MARIETTA - The Tribute to Women has been a tradition now for 25 years, and this year the YWCA of Northwest Georgia reaped even more benefits than expected, said Holly Comer, the YWCA's executive director.

"We grossed almost $30,000 more than last year," Comer said. "In this awful economy, it just shows how great this community is." The gala netted about $94,000 for the YWCA, she said.

The main event of the March 26 gala, at the Cobb Galleria Centre, is selecting the Woman of the Year from among the 15 nominees.

Leigh Colburn, principal of Marietta High School, took home the honor this year.

"I was very surprised," Colburn said. "I had pretty stiff competition, and I had in mind two or three women I thought might win it, and I wasn't on my short list. But it was just such a fun event, and so well done."

She was also proud of her school, she said, noting that six Marietta High School alumnae were among the honorees.

Colburn was selected by a panel of three judges.

"All that Leigh has done in education impressed the judges, but on top of that she still gives back to her community," Comer said. "She finds time to do that on top of being principal of a large high school. She is just one of those energetic types of people that you just want to be around."

About 400 people attended the gala, which included a silent auction of purses. The YWCA also recognized a survivor of domestic violence, Comer said.

"This is a woman who has been through a lot, and she brought a human face to what we do," Comer said.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., of Marietta, received the Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award.

The YWCA also awarded a scholarship to Teryn Mask, a student at Woodstock High School who has excelled in school despite overcoming the death of her father.

Volunteers are already planning the 2011 event, Comer said, which benefits the YWCA's domestic-violence shelter and its counseling and other programs. And she attributed some of financial gain to a growing awareness of all that the YWCA does.

"The more people are aware, the more they see how crucial our work is," Comer said. "I feel very blessed in Cobb, because this community figures out how to help people."

The other Tribute to Women honorees were Sheila Brower; Carol Callaway; Barbara Corey; Johnnie Gabriel; Sally Macaulay; Patricia McDonald; Lisa Olens; Jennifer Brett; Leigh Pharr; Condace Pressley; Mary Ansley Southerland; Rose Wing; Lamuriel Adams; and Lee Freeman.