Honoring Hampton Roads women who have been successful in their business and careers, as well as positively impacting their community, the Inside Business Women in Business Achievement Awards have been a staple in the region for the past ten years.This year, one of the honorees was Regent University alumna Kristi Wooten '99 (Law and Government). Wooten (pictured left) practices family law at Wooten & Shaddock PLC.
"I'm honored to receive this award," said Wooten. "As a woman in a male-dominated career, it's great to see women honoring other women and helping us gain recognition for our accomplishments."
Wooten admits that being a successful business owner, wife and mother, as well as impacting her community, has been a challenge. "I hope other women see these awards as inspirational and as an opportunity to learn from other women who have gone before them," she explained. "Receiving awards and plaques shouldn't drive our goals, but it is nice to be recognized for our successes. Women have a lot to contribute, especially to the area of family law where we often serve more as counselors-at-law than attorneys."
Wooten was one of 25 honorees celebrated at a banquet on Monday, Dec. 10. The honorees were selected by a panel of judges and were also profiled in a special issue of Inside Business.
"Practicing law is a way to combine my love of the process with helping people," Wooten said. "Regent Law and [the Robertson School of Government] equipped me with a necessary knowledge of the foundation and building blocks of the law. The schools train students to understand, apply, reason and argue the law. Regent also compels one to pursue, not just a career, but a calling and a passion."
By Rachel Bender