SLO County Women of Distinction to be honored in Cuesta ceremony

Six local women will be honored Thursday at the 39th Women of Distinction Awards.

The ceremony and awards celebrate Women’s History Month, recognizing women for their professional and civic contributions. The event is hosted by Cuesta College and the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County’s Women’s Legacy Fund.

Thursday’s ceremony includes two awards that are not given annually, but only when a nominee inspires the recognition, according to a news release. The awards and honorees are the following:

▪ Community and Public Service Award, Volunteer: Cherie K. Michaelson, president of Paso Cares. Michaelson has secured four churches to donate space for overnight warming centers, necessary supplies and transportation services for the homeless while generating publicity, grants and donations. She conducted a mobile fair for the homeless that included many local agencies, and she operates “Sandwiches on Sundays,” in Pioneer Park every week.

▪ Community and Public Service Award, Professional: Lisa Fraser, executive director of the Center for Family Strengthening. Fraser has created and grown nine major programs, each designed to strengthen families and stop the cycle of child abuse. She is board president of Alpha Pregnancy and Parenting Support and a board member of Central Coast LINK. Fraser established the Regional Child Death Review Team for Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.

▪ Progress for Women Award: Anita Robinson, CEO of Coast National Bank. Robinson founded Mission Community Bank in 1996 with a focus on underserved groups, and helped start the Housing Trust Fund of San Luis Obispo County. She is a CASA fundraiser and Legacy Leader within the Women’s Legacy Fund of the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County.

▪ Grace N. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award: Ann Robinson. Robinson is on the board of directors, has served on several committees, and is a past-president of the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. She is a founding member and Legacy Leader of the Women’s Legacy Fund of the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County and a member of The Monday Club of San Luis Obispo.

▪ Susan Dressler Women in Education Award: Anna Bates, teacher at San Luis Obispo High School. Bates has been a teacher in the Agriculture Education and FFA Department since 2002. She also advises the FFA Chapter officers. Bates has coached and mentored many individuals and teams in FFA competitions. This special award was last given in 2010.

▪ Barbara George Women in Philanthropy: Libbie Agran, retired president of Libbie Agran Financial Services. Agran developed an educational series called Economics of Being a Women, which she offered for more than 30 years. She has been a strong contributor to the Women’s Legacy Fund and the Fund for Global Women. Agran led the creation of a new fund to grant additional resources for the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center and developed a business and fundraising plan for the Botanical Gardens. This special award was last given in 2010.

The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cuesta College’s San Luis Obispo Campus in Building 5400, Room 5401. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at www.wlfslo.org or by calling 543-2323.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 1:47 PM with the headline "SLO County Women of Distinction to be honored in Cuesta ceremony."