Three local women have been nominated for the annual Woman of the Year award, which will be announced at the Chamber of Commerce banquet on Jan. 27 at the Kirbo Center.

The Pilot Club is the sponsor of the annual award, and its members vote on the winner from those nominated.

Following are the nominees for this year.

Alecia Gordon

Alicia Gordon’s daughter, Shelby Gordon of Bainbridge, in her nomination letter said, “I believe my mother, Alicia Gordon, is the best leader I know—a humble leader. She puts others before herself no matter what the situation is, whether it involves working late in the concession stand, driving hours to a Cancer Society meeting, or listening to my problems.

“She is a phenomenal teacher, who goes over and beyond the normal expectations for her students to help them achieve success.

“John C. Maxwell states, ‘True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not to enrich the leader.’ This quote clearly describes my mom. She is modest in her work and does not expect a reward in turn for her toil.

“Mama is a strong Christian and lives her life to honor God. True servant leadership is a quality that only certain people attain, and I know my mom is one of those few. I would like to nominate Alicia Gordon for the 2010 Woman of the Year.”

Gordon is a sixth-grade reading teacher at Hutto Middle School and learning support reading instructor at Bainbridge College.

Charlotte Howard

Nominated by her daughters, Natalie, Candace, Allison and Gabrielle Howard, Charlotte Denise Howard is described by the four girls as not only an unbelievable mother, but also an astounding stewardess of leadership.

She has been involved in countless community service activities, that include: Being an adviser for Bainbridge High School CATS for Youth, a board member of the Family Connections, the Humane Society, and One on One Mentoring; chair of Bainbridge High School Council, chair and instructor of Bainbridge-Decatur County Youth Leadership Steering Committee, chair of Career Technical Agricultural Education Committee, chair of Continuing Education Advisory Council, chair of Family Connections Interview Committee, member of Family Connections interview committee; member of Georgia Association of Educators, member of the NAACP, member of the Youth Development Strategy Team, Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Club, volunteer at Friendship House and at Keep Decatur County Beautiful.

Members of the Pilot Club might ask themselves, “Why should Charlotte Howard be chosen as Woman of the Year?” The daughters’ answer is that she should be chosen because of her ability to influence young people to give back to this community and for her desire to build a better Bainbridge and Decatur County.

“Our mom gives 110 percent in everything she does. As participants in CATS for Youth, the NAACP Youth Council and the Youth Leadership Program, we have personally seen our mom change the hearts of several students. She consistently encourages our peers to come back to Bainbridge after college to help our community grow. Because of our mother’s enthusiastic attitude and the support she shows to the young people in Decatur County, many students are willing to volunteer their time and service in helping others.

“Charlotte Howard has the desire to better our town, city, state and nation, by reaching one person at a time.”

Howard is a personnel assistant for the Decatur County Board of Education.

Sue Steiner

Sue Steiner was nominated by Dit Albritton, who said she would like to nominate her because she has watched Steiner over the years go above and beyond to help Decatur County citizens in all walks of life, from making up backpacks for children every weekend, to making lunches for activities at Friendship House for Jesus, or working in any capacity to promote any benefit that affects children in our community.

“She is often the ‘go to’ person that people contact, whether they need assistance, or can give assistance. She works tirelessly to make things happen, often behind the scenes so that the average citizen would never know just what she does accomplish.”

Steiner is co-owner with her husband, Larry Steiner, of bainbridgega.com.