When I dare to be powerful -- to use my strength in the service of my vision then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

-Audre Lorde

2008 Annual Salute to Career Women of Achievement Luncheon
April 29, 2008

The 2008 YWCA Salute to Career Women of Achievement Luncheon was a great success.

We are proud to thank our Sponsors, Supporters and Staff. Without you, this very important event would not be possible.

YWCA Career Women of Achievement Honorees, Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Recipient and the Charlotte R. Schimdlapp Fund Scholarship Recipient. Back Row: Monica Posey, Gina Drosos, Laura, Brunner, Maribeth Rahe, Crystal Faulkner Front Row: Celine Taribo-Piri, Amber Henderson, Uma Kotagal, Ryan Byes, Sandra Meyer

Event Co-Chair, Kathy Daly, YWCA Board Chair, Penny Pensak, President & CEO, Charlene Ventura, Keynote Speaker, Soledad O’Brien and Event Co-Chair, Adrienne James.

Duke Energy Center, Career Women 2008

The YWCA Salute to Career Women of Achievement was established in 1980 to increase community awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women in the work force and in the community. The luncheon has evolved into the YWCA's largest fundraising event, sponsored by over 150 companies and organizations each year.  All proceeds directly benefit YWCA programs, supporting its mission to eliminate racism and empower women. 

Approximately 100 women are nominated to be Career Women of Achievement each year. An independent panel of 5 community leaders selects women who exemplify personal career success, dynamic leadership qualities and the unique ability to serve as role models. Former honorees include artists, physicians, educators, executives, politicians, lawyers, human service workers, entrepreneurs, and law enforcement officers. 

Additional honors recognized at the luncheon include the Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship and the Charlotte Schmidlapp Fund Scholarship Awards.

The Academy of Career Women of Achievement is comprised of 226 past honorees. Established as a means of fostering interaction among Career Women of Achievement award recipients, the Academy promotes the personal and professional growth of women in Greater Cincinnati and provides leadership and diverse skills to the community.

2008 Career Women of Achievement

To learn more about the 2008 Career Women of Achievement Honorees, please click here.

Laura N. Brunner	Gina Drosos	Crystal Faulkner	Uma Raman Kotagal
Sandra P. Meyer	Celine Taribo Piri	Monica J. Posey	Maribeth Rahe

2008 Career Women of Achievement Keynote Speaker

Soledad O'Brien

Soledad O'Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN: Special Investigations Unit, reporting hour-long documentaries throughout the year and filming in-depth series on the most important ongoing and breaking news stories for all major CNN programs. O'Brien joined CNN in July 2003 as the co-anchor of the network's flagship morning program, American Morning, and distinguished herself by reporting from the scene on the transformational stories that broke on her watch. Her efforts following Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand, have earned her numerous awards and critical acclaim. In 2007, O'Brien garnered a Gracie Allen Award for her reporting from Cyprus on the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict as well as her reports from the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. The NAACP honored O’Brien with its President's Award in recognition of her humanitarian efforts and journalistic excellence. O'Brien earned the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Minorities in Cable in 2006 and has received honorary degrees from Siena College and Mercy College. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. O'Brien is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in English and American literature.

Previous Keynote Speakers include Cokie Roberts, Maya Angelou, Anna Quindlen and Alexis Herman.  To view list of past Speakers, click here.

2008 Career Women of Achievement Co-Chairs