RAFTER RECEIVES HONOR.

Byline: Daily News

WOODLAND HILLS - Daily News Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Rafter was recognized along with 14 other women for savvy, chutzpah, experience and enterprise at the San Fernando Valley Business Journal's annual Women Who Mean Business awards on Wednesday night.

The biweekly business journal has saluted female executives and entrepreneurs for the past four years, partnering with the Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley to salute their business acumen. Over the past year, local leaders and companies submitted over 100 nominees, ranging from lawyers to communications specialists.

Rather than selecting a top honoree, the hosts instead winnowed the list down to 15 finalists they believed set good examples for other people in business.

``These women have worked really, really hard,'' said Pegi Matsuda, publisher of the Business Journal. ``There's a lot to learn from their stories for anybody. It's not just in business, but people who want to better themselves. Men, women, young and old - everyone can get something from them.''

In past awards, the organizers focused on women at the top of their fields, but decided to expand the eligibility to up-and-coming businesswomen as well.

In addition to Rafter, winners included Arlene Alpert, Encino Chamber of Commerce; Tracy Beavers, CooperBeavers; Sue Bendavid Arbiv, Lewitt, Hackman, Shapiro, Marshall & Harlan; Kellie Bernell, WellPoint Health Networks; Kim Cartaino, Warner Center Marriott Hotel; Sarah Elizabeth Daniels, The Valley Social; Beverly Gilmore, West Hills Hospital; Sherry Grossberg, Good, Swartz, Brown, Berns LLP; Sandra Hamilton, EdNet Career Institute; Nicole Hausman, Kaiser Permanente; Kathleen Marshall, The Falcon Theatre; Adrienne Morea, Atlas Homeware; Rebecca Oliveras, Aircare Home Medical; and Karen Thomas, Holy Cross Medical Center.

``I'm humbled by it,'' Rafter said. ``It gives inspiration to the people to continue to do the work that benefits us all. These people are an inspiration to everyone in the Valley.''

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Daily News Publisher and CEO Tracy Rafter, left, stands with Richard Cooper of Telesis Community Credit Union and Valley Business Journal Publisher Pegi Matsuda.