HARRISBURG -- Twelve women from Allegheny County and one from Westmoreland County were included among Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business yesterday by Gov. Ed Rendell and five state business journals.

The local winners are: Dorothy Andreas, owner of the Sewickley Spa; Kimberly T. Fleming of Hefren Tillotson Inc.; Renee S. Frazier, executive officer and senior vice president of VHA of Pennsylvania; Elisabeth Freil, CEO of MAYA Viz; Carla E. Frost and Linda Leonhardt, both vice presidents at National City Bank.

Included also were Rhea A. Nicotra, owner of Bishops Inc.; Cathy A. Niederberger, senior vice president, PNC Financial Services Group; Elise Roby Yanders of Merrill Lynch; Ellen A. Roth, president of Getting to the Point Inc., Karen Smart, general manager, PNC Merchant Service Alliance; Rebecca J. Sohn, senior vice president/general manager, Lee Hecht Harrison; and Barbara VanKirk, owner of IQ Inc.

"Their commitment to business growth, to professional excellence and to the community is shaping the economic future of Pennsylvania," Rendell said. "These women are leaders who put their vision to work creating jobs, building communities and making the commonwealth a better place for all Pennsylvanians."

All 50 women will be honored at a reception on May 12 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.