YWCA Women of Achievement 2009

I had the pleasure of attending the YWCA Women of Achievement awards luncheon yesterday. The event was wonderfully put together at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland. I was happy to see that despite the tough economic times there appeared to be a full house.

The luncheon began with Loree Vick, Director, Media and Public Relations, University Hospitals, who welcomed the group and announced the Women of Professional Excellence. This honor was given to 57 participants from area companies. The award is presented to women whose contributions have been recognized by their employers. Each recipient had a chance to walk across the stage and receive their award before returning to their seat.

The YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by U.S. Representative Marcia L. Fudge to the family of the late U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The speech by Representative Fudge and and slide show of Representative Tubbs Jones were inspirational. We were offered a glimpse of why Stephanie Tubbs Jones lived up to the honor of an exceptional woman who exemplified the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. She truly deserved this recognition.

Barbara Danforth, President & CEO of WYCA Greater Cleveland, informed the audience of some of the new initiatives. Two incredible programs worth noting are the Nurturing Independence and Aspirations (NIA) and Peer Awareness Communication Training (PACT). These programs, geared toward teen and young adults, provide transition and life-skill training to girls coming out of foster care or that are in disadvantaged areas.

The Dr. Jennie S. Hwang award was presented to Maya Alunkal at Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Alunkal is a Environmental Geology major with a 4.0 GPA.

The Women of Achievement Award was established in 1977. Since then, 194 women have been recognized with this distinguished honor. The five women honored this year;
Virginia Albanese, President & CEO, FedEx Custom Critical
Judith A. Feniger, Executive Director, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Gena C. Lovett, Plant Manager, Cleveland Works, Alcoa
Maria Jose Pujana, M.D. Neurologist and Neurophysiologist/President, Marise Jewelry Designs Co.
Marcia J. Wexberg, Esq., Partner, Estate & Succession Planning Group Chair, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Overall this was an incredible event. I strongly recommend that all women look into the YWCA and see what they have to offer. There are many programs geared toward career and life advancement.

Congratulations to all.