The AK Steel Foundation is underwriting the inaugural Steel Magnolia Awards, which recognize women of all ages who have overcome obstacles to make a difference in others’ lives.
Honoring eight women who reside in the vicinity of the company's corporate headquarters and plant operations, the awards, worth $1000 each, will be presented in the form of a grant made to an eligible nonprofit selected by each recipient.
The Middletown (Ohio) Community Foundation administers the program and accepted nominations for the inaugural awards during spring 2009. Recipients were selected by an independent panel through the Middletown Community Foundation.
The 2009 Steel Magnolia Award recipients are:
- Eleanor Berry, who resides in Ashland, Ky. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit the Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Foundation.
- Etta Caver, residing in Fairfield, Ohio. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit Citizens Against Domestic Violence.
- Martha Fitts Clark from Owensboro, Ky. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit Impact 100 Owensboro.
- Kimberly Rae Fairchild, who resides in Mansfield, Ohio. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit the youth choir of Upward Bound Youth.
- Jean Hooper from Zanesville, Ohio. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit the Muskingum County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogy Society.
- Shelly Reigle, residing in West Lafayette, Ohio. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit her local American Cancer Society Relay for Life team.
- Tammy Robert, who resides in Middletown, Ohio. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit Hands and Feet, a home repair project administered by Berachah Baptist Church for Middletown families in need.
- Renee Spohn from Butler, Pa. Her Steel Magnolia Award will benefit the Butler County Special Olympics.
"The 2009 award recipients are courageous women who, despite personal challenges, continue to make a significant difference in the lives of others," said James L. Wainscott, AK Steel Chairman, President, and CEO. "Through the company's foundation, we are proud to honor these inspirational women by sponsoring the inaugural Steel Magnolia Awards."
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless, and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6000 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton, and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 250 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio, and Columbus, Ind. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive, and other markets.