YWCA Honors Gems of the Greenville Community
The YWCA of Greenville recognized the achievements of some of Greenville's brightest women at the 8th annual Amy Kay Stubbs Women of Achievement Awards on April 7 at the Carolina First Center. Judge Merl Code emceed the event which honored these gems of our community for the example they set for other women and the contributions they make to Greenville.
"This is one of the few organizations, one of the few events, that honors women in this way," says Jil Littlejohn, Executive Director of YWCA. "These awards give women the strength and energy to push forward and inspire other women to also do great things." 685 people attended the event and 37 deserving women were honored.
Megan Riegel was recognized for her contributions to the arts community of Greenville. She is President of The Peace Center, and serves on the board of Child Development Services (CDS), the Metropolitan Arts Council and on Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors.
Rosylin Weston was honored for her achievement in business. She is the Vice President of Communications for GSP International Airport and serves on numerous boards including Phillis Wheatley Association, Greenville Tech Foundation and the United Way.
In April 2010, Magaly Penn was appointed South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commissioner bringing with her 15 years of experience in the area of diversity, for which she was honored at the event. Penn is a Diversity Consultant for BI-LO, LLC, and spends her spare time serving on boards for local organizations including the YWCA, Phillis Wheatley Association and The Community Foundation.
Dr. Judith S. Prince was recognized for her achievement in education. Currently the Vice Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate Greenville Campus, she has devoted her career to education, women's issues and leadership. She served as chair for Greenville Forward's Vision 2025 Education Task Force and is a member of the board of the Rotary Club of Greenville and the Advisory Board of the Urban League of the Upstate. She recently recognized as a Woman Making History by the Greenville Cultural Exchange.
Linda Brees was honored for her work in healthcare. For 35 years, she has served as a child advocate. Under the leadership of Brees, Safe Kids Upstate initiatives have reduced the accidental deaths of children by 24 percent. She is the Director of Children's Advocacy at Greenville Hospital System's Children's Hospital and devotes numerous hours to community organizations that address children's issues.
Jo Watson Hackl was recognized for her achievements in law. She is an attorney with Wyche Burgess Freeman and Parham, P.A. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and of the Community Foundation of Greenville, and she serves on boards for the United Way of Greenville County and Camperdown Academy. Among her treasured titles are wife, mother and author. She was named one of Greenville's 50 Most Influential People of 2010 by our magazine.
Katy Pugh Smith was awarded for her work in the nonprofit sector. She has worked with numerous nonprofits, including United Way, the Greenville Hospital System and the Center for Developmental Services, where she was the first Executive Director. She has been the Executive Director of the Piedmont Health Care Foundation since 2005. She is also an active school and church volunteer.
Minor Shaw was honored for achievement in philanthropy. She currently serves as the chairman of The Daniel–Mickel Foundation and is a trustee of the Duke Endowment, the Hollingsworth Funds and the Belle Baruch Foundation. Shaw is the Chairman of the Greenville Spartanburg Airport Commission and was instrumental in bringing Southwest Airlines to South Carolina. She also helped found Roper Mountain Science Center and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities. She has won prestigious awards statewide for her charitable endeavors.
Each year, the YWCA of Greenville also recognizes extraordinary women as Dream Achievers. These women make significant contributions to family, friends, and community and have achieved a dream or who have helped another woman achieve a dream. The women receiving the award at this year's ceremony were: Deloris Barksdale, LaVonda Bowman, Sandra Bullock, Giovanna Burgess, Erika Cannon, Jada Charley, Deimple Desai, Hesha Gamble, Melinda Hudson, Missy Johnson, Kathy Laughlin, Deborah R. McKetty, Angela Prosser, Kathleen Reynolds, Robin Smith, Deb Sofield, Cathy Stevens, Lissette Treanor, Nika White, Gina Wong, and Cindy Youssef.
Nine upstate women were honored as Dream Catchers: Jabecca Banks, Cherish Benton, Staci Dillard, Amy Hedges, Angela Mattison-Hurks, Elizabeth Ramos, Sara Raynor, Michelle Simmons and Adrienne Whitner. These women are opening businesses, completing educations, and working to make a difference within their communities.
A special President's Award was also given to Maureen Abdalla in celebration of her 35 years with the YWCA.