One hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment was officially certified by Congress and adopted into the US Constitution granting women the right to vote. It is only fitting that 100 years later, YWCA Lancaster is celebrating the accomplishments and positive impact that women of Lancaster are making in our community to further YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism , empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
Congratulations to our four honorees:
Evita Colon, CEO, Speak to My Soul, Lancaster
Dorcas A. Cyster, BSN, RN, supervisor. Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health
Karen Foley (she/they), executive director, Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition
Vanessa Philbert, CEO, The Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County
This year's Women of Achievement Luncheon will be held online on Friday, November 6 at 12:00 noon. The virtual event is accessible to everyone! Registration is required for access and is now available. VIP tickets for this year’s virtual awards Luncheon are $35 and includes a limited edition, black leather bracelet by Revolution Lancaster. This is the first of the series of collectible bracelets made by hand by women in Lancaster, many of whom live at YWCA. The 2020 inscription is “YWCA Strong”. VIP attendees are also invited to participate in an exclusive, after-Luncheon Celebration Zoom Meeting to speak directly to this year’s honorees. General Tickets to only access the live-stream Luncheon are complimentary. Details on how to view the event are on our website at YWCALancaster.org/WomenOfAchievement.
We realize there are already several award programs that recognize women in business who have earned professional achievements. We do not want to stop there! The Women of Achievement Award is to honor those women in Lancaster County who meet specific criteria, the most important of which is the awardee embodies YWCA mission – regardless of their age and whether or not they hold a prominent position in business. This is a chance for all of us to recognize the unsung heroes in our community – to honor those women on a mission who dare to make a difference!
The virtual luncheon will be hosted by Dr. Kesha Morant Williams, a YWCA Lancaster Board member and Associate Professor at Penn State Berks. In addition to the awards presentations, the program will include a congratulatory message from Alejandra Y. Castillo, YWCA USA CEO. YWCA Lancaster CEO, Stacie Blake, will highlight all program updates and initiatives including Wonderful Kids childcare program; the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center, the designated rape crisis center for Lancaster County; the brand new Center for Racial and Gender Equity and our Kepler Hall Residence Program, housing over 50 women, men and children in our building on Lime Street.
More information regarding YWCA Lancaster’s 2020 Women of Achievement Luncheon can be found at ywcalancaster.org/WomenOfAchievement