Another way YWCA Kalamazoo promotes women empowerment is through our Women of Achievement awards celebration. This is an annual event that celebrates women who have devoted themselves to social justice and system change.
Lifetime Women of Achievement:
Sisters of St. Joseph – Congregation of St. Joseph
Women of Achievement:
Mary Gustas
Honorable Namita Sharma
Pamela Coffey
Robyn Robinson
Sylvia I. Hicks-Fox, MD, FAAP
Dorothy I. Height Award for Social Justice Innovation:
Stephanie Williams
Young Women of Achievement:
Jaelyn Horn
Morgan Jones
Mahum Khan
Whitney Lewis
Yacine Lo
Sierra Ward
If you have any questions about the nomination process or the event, please contact Kellie at edeering@ywcakalamazoo.org
Note: Nominations received are good for 2 years of consideration. (Nominations received for consideration in 2019 will be included for consideration again in 2020 if they were not selected to receive an award.)
YWCA Kalamazoo invites businesses and organizations to participate as Sponsors for this annual community celebration.
Janice Brown, 2021
Pamela Enslen, 2019
Judy Jolliffe, 2018 Juanita Goodwin, 2016
Carolyn G. Alford, 2015
Anne Wend Lipsey, 2014
Ronda Stryker, 2013
Kathy B. Beauregard, 2012
Dr. Eileen B. Wilson-Oyelaran, 2011
Pat Coles-Chalmers, 2010
Dr. Martha B. Warfield, 2009
Marjorie Springgate, 2008
Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Veenhuis, 2007
Marian G. Klein, 2006
Judy Sarkozy, 2005
Mary Little Tyler, 2004
Eva L. Ozier, 2003
Barbara L. James, 2002
Suzanne Todd Shepherd, 2001
Ann V. Parfet, 2000
Anna Whitten, 1999
Hon. Carolyn H. Williams, 1998
Judith K. Maze, 1997
Dr. Marilyn J. Schlack, 1996
Jo Jacobs, 1995
Beverly A. Moore, 1994
Mary C. Brown, 1993
Caroline R. Ham, 1992
Martha G. Parfet, 1991
Gayl F. Werme, 1990
N. Lorraine Beebe, 1989
Georgia T. Dungy, 1988
Allene W. Dietrich, 1987
Elizabeth Upjohn Mason, 1986
Betty Lee Ongley, 1985
2007 Lisa A. Godfrey
Rosalie Novara
Nancy Owen
Phyllis Seabolt
2006
Janice Brown
Sally Putney
Marie L. Stevens
Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Veenhuis
2005 Jean Forrest
Ellen Kisinger-Rothi
Marilyn A. Potgeisser
2004 Janet M. Dancer
Edith Gardner
Hannah McKinney
Ronda Stryker
2003 Patricia Coles-Chalmers
Mary Carolyn Howard
Dr. Elise B. Jorgens
Alice Kemerling
Virginia E. Norton
2002 Kathy Beauregard
Irene B. Hamilton
Deborah C. Jackson
Marcia S. Jackson
Nelly Fuentes, 2021
Josephine Brown, 2019
Event Sponsor – Stryker
Lifetime Award Sponsor – First National Bank of Michigan
Reception Sponsor – Peterson Company
Dorothy I. Height Award for Social Justice Innovation – Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Award Sponsors
Greenleaf Trust
PNC Bank
Ossewaarde, Anderson, Sanborn & Peterson Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Sisters of St Joseph, Congregation of St Joseph
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Young Women Of Achievement Award Sponsor
The Kalamazoo Promise
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Western Michigan University
Special Sponsors
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Bronson