YWCA recently hosted their 26th Annual Tribute to Exceptional Women & Girls on Thursday, June 16th. The event, emceed by radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders, featured multiple keynote speakers and awarded women and girls for demonstrated excellence in the Arts, Sports, STEM, Education, Advocacy, Community Service, and many other categories. Speakers included Arlene Cadogan, the young entrepreneur of Melanin is Beauty, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson, CEO Stacey Woodland, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and Growth and Success Coach Jenna Armato.
Warm lights, flowers, and a YW photo wall welcomed guests as they waited in line to enter the venue. After everyone had some time to get situated with their food, drinks, and raffle tickets, the audience was greeted by the emcee, Andrea Lawful-Sanders, booming with energy knowing how to get a crowd excited, and the Keynote Speakers inspired the audience. YWCA received 43 women and girls nominations and awarded 17 total for their excellence.
The evening drew to a close with the announcement of numerous attendees winning raffle prizes ranging from gift cards, two night stay at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel, and more!
Marketing and communications interns Christina and Kortni provide their account of the event, “As an attendee of the event and intern of the organization, I must say that the event really served as an inspiration for young women and a place of celebration for female excellence.
Pulling up to Meredith Manor’s beautiful venue, I was excited to see such a large and warm event dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of women and girls in the community. The Keynote Speakers did a great job of sharing their own stories of how they achieved excellence, what drives excellence, and why we need excellence. And with each speaker, you could feel a sense of admiration in the room, and inspiration in the air. It was then that the winners and runners-up of each award were announced and shared their own stories with the audience. Regardless of how old they were, each speaker and each winner had the power to inspire the audience in the room.
The event was enjoyable for many reasons, from the photogenic venue, the food, the drinks for the adults, and the large raffle at the end, but the attendees know that what’s truly important is setting the next generation on a path of excellence by honoring and respecting the accomplishments of the women and girls in the present.”
-Christina Sang
“Hello, I’m Christina, a rising second-year student at Penn State University majoring in management information systems. I’m interning at the YWCA Tri-County Area for marketing and communications, where I’ll be helping out with marketing, grant proposals, development projects and getting acquainted with professional work settings. In my free time I enjoy crocheting, spending time with friends, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race. I look forward to engaging myself with YW’s mission and learning new skills as I develop my career!”
“I had the privilege to be a contributing member and attendee of YWCA Tri-County Area’s 26th Annual Exceptional Women & Girls Tribute event. The event gathered students of YWCA, entrepreneurs, prominent female members of the community, and many supporters of YWCA’s mission.
The event was full of gratitude, support, and love as dynamic women and girls were honored throughout the night for their contributions towards their peers, communities, and local organizations. All these women have fostered the mission of YWCA and its values in their own way. They were the guiding lights of the attending women and girls who have had the opportunity to hear their stories and be showered with the support and encouragement of these extraordinary women.
The event was nothing short of remarkable! As an intern of YWCA, I was able to see the successful results of the collaboration of YWCA’s team. They worked hard and vigorously to make this a lovely and memorable evening. As an attendee, I was awed and inspired to become more determined to utilize my talents to instill and incorporate the very values all the women and girls of this night have and continue to demonstrate onto myself, my community, and towards future generations. I was grateful to be a part of this event. May all you exceptional women and girls continue to shine and light the way!”
– Kortni Elion
“Hello! My name is Kortni Elion, a third year West Chester University returning student, majoring in International Relations, and minoring in Theater and American Sign Language. I am an intern for YWCA Tri-County Area’s marketing and communication. I hope to bring with me my prior skillset in the public relations field to assist with the tasks of the department and further, look forward to learning about and assisting with grant writing, graphic design, social media, and more. My hobbies include hiking with my dogs, reading, working out, aerial yoga, and watching TV/movies. I am privileged to be a contributing member and advocate to YWCA and its mission and values!”