YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon 2023 Recipients
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Sponsored by the YWCA of the Sauk Valley
For additional information, please contact Rebecca Muñoz-Ripley, YWCA Executive Director, or Cassandra Salmon, Director of Marketing & Development.
The 40th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon drew a crowd this year with 400 people attending the event at the Dixon Elks Club on Thursday, April 13. The luncheon featured awards presented to area women of achievement, as well awarding certificates to many other outstanding nominees.
This year’s Women of Achievement Awards were presented as follows:
Crete Dillon Bowman Award for Community Leadership: The nominees were Nicole Oberg, Eileen Piper, and Margaret Tyne. The YWCA selected Nicole Oberg, Truancy Officer at the Regional Office of Education.
Jane Reid Keefer Award for Professions and Education: The nominees were Dr. Linda Hellmich, Jennifer Kelly, Nicole Shafer, Lindsy Stumpenhorst, and Susie Welch. Dr. Lida Hellmich, Clinical Psychologist, Retired from KSB Hospital, was this year’s recipient.
L.L. Ely Award: The nominees were Audrey Mae Bonnll, Andrea Cook, Sue Ely, and Marcella Wells. This year, the award went to Sue Ely, Kreider Services.
Pearl Woods Award for Business and Industry: The nominees were Guadalupe Bonnell, Mary Oros, and Lisa Wiersema. This year, the YWCA selected Guadalupe Bonnell, Secretary of State, Bonnell Industries, and Mexicali Rose, Borg Warner.
Louise Bittorf Sullivan Inspirational Woman Award: The nominees were Kim Gaffey, Clara Harris, Jennifer Schultz, Trish Senneff, Nancy Tracy, and Donna Wellman. This year’s winner is Nancy Tracy, Serenity Hospice .
Young Woman of Tomorrow Award: The nominees were Blerina Mimini, Ainsley Reed, and Teyla Wendt. This year’s winner is Blerina Mimini, Sauk Valley Community College.
Spirit of Achievement Award: This posthumous recognition honored Alexandria Perry.
The YWCA will display a photo of each of this year’s awards winners, along with her name and employer or organization, in its lobby for the coming year. Event sponsors include Aanchor Road Storage, Bonnie Woods, BorgWarner, CGH Medical Center.
Community State Bank, Ehrmann Gehlbach, Badger & Considine, LLC, Ellie’s Gaming Café & Spirits, 1st Gateway Credit Union, Frantz Manufacturing Co., Jennifer Kelly, Midland States Bank, Preston Schilling Funeral Home, Raynor Garage Doors, Remax Sauk Valley, Trish Senneff, Sterling Federal Bank, The Burton Foundation, and Wipfli, LLP.
The YWCA of the Sauk Valley held its first Women of Achievement Luncheon in 1982. Proceeds from the YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon help to support YWCA programs: domestic violence and sexual assault programs, anti-bullying work, diversity, equity and inclusion work, girls’ programs, services to immigrant families, and women’s career services.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA of the Sauk Valley is a United Way agency of Lee and Whiteside Counties.
