Hannaford Supermarkets and B95.5 are partnering to identify and celebrate women in the Capital Region its the

20 Outstanding Women!

We found the women who go above and beyond to make their communities a better place to live. Those unsung heroes in our neighborhoods – the ones who are already busy, yet find the time to give back in big ways to help others.

 Monday, March 9, 2026

Today's Outstanding Woman is,

Jill Kobayashi of Delmar

Jill Fairlee Kobayashi is a librarian in the truest and most expansive sense of the word. At the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Library, she serves a rural, lower-income community with a depth of dedication that transforms a public building into something far more meaningful, a sanctuary, a resource hub, and a place where every person who enters is met with dignity and care.

She connects community members to vital social services, provides compassionate support to elderly individuals living with dementia, and offers a steady, non-judgmental presence to those navigating homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. When government food assistance programs were cut and neighbors faced the very real prospect of going without, Jill stepped in personally to distribute gift cards quietly ensuring that no one in her community was left behind.

Her commitment extends to the operational needs of her institution as well. While her supervisor tends to a family health crisis, Jill has seamlessly assumed director-level responsibilities alongside her own without additional compensation and without complaint. She carries this expanded burden not out of obligation, but out of a genuine sense of duty to her library and the people it serves.

Through every challenge, every difficult conversation, and every person who walks through her doors, Jill shows up with a warm smile and unwavering respect. She does not seek recognition for the extraordinary things she does; she simply does them, day after day, because her community needs her to.

Nominated by  Janice Wetherbee

Listen to her interview below!

See all of this year's 20 Outstanding Women announced so far!

Congratulations to all of the 20 Outstanding Women with Hannaford Supermarkets and B95.5!

Check out the Outstanding Women from years past!

Class of 2025!

Class of 2024!