Brittny McGraw, at left, and Margaret Ashburn

Two women from WSLS, Graham Media Group's NBC affiliate in Roanoke, Va., have been honored as "the next wave of Roanoke's leaders," and recognized on a list for the top 40 Under 40.

In an online feature called "Meet the Class of 2021," assistant news director Margaret Ashburn and anchor Brittny McGraw are listed as honorees.

"Applicants were judged not only on their career achievements, but also on their involvement in the community and other factors," The Roanoker said.

Of Ashburn, 31, the website said the following:

"A Magna Cum Laude graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Georgia, Margaret Ashburn’s leadership has resulted in numerous awards for WSLS10, including a 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Newscast. She serves on the Junior League of Roanoke Valley board as secretary, and organized the first Carilion Toy Drive, while also volunteering as the Ronald McDonald House Committee co-chair. She began virtual training in May 2020 with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Virginia to serve as a wish granter and participates each year in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge by jumping in the New River in early February dressed as a penguin! She is also a high school Sunday school teacher for Second Presbyterian Church."

“Having the opportunity to give back to the community that gave me so much growing up is the greatest honor,” Ashburn said. “It's what pushes me to continue to want to be involved and do something for others, no matter how big or small the impact is. … My drive comes from holding this city so deeply in my heart.”

And from the nominations: "Ashburn works tirelessly to ensure the local news reported by WSLS 10 is professional, accurate, locally relevant, and responsible. In our divided and politically charged world, where even local news is often mistrusted, she manages the newsroom at WSLS 10 with strict adherence to journalism's canon of ethics. Ashburn dedicates much of her time outside of work to volunteering and she constantly seeks ways to give back to her community. ... It sounds clique, but Ashburn truly gives 100% percent to everything she does."

Of McGraw, 39, the website said the following:

"Brittny McGraw knew she wanted to be a journalist since the third grade – she is now an award-winning journalist and WSLS10 evening news anchor. ... The Charlotte native and University of Chapel Hill graduate moved to Roanoke in 2017, becoming an integral part of the station’s newscast awards, most recently for an Emmy nomination on her story on integrating Floyd. She is an active member of the Junior League of Roanoke Valley, as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. An avid health enthusiast, she’s also known to lead her coworkers in station workouts! She is the station’s lead for their Habitat for Humanity Home for Good project and formed a Polar Plunge team to help raise money for Special Olympics Southwest Virginia, where the organization named her one of the top fundraisers."

“I have a passion for making sure people are informed about the world around them, and that’s even more critical in an age when inaccurate or misleading information can run rampant,” McGraw said. “It’s important that people have fair and accurate information so they can make the best decisions for themselves, their family and their community.”

And from the nominations: "When you meet McGraw for the first or 100th time, she always greets you with a smile. She brightens up any room that she walks into and is someone you can count on to put a smile on your face too … McGraw is not your stereotypical television anchor. While she is serious about what she does, McGraw also knows how to have fun. She is a teacher to younger journalists, offering advice to help their careers grow. Even the most seasoned journalists look to McGraw’s for input and critiques. McGraw is someone who never says no to a good opportunity. She's the first person to raise her hand and volunteer for something that will better the community. McGraw is someone you can count on consistently to go above and beyond her job description."