Career Women of Achievement - YWCA Greater Cincinnati

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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

Please join us for the
2010 Annual Salute to Career Women of Achievement Luncheon

Thursday, May 13, 2010

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Duke Energy Center, Career Women 2009

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 fund raising 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. Nominations for 2010 are now being accepted. Click here to download the 2010 Nomination Form. All Nominations are due by Monday, January 4, 2010.

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 242 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.

In celebration of the YWCA Career Women of Achievement’s 30th Pearl Anniversary, we asked the Academy of Career Women of Achievement to share with us their own ‘pearls of wisdom’. These words capture their personal philosophy, the words they live by. Click here for the Academy’s ‘pearls of wisdom’.

2010 Career Women of Achievement Co-Chairs

Dianne Dunkelman
Founder and CEO, Clever Crazes for Kids

Dianne Dunkelman, a 2001 Career Woman of Achievement Honoree and YWCA Board Member, is founder and CEO of Clever Crazes for Kids, an organization committed to building healthy lives with a primary focus on nutrition, physical activity, self-esteem and respect for our earth. Clever Crazes for Kids grew out of the nationwide success Dianne experienced while leading Speaking of Women’s Health, which she founded in 1995. Dianne has been recognized throughout the city and country for her women’s health initiatives as well as her philanthropic efforts. In 2008, she was honored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at their 53rd annual Freedom Fund Dinner in recognition of her work to advance on behalf of women of color and their families. The March of Dimes, the National Conference for Community and Justice Citation Award and numerous more have also recognized her. Dianne is active in many organizations including the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and serves as Trustee on the Boards of the University of Cincinnati Foundation and the Contemporary Arts Center.

Marilyn Shazor
CEO, SORTA/Metro

Marilyn Shazor, a 2009 YWCA Career Women of Achievement, is the first female and the first African American CEO of SORTA/Metro. These are only the most recent “firsts” Marilyn adds to her resume. She was the first COO of Metro, the first female executive at Green Tokai Co., and the first member of her family to earn a college degree. Marilyn oversees 950 employees, a budget of nearly $100 million and a fleet of more than 400 vehicles. In 2008, Marilyn received the American Public Transportation Association Innovation Award for the Everybody Rides Metro foundation. Marilyn serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, the Fine Arts Fund Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Chatfield College. In 2009, she was the recipient of the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD’s J. Lajuana Miller Inclusion Award and the Most Powerful and Influential Women in Ohio Award.

To volunteer for the 2010 Career Women of Achievement Luncheon, please contact Sophia Gilligan Helms.

2009 YWCA Career Women of Achievement Images

YWCA President & CEO, Charlene Ventura, Event Co-Chair, Tillie Hidalgo Lima, Keynote Speaker, Elizabeth Vargas, Event Co-Chair, Nora Zorich, YWCA Board Chair, Penny Pensak

YWCA Career Women of Achievement Honorees, Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship Recipient, Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Scholarship Recipient and keynote speaker.
Back Row: Victoria Morgan, Susan Croushore
Middle Row: Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh, Chandra Gravely, Marilyn Shazor, Vikki Kimbrough
Front Row: Kimaya Hudgins, Jill McGruder, Elizabeth Vargas, Delores Epps, Karen Carnahan

2009 YWCA Career Women of Achievement Honorees

Karen Carnahan

Susan Croushore

Delores Epps
Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh

Chandra Gravely, MD

Jill McGruder

Victoria Morgan

Marilyn Shazor

Click here for bios and information

2009 Scholarship Award Winners

Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship

Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund Scholarship

Kimaya Hudgins

Vikki Kimbrough

2009 Career Women of Achievement Keynote Speaker

Elizabeth Vargas

Elizabeth Vargas, an award winning anchor and correspondent, has been a co-anchor on ABC’s 20/20 since May 2006. Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting in-depth investigations and conducting newsmaker interviews. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she anchored World News Tonight from Baghdad. She anchored for both World News Tonight and 20/20 from the U.S. Gulf Coast, covering Hurricane Katrina's devastation.

In 2000, Ms. Vargas won an Emmy for Outstanding Instant Coverage of a News Story for anchoring live coverage of the Elian Gonzalez case. Among Vargas’ professional credits are roles as anchor of “World News Tonight Sunday”, frequent substitute anchor on “Good Morning America” as well as correspondent and anchor for “Dateline NBC” and the “Today” show.

Vargas is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

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

YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, 898 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 email: website@ywcacin.org • Phone: 513-241-7090 • Fax: 513-241-7231	\|\|