YWCA Northeast Kansas Announces 33rd Annual Women of Excellence Honorees
YWCA Northeast Kansas is proud to announce the 37 women, YWCA Northeast Kansas staff member, and "Employer of Excellence” who will be recognized during the 33rd Annual Women of Excellence Awards on Wednesday, September 15th from 5 to 7 p.m. This year's event will be a hybrid recognition ceremony amplifying stories of women whose contributions have been vital to the greater Topeka community.
“The 2021 Women of Excellence honorees represent the resilience and strength of our Topeka neighbors, showing us how to overcome challenges, lift up others, and Ignite & Inspire us all toward a brighter future. We hope you will join us for an extraordinary gathering of people committed to building a better community, centered on eliminating racism and empowering women through inspiration and focused philanthropy on September 15th,” said YWCA Northeast Kansas CEO Kathleen Marker.
Melissa Brunner of WIBW will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event, which will include interactive programming with testimonials, a spotlight on the contributions of women in our community, 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 2021 YWCA Women of Excellence Honorees are:
Lacey Bisnett, Junior League of Topeka; Sherri Camp, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library; Rosa Cavazos, Greater Topeka Partnership; Gillian Chadwick, Washburn Law Clinic, Washburn University School of Law; Ashley Charest, Junior Achievement of Kansas; Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield, Greater Topeka Partnership; Kristen Czugala, Office of the Kansas Attorney General; Ariane Davis, Midwest Venom; Alisha Delgado, TARC; Tammy Dishman, Capitol Federal Foundation; Maggie Doll, Kansas Department of Transportation; Lindsay Freeman, Kansas Gas Service; Phelica Glass, LSCSW; Danielle Hall, Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program; Mindy Hardenbrook, CoreFirst Bank & Trust; Lesleigh Hodam, Derrick Hodam Farm Bureau Financial Services; Jacqueline Hyland, MD, The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus; Brianne Johnson, Security Benefit; Tracy Kihm, Family Service and Guidance Center; Rebecca Kramer, USD 345; Jessica Lehnherr, United Way of Greater Topeka; Danielle Martin, WIBW; Connie Mason Michaelis, Just Now Old Enough; Crista McPherson, The MCP Group; LeTiffany Obozele, City of Topeka; Stefanie Olson, Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Tracy O'Rourke, Stormont Vail Health; Alison Pollock, Security Benefit; Dr. Lyn Rantz, Topeka Collegiate; Yana Ross, Farm Bureau Financial Services; Ann Shelton, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; Dr. Laura Sidlinger, Valeo; Lauren Tice-Miller, Kansas State Treasurer's Office; Jennifer Vance, Envista Credit Union; Amanda Wilwert, Foulston Siefkin LLP; Reva Wywadis, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas; Angel Zimmerman, Zimmerman & Zimmerman, P.A.
A committee of at-large community members will review the applications of all honorees and select a Woman of Excellence in five award categories: Small Business, Large Business, Government, Nonprofit, and Education.
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 YWCA Early Learning Center Lead Toddler Teacher, Nevaeh Edwards.
The Shawnee County Health Department will be recognized as this year's Employer of Excellence for their dedication to cultivating a safe and healthy community, promoting inclusion in the workplace, and their commitment to YWCA's mission through their work to consider racial inequities in all facets of public health.
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. Event details are online: https://ywcawoe.swell.gives/
