THATCHER — A record number 85 nominations, for 42 women, have been submitted for this year’s Small Business Woman of the Year awards.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 24, starting at 6 p.m., at The Venue on Main in Safford.
A representative from U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s office — Fiona DeYoung — will be the event’s special guest.
The first award was presented at the GFWC Woman’s Club of Safford in 2013, and through the first four years focused on female owners of businesses in Graham County.
In 2017, a second award for owners of businesses in Greenlee County was added.
This year, following a three-year suspension of the awards due to the pandemic, a third award has been added, for the owner of a business in Gila County.
Small Business Woman of the Year nominees must have owned her business for a minimum of three years, and be an active participant in the business. The judging committee also reviewed the nominees’ community involvement outside the business.
Past winners:
2013 — Janet Quinn, Trophies N’ Tees
2014 — Kally Efros, Indigo Mountain Wellness, Toys & Gifts
2015 — Dr. Debbie Chapman, Desert Cross Veterinary Hospital
2016 — Sheryl Goodman, Taylor Freeze
2017 — Graham County, Jenny Rogers, Safford Dance Academy
Greenlee County, Susan Snyder, Chase Creek Marketplace
2018 — Graham County, Jenny Howard, Ginaveve’s Marketplace
Greenlee County, Meghan Wagley, Chaparral Mini-Mart and Motel
2019 — Graham County, Margo Henrie, Fizek Fitness
Greenlee County, Jackie Norton, PJ’s Restaurant
