Achievement recognition valued

This week's Women of Achievement luncheon is expected to raise about $100,000 for the Nevada Women's Fund.

Equally important, say participants in Women of Achievement and like-minded events, is the recognition accorded to women by their workplace peers.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for women to support women," says Krys Bart, executive director of the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, one of the approximately 95 organizations sponsoring an honoree at Women of Achievement.

The program, she says, provides a good tool to recognize employees.

A panel of former Women of Achievement honorees from the airport makes the annual selection.

"It becomes the highest form of recognition: peer recognition," Bart says.

How important is that recognition? The Spotlight Award that Donna Kuckhoff received at the Truckee Meadows Community College's Administrative Professionals' Conference last month hangs over her desk at Sierra Pacific Power, and she sent the recognition to her parents as well.

Sierra Pacific Power participates in both the administrative professionals event and Women of Achievement participation that involves a fair amount of paperwork and nomination forms.

But Karen Foster, the utility's public relations manager, says the effort pays off in creation of staff morale.

"It's a terrific way to recognize people who go above and beyond," she says.

"Fellow employees really enjoy seeing outstanding performers recognized in that way." Nancy Fennell, co-owner of Dickson Realty, herself was honored as a Woman of Achievement, and the firm is a longtime supporter of the program.

"It was such an honor to be recognized," she says.

"It meant a lot."

The recognition is valuable even in real estate which, Fennell says, historically has allowed women to rise on their merits without concern about a glass ceiling.

Laura Acton, owner of St.

Ives Florist, was honored as a Woman of Achievement and makes a point of ensuring her firm participates each year in the event which begins with a breakfast session and runs through the luncheon celebration.

"They make you feel like a queen," Acton says.

"Some of the leading women in the community are there, and they're taking care of you."