Annie Awards Luncheon

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THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Join us as we celebrate women who embody the spirit of the Annie Awards. Established in 1998 in honor of the late Southeastern Louisiana University Administrator Anne Ferguson, these awards honor women who excel in their respective realms of expertise. 

The Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize five women who work in excellence and have a true servant's heart for the community. 

The 2017 Annie Award winners are:

• Judge Blair Edwards
• Shelly Gaydos
• Myrna Jordan
• Karen Pfeifer
• and Mary Zatarain

21^st Judicial District Juvenile Judge Blair Edwards has been co-chairperson of the Louisiana Department of Education Liaison Committee for the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges since 2010. She has served on the board of many organizations, including Tangipahoa Parish United Way, the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Options and the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce.
 
Most recently named Interim Principal for Hammond High Magnet School, Shelly Gaydos developed the innovative engineering and robotic programs at Hammond High Magnet School. She has served many years as both an educator and administrator, and was honored as a Kiwanis International Teacher of the Year for the tri-state area.

 Even at the age of 80, and recently diagnosed with cancer, Myrna Jordan continues to oversee almost 300 volunteers serving almost 2,500 households through local food bank, Our Daily Bread. Most recently, she has headed up the remodel project that will culminate in a 3,500 square-foot dining and kitchen facility to serve hot meals and serve as an emergency food center for the area.
 
Karen Pfeifer and her husband Chef Horst Pfeifer have brought new traditions to Middendorf’s while simultaneously honoring the restaurant’s 83-year history. Karen and her friend Jo Ann Ziller created the Options Weaving Studio, which provides meaningful work for men and women with disabilities. Karen also started the Middendorf’s Manchac run in 2009, which raises funds for local nonprofits each November.
 
A member of the Hammond community since 1975, Mary Zatarain has been a behind-the-scenes contributor for over 30 years. After college, Mary studied with world famous esthetician Christine Valmy in New York City, successfully using her passion to lobby the Louisiana Legislature to license estheticians in the state and nationwide. She has owned and operated the Right Face since 1978, in Baton Rouge, Hammond and New Orleans. 

The Chamber will celebrate the recipients at a luncheon on Tuesday, April 4, at the Southeastern Louisiana University Grand Ballroom. Sonia Perez, President of AT&T Louisiana, will be the featured speaker. Guests will enjoy live music by the Regg Sanders Jazz Trio and a cash bar featuring signature cocktails.

Annie Award Photos by Phillip Colwart Photography.