Seven women doing outstanding work in their field of endeavor were honored by the YWCA of Steubenville in its Women of Achievement Awards Dinner.

Kathy Mussio was the emcee, and Helen Dorsey gave the prayer before the meal at the YWCA social room.

Nina Steinman, president, was in charge of reservations at the door and spoke briefly on the organization.

Mussio made presentations to the following women in their outstanding fields:

Jennifer Cesta is the "Rising Star" recipient, an award given to a leader who brings out the best in others. She has been public relations coordinator for the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County for 15 years, president of the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's Ambassador Club and is an independent consultant for Southern Living at Home.

Helen Dorsey, religion award, has been a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for more than 50 years, is a teacher of the Zion Circle Mission and president of Usher Board 2. She is Council of Christian Churches of Steubenville and Vicinity secretary, Steubenville Women United treasurer, Jobs and Family vice president, Women's Health Center secretary, YWCA trustee board member, life member of the NAACP and American Red Cross volunteer.

Terry Jennings, health recipient, is retired from Trinity BCCP as case coordinator/manager and licensed social worker. She was on administration of the Deaf Services Program for 11 years and county Children's Services board in roles of children's home supervisor, administrator and superintendent. Jennings is a member of Quinn Memorial AME Church, serving on the usher board, steward board, official board and member of Voices of Praise choir. She volunteers with the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, hemophiliacs, United Way, Lions Club, Human Resources Network, Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition and Women in Action Against Cancer.

Dorothy Blaner, non-profit public service award, has been a Toronto councilmember for 17 years and president pro-tem since 1995, chairman of the finance and ordinance committees and alternate to the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association meetings.

She is a Jefferson Community College trustee, served on the Ohio Association of Community College Delegate board and a member and secretary to the OACC legislative committee.

Blaner represents Toronto on the TEMS joint ambulance district board, president of Toronto High School Alumni Association, Jefferson County Democratic Party executive committee, United Way of Jefferson County's allocations committee, member of Jefferson County and Toronto Area Chamber of Commerce groups.

Kristin Murdock, news media award, is in the television/radio business. As a student at Morehead State University, she was honored by National Public Radio and while working for West Virginia Public Television, Murdock received an Associated Press award. While working in Huntington, she had a chance to report on "We Are Marshall," filmed there in 2006.

Murdock has been with WTOV9 as promotion director for two years. This job brought her back to her roots in Steubenville.

Sharon Ross Travis, education recipient, started her teaching career as math instructor at Grant School in 1970, transferring to Harding in 1975 and completed a second masters degree from the University of Dayton in school administration.

After 30 years in the classroom, Travis became director of guidance for Steubenville City Schools in 2001, partnering with Youngstown State University to supervise and mentor novice school guidance counselors and in 2006, became director of curriculum and pupil services.

She is member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and American School Counselors Association.

Annie DelFiandra, safety forces recipient, has been dispatcher for the Steubenville Police Department for more than eight years and assisted in several undercover vice operations, targeting prostitution in the city.

She has been a volunteer and supporter of Special Olympics for 10 years, is on the national bone marrow donor registry and is a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross

(McCoy can be contacted at emccoy@heraldstaronline.com.)