HOUSTON – The Crystal Ballroom at The Rice Lofts in downtown Houston was the backdrop for a special awards ceremony on Wednesday night.  It was there that the city’s Top 25 women were honored.

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Houston's top 25 women were honored during a special awards ceremony.

Now in its third year, the event pays tribute to women who have broken barriers in their respective fields and left a lasting impression on the City of Houston.  Honorees range from civic and cultural icons, to entrepreneurs, to corporate executives.  They are the city’s female visionaries.

“It’s a nice mix of women. Some of them are recognizable local icons who are often seen at award ceremonies. Then there are some women that you don’t see as they aren't always in the spotlight,” said Kim Floyd, Regional Manager of Rolling Out Weekly Newspaper.

Munson Steed, the publisher of Rolling Out, started this event to recognize women who were positive role models in the city, whether it was through their actions in business or their involvement in the community.  Every year they reach out to business and community leaders for nominations in both the non-profit and business sectors.

“The women chosen each year are truly honored,” said Floyd.  “We had about a hundred women nominated this year and our house committee of 21 business leaders and past winners narrow it down to the top 25.”

Some of this year’s honorees include Houston City Councilmember Jolanda “Jo” Jones,  Kelly Hodges,who is the Community Relations Coordinator at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Ruama Camp, who is the CEO & Founder of G.R.A.C.E. Community Services. 

“We have so many great women. You don’t know what these women have done until you start reading their bio. I’m just amazed at some of the phenomenal things these women have done,” said Floyd.

Floyd said that some of the achievements these women have accomplished are widely known, but many of the things they've done aren't.  It’s work that has gone unnoticed by the general public, but it has still touched hundreds of people along the way.

“These women are like ‘wow,’” said Floyd.

The complete list of this year’s honorees is as follows: Alexandria Rawls, Algenita Segars, Audrey Cosby, Carla Lane, Cheryl Creuzot, Darlene Coachman, Dorris Ellis, Dr. Laura Murillo, Dr. Laureen Wishom, Jacqueline Baly Chaumette, Jacqueline Kinloch, Jacquetta Smith, Janette Cosley, Jolanda Jones, Judge Vanessa Gilmore, Kelly Hodges, Laurie Vignaud, Lisa Williams, Melanie Lawson, Michelle Barnes, Ruama Camp, Sharon Owens, Tabatha Bellard, Toni Whitaker, Valerie Cassel Oliver and Marilyn Gambrell.