The AK Steel Foundation is underwriting the Steel Magnolia Awards in recognition of women who have overcome obstacles to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
The awards, worth $1000 each, will honor six women who reside in the vicinity of AK Steel's corporate headquarters and plant operations.
"All of the award recipients are courageous women who, despite personal challenges, have made a significant difference in the lives of others," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO of AK Steel. "Through the company's foundation, we are proud to honor these inspirational women by sponsoring the Steel Magnolia Awards."
2011 Steel Magnolia Award Recipients underwritten by the AK Steel Foundation include:
· Nancy Bender of Butler County, Ohio, whose award will benefit the Animal Friends Humane Society's PetMobile Adoption Program.
· Kathy Rowan Brantley of Zanesville, Ohio. Her award will benefit the Putnam Underground Railroad Education Center.
· Vicki Laudick of Coshocton, Ohio. Her award will benefit the Hope House Shelter of First Step Family Violence Intervention Services.
· Amy Monteleone of Butler, Pa., whose award will benefit the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Pittsburgh.
· Dr. Janet Reid of Cincinnati, Ohio, whose award will benefit sickle cell disease research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
· Jayne Wangler of Rockport, Ind. Her award will benefit the Spencer County Elder Care Program of the Christian Resource Center, and help the Spencer County Sheriff's Department purchase Christmas gifts for underprivileged children.
The Middletown, Ohio, Community Foundation independently administers the Steel Magnolia Awards Program. Awards will be presented in the form of a grant made to an eligible non-profit organization selected by each recipient.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6200 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Ind. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets.
AK Coal Resources, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary of AK Steel, owns or leases metallurgical coal reserves in Somerset County, Pa. AK Steel also owns 49.9% of Magnetation LLC, a joint venture headquartered in Grand Rapids, Minn., which produces iron ore concentrate from previously mined ore reserves.