray served as chair for the event.

Nominations are being accepted for the Legacy of Women Awards, honoring outstanding women in the categories of arts, business, education, volunteerism and health and human services.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County will recognize the winners at its 17^th Legacy of Women Awards Luncheon.  Elizabeth Ray will chair this year’s luncheon, which will be Oct. 8 at the new Dallas Cowboy stadium in Arlington.

Deadline for nominations is Thursday, and all nominees should excel and inspire other women in their respective categories.  Winners for the past two years have include Karen Newell, Pam Minick, Dr. Jane Harper, Karen Perkins, Bonnie Carroll, Judi Bishop, Suzi Hill, Deborah Jung, Patricia Harrison and Joy Ann Havran. 

Nomination forms are available by checking www.safehaventc.org or calling 817-535-6462, ext. 119.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County is a nonprofit organization combating family violence through educational support, prevention and social change. SafeHaven’s provides two emergency shelters, one in Arlington and one in Fort Worth, with accommodations for 174 women and children, making it one of the largest shelters in Texas.

Last year, the agency housed more than 2,700 adult and child victims and provided non-residential services to more than 3,700 other clients. SafeHaven also maintains a hotline and provides educational programs in the community.