Traditional Home Editor-in-Chief Ann Omvig Maine, along with returning co-host, veteran journalist and best-selling author Deborah Norville, honored five extraordinary women at the magazine’s premier Classic Woman Awards luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel ballroom in New York City on Wednesday.

This signature program celebrates the spirit of volunteerism by recognizing standout charitable women from across the country.

“It gives us great pleasure at Traditional Home to pay tribute to true American influencers, the honorees of our eighth-annual Classic Woman Awards,” said Maine.  “These heroic women exemplify the very best in volunteerism.”

Over the past seven years, Traditional Home has recognized a diverse range of extraordinary women who have made a difference in the lives of their communities. Honorees have raised funds for public schools, healthcare, literacy, domestic abuse prevention, cancer treatment, and much more.

Anne Omvig Maine, Beth Fuchs Brenner, Carlotta Jacobson, Nancy Chance, Evelyn Castellar, Pascha Peay, Shannon Thompson, Linda Davidson, Deborah Norville

The five honorees, who were nominated by Traditional Home readers, each have a unique cause and are making a difference across the country, and in different parts of the world. The women that were honored and their causes are as follows:

Evelyn Castellar, from Federal Way, WA founded Projecto Honduras in 2008 and provides a free medical clinic, healthcare, nutrition, basic necessities, education and social development to impoverished Hondurans in partnership with volunteer service and medical teams.

Linda Davidson, from McLean, VA launched Our Military Kids to provide substantial support in the form of grants to the children of National Guard and Military Reserve personnel who are currently deployed overseas, as well as the children of Wounded Warriors in all branches. The grants from Our Military Kids pay for participation in sports, fine arts, camps, and tutoring programs that nurture and sustain children while a parent is away in service to our country or recovering from injury.

Nancy Chance, from Noblesville, IN created the Good Samaritan Network to connect churches, clubs, agencies, and businesses to share resources and unite for the common good of serving families in need.

Shannon Thompson, from San Diego, CA founded Shakti Rising to harness the power of women’s empathy, creativity, and community-building. The organization changes the lives of more than 1,500 women and children each year.

Pascha Peay, from Randallstown, MD created Imagine Me Ministries,which provides group, peer and individual mentoring matching caring women to inner-city girls in need.

In addition to honoring the five recipients of the Classic Woman Awards, Traditional Home debuted the first-ever Editor & Publisher Award, presented by Elizabeth Arden. The recipient was Cosmetic Executive Women President Carlotta Jacobson. Jacobson founded Cancer and Careers, a program that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools, and educational events.

For more information about these women and their causes, visit the charities' websites. You can also pick up the September issue of Traditional Home where this year’s awards winners are featured.