WEST CHESTER, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of women who have overcome obstacles to make a positive difference in the lives of others, the AK Steel Foundation is underwriting the Steel Magnolia Awards – honoring six women who reside in the vicinity of AK Steel's corporate headquarters and plant operations.  The awards are worth $1,000 each, and ­­­­­­­­­­will be presented in the form of a grant made to an eligible non-profit organization selected by each recipient.    

"All of the award recipients are courageous women who, despite personal challenges, have made a significant difference in the lives of others," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO of AK Steel.  "Through the company's foundation, we are proud to honor these inspirational women by sponsoring the Steel Magnolia Awards."

The Middletown, Ohio, Community Foundation independently administers the Steel Magnolia Awards Program.  For additional information about the program, contact the Middletown Community Foundation at 513-424-7369.   

2012 Steel Magnolia Award Recipients:

• In honor of the late Christine Bosch of Millbury, Ohio.  Her award will support Cardinal Stritch High School.
• Candy Goldie of Ashland, Kentucky.  Her award will support the Shelter of Hope homeless shelter.
• Jayme Lingo of West Lafayette, Ohio.  Her award will support the Fisher Nightingale House at Wright Patterson Air Force Base – a facility where family members of veterans reside while their loved ones undergo medical treatment.
• Mother Seraphina Marie of Covington, Kentucky.  Her award will support the charitable outreach of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary through the Rose Garden Home Mission.
• Margaret Quinn of Zanesville, Ohio.  Her award will support her local six county chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• Sheree Young of Middletown, Ohio.  Her award will support the Help Endure A Loss Program for bereaved parents at Atrium Medical Center.

AK Steel
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets.  The company employs about 6,200 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.  Additional information about AK Steel is available on the company's web site at www.aksteel.com.

AK Tube LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Indiana.  AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets.  Additional information about AK Tube LLC is available on its web site at www.aktube.com.  

AK Coal Resources, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary of AK Steel, controls and is developing metallurgical coal reserves in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  AK Steel also owns 49.9% of Magnetation LLC, a joint venture headquartered in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, which produces iron ore concentrate from previously mined ore reserves. 

SOURCE AK Steel