YWCA Northeast Kansas Honors Women of Excellence Through First-Ever Virtual Event
YWCA Northeast Kansas held its 32nd annual Women of Excellence event virtually on Wednesday, September 18th at the Brownstone honoring 32 women, YWCA Empowered Leader Tammy Miles, and Employer of Excellence Kansas Gas Service. This year's event was a free, LIVE virtual experience recognizing and uplifting the stories of women whose contributions have been vital to the greater Topeka community. The event is now available as re-broadcast at https://ywcawoe.swell.gives/.
“While the event looked a little different this year, our mission remains the same: honoring the contributions of women in our community who get up and do the work. We were so pleased to see so many people gathered virtually for this event to promote our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women,” said YWCA Northeast Kansas CEO Kathleen Marker.
Melissa Brunner of WIBW served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event which included interactive programming with testimonials, a spotlight on the contributions of women in our community, a special message from two-time Women of Excellence honoree Gov. Laura Kelly, and most importantly, the story of how YWCA Northeast Kansas has stayed true to its mission while pivoting to meet serious community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 YWCA Women of Excellence Honorees are:
Abby Lear, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Andrea Bailey, Greater Topeka Partnership; Angela S. Dailey, Capitol Federal Savings Bank; Brie Engelken Parks, Advisors Excel - AE Wealth Management; Justice Carol Beier, Kansas Supreme Court; Cassie Weatherwax-Brack, Hill's Pet Nutrition; Cherie Huffman, Security Benefit; Christina Schmitt, Envista Credit Union; Erin Aldridge, Junior League of Topeka (The Library Foundation); Inga Klahr, Kansas Gas Service; Jaclyn Mullins, MCP Group; Jacquelyn Russell, City of Topeka; Jamie Dempewolf, CASA of Shawnee County; Jana Tenbrink, Stormont Vail Health; Jennifer Cocking, Capitol Federal Savings Bank; Jenny Crowell, USD 345 - Seaman Schools; Jesyca Hope, Community Action; Joan Proctor, Office of the Kansas Attorney General; Juli Watson, USD 501 – Topeka Public Schools; Julie Phillips, Communities In Schools of Mid-America, Inc.; Katie Beach, Azura Credit Union; Kelly Pert, FHL Bank Topeka; Lacy Barnhart, CoreFirst Bank & Trust; Mary McDonald, Lawrence Gardner High School; Meg Wilson, Lawrence Gardner High School; Melissa Goodman, Mirror Inc. Federal Residential Reentry Center; Morgan Hall, Shawnee County District Attorney's Office; Nikki Ramirez-Jennings, SENT Topeka; Staci Dawn Ogle, NOTO Arts Center; Teresa Baker, Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.; Tish Taylor, The Family Peace Initiative; Whitney Casement, Law firm of Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, LLP.
A committee of at-large community members reviewed the applications of all honorees in order to select a Woman of Excellence in 5 award categories:
Small Business: Tish Taylor, Family Peace Initiative
Large Business: Brie Engelken Parks, Advisors Excel – AE Wealth Management
Government: Justice Carol Beier, Kansas Supreme Court
Nonprofit: Nikki Ramirez-Jennings, SENT Topeka
Education: Meg Wilson, Lawrence Gardner High School
The YWCA Empowered Leader Award is given to an employee of YWCA Northeast Kansas who exemplifies our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. This year’s Empowered Leader is Business Manager, Tammy Miles.
Kansas Gas Service was recognized as this year's Employer of Excellence for their generous support, continued partnerships, and commitment to YWCA's mission of eliminating racism.
Proceeds of this event benefit YWCA Northeast Kansas' transformative services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking; early childhood education, before- and after-school care, racial justice and advocacy, and leadership initiatives. You can still donate and watch the event online: https://ywcawoe.swell.gives/
