In its 11th
year, the prestigious 50 Best Award seeks nominations from across
the state that are reviewed by an independent panel of judges.
The judges select the top candidates based on dedication to business
growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement,
and advocacy for women in business. To qualify, a nominee must
meet those requirements and be an owner, partner, president, or
in a senior executive management level position.
In a press
release issued by the Governor's office, Gov. Rendell said, "These
women, and many others, are making outstanding contributions to
the economic growth and vitality of Pennsylvania. Our women business
owners are taking advantage of the opportunities presented to
them and are creating opportunities for many others."
Ms. Dion Krischke
is the owner of Three Rivers Paintball and Team Effort Events.
Her annual Paintball Festival, previously known as The International
Amateur Open, has brought in millions of dollars in revenues to
the Cranberry business community over its 15-year history. Her
new venture, The Glass Slipper Ball produced by Zonta Club of
Pittsburgh Three Rivers North (an international women's service
organization) has raised over $175,000 for local women's agencies
and philanthropic projects worldwide. She is now replicating the
event in other cities with other Zonta clubs and helping them
obtain much needed funding and visibility for the organization.
As the original
Public Relations Director for the founding company of paintball,
called The National Survival Game, Ms. Dion Krischke has been
an advocate for the betterment of the sport for the past 25 years.
She and her husband Ryan and daughter Alexandra reside in Wexford,
PA.
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
October 2006
Contact: Judy Yupcavage
PCADV
Director of Communications
800-932-4632
Contact: Stacy
de las Alas
Crisis Center North
Development Specialist
412-364-6728
Local Woman
Receives Statewide Recognition for Work to End Domestic Violence
An Allegheny
County woman is among 30 Remarkable Women who were honored at
a luncheon on Thursday, September 14th in State College by the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and its
state network of domestic violence programs, in celebration of
the organization's 30th anniversary as the nation's first state
domestic violence coalition.
Debra Dion
Krischke of Zonta Three Rivers Pittsburgh North has been selected
by Crisis Center North for inclusion in the Coalition's Tribute
to Women Making Domestic Violence History in recognition of her
efforts to respond to and end domestic violence.
For over 15
years, Debra Dion Krischke has made education for single moms
her priority. Debra has raised more than $180,000 in educational
scholarships for women's organizations and domestic violence centers
in the Pittsburgh region. Within the last three years, her project
- the Glass Slipper Ball featuring the Best of the Chefs- has
evolved into a highly successful event, which has expanded to
a national level. Since 2005, Crisis Center North has received
$30,000 in scholarships for clients.
A ZONTA member,
Debra fulfills her mission to advance the status of women both
locally and globally, and is currently working with domestic violence
centers and ZONTA chapters to bring educational opportunities
to women across the country.
The tribute
to the 30 Pennsylvania women acknowledged their contributions
that not only helped to change systems, shift attitudes and enlist
allies, but also transform futures. The scope of their achievements
is evident in the halls of the Capitol, in courtorrms, health
care settings, in college and highs chool classrooms, and in communities
across the Commonwealth. Susan
Kelly-Dreiss,
executive director of PCADV, noted "The honorees have used
their talents to establish domestic violence programs, build shelters,
raise public awareness, provide advocacy, ensure victims' rights,
moblize communities, pursue justice, develop safety plans, secure
funding, strengthen laws, prosecute abusers, improve health care
response and educate students, friends, neighbors and the general
public."
"Today,
so many more domestic violence victims in Pennsylvania now know
that when they are in crisis, they have places to shelter them,
advocates to counsel them and a host of services to support them
as they attempt to rebuild their lives free of violence,"
Kelly-Dreiss added.
Grace Coleman
said that the Crisis Center North is proud to join with PCADV
in celebrating Debra Dion Krischke's legacy of peace and justice.
A complete
list of the honorees can be found under Hot News at www.pcadv.org
