Exceptional women and girls winners announced
43 were nominated for their ability to lead by example in their careers, communities
YWCA Tri-County Area honored an exemplary group of women and girls on June 16 at its 26th annual Tribute to Exceptional Women and Girls.
Tribute to Exceptional Women and Girls recognizes women and girls for their ability to lead by example, embrace community responsibility and demonstrate exceptional leadership in their careers and beyond. Over the past 25 years, YWCA Tri-County Area has recognized more than 200 women and girls for their achievements by inviting community members to nominate women in several categories, ranging from arts and culture to lifetime achievement.
This year, 43 women and girls were nominated for their ability to lead by example in their careers and in their communities in nine categories: Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Education, Community Service, STEM, Sports, Rising Star, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the Mae Jemison Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s Tribute to Exceptional Women and Girls took place at Meredith Manor in North Coventry Township, hosted by Andrea Lawful-Sanders, radio host and education consultant.
Women award winners are:
The Ethel Waters Arts and Culture Award recognizes women who foster arts or culture in significant ways within the community.
• Vicki Haller Graff, artistic director of the Reading Theater Project, supports, promotes, and mentors women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• Runner up is Marie Haigh, chair of Pottstown Community Arts, who encourages the community to grow and thrive through the arts.
The Virginia Margaret Alexander Health & Wellness Award recognizes a woman for her outstanding and innovative contributions to health and wellness-related fields.
• Casey Fenoglio, manager of the Community Wellness Program at Pottstown Hospital since 2019, has enacted a number of initiatives to promote health and wellness.
• Runner up is Dr. Janine Darby, the founder of Lifestyle Changes, a physician-led weight management and corporate wellness practice.
The Mary Bethune Education Award recognizes women in public or private education who inspire excellence and innovation.
• Barbara Auris of Montgomery County Community College works to bring equity in education and career preparation to women and to non-native English speakers.
• Runner up is Amy Auwaerter, director of Pottstown Campus Operations at Montgomery County Community College.
The Community Service Award recognizes women who have demonstrated outstanding service to their community through volunteerism and other supports of time, treasure, and talent.
• Meredith Jacks, of Styer Real Estate, leads a brokerage firm that brings integrity, growth, and empowerment to her real estate team and to the community.
• Runner up is Diane Cornman-Levy, executive director of Women’s Way.
The Katherine Johnson STEM Award recognizes an outstanding woman for their contributions to STEM-related fields including pure and applied sciences, engineering, life sciences, mathematics, or technology.
• Karen Thompson, an employee of Merck Pharmaceuticals has worked on cardiovascular studies in children, as well as on formulations of several medications.
• Runner up is Gladys Rodriguez, a community health worker at Community Health and Dental Care.
The Coretta Scott King Advocacy Award recognizes an outstanding woman who is an Agent of Change, with an exemplary record of leadership and service to historically underserved and marginalized communities.
• Margarita Davis-Boyer, manager of prevention and family support at Belmont Charter Network, oversees social services at the network’s schools.
• Runner up is Laura Johnson, treasurer of the Pottstown School District board of education and advocate for equitable funding among Pennsylvania’s public school districts.
The Rising Star Award recognizes a young woman who is making an impact early in her career.
• Kayla Massi, a junior at Lafayette College studying neuroscience and a graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School, was active in creating OUT@Lafayette.
• Runner up is Rachel Rogers, a mental health therapist who strives to reduce the stigma of mental illness and behavioral health treatment.
The Alice Coachman Sports Award recognizes an outstanding female athlete who serves as an inspiration and role model by overcoming adversity and exhibiting extraordinary courage in their athletic performance.
• Erin Brown, known as The Concrete Cowgirl, began her riding career at the Fletcher Street Stables and has been competing with horses for nearly 30 years in both the hunt seat and stock seat riding disciplines.
The Mae Jemison Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding woman who has devoted their life to making a significant impact and difference in the lives of others.
• The Rev. Kerry Pidcock-Lester, co-pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, has expanded the congregation’s service to the community in her 28 years of leadership, providing support and resources to many community organizations, scholarships to Pottstown students, and outreach and educational events.
• Runner up is Gail Wellington, whose community volunteering extends into the Spring-Ford and neighboring school districts, the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce, ArtFusion 19464 in Pottstown, and other community projects. Girls award winners are: The Inspiration Arts and Culture Award recognizes an outstanding student who has a love for art and the ability to express self-truth through artistic expression.
• Nicole Lockey, a sophomore at Pottsgrove High School, volunteers with “Falcon Friends” daily, where she spends her study hall with students with disabilities as a friend and a role model.
• Runner up is Dasani Armstrong, a student at Reading High School who expresses self-truth through her poetry.
The Radiance Health & Wellness Award recognizes an outstanding student who promotes, demonstrates, and encourages the importance of a healthy lifestyle either through fitness, wellness, or behaviors.
• Josephine Podziomek, a seventh-grader at Owen J. Roberts Middle School, shows her passion for social and emotional wellness through her participation in YW’s Girls In Charge program.
• Runner up is Qahira Jones, a student at Pottstown Middle School who participates in YW’s Great Girls Today group.
The Trailblazer Education Award recognizes an outstanding student who inspires passion, excellence, and innovation.
• Island Saige Lewis, a junior at The Sanford School, is the vice president of the Black Student Union at her school, mentoring other students and working to ensure that the organization will be sustained after she graduates.
• Runner up is Lily Guerrette, a junior at Pottsgrove High School who advocates for herself and her peer students at all grade levels and all ability levels.
The Community Service Award recognizes an outstanding student who has focused her time, energy, and creativity on lifting the community around her.
• Yissette Colon, a senior at Norristown Area High School, volunteers with ACLAMO in a variety of roles.
• Runner up is Gianna Padilla, a senior at the First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School who volunteers to provide supplies to people experiencing homelessness.
The Innovation STEM Award recognizes an outstanding student who has passion, demonstrates, and takes initiative in Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math.
• Celeste Dudek-Plummer, a homeschooled seventh-grader living in the North Penn School District, is an active participant in creating change.
The Justice Advocacy Award outstanding student who demonstrates the ability to advocate, influence and make an impact in their community or among peers.
• Madison Walker, a senior at Pottsgrove High School, is a founding member and current president of the school’s Diversity Council.
• Runner-up is Leyna Johnson, a sixth-grader at Pottstown Middle School and a member of YW’s Great Girls Today.
The Junior Rising Star Award recognizes a young woman who is making an impact early in her career.
• Anna Lignelli, a senior at The Hill School, was instrumental in planning and launching the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at The Hill School, leading the Women and Gender Committee.
• Runner up is Sydney Smith, a senior at Owen J. Roberts High School who has been organizing programs for more than 5,000 people and logging more than 100 volunteer hours each year for Green Allies.
The Champion Sports Award recognizes an outstanding athlete who serves as an inspiration and role model through extraordinary courage in athletic performance.
• Juliet Solensky, a homeschooled junior living in the Muhlenberg School District, is a hard-working, skilled athlete who always provides motivating support for her teammates.
• Runner up is Tyonna Murray, a senior at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Pottstown who is a role model for other students through her desire to help others in need.
Keynote speakers included:
• Keisha Hudson, chief defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia;
• Arlene Cadogan, a Methacton High School freshman and entrepreneur who founded Melanin Is Beauty LLC, a cosmetic business she started with her best friend in 2020;
·• Jenna Armato, a growth and success coach who fosters businesses and organizations in leadership development and communication.
Tribute to Exceptional Women and Girls was sponsored by: The Gulati Family Foundation, Comcast NBC Universal, Limerick Generating Station, Wacoal, Herbein + Company Inc., Tompkins VIST, Dwells Ministries, Giant, Hobart’s Run, An Orphan Smiles and Styer Real Estate.
Tribute to Exceptional Women and Girls 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 empowering individuals to learn and grow, providing the foundation for a healthy and thriving community; and advocating for the health, safety, and economic success of women and girls; and working toward racial and social justice.