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Women of Achievement

Celebrate Women Who Inspire Change

Each year, YWCA Kalamazoo gathers community to honor women and young women whose leadership, innovation, and commitment to justice continue to shape a more equitable future. The Women of Achievement Awards Celebration shines a light on these remarkable individuals—creative, courageous change-makers whose impact is felt across Kalamazoo and beyond.
Join us for a night of recognition, reflection, and celebration.
This year’s celebration invites guests into an elevated and vibrant experience. From a welcoming reception to a thoughtfully curated dinner and program, the evening will also feature live entertainment, a photo booth to capture the moment, and opportunities to connect over a shared commitment to community. A refreshed event design and a special feature highlighting YWCA Kalamazoo’s history will ground the evening in both legacy and forward momentum—honoring where we’ve been and the work still ahead.
Women of Achievement Awards Celebration
Thursday, May 21, 2026 • 5:00pm
5:00pm Reception • 5:45pm Dinner and Program • After Party to Follow
Radisson Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom
100 W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

2026 Women of Achievement Awardees

Dr. Karen Garcia,

DO, FABP, FAOBP,
IBCLC, C-NABBLM

Women of Achievement Awardee

 

Dr. Kathy Jackson, MD

Women of Achievement Awardee

Laura Lam

Women of Achievement Awardee

Commissioner Monteze O. Morales

Women of Achievement Awardee

J. Yvonne Payton

Women of Achievement Awardee

Genevieve U. Gilmore Volunteer Award

First United Methodist Church

Dorothy I. Height Award for Social Justice Innovation

Stacey Randolph-Ledbetter

Lifetime Woman of Achievement

Dr. Cheryl A. Dickson, MD, MPH

2026 Young Women of Achievement

Sharlee Atkinson


Miley Garcia


Aniyah Johnson


Alexi Kocefas


Daviya McCoy

2025 WOA Celebration Awardees

The Genevieve U. Gilmore Award, 2025

Sparrow and Nest Designs — Owned by Katie Sytsma and Katie VanderLaan 

2025 Mission Tribute Award

MinnieJean Brown Trickey — Member of the Little Rock Nine©

2025 Dorothy I. Height Award for Social Justice Innovation

Sravani Alluri, MD, 

Mission Tribute Award

2025 Mission Tribute Award

MinnieJean Brown Trickey — Member of the Little Rock Nine©

2024 Mission Tribute Award

Dr. Grace Lubwama

Sponsor the Event

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.

YWCA Lifetime Women of Achievement Award Past Recipients

Mattie Jordan-Woods, 2024

Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation of St. Joseph, 2023

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

YWCA Women of Achievement Award Past Recipients

2024

Carla Adkison-Johnson, PhD
Michelle Zukowski Serlin, LMSW
Jeanne Hess
Patricia Carlin (Post Mortem)
Jan Barker

2023

Pamela Coffey
Mary Gustas
Sylvia I. Hicks-Fox, MD, FAAP
Robyn Robinson
Honorable Namita Sharma

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

Dorothy I. Height Award for Social Justice Innovation Past Recipients

Sravani Alluri, MD, 2025

Dr. Charlae Davis, 2024

Stephanie Williams, 2023

Nelly Fuentes, 2021
Josephine Brown, 2019