Announced today by the Manufacturing Institute, the awards are part of a larger project to promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and best practices for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent.

The 122 women honored today include quite a few with plastics connections. Here are some:

Susan Adams, Director Human Resources and Environmental & Safety, Able Manufacturing & Assembly LLC, Joplin, Mo.

Ruby Bernard, Associate Team Manager, Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, Tenn.

Margaret Cannon, Metal Fabricator / Relief Apprentice Instructor, Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, Tenn.

Laurie Chandley, Director of Manufacturing Services, Southeastern Container Inc., Enka, N.C.

Cathy Costanzo, Senior Director - Quality Assurance, Exide Technologies, Milton, Ga.

Dr. Julia DiCorleto, General Manager, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Aurora, Ohio.

Melinda Donnelly, President, Novaflex Group, Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Erika Hendricksen, Global EH&S Leader, Dow Coating Materials, Dow Chemical Co., Wilmington, Ill.

Dr. Amber Hinkle, Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ), Bayer Material Science LLC, Baytown, Texas.

Valerie Kelso, Engineer, Steinwall Inc., Coon Rapids, Minn.

Susan Lewis, Operations Director, Houston Area Operations, Dow Chemical Co., Houston.

Jan Santerre, VP Lean Business, Hillenbrand Inc., Batesville, Ind.

Noelle Walsh, Business President, Chemicals Business, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.

There are more that appear to have plastics connections -- if you see your name or your company's name on the list and you're a Plastics Blog reader, send me a note.

Meanwhile, congratulations to all the honorees. This is nice recognition for them, and for their companies.