Rockford, IL (May 14, 2021) – YWCA Northwestern Illinois presented Women of Achievement Awards to six individual women at the 41st annual “virtual” Leader Luncheon yesterday.
The YWCA Women of Achievement Awards recognize individuals who strive to make a positive impact in their community and whose work aligns with the YWCA mission: eliminating racism and empowering women. Nominations are solicited by the YWCA Northwestern Illinois and the Leader Luncheon event committee, and are reviewed by a committee comprised of local community members.
The 2020 Women of Achievement Award recipients are:
- Business: Chris Kuberski, President, Highland Community College
- Community Leadership: Maureen Mostacci, Executive Director (retired), Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling
- Mentorship: Danielle Potter, Operations Director, Rockford Park District
- Professions: Manorama Khare, PhD, Research Associate Professor, University of Illinois, College of Medicine—Rockford
- Promise: Martesha Brown, Director of Advancement, Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Racial Justice: Paulette Gilbert, Professor, Rock Valley College
YWCA Northwestern Illinois has provided women’s empowerment programming and advocacies since 1891. The organization now serves more than 12,000 women, children, and families each month, through child care subsidy, quality child care access and improvement resources, YWCA La Voz Latina’s Hispanic and Latino community support and resources, and community racial justice work that promotes a clear commitment to equality. YWCA Northwestern Illinois delivers its mission, “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all,” to women and families in Boone, Jo Daviess, McHenry, Ogle, Winnebago and Stephenson counties in Illinois.
