24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 269-385-3587

General Contact: 269-345-5595

Celebrating Women Empowerment

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.

Please email edeering@ywcakalamazoo.org for more information on how to become a sponsor.

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

2021
Diane Eberts
Leslie Lami-Reed
Lissette Mira-Amaya
Danielle Sielatycki
Beth Washington

2019
Shirley Lampman Johnson
Alisa Parker
Lisa Rodriguez
Judy Sivak
Cori Terry

2018
Ann Fergemann
Wendy Fields
Rosemary Gardiner
Donna Odom
Jane Rooks Ross

2017
Marigene Arnold
Denise Crawford
Dr. Brenda Prater Earhart
Sally Reames
Sandra L. Standish

2016
Kristi Carambula
Lynn Smith Houghton
Cindy Kole
Sam Lealofi
Karianne Thomas

2015
Elizabeth A. Burns
Pam Kingery
Sherry Thomas-Cloud
Jan Van Der Kley

2014
Bonnie Jo Campbell
Mary McLean
La June Montgomery Tabron
Dorothy Young

2013
J. Baraka-Love
Margaret Merrion
Willie Mae Pierson
Heidi E. Stucki

2012
Lola Clark Atkinson
Audrey Lipsey
Bobbe A. Luce
Alfrelynn J. Roberts
Sarah Stangl

2011
Mary A. Doud
Mikell Thurston Griffith
Patti Huiskamp
Sylvia C. Pahl
Earlie M. Washington

2010
Phyllis R. Buskirk
Patricia E. Dolan
Lori Moore
Pamela S. Roland

2009
Loretta Cipkus Dubray
Tara East
Mattie Jordan-Woods

2008
Gwendolyn Hillman
Lois Jackson
Judy Moore

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

Friend Sponsors
Plante Moran
Empire Beauty School
Jacque Jennings-Carter, Advancing Lives llc