It is with great disappointment that we must announce we are unable to host the 25th Annual Tribute to Exceptional Women luncheon on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, YWCA Tri-County Area felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. On Thursday, March 12, 2020 the Montgomery County Office of Health announced that all schools in Montgomery County will close for a minimum of two weeks and one day.
We will be postponing the event to Monday, June 22, 2020.
Please Read Our Current COVID-19 Update
Audre Lorde, Black lesbian, mother, warrior, poet
Tribute to Exceptional Women – Dare to be Powerful
Our mission lives in the soul of everyone at YWCA Tri-County Area, because we demand a world of equity and human decency. We envision a world of opportunity. We commit ourselves to the work of justice. Every day, we get up and do the work.
Over the past 25 years, YWCA Tri-County Area (YW3CA) has honored over 200 women who get up and do the work in our communities at our annual Tribute to Exceptional Women. This tradition of honoring exceptional women will continue at this year’s annual luncheon hosted at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pa.
YW3CA’s Tribute to Exceptional Women recognizes women for their ability to lead by example, embrace community responsibility, and demonstrate exceptional leadership in one of the several awards categories. YW3CA has been proud to provide this opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by women in the tri-county and surrounding areas.
25th Annual Tribute to Exceptional Women
March 24, 2020
11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia
Award Categories
This award recognizes an outstanding woman that fosters arts or culture in significant ways as an artist, volunteer, leader, educator, or patron of meaningful cultural and/or artistic endeavors within the community. She has exhibited long term support for arts and culture, has had a significant impact on the region’s arts/cultural landscape through personal expression, innovation, preservation, or education, and/or demonstrated a successful collaboration between arts and cultural organizations and business.
This award recognizes an outstanding woman who is an Agent of Change, with a record of exemplary leadership and service in the areas of eliminating racism and promoting diversity through community service, racial reconciliation and/or social justice outreach within the community, workplace, institutions or agencies. She demonstrates efforts to provide service to underrepresented persons or communities, bridge the gaps that often exist between different groups, and/or ensure the fair treatment of oppressed, abused, or underprivileged groups or individuals. The nominee seeks opportunities to attain a common vision for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
This award recognizes an outstanding woman who inspires, mentors advocates and acts on behalf of others through community programs or organizations, government, military or first responders or philanthropic endeavors. She has shown her dedication by creating, participating in or adapting programs to meet community needs in the areas of social services, community improvement, and human rights.
This award recognizes an outstanding woman who is a public or private educator, trainer, or administrator who inspires a passion for excellence and innovation for personal growth, development, and lifelong learning through the education system, employee training and development, community education or alternative programs. She has developed innovative programs and/or built a strong rapport with learners, parents, colleagues or the community at large to foster learning in a broader sense.
This award recognizes an outstanding young woman that is making an impact early in her career to better our community. The award is focused on women out of high school, but under 35 that have shown dedication by creating, participating or adapting programs to meet community needs, and she embodies the mission of the YWCA.
This award recognizes a woman who has devoted many years to making a significant difference for women in the community. This woman selflessly gives her time and energy to making our community a better place for generations to come. Possessing qualities of leadership and excellence in both her personal and professional endeavors, this woman embodies YWCA’s mission.
Alejandra Castillo, YWCA USA CEO
Event Details
Valley Forge Casino Resort
1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Need Directions? Click Here!
11:00 AM – Nominees arrive, Meet & Greet with YW3CA CEO
11:30 AM – Basket Raffle, Appetizers, Welcome
12:00 PM – Welcome by Stacey Woodland, CEO, Lunch served
12:30 PM – Keynote Address
12:50 PM – Appeal by YW3CA Board President
1:00 PM – Awards Presentations by Dezzie Neal
1:45 PM – Closing Remarks
Desiree Dezzie Neal
With an illustrious voice and soulful lyrics Desiree Dezzie Neal distinguished herself as a trendsetter on the gospel music scene in 2002. After a the release of her first project, Dezzie gained notoriety, respect and the attention of many in the industry by rising quickly as a notable voice on the Philadelphia Gospel music scene. What happened next was totally a surprise to Dezzie as God totally shifted the use of her voice and blessed her with opportunity to become the youngest syndicated radio personality on Philadelphia’s Praise 103.9 with listeners throughout the Tri-State, Delaware Valley Region and North Carolina, holding a captive audience of over 30,000 listeners. Dezzie’s tag line, “Holla @ ya B.I.G. girl” became well known as she used it to remind women that they are beautiful, intelligent and gifted. Her voice and influence quickly spread across the globe which landed her a position as the Entertainment Correspondent for the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, a well-known syndicated morning show.
Dezzie is now gracing the airwaves of Reach Gospel Radio 97.1 FM as a daily evening drive Jock and a force to be reckoned with. Dezzie’s list of accolades also includes, Gospel Ambassador for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy (Grammy’s), Stellar Servant Awardee, City of Philadelphia Citation recipient and one of Philadelphia’s 100 most Influential Black Women. Dezzie has hosted stages in major arenas and worked closely beside amazing artists like Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Ty Tribbett, Donald Lawrence, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Ceasar and a host of other A-list artists. Since completing her degree in Human Services and Psychology, Dezzie has shifted her focus to providing private emotional wellness consultation to artists who present the need for her services. Dezzie’s greatest accomplishment is being the mother of 2 amazing demonstrations of grace, her daughters.
Dezzie’s infectious personality is the same both on and off stage. You will always experience a genuine love for people, for God and for what she does. Whether it’s backstage following performance, praying with someone in need, taking time to talk to listeners during a broadcast, or simply showing her bright smile, Dezzie is committed to changing lives by using God’s love. Dezzie’s sole desire is to gracefully accept the next assignment from God and add her twist and flare to it “to make it do what it do” as she loves to put it! Dezzie’s future endeavors include sharing her life in a more intimate way by releasing a novel. Dezzie is living proof that delays are never denials, and all things are possible with God.
Event Sponsorship
The success of the Tribute to Exceptional Women Awards Luncheon is made possible by the generous support of businesses like yours. Your generous donations help us recognize these deserving women and support YWCA’s mission and programming, dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls.
This year, we celebrate our 25th Annual Tribute to Exceptional Women by honoring women in the Tri-County Area community for their impeccable leadership and service in their community.
Each year 200+ people attend the Tribute to Exceptional Women Luncheon, a charitable event that helps YWCA Tri-County Area further its mission and provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding women whose professional accomplishments and community contributions have enhanced the quality of life for all of us. The event will be held on March 24, 2020 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pa.
Download Sponsorship Form here!
For questions on the sponsorship opportunities, please contact Diane Lauer Hallman, Chief Philanthropy Officer, at dlauer@ywcatricountyarea.org or 610-323-1888 x 218.
Donate in Honor of an Exceptional Woman
If you would like to attend this year’s luncheon but are unable to, please consider making a donation in honor of the exceptional women we acknowledge at the inspiring celebration.
As our biggest, most critical fundraiser of the year, Tribute to Exceptional Women Awards Luncheon benefits our programs and services directly, allowing our reach to grow further and our mission to be realized.
Simply put, we cannot do this work without you!
2019 Tribute to Exceptional Women
Photo Gallery
2018 Tribute to Exceptional Women
Photo Gallery
