The YWCA of Hamilton honored seven local women Oct. 23 as part of the annual Salute to Outstanding Women of Achievement.

Based on nominations from the community, the women are selected from by a panel of judges in recognition of their exemplary contributions in community service.

Recipients of the Outstanding Women of Achievement awards become members of the Academy of Achieving Women.

Lynnette M. Heard, president and CEO of Bridges for a Just Community, was honored for providing “high quality programs that are responsive to the needs of the community and acts as the voice on the key and central issues of race, ethnicity, interfaith, sexual orientation/identity and other dimensions of human relations as a partner and convener.”

Her nomination cited her partnerships with the community “to enhance the quality of civic life, works closely with the board of directors to maximize the individual and collective strengths of governance, leads the organization’s fund raising efforts, acts as the primary spokesperson with the media, and provides ongoing leadership for translating the vision and strategy into action.”

Linda Marchetti-Moorman, operator of BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studios in downtown Middletown with her husband, Jay, was honored for her work in community and business development.

“Her business approach and strategic thinking in regards to the future of Middletown have set her apart as a business role model,” said her nominators. “Her service on local committees has allowed her to share her vision with others of what she believes the community can become and how to achieve that goal.”

“As a lifelong member of the community, Linda takes pride in this area and works tirelessly to find creative and non-traditional ways to attract visitors and fellow community members to live, work, play, and shop in Middletown,” the nomination said.

Community volunteer Tari S. Tharp was honored as “one who gives freely of her time and talents” for nearly 40 years in Oxford, including extensive work with the Lane Library. With the assistance of another volunteer, Tari has started a reading club in which fifth-grade students and senior citizens read the same book and meet to discuss.

Honoree Alana L. Van Gundy has had “a significant impact on Butler County and the criminal justice and social service agencies in the surrounding areas,” her nomination said, for her work developing academic programs at Miami University. She personally funded and created four student scholarships and has been a member or chair of more than 10 university and campus committees.

She is also engaged with community service for young girls as a coach for the local Butler County Girls on the Run program, a program that is focused on building self-esteem and healthy nutrition, exercise and lifelong goals for young women.

As a founding member of Muslim Mothers Against Violence at the Islamic Center of Greate Cincinnati, Homa Yavar “has passion for dialogue between people of different cultures and religions and is dedicated to numerous civic and community causes,” her nomination said.

Yavar has participated in many interfaith forums in tri-state area, was co-editor of a handbook for discussions on Islamic Faith and America Post 9/11 and co-chair of Greater Cincinnati Advocates for Darfur, organizing awareness days at over a dozen Cincinnati schools.

Sheree Young was honored for her work in nursing care for mothers and babies as the founder of Help Endure a Loss, a perinatal loss support program that has now cared for more than 1,700 families.

Through a new Sleep Safe initiative started in 2012, Young also is working with parents, infant caregivers and healthcare professionals to prevent infant deaths from unsafe sleep practices, accidental suffocation, positional asphyxia and entrapment.

Lee Knisley Sanders, Associate Dean for academic affairs for Miami University’s regional campuses, was honored for advancing “the relationship between education and economic empowerment not only for women but communities as a whole.”

Sanders “has been diligent in supporting activities for the Hamilton City Schools and the Fairfield City Schools,” her nomination said. She has served on the board of directors for the YWCA of Hamilton and volunteers with its literacy program.