Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" started as a Special Report in 2003 and we've recognized, with the help of our readers, the achievements and contributions of more than 200 leaders in that period.

On occasion, we've recognized the pioneering efforts of some, posthumously, who helped grow the optical business and we have also reached out internationally to women who exert influence around the world.

In addition to the 2007 honorees, we also present the names of the 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 below. Click on any of the highlighted years to read about the previous years' honorees.

First Honor for Women Industry "Pioneers" in 2004

  • Ruth White, Avante Garde Optics
  • Norma Golden, D.O.C. Optics

International Women in 2005

  • Melanie Devlyn-Perez, Devlyn Optical Group
  • Astrid Galimberti, Anfao
  • Laurence Lafont, Lafont
  • Melanie Sherk, OD, Doctors Eyecare Network

For a look at past years' reports, click on the link at the head of each year's list.

2003 HONOREES

Retail Executives
Nancy DiCosmo, Au Courant

Meera Dua,Cole Licensed Brands

Debra Fink, D.O.C Optics

Diana Hall, Bard Optical

Michele Jantzen, Shopko EyecareCenters

Carene Kunkler, Sight Resource

Sherry Lay, Pearle Vision

Lynn Millay, LensCrafters

Sherrie Rogerson, Doctor’s VisionCenter

Opticians and Dispensing Managers/Executives

Diane Charles,Woodlawn Optical

Denise Cook, Harvard VanguardMedical Associates

Stacia Decker, Alvernon Optical

Diane Easterwood, Kaiser Permanente

Peggy Hudicer-Zillmann, Berris Optical

Emily Mikel, Folline Vision Center

Juanita Moman, Moman’s Eyecare

Pam Parizo, Parizo’s ChamplainValley Eyecare

Selima Salaun, Selima Optique

Mello Thompson, Image Optical

Optometry
Catherine Amos OD,Eyecare AssociatesVision Service Plan

Susan Danberg OD, Special OlympicsOpening Eyes Program

Harlyne Hantman, OD, Independent Practice

Jan Jurkus OD, Illinois College of Optometry

The Supplier Side
Grady Culbreth, Carl Zeiss Optical

Mimi Friedfeld, ClearVision Optical

Gai Gherardi, l.a. Eyeworks

Barbara McReynolds, l.a. Eyeworks

Andrea Gluck,Eyewear Designs

Nikki Iravani OD, CooperVision

Teresa Mandarini-Hanlon, Davis Vision

Jean Scott, Luxottica

Donna Van Green, Seiko Optical Frame Division

Sheila Vance, Sama Eyewear

Field Sales/Training
Mindy Bernstein, Kenmark Optical

Val Manso, Optical Dynamics

Danne Ventura, Essilor Lenses

Laboratories
Donna Benedict, OLA

Lorinda Fraboni, Walman Optical

Corrine Hood, Katz & Klein Optical

Vicki Kathe, Lightbenders

Teri Lew, Vision Service Plan

Sue Murray, Cumberland Optical

Naomi Svochak, Tru Form Labs

Dana Weeks, Optical Services International

Media/Associations/Consultants
Jackie Angel, Wind River CountyOptical

Marge Axelrad, Jobson Optical Group

Stephanie De Long, Eyecare Business

Darlene Eakin, Kentucky Optometric Association

Pam Fritz, AADO

Carole Norbeck, Silhouette Optical

2004 HONOREES

Retail Executives
Sharon Blankenship, Pearle Vision

Janet Callif, Luxottica Retail

Debbie Thomas, Eye Care Centersof America

Kathy Veltri, Cole Vision/Target Optical

Lisa Wolman, For Eyes Optical

Debra Woyce, National Vision

Opticians and Dispensing Managers/Executives
Janie Blackstock, Horizon Eye Care

Diane Drake, All About EyesVision Center

Amy Endo, A. Endo

Dianna Finisecy, Wagner Opticians and NAO

Patti Galko, Northeastern EyeInstitute

Helene Goldschmidt, Frame Up Eyewear Inc.

Kelly Huntsinger-Chasnov, Eyetopian Optical

Cathy Trejo, Monument Vision Clinic

Optometry
Sandra Bury, OD, Complete Vision Care

Janet Carter, OD, ARBO

Paula Newsome, OD, Advantage Vision Center

Kelly Nichols, OD, Ohio State University College of Optometry

Bina Patel, OD, New England College of Optometry

Susan Resnick, OD

Kathryn Reynolds, OD, Clarkson Eyecare

Glenda Secor, OD

Suppliers, Field Sales and Training
Mary Angrisani, CooperVision

Pat Aptaker, Nouveau Eyewear

Liz Davila, VISX, Inc.

Debra DeLong, Safilo USA

Kyle Duffens, Duffens Optical/South-Central region, Essilor Laboratories of America (ELOA)

Connie Falvo, Transitions Optical

Donna Gindy, Rem Eyewear

Gail Israel, Luxottica

Jan Kubiak, Signet Armorlite, Inc.

Regina Lage, Viva International Group

Corrine McCormack, Corrine McCormack Inc.

Susan Polson, National Optronics, Inc.

Nancy Roelke, SOLA Optical

Christina Schnider, VISTAKON, VisionCare, Inc.

Jennifer Walker, Essilor Laboratories of America

Becky Wilkinson, Oakley

Debi 'Zuke' Zuccheri, CIBA Vision

Managed Care
Laura Costa, Vision Service Plan

Donna Denby, Davis Vision

Liz DiGiandomenico, EyeMed Vision Care

Susan Hauser, Comprehensive Professional Systems

Mary Lou Stephan, Kaiser Permanente

Laboratories
Sue Crawley, Volunteer OpticalLaboratory

Kathy Gross-Edelman, Pech Optical Corp.

Julie Larson, Walman Optical

Associations/Consultants
Susan Knobler, Gift of Sight Development

Debbie Malakoff, Vision Council of America

Rene Soltis, Vision Council of America

2005 HONOREES

Retail Executives
Debbie Cohen, D.O.C Optics

Lora Loveland, Wal-Mart Optical

Jacqueline Marvucic, Emerging Vision, Inc./ Sterling Optical

Gretchen Oldt, Empire VisionCenters/Davis Vision

Laura O’Neill, Nationwide Vision

Nancy Noll, Opticare Eye Health and Vision Centers 

Jo Patt, Accurate Optical

Katheryn Schramm,A Child’s View 

Regina Sharp, Shared Services Luxottica Retail

Jackee Smith, Co/op Optical Vision Designs

Sandy Smith, Doctors Vision Center

Dispensing Opticians 
Sandra Brown, Dr. Bizer’s Vision World 

Jerry Himes, AoSola/Carl Zeiss Vision

Carol Russell, Bay State Eye Care

Optometrists/Ophthalmologists
Tuyet Kathleen Doan, OD, Clarkson Eyecare 

Susan Meek, MD, JD, Ophthalmologist

Beverly Miller, OD, Eye Associates

Karen Rosen, OD, Rosen Optometry Associates

Janice Scharre, OD, Illinois College of Optometry

Susan M. Stenson, MD, New York University School of Medicine

Regina McCollum Sullivan, OD, Focal Point Optical

Andrea P. Thau, OD, Thau and Associates

Penny Walter, OD, MPA, FAAO, Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity

Suppliers
Laurie Badone, Seiko Optical Products of America

Lynda Baker, Con-Cise Contact Lens Co. 

Kathy Bernard, Signet Armorlite

Yvette Carranza, Digital Vision, Inc. (DVI)

Yvonne Grieco, Zyloware

Debby Kelly, Safilo, USA

Lisa Lingard, Vision West, Inc.

Debbie Lochli, Viva International Group

Marj McGraw, Nouveau Eyewear

Kara Casey Meyer, REM Eyewear

Audrey Reed, Essilor of America

Donna Rollins, Marchon Eyewear

Bette Zaret, Transitions Optical

Managed Care
Cathy Holley, EyeMed Vision Care 

Kate Renwick-Espinosa, Vision Service Plan

Linda Sauer, Allied EyeCare

Laboratories
Kelly Bowling, Robertson OpticalLaboratories, Inc.

Lynn Cherry, Cherry Optical, Inc.

Candice Levr, Homer Optical Co.

Susan Nutgrass, Midwest Labs

Gale Meyer, Diversified Opthalmics

Lu-Lu White, Jorgenson Optical Supply

Associations/Consultants/Media
Eileen Baird, Int’l Vision Expo and Midwest Vision Congress

Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC, Carlton & Associates, LLC

Gloria Nicola, 20/20 Magazine

Mary E. Schmidt, EyeSystems

Shirley Platzer-Stocks, SPS Associates

2006 HONOREES

Retail Executives
Diane Beaufils, Eye Care Centers of America

Rebecca C. Jackson, Omega Optical

Julie King, Wal-Mart/DMM

Paulette Krstevski, Vision Point

Vanessa Wise, Luxottica Retail

Dispensing Opticians
Polly Fisher, A&A Optical Retail

Barbara Folgo, Strand Eye Care

Laura Frezza-Chiarello, West & Stannish Opticians

Madeleine Kruhsberg, Apex Optical

Sylvie Putman, Pro-Style Optical

Optometrists/Ophthalmologists
Sarah Appel, OD, Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Roxana F. Barad, MD, Pittsburgh Eye Associates

Ida Chung, OD, SUNY College of Optometry

Kristine Eng, OD, Orinda Associates

Joan Exford Korb, OD, Korb Associates

Michelle Harrison, OD, Camden EyeCare Associates

Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, New England College of Optometry

Lorie Lippiatt, OD, Salem EyeCare Center

Katherine Mastrota, OD, Omni Eye Clinic

Pamela Miller, OD

Jennifer Planitz, OD, Rio EyeCare PC

Maria Richman,OD, The Doctor’s Choice for Low Vision

Rhonda Robinson, OD, Ossip/Robinson Optometry

Jenny Smythe, OD, Pacific University College of Optometry 

Sarita Soni, OD, Indiana University

Suppliers
Kim Bratcher, The Alliance

Carole Bratteig, Transitions Optical

Judy Canty, Polycore Optical USA

Louise Courville-Gill, Hoya Vision Care

Lori Feldman, I-dealoptics

Barbara Flickinger, Marchon Eyewear

Diane Gillis, Essilor of America

Karen Gough, CIBA Vision

Ann Harrison, 1-800 Contacts

Cathy Kaye, ClearVision Optical

Donna Nagawaki, Rem Eyewear

Cindy Pelletier, ABB Optical

Janet Phillips, New York Eye

Carmen Renscher, Shamir Insight

Managed Care
Kim Caruso, Davis Vision

Cheryl Johnson Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Marylin Seastrom, EyeMed Vision Care

Kathy Torrence, Kaiser Permanente Optical Services

Laboratories
Karen Keeney, Chadwick Optical, Inc.

Carol Lamy, Diversified Ophthalmics, Inc.

LuAnn Mosier, Pech Optical Corp.

Jennifer Steffey, SunStar Optical 

Sue Crawley, Volunteer Optical Laboratory

Kathy Gross-Edelman, Pech Optical Corp.

Julie Larson, Walman Optical 

Associates/Consultants/Media
Cathy Ciccolella, Vision Monday

Valerie Scott, Association Exposition Services

Elizabeth Taylor-Creed, Southern Council of Optometrists/SECO