Captured Event

February, 21 2008 - YWCA 15th Annual Tribute to Women Luncheon

What: Celebrating Extraordinary Women

Where: Arizona Biltmore

When: February 21, 2008

Time: 11:30 AM

Ticket Prices: $125

Beneficiary: YWCA of Maricopa County

EMCEE: Tram Mai (12 News Today, Anchor)

Presenting Sponsor(s): 12 News & Arizona Republic

Honorary Chairperson(s): Linda Pope and Michelle King Robson

Co-Chair(s): Regina Edwards and Karen Fletcher

President(s): Soledad Brozek

Staff: Mary Beall (Director of Operations), Tina Bronson (Director of Development), Michelle Thomas (Haven House Director), Kathy Saunders (Senior Center Director), Jessica Shea (Event & Program Coordinator), Martha Moeller (Executive Assistant), Dahlia Anderson (Administrative Assistant)

Welcome: Dana Campbell Saylor (CEO, YWCA Maricopa County)

Sponsors: EMERALD: SRP; GEM BOX: Alphagraphics Central Avenue, City Sun Times, BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, SunChase Holdings, Inc., Greenberg Traurig, Kitchell, Arizona Woman, Dr. Janet G. Elsea; SAPPHIRE: US Airways, University of Phoenix; TOPAZ: Wells Fargo, Westcor, APS, Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, Isagenix, DHL Express, WalshCOMM, CVS/Caremark

Attendance: 750

Attire: Business

Information: Tina Bronson 602-258-0990

Board of Directors: Dr. Heather Cunliffe, Joanna de'Shay, Regina Edwards, Karen Johnson, Alyssa Mandel, Jana Monroe, Tim Schmaltz, Leon Silver, Esq., Representative Kyrsten Sinema, Councilman Greg Stanton, Frances Vierkoetter, Kimberly Warshawsky, Esq.

Blacktie Photos by: Jaimee Anderson

Dana Campbell Saylor (CEO, YWCA Maricopa County), Randy Baca (Dorothy Willey Award winner)
View all photos

YWCA 15th Annual Tribute to Women Luncheon

YWCA of Maricopa County honored 10 Valley women on February 21st at its 15th annual YWCA Tribute to Women Awards Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore's Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom in Phoenix.  Presented by The Arizona Republic and Channel 12 News, the event began with a silent auction, followed by lunch and the awards ceremony.

The purpose of the event was to recognize outstanding women in Maricopa County whose lives and accomplishments reflect the YWCA's mission of empowering women and eliminating discrimination. This year's honorees were recognized for their daily devotion to improving the lives of women and girls through their leadership, advocacy and community service while achieving success in their career fields.

This year's honorees are:

• Diana Yazzie-Devine, president and CEO of Native American Connections (Business Leader).

• Hope H. Ozer, publisher of The City Times (Creative Arts Leader). 

• Virginia McElyea, superintendent of the Deer Valley Unified School District (Education Leader).

• Malissa Geer, research assistant for Arizona State University's Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (Emerging Leader).

• Joan Rankin Shapiro, consultant for St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (Health and Science Leader).

• Debbie Castaldo, director of Philanthropy Innovation for St. Joseph's Barrow Neurological Foundation (Philanthropy Leader).

• Debora Black, assistant chief of police for the Glendale Police Department (Public Service Leaders).

• Barbara Mundell, presiding judge for the Superior Court of Maricopa County (Racial Justice Leader).

• Irene Stillwell, executive director for the Arizona Senior Olympics (Sports Leader).

• Randy Baca, former YWCA interim executive director, founder of the Arizona Small Business Association and co-founder of KBUQ-FM radio (Dorothy Willey Award).

Judges included:  Barbara Ralston (Fresh Start Women's Foundation), Barry Wong, Esq. (Barry Wong Law Office), Kimber Lanning (Modified Arts/Stinkweed), Maria Elena Ochoa (Governor's Office), Tim Schmaltz (Protecting Arizona's Families-PAFCO).

For details on Maricopa County's YWCA, call 602-258-0990 or visit www.ywca.org/maricopacounty.