The 21st annual YWCA Dayton Women of Influence lunch was held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Dayton Convention Center in downtown Dayton. It was a most fitting day since it was also International Women's Day! I was chosen as one of seven local women to be honored as members of the 2018 Class of Women of Influence! I would like to highlight the women with whom I shared this remarkable experience: Janice Allen - Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, Trotwood-Madison City School District, Mary Ann Bullen - Community Philanthropist & Founder, Home Is The Foundation, Jacque Fisher - Deputy, Sensors Division Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Sharon Rab - Founder & Chair, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Minister Daria Dillard Stone- Parent Advocate & Educational Consultant and Pamela Morris - Founder and CEO, CareSource. Pamela Morris was chosen as a member of the 2011 Class of Women of Influence, and this year was honored as the recipient of the YWCA Dayton Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award. Each of the women listed above had the opportuinity to stand before the sellout crowd 800+, and share words of inspiration. The theme of my speech was to use your voice for good.
The YWCA mission is: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. If you would like to have more information about YWCA Dayton, click here.
Here are some photos of this awe-inspiring and powerful day!
YWCA Dayton Women of Influence past honorees and the Class of 2018.
Thanks to Ann Stevens for sharing this photo. Ann was chosen as a YWCA Women of Influence in 2005.
My speech, Using Your Voice for Good.
Thanks to Jim Hausfeld for sharing this photo.
My incredible, and supportive friends.
Thank-you to the women we asked to take this photo.
When I graduated from Bowling Green State University, the university match me with a former BGSU alum to serve as my mentor. I had the Luck of the Irish and struck gold, when I met Karen Dempsey Volke. She is not only an incredible mentor, but a powerful woman and inspirational leader. Karen was the person who nominated me for the YWCA Women of Influence honor. Thank you, Karen for your positive voice in my life.
My Ultimate Cheerleader and best supporter...my husband Steve. He knew that I would be awarded an orange pashmina, as all of the WOI honorees are, so he wore an orange tie. We look like we are heading to the prom! Not the Time Warp Prom; we have another idea for that.
Each of the honorees of the 2018 Class of the YWCA Dayton Women of Influence received a beautiful work of art inspired by local artist, Amy Kollar Anderson. The piece is called, Spark. This picture doesn't do its beauty justice. My husband snapped the picture upon our arrival home; after what was truly one of the best days of my professional career. We have such a dynamic, creative, caring and compassionate community filled with powerful voiced used for good. Thanks for checking out these photos of a magnificent and inspirational day.
The back of the Amy Kollar Anderson award, Spark. Thank-you, Amy for this beautiful piece of art.
