When we began this process two months ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew we had an abundance of wonderful women and fantastic females who go above and beyond on a regular basis to make Saratoga County a great place to work and live, but I wasn’t sure how many people would respond to our call for nominations. I am happy to say that we received dozens of nominations for some truly impressive women.

Over the weekend, our independent judges toiled over the nominees and their qualifications, ranking them on a scale of 1-5 based on a predetermined set of criteria. Earlier this week we totaled the scores and began contacting these award-winning women.

Although we came out with a Top 10, I have to say that all of the nominations were truly impressive. As stated by the judges, “This was a tough process; all of these women have the qualifications and characteristics to be an award winner.”

With the overall quality of nominations we received, you can imagine the passion our top 10 possess. Some of them I know, some I met this week for the first time.

After speaking with each of these women, I am reminded of a favorite quote by General Colin Powell: “Organization doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything either.

Theories of management don’t much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved.” These women prove that it is the people behind the plan that actually make things happen. They all have vision, passion, focus and they are committed to their projects and their communities.

On Tuesday, May 20, we will honor these leaders at our first annual awards luncheon at Longfellows restaurant. Three days later we will publish a comprehensive special section, which will be inserted into Saratoga TODAY, recognizing these award winners. Without further ado, here is our 2008 Top 10 Women of Influence for Saratoga County (in alphabetical order)…

Marianne Barker

Julie Bonacio

Marie Glotzbach

Susan Halstead

Kari Kushing

Teri Lee

Dottie Nixon

Margie Rotchford

Dee Sarno

Linda Toohey