The YWCA has announced the finalists for the 2015 Tribute to Women awards. All finalists will be honored and the winners will be announced at the Tribute to Women event on Thursday, Sept. 17, in downtown Knoxville. Tickets are $85 and are available at www.ywcaknox.com or by calling the YWCA Knoxville at 865-523-6126.
Throughout the past 30 years, the YWCA Knoxville has recognized the contributions, leadership and community impact of women in East Tennessee. The 31st YWCA Tribute to Women finalists for each award category include:
Arts and Innovation
• Girls Rock Camp
• Jacqueline Shipwash, quality manager and project manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Marcia Goldenstein, professor emeritus, University of Tennessee School of Art
• Melanie Mayes, staff scientist and team leader, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Business and Professional Leadership
• Cindy McConkey, consultant, Effective Communication and Organizational Development Strategies
• Debby Saraceni, vice president of marketing and physician services, Covenant Health
• Jennifer Caldwell, group leader of technology commercialization, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Tammy White, president and CEO, Leadership Knoxville
Civic Service, Government and Education
• Christi Branscom, deputy to the mayor/COO, City of Knoxville
• Janet Gurwitch, retired assistant district attorney, Knox County District Attorney’s Office
• Julia Hopper Daniel, president, Mayme Carmichael School Organization, Inc.
• Lillian Burch, executive director, disABILITY Resource Center
Health and Human Services
• Carolyn Pointer Neil, regional director of clinical services, Asbury Place, and owner, Elder Advocates
• Mary Nelle Osborne, manager of recovery services, Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center
• Nancy Christian, president and CEO, Florence Crittenton Agency
• Pam Wolf, founder and CEO, Harmony Family Center, Young Female Impact
• Emily Skaar, director of entrepreneurship, Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
• Leah Scruggs, customer relations specialist, Varsity Knoxville
• Christa Hammaker, Refugee Ministry summer intern, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church
Spirit Award
• Lynn Talley, attorney, Social Security Administration Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Lifetime Achievement Award
• Sherri Parker Lee, author, benefactor and entrepreneur
“Even in our 31st year, we are humbled and amazed by the number of hardworking and generous women working, serving and leading here in East Tennessee,” YWCA Knoxville CEO Marigail Mullin said. “We look forward to honoring these women for their achievements and sharing their stories to help encourage others in our community.”
The 2015 Tribute to Women winners are selected by out-of-state judges. The winners will be announced and all finalists will be honored at the awards event on Thursday, Sept. 17. The event includes a tented reception at First Tennessee Plaza from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., followed by the Tribute to Women awards program at the Bijou Theatre at 7 p.m. WBIR-TV Channel 10 news anchor Robin Wilhoit, 2012 recipient of the YWCA Spirit Award, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
“We hope to see many friends, colleagues and supporters at the Tribute to Women awards event on September 17,” Mullin added. “It promises to be a fun and inspiring evening, and one that benefits the YWCA programs that likewise help inspire and change the lives of women in need here in the Knoxville area.”
This annual event is the region’s foremost acknowledgment and appreciation of the contributions of local women. For more information, visit www.ywcaknox.com or contact Nora Robinson, YWCA event planner, at 865-523-6126.
