American Association of University Women to honor 4 for achievements Saturday

BRADENTON -- Four women will be honored by the American Association of University Women Bradenton branch at Palm Aire from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The annual Women of Achievement honorees are:

Laraine Batista is migrant liaison for Manatee County Public Schools. For 23 years, Batista has encouraged high school students in Manatee County to stay in school and assisted them in their post-high school education plans and scholarship applications.

Sue Fox has worked in various facets of social services and mental health and is program specialist for Manatee County's Alzheimer's Association Gulf Coast Chapter. She is also the Manatee County representative to the Advisory Council of the Department of Elder Affairs, West Coast Florida.

Marilyn Howard is the past executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation. Under her direction, assets of the Foundation grew to $36 million and cumulative grants and scholarships reached $14 million. The Foundation provided a major assist to the completion of the Manatee Performing Arts Center and the Campaign for Grade Level Reading.

Charlotte Thielen became a volunteer for the American Red Cross. She is an instructor in water exercise, tai chi, and CPR and helps implement the CPR/First Aid Certification of YMCA employees. Since moving to Bradenton, she has worked for the YMCA and Blake Medical Center and been an active volunteer for many other local charities.

Proceeds go to the Scholarship Foundation.

As a result of the Women of Achievement Luncheon and its Trivia Night, the AAUW Bradenton Branch awarded more than $6,000 in scholarships to nontraditional students in 2015.

Information: 941-751-1216.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "American Association of University Women to honor 4 for achievements Saturday."