Twenty-five Women in Leadership Awards were given at a luncheon at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria on Sept. 11 and one of them bore the name of Ann Cowling, an art and physical education teacher at St. Mary’s School in Metamora.

The awards, which recognize women who have demonstrated unswerving dedication to the betterment of their family, their company, and their community, are given annually be the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, The Marketeer Magazine, and WEEK TV.

A teacher for 31 years, Cowling has spent 25 of them at St. Mary’s School. She is known for stressing God first, family next and extracurriculars last, but has enjoyed success as a coach at St. Mary’s, leading the softball team since 1990 and the volleyball team since 2000.