Woman of the Year
2022 Honoree
On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, the Zonta Club of the Joliet Area announced their Woman of the Year. Dr. Karen Pastell, retired audiologist and former owner of Prairieland Audiology, was chosen by her peers for this once-in-a-lifetime honor.
In giving the award at the monthly membership meeting, Committee Chair Peggy Field noted some of the comments made by other members about Pastell. “She is very dependable, and has cheerfully served on many committees. She chaired two fundraisers and was chair of the Festival of Culture.” Pastell has been a member of the club for 14 years and has held various executive board positions. She recently stepped up to volunteer to be Treasurer for the club. She has been involved in many of the club’s service projects, and has been one of the club’s most reliable members.
Pastell was also recently honored by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce as she’s been one of their most active members.

Woman of the Year Past Honorees
2004 Kathy Giegerich
2005 Beth Ann May
2006 Mary Baudino
2007 Pat Perrier
2008 Dinah Archambeault
2009 Yolanda Reyes
2010 Bonnie Horne
2011 Rita Weiss
2012 Beth Colvin
2013 Mary Lancaster
2014 Peggy Field
2015 Cathy Lowery
2016 Helen Hester Ross
2017 Kristine Schlismann
2018 Catherine Adamowski
2019 Pam Hunte
2020 Donna Zanzola
2021 Terri King
1995 Pam Davis Gorcowski
1996 Helen Sarsfield
1997 Emita Ostrem
1998 Ta Wilson
1999 Jan Larsen
2000 Lora McGuire
2001 Bonnie McElroy
2002 Dianne Harmon
2003 Karen Lega
1986 Helen Harshbarger
1987 Dorothy Cryder
1988 Carmela Castagna
1989 Dianna Gliwa
1990 Wanda Onstad
1991 Charlotte Baker
1992 Mohra Gavankar
1993 Jane DeWitt
1994 Judith Freund Vavrus