By james art 
The San Bernardino Area League of Women Voters recently recognized five citizens of achievement and presented its Civic Engagement Award.
More than 130 people attended the awards event held Oct. 6 at the Sterling Natural Resource Center in San Bernardino, according to a news release.
This year’s Citizens of Achievement Awards went to Stacey Barnier, Nikki Dettman, Geraldine “Gerry” Foxall-Cater, Nefertiti Long and Tansu Philip, and the Civic Engagement Award went to the Redlands Chapter of the American Association of University Women.
AAUW Redlands Branch members attending the event included Heather Abushanab, branch president, and Cassie McDuff, Ellen Timothy, Susan Burnett, Kay Daubertin, Amy Bisek, Nan Neigbors, Ellen Gruenbaum, Sharon Beeler and Kathryn Brown.
The program was coordinated by Twillea Evans-Carthen, chair of the League of Women Voters’ Citizens of Achievement and Civic Engagement Awards, with committee members Cathy Ervin, president of the League of Women Voters of San Bernardino Area, and Betsy Starbuck , Scott Starbuck and Jill Vasilakos-Long.
Citizens of Achievement
• Stacey Barnier, chief human resources officer for the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association, serves on the board of the Foothill Rebels Rugby Club and prepares meals for the players at home games. She is also a member of Rancho Cucamonga High School’s Fourth Quarter Booster Club for the school’s soccer team.
• Nikki Dettman is CEO of the Making Hope Happen Foundation and serves on the executive board of Home of Neighborly Service. She is also the secretary of the board of directors of the San Bernardino High School Alumni Association.
• Geraldine “Gerri” Foxall-Kater, past president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, is involved in community projects, including community cleanups, tree planting, children’s book collections, and work with the annual Blood of the Martyrs blood drive. It also promotes voter registration campaign and voter education activities.
• Nefertiti Long is president and founding member of the Alliance of Black Women Accountants, focusing on increasing representation in accounting and finance. It mentors young women interested in accounting or finance and awards scholarships.
• Tansu Philip is the co-founder of Viva La Boba Tea and Coffee Shop in San Bernardino and is an actor, comedian and community advocate. She also volunteers with the Redlands Family Service Association.
For information about the League of Women Voters of San Bernardino Area, go to my.lwv.org/california/san-bernardino-area.