YWCA Tri County Area pays Tribute to Exceptional Women

The achievements, leadership, and service of women in the Tri-County Area are in the spotlight this month as the YWCA Tri County Area (YW3CA) presents its 22nd annual Tribute to Exceptional Women at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve in Phoenixville.

YW3CA’s Tribute to Exceptional Women is an annual event which recognizes women for their ability to lead by example, embrace community responsibility, and demonstrate exceptional leadership in one of 10 awards categories. YW3CA has been proud to provide this opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by women in the tri-county and surrounding areas. Tickets to this annual event are available online by visiting: https://yw3catribute.eventbrite.com.

Ashley Biden, executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice,
is the keynote speaker for the event. Ms. Biden also has worked with
the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their
Families in the education unit as the education and career liaison; at
West End Neighborhood House Life Lines Program with youth aging out of
foster care; and at the Northwestern Human Services children’s mental
health clinic in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia as a
clinical support staff member. She earned her MSW at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, where she received
the “Combating Racism” Award from the Black Men at the Penn School of
Social Work Inc.; she also holds a BA in cultural anthropology from
Tulane University. Ms. Biden has served on the board of directors at
YWCA Delaware. She is the daughter of former vice president of the
United States, Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden.

Community members nominated 28 women for their leadership and accomplishments in the following categories: Arts, Business, Education, Health, Racial Justice, Non-Profit, STEM, Rising Star Award for women 18-30, Coretta Scott King Award for an agent of change, and Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award. These women are leaders in non-profit organizations, business, health care and hospitals, and at schools and universities. Annarose Ingarra-Milch, the 2016 Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award winner, will present the 2017 Awards.

Nominees for the 2017 Tribute to Exceptional Women are:

Arts – awarded to a woman who encourages and/or demonstrates artistic expression, and supports the artistic development of women and girls.

• Betsy Chapman, an accomplished harpist who mentors women in learning to play the harp, for both performance and music therapy;
• Leena Devlin, director of the Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown.

Business – awarded to a woman who is successful in business, who exhibits a strong set of personal values, and who is a mentor to young women in her profession and in the community.

• Linda Jacobs, owner of Downtown Design in Pottstown;
• Sheryl Jennings, owner of Wildfree in Downingtown.

Education – awarded to a woman who motivates, teaches, and cultivates strong values in youth within the community.

• Nehaila Ait Belouali, volunteer with the YW3CA’s Education and Training Center;
• Calista Boyer, principal at Lincoln Elementary School in the Pottstown school district;
• Jenee A. Chizick-Aguero, founder and publisher of Motivos, a magazine for Hispanic urban youth;
• Dee Gallion, a community volunteer at Rolling Hills Apartments preschool, Bright Hope, and soccer coach in Lower Pottsgrove Township;
• Kimberly Howerter, a pre-K teacher at YW3CA’s Early Education Center;
• Denise Parham Jones, teacher at Abington school district;
• Holly Parker, executive director of the TriCounty Community Network;
• Camika Royal, assistant professor of Urban Education at Loyola (Md.) University and co-director of Loyola’s Center for Innovation in Urban Education;
• Laura Simmers, director of the Early Education Center at YW3CA;
• Kelly Earnshaw Skokowski, assistant director of the YW3CA’s Healthy Pathways program for girls.

Health – awarded to a woman who promotes healthy living in the community, reasises awareness, and supports woman and girls in a healthy lifestyle.

• Amy Bause Bartra, Bause Catering;
• Shenise Henderson, LifeLife Trauma Informed Services;
• Kate McKee, patient advocate at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center;
• Dr. Maria Tucker, Total Woman Health and Wellness OB/Gyn in Pottstown.

Non-profit/public service – awarded to a woman who affects change through leadership in the non-profit or public sectors.

• Taryn Flood, Saving Our Sons Inc.;
• Lisa Heverly, Operation Backpack;
• Pauline McGibbon, Women’s Center of Montgomery County;
• Shaleah Sutton, Uniquely You Summit for Girls;
• Landa Washington-Coppedge, a minister, radio host, and teacher.

Racial Justice – awarded to a woman who is an active volunteer, who is family-oriented with strong spiritual/religious beliefs; and who promotes racial justice and dignity for all.

• Shenise Henderson, LifeLine Trauma Informed Services.

Rising Star Award – awarded to a woman age 18-30 who is a role model and enthusiastic leader for girls.

• Alexandria Thomas, a licensed social worker;
• Renee Womack, assistant girls’ basketball coach at North Penn High School.

Coretta Scott King Award – awarded to a woman who is an agent of change who advocates and empowers girls, and who is committed to social justice, peace, equality, and human rights.

• the Rev. Leslie Callahan, St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to a woman who has devoted many years to making a significant difference for women and in the community.

• Toni Reece, founder of The People Chronicles;
• Janice Warnquist, volunteer at the YW3CA Education and Training Center.

The evening will begin with cocktails and bidding on silent auction
items from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with dinner, the keynote speaker, and
presentation of awards to follow. The evening will end with the
announcement of the silent auction winners at 9 p.m.

Proceeds from Tribute to Exceptional Women will support YWCA Tri-County Area’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YW3CA educates
children, youth, families, and communities through programming that
empowers individuals to learn and grow across the lifespan, providing
the foundation for a healthy and thriving community; empowers people to
learn, grow, and take a stand; and advocates for racial justice, civil
rights, women and girls’ empowerment and economic advancement, and women
and girls’ health and safety.

Event sponsors include:

• Peace Sponsors - Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Altria Group, JB Supply Inc., Exelon
• Justice Sponsor – U Financial and Mass Mutual
• Freedom Sponsors – BB&T, DNS Construction, Wrigley Business Supply
• Advertising Sponsor – Wolf, Baldwin & Associates
• Wine and Cheese Reception Sponsors – Montgomery County Community College, and YWCA board members