Gai Gharardi, l.a. Eyeworks
OWA 2021 Pleiades Award Honoree.
 Debbie Myres,  Visual Inspirations
OWA 2021 Pyxis Award Honoree.
 
DALLAS—The Optical Women's Association (OWA) is inviting its members and non-members to join the organization on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. EST for an OWA virtual event celebrating and toasting the OWA's 2021 Pleiades Aware honoree, Gai Gherardi (co-founder and co-designer of l.a. Eyeworks) and its Pyxis Award honoree, Debbie Myres (owner of Visual Inspirations). The evening event, sponsored by EssilorLuxottica, will also feature an encore presentation of the acclaimed 2021 OWA Connection Series keynote speaker, Dr. Connie Mariano.

The selections, announced by OWA earlier this year, noted that Gherardi will receive the OWA Pleiades award to recognize her exceptional action in advancing the leadership role of women in the optical industry. Myres will receive the OWA's Pyxis award to honor her as a member of the OWA who actively participates in the organization and has contributed to its continuing growth. Information about the awards and past OWA honorees are posted on the OWA site here. 
 

Dr. Connie Mariano, author, The White House Doctor.
In her book The White House Doctor, Dr. Connie Mariano recounts her nine years of serving under three sitting presidents. She participated in world headline-making news events, travelled all over the world, caring for dignitaries and members of the First Family, and has been the first in the following notable achievements: the first military woman to become the White House Physician to the President, the first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit, and the first Filipino American in U.S. history to become a Navy Rear Admiral. Dr. Mariano was just recently the featured speaker at the OWA Connection Series luncheon event at Vision Expo West. The White House Doctor is one of OWA's 2021 business book selections, a member benefit.
 
As noted on its website, each year, the annual OWA award honorees receive $1000 each to put toward a charity of their choosing. The Charities of Choice selected for 2021 are A New Way of Life Reentry Project, selected by Pleiades recipient Gai Gherardi, and the Dallas International Street Church, selected by Pyxis recipient Debbie Myres. If anyone would like to make an additional contribution to either of these charities please visit their respective donation pages, OWA pointed out.

Attendance at the OWA "Elevate" event is offered at no charge to members and non-members, but registration is required and requested by Oct. 18 via this link.