YWCA of Asheville to hold 21st Annual Tribute to Women of Influence Event

The YWCA of Asheville will hold its 21^st Annual Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) awards event on Thursday, September 20, at 7 pm, at Pack Place and the Diana Wortham Theatre. The mission of the YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. The TWIN award is given to women who are role models in their fields, organizations, and community. A total of 20 women/groups of women will be honored at the event (see list below), with featured winners in the categories of equality, empowerment and transformation. The emcee will be Lisa Gatewood-McMillan of Exquisite Events & Consulting. Local filmmaker Katie Damien is producing a series of videos that will be screened at the event. Music will be provided by LYRIC.

“The YWCA is honored to celebrate this impressive group of women,” says YWCA Executive Director Beth Maczka. “The positive impact they make on our community is truly inspiring.”

Tickets to the reception and awards presentation are $60 per person. Proceeds from the TWIN event will go to support YWCA programs that bridge gaps in child care, education, health and earning power. For more information or to reserve tickets, go to www.ywcaofasheville.org or call 254-7206 x 207.

2012 YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence Honorees
Alyson Johnson-Sawyer, CarePartners Health Services 
Anna Mills, Van Winkle Law Firm 
Asheville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 
Casey Blake, Asheville Citizen-Times 
Catherine Faherty, TEACCH-Asheville 
Dr. Elizabeth Castillo, Mission Health System/Asheville Specialty Hospital 
Evelyn Fozzard, Melvin R. Lane Foundation 
Imke Durre, NOAA's National climatic Data Center 
Irene Jurczyk, Mountain Area Health Education Center 
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Campaign for Southern Equality 
Jennifer Mayer, Charlotte Street Computers 
Joy Michelle Ponder, Asheville Fire Department 
Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
Leslie Boyd, Life O' Mike 
Marie Jensen, Eliada Homes 
Mary Kate Rikard, HomeTrust Bank 
Schell Alexander, Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association 
Stephanie Hickling Beckman, Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective 
Willie Vincent, Mountain Housing Opportunities 
Yolanda Bopp, Pisgah Legal Services