Duluth City Councilor Sharla Gardner was a finalist for a 2009 Women in City Government Leadership Awards.

MWCG Leadership Awards recognized elected or appointed women as Minnesota city officials. According to a press release from the League of Minnesota Cities, "The award recipients are recognized for individual achievement in their cities, as well as leadership and mentoring roles both inside and outside of their communities."

A city councilor from Elmore and a city manager from Plymouth were the winners of the award. But, Gardner and a planning commission member from Bayport received certificates of appreciation and recognition for their nomination and leadership. Gardner was nominated by Roger Reinert for her work on the council while he was Council President.

"It is a great honor to receive this award and to be recognized by my peers in municiple government, which included city councilors from the metro-area, city councilors and women mayors and city managers from all over Minnesota," said Gardner. "Accepting this award was one of the highlights of my career and I'm very grateful to be recognized by a group of such amazing women."