So much has changed since we launched the Tribute to Women and Industry Awards (TWIN) in 1984 – from the price of a home to the advent of the internet - but the importance of recognizing women leaders remains as important as ever.

We started the TWIN Awards to honor businesswomen who make a difference in Anne Arundel County, not only to their organizations but also to their communities, and to celebrate employers who have a legacy of empowering women.

As we collect your nominations for the 2016 TWIN Awards in June, we can’t help but think back to some remarkable honorees from years past.

This month our spotlight is on 2015 honoree, Koren Ray, cofounder and chief designer at Hobo International, a designer handbag company.  Koren and her mother Toni created Hobo from their dining room table in 1991.  Twenty-five years later, Hobo has grown into a successful global brand.  Koren hasn't lost sight of her roots, though. Hobo's flagship store remains a popular fixture on Green Street in Annapolis.

Koren likes to say that, “quality and cool never go out of style.”  Neither does leadership, and that is the common thread connecting each of our TWIN Award winners.  They commit to ideas bigger themselves - ideas like building a global retail brand, giving back to the Anne Arundel County community or mentoring a young woman coming up the professional ranks.     

That is why we have honored women like Koren every year since 1984.  They lead our community in a way that will never go out of style.

So send us your nominations for the 2016 TWIN Awards and be sure to register for the Awards ceremony in June at the Westin Annapolis.  You can do both by visiting this link.  Proceeds from the event support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault while improving the lives of women and children residing in Anne Arundel County.  Event tickets are $100 per person and can be secured at www.annapolisywca.org and clicking on the TWIN link or give us a call at 410.626.7800.