Allstate senior vice president Bill Vainisi joined “Washingtonian” publisher Catherine Merrill Williams in welcoming the 250 guests to the 40th anniversary of the Washingtonians of the Year Awards. Allstate was the presenting sponsor of the luncheon. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Former senator George Allen congratulates 2011 Washingtonian of the Year Tom Sherwood. Allen’s father, legendary Redskins coach George Allen, was the first Washingtonian of the Year in 1971. Photograph by Erik Ueke
WRC-TV anchor Jim Vance, who served as emcee; “Washingtonian” publisher Catherine Merrill Williams; former senator George Allen; “Washingtonian” chairman Eleanor Merrill; and Susan Allen. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Robert Zagorski was honored for doing 250 days of volunteering a year. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Winner Nancy Pallesen’s daughter Carol Adams flew in from Seattle to see her mother honored for her work at the Arlington Free Clinic. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Former winner Fabian Barnes, who teaches dance to inner-city kids, with his guest Harry Thompson. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Honoree Nancy Pallesen’s guests included her sister, named for their famous grandmother, Margaret Sanger, who was a pioneer of women’s health issues. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Hecda Cuadros, here with her luncheon guests, was honored for her work at the Fairfax County food pantry Food For Others and the County Appointed Special Advocates program. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Former Washingtonians of the Year Dan Mote, who recently retired as the president of the University of Maryland College Park, and George Mason University president Alan Merten. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Wayne Reynolds, 2011 winner Catherine Reynolds, and past honoree Terre Jones, who heads the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Past winners Dan Mote, former president of the University of Maryland College Park, Alan Merten, George Mason University president, and Neil Kerwin, president of American University. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Past winners Trinity University president Patricia McGuire, American University president Neil Kerwin, and John Tydings, former head of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Photograph by Erik Ueke
WAMU radio host Kojo Nnamdi, former PEPCO chairman John Derrick, and local Red Cross CEO Linda Mathes were among the more than 90 past winners who attended the 40th-anniversary event. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Past winners Barbara Lang, president of the DC chamber of Congress, and Mark Tuohey, who was honored for his work to bring a baseball team to DC and secure more playing fields for local kids. Photograph by Erik Ueke
As presenting sponsor, Allstate joined Washingtonian Magazine to support this heartwarming event. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Theater patron William McSweeny and former Studio Theatre artistic director Joy Zinoman were previously honored by The Washingtonian for helping to make Washington a great theater town. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Family members came to salute Fatima and Ibrahim Savage, who were honored as extraordinary Montgomery County foster parents. Photograph by Erik Ueke
Past Washingtonians of the Year Donald Graham, Washington Post chairman of the board, and renowned local artist Lou Stovall welcome the opportunity to reconnect at the annual luncheon. Photograph by Erik Ueke
