The Idaho Foodbank’s President and CEO, Karen Vauk, is one of 50 Idaho women who will be honored for their commitment to excellence at the 2012 Idaho Business Review Women of the Year event on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Boise Centre.

The event will include a silent art auction benefitting the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, featuring nine local artists: Irene Deely, Sue Latta, Reham A. Aarti, Molly Vineyard, Bob Neal, Kristi Echols-Preston, Suz Brazeau Red Hawk, Wil Kirkman and Zion Warne.

A solo by world-renowned violinist Caroline Goulding, 19, will be the event’s featured performance.

The IBR recognizes women from public, private and charitable business sectors, giving credence to work ethic, innovation and balance. This is the seventh year of the awards program.

This year there were more than 180 nominations from across the state – 50 more than in 2011. Half of them completed the application process and then were rated by past Women of the Year honorees. Each applicant was ranked in four areas: professional achievements, leadership skills, community involvement and long-term goals. Through a days-long elimination process, the list was whittled down to 50.

“The fact that we have so many notable business women in our midst is a testament to our business community at large,” said Sean Evans, publisher and vice president of the Idaho Business Review. “Every year, the number of nominations increases and every year the selection process becomes more difficult.”

Karen Sander, executive director of the Downtown Boise Association, a 2006 Women of the Year honoree and one of this year’s selection committee members, said the women’s stories were incredible and many told of adversities.

“The overall strength of character was impressive – these are not just an elite group, not all women who went to college, got the degree and went to work,” Sander said. “I was constantly amazed at how they started their own business or to what heights they’ve taken their company. Many fought for where they are today – and they just keep giving back to the community.”

Their stories will be featured in a special publication in the Feb. 24 issue of IBR. For the second year, the Idaho Business Review will name one as the 2012 IBR Woman of the Year at the event;. The 2011 IBR Woman of the Year was Heidi Thompson, president and founder of Scentsy, Inc.

See the complete list of all 50 women…

What: 2012 Idaho Business Review Women of the Year Gala Event

When:  6 – 9 p.m. (reception, silent auction, dinner, awards event, performance), Tuesday, Feb. 21

Where: Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St.

Tickets: $80 available at www.idahobusinessreview.com or call 639-3522

Americorp Lewis & Clark Corp.

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits”

 – Martin Luther King Jr, December 10, 1964, Acceptance Speech at Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

Nearly 50 years later, these words continue to inspire individuals to become involved in their community and their community’s needs. In addition to the thousands of backpacks built on MLK day, a group of eight Americorps volunteers and six Boise High School students joined forces to collect non-perishable food donations.  The volunteers canvassed neighborhoods in the North End and Warm Springs area from January 8 through January 16.  On MLK Day, they picked up 776 pounds of food, enough for 647 meals to be served to hungry Idahoans.

Thank you to these dedicated students for their efforts in helping to end hunger in Idaho!