Five more exemplary leaders will take their place among the rarefied list of 135 women leaders honored by the YWCA of O'ahu for the contributions they have made to the community, their respective professions and their families.

The women will be recognized at the 33rd annual LeaderLuncheon on Friday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. To RSVP or for more information, call 695-2629 or go to www.ywcaoahu.org

"We invite the community to join us in paying tribute to the accomplishments of our women leaders. Their lives serve as inspiration for women and girls for years to come," said Lissa Guild Eveleth, chair of the board of YWCA of O'ahu and co-chair of the 2010 LeaderLuncheon along with her mother and 2001 LeaderLuncheon honoree, Alice Guild.

The distinguished honorees for 2010 include:

Violeta Arnobit, CEO of Ace Medical, Inc.

There is no doubt that Violeta Arnobit embodies the qualities of a great leader. When she was working as a nurse in the home health care industry, Violeta realized there was a gap in service. Her goal was to improve the quality of life for older and convalescing people by maximizing access and independence. Taking that vision, compassion and "just do it" attitude, she developed a successful business, Ace Medical, Inc., which provides home medical equipment and supplies, convalescent aids, respiratory equipment and supplies, pressure relief therapy equipment, rehabilitation equipment and supplies and equipment repair and services.

As president of the Filipino Nurses Association of Hawaii, she promoted educational programs and developed networking opportunities for nurses to help them build their careers. And despite her success and community work, Violeta is still on call, 24 hours a day, to respond to emergencies and attend to client needs. No wonder she was recognized with the Nurse of the Year Excellence in Leadership Award in 2009.

Faye Kennedy, Civil Rights Advocate

If you want to get something done, especially in regards to civil rights and social justice, Faye Kennedy is the woman to call. The majority of her lifetime has been spent striving for equal opportunity and equal treatment for all people. As a long-time civil rights advocate, her dedication and tireless work in promoting diversity, assuring social justice and advocacy of underrepresented and discriminated populations is an inspiration to all. Faye was instrumental in founding the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and a leader in establishing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. state holiday in Hawaii. She generously gives her time as an active educator, writes articles and letters to the editor; participates in panel discussions, legislative hearings, classroom and community forums and organizes fundraisers for important causes. She is the co-chair of the Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights and president of the Hawaii Women's Political Caucus

Nanci Kreidman, CEO of Domestic Violence Action Center

Nanci Kreidman is a voice for those who cannot or will not speak for themselves. And, for her it is not just her job, but her passion. She is an advocate for women and children for whom "home" is not a safe place, but rather filled with terror, torment and uncertainty. As CEO of Domestic Violence Action Center, Nanci is the go-to spokesperson for the issue of domestic violence and a leader among agencies working for change. Through education and awareness, Nanci seeks to prevent abuse and raise awareness in order to stop violence before it escalates catastrophically.

Nola Nahulu, Executive and Artistic Director of Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus

Through her work as the artistic and executive director of the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus and numerous organizations on Oahu, Nola Nahulu has impacted the Hawaii arts community and Hawaii's youth for more than three decades. Her encouragement, ability to foster talent and develop an understanding and appreciation of music has enhanced the lives of hundreds of families. Since Nola began working for HYOC, membership has grown from one ensemble of 30 children to over 200 members performing in nine different ensembles.

Leslie Wilcox, CEO of PBS Hawaii

Leslie Wilcox became a familiar face and a household name in Hawaii as a top-rated news anchor for KHON and KGMB television. Three years ago, she took the helm of Hawaii's own public television station and multi-media organization, PBS Hawaii. As one of her innovative and visionary efforts, Leslie has taken the lead in developing Hiki N, a student news program (the first in the nation) to debut in September, 2010. It will put PBS Hawaii on the national map. Previously, she co-founded the Lkahi Giving Project, a program close to her heart, which helps to provide emergency assistance and holiday provisions for working individuals and families in Hawaii.

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