Mannington has named the winners of its 2007 Stand on a Better World Awards. With an eye toward honoring women who make a difference both in their communities and the world at large, Mannington selected the three finalists from a pool of entries sent to the competition’s website earlier this year. The winners include women involved in founding a pediatric care center for at-risk infants, a literacy group for blind children and an aid organization for impoverished families in Latin America. The entries were judged by a panel including famed athlete Billie Jean King, television journalist Deborah Roberts and Olga Murray, founder of the Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation and grand prize winner of last year’s award.

Barbara Drennen of Kent, Wash., was recognized for founding the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent. A longtime foster care provider, she saw firsthand the ravages of drugs on newborns and infants. She helped launch the nonprofit Center in 1990. The 24-hour facility aims to provide short-term specialized care for infants exposed to drugs. More than 2,200 newborns have been treated since the Center opened.

Debra Bonde of Livonia, Mich., received an award for launching Seedlings Braille Books for Children in her hometown. As a volunteer Braille transcriber, she became discouraged that less than 5 percent of children’s books are also provided in Braille. She launched Seedlings in 1984. The group focuses on increasing literacy in blind children by offering high-quality, low-cost Braille books. Seedlings has produced more than 230,000 books in Braille.

Mannington also honored Nancy Press, Ph.D., of Portland, Ore. She was horrified while traveling through Mexico to see the lack of access to healthcare and education for children. She launched Child Aid 20 years ago to help impoverished Latin American children by establishing partnerships with grassroots community organizations in Latin America.

The three finalists will attend the third annual awards ceremony at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 15. There, the panel of judges including guests of honor Billie Jean King, Deobrah Roberts and Olga Murray will select one grand prize winner. She will be awarded $25,000 to donate to her favorite charity. Additionally, two runners up will win $10,000 apiece to give to charity.

Entries for the 2008 Stand on a Better World Awards will be accepting beginning April 1, 2008, exclusively at www.StandonaBetterWorld.com. Any U.S. or Canadian woman is eligible to enter, according to Mannington.