YWCA Pays Tribute to 18 'Exceptional' Women

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA Tri-County Area.

YWCA Tri-County Area honored 18 women on Oct. 22nd at its 25th annual Tribute to Exceptional Women.

Over the past 25 years, YWCA Tri-County Area has recognized more than 200 women for their achievements through the Tribute to Exceptional Women by inviting community members to nominate women in several categories, ranging from arts and culture to lifetime achievement.

This year, 36 women were nominated for their ability to lead by example in their careers and in their communities in 10 categories: Arts and Culture, Business and Industry, Education, Community Enhancement, STEM, Mission Ally, Mission Impact, Rising Star, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year’s Tribute to Exceptional Women, originally scheduled for March, was a virtual event hosted by Dezzie Neal of Reach Gospel Radio 97.1 FM.

The 2020 Tribute to Exceptional Women award winners are:

The Arts and Culture award recognizes women who foster arts or culture in significant ways within the community.

• Ann Shostrom, a professor at Penn State University’s School of Visual Arts, is the winner in the Visual Arts category.
• Edna Garcia Dipini, founder of the Dance on the Street Music & Art Fest in Reading, is the winner in the Performing Arts category.

Nominees in the Business and Industry category embody women who are successful in business and in mentoring young women.

• Karen Norheim, president and COO of American Crane and Equipment Corp. and the second generation of leadership in her family’s company, is the Business Award winner.
• Peggy Lee-Cark of Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc. is the Industry Award winner.

The education award recognizes women in public or private education who inspire excellence and innovation.

• Dr. Colleen Lelli is the winner of the Higher Education award. She has been a professor at Cabrini University for 18 years.
• Ginger DeRenzo is the winner of the Public Education award. She has been a sixth-grade teacher in the Pottstown School District for more than 25 years.

The Community Enhancement award recognizes women active in the non-profit, philanthropic, or government sectors.

• Glenna Crooks is the winner of the Community Enhancement Award. She is the author of The Network Sage, and mentors first-generation college students.

The Science, Technology, Health Care, Environment Award recognizes women prominent in science and health-care related fields.

• Patience Terkowski, who works at Pottstown Hospital’s Cancer Center, is the winner of the Science, Technology, Health Care, Environment Award.

The Coretta Scott King Award recognizes women as agents of change who demonstrate leadership and service in the areas of eliminating racism and promoting diversity through community service, racial reconciliation, and/or social justice outreach.

Within the award are four subcategories reflecting YWCA Tri-County Area’s mission: Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity.

• Darlene Adams, CEO of Keeping Children First, which helps teach children to end bullying, is the Peace Award winner.
• Keisha Hudson, former Deputy Chief Public Defender for Montgomery County and an advocate for ending the school-to-prison pipeline, is the Justice Award winner.
• Carla Clanagan, founder of In His Eyes Outreach which works with incarcerated women, is the Freedom Award winner.
• Denise Ashe, director of Montgomery OIC, providing employment and training for adults, is the Dignity Award winner.

The Rising Star Award recognizes a young woman who is making an impact early in her career.

• Kylee McGrane is the winner of the Rising Star Award; she is the founder of A Moment of Magic, a non-profit that enables college students to provide creative programming to children with medical vulnerabilities.
• Erin Lis was awarded Rising Star honorable mention; she is a faithful volunteer with many organizations, including Meals on Wheels.

The Mission Ally Awards are given to women whose work aligns with YW’s mission:

• Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo, executive director of ACLAMO Family Centers;
• Lucinda Schaeffer, founder of Unending Promise for individuals living with autism.

The Mission Impact Award is given to women who are living YWCA’s mission.

• The Mission Impact Award winner is English Willis, a pediatrician who advocates for caring for the whole child. Willis currently works at Merck & Co. as the executive director of Clinical Safety and Risk Management.

The Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award is named after former YW Executive Director Sally Lee and recognizes women who have devoted many years to making a difference for women.

• The Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award winner is Marlene Armato of Pottstown, a retired educator from the Spring-Ford School District, a member of Pottstown NAACP, an advocate for equity in education, and an elder at the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ.

The 25th annual Tribute to Exceptional Women is sponsored by: Exelon Corporation, Pottstown Hospital/Tower Health, uFinancial Group, American Crane & Equipment Corporation, FastSigns Pottstown, Herbein CPAs + Consultants, JBS Janitorial Equipment & Supplies, Miller Turetsky Rule & McLennan, Tompkins VIST Bank, Valley Forge Casino Resort, and Victory Bank.

Tribute to Exceptional Women supports YWCA Tri-County Area’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

YWCA Tri-County Area is a leader in advocacy for women and girls, and educates children, youth, families, and communities through programming that empowers individuals to learn and grow across the lifespan, providing the foundation for a healthy and thriving community; empowers people to learn, grow, and take a stand; and advocates for the health and safety and empowerment and economic development of women and girls, and for racial and social justice.