Awards - Love them/Hate them

When I look in the local business publications, I'm always looking for names & pictures of women business owners and executive management. They are often few & far between. I came across the upcoming Hall of Fame award winners for Minnesota Business and, not surprisingly, there wasn't a woman's name among them. When Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal published their top newsmakers of 2007/2008, Marilyn Carlson was the only woman who made it. To get recognized and appreciated, it seems that annual special sections or awards need to be created just for Women. (Although we are a 51% "Minority.") I love to attend the events to support these inspiring women but wonder where the media coverage and influence goes after the big event. Are they simply honored that day by the people who know them and then simply set aside for the next year's story? Why do they so rarely make it into the general Top Business lists?