Nominate a Woman of Achievement
Nominate a Woman of Achievement to be Recognized in 2026
The YWCA Charleston is seeking nominations for its 2026 Women of Achievement Awards, an annual event that honors women who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions. These awards recognize individuals who embody the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
Nominees should be women who have demonstrated leadership, overcome challenges, and effected positive change in the Kanawha Valley region.
Honorees will be celebrated at the annual Women of Achievement Luncheon in 2026.
To submit a nomination, please click the button below.
Meet our 2025 Nominees
Angela Mayfield
Associate Broker
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Angela is honored as one of YWCA Charleston's
Women of Achievement.
Rebecca McPhail
Vice President
State Affairs
Rebecca is honored as one of YWCA Charleston's
Women of Achievement.
Dr. Sharon Istfan
Pediatric Residency Program Director
Charleston Area Medical Center
Dr. Sharon is honored as
YWCA Charleston's Posthumous
Women of Achievement.
Betty Spencer
Retired - 43 Years of Service
Kanawha County Schools
Betty is honored as this year's YWCA Charleston's
Lifetime Achievement Honoree.
Taylor Jones
Domestic Violence Advocate
Resolve Family Abuse Program
Taylor is honored as this year's YWCA Charleston's
Empowerment Honoree.
2025 WOA Memorable Moments
Be Inspired by Extraordinary Women!
Join us in creating positive change in Charleston. Together, we can make a difference by supporting women, children, and families in need. Your contribution helps us provide essential services and programs to those in our community.
Empowering Our Community
Our 2025 Sponsors
TITLE
Empowerment Award
Breakfast of Champions
Diamond
Benefactor
Benefactor
Platinum
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Burke and Herbert Bank
Gold
Bowles Rice LLP
Cresent Counseling Group
Netranom
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
West Virginia Manufacturers Association
Silver
Graystone Consulting
AVN Corporation
Denise & Mike Burgess
HartmanCosco Government Relations
Suttle and Stalnaker PLLC
Charleston-Institute (WV) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Judy & Britt McJunkin
DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC
Mary Agnes & Rex Kern
Bronze
Marsten & Kathy Becker
Kit Wellford
Dr. Joan Phillips
Rory and Kim Isaac
Tessa M. White, PLLC
Katherine White
Callen McJunkin
Greg & Kim Burton
Sarah K. Brown
Donor
Robinson & McElwee, PLLC
Becky Ceperley
Melinda Kiss
Brad M. Rowe
The Busse Family
Terri Dodrill
Women of Achievement Legacies
2024
Jamie Tridico
Virginia Slack
Bunmi Kusimo-Frazier
Tiffany Crum
2023
Dr. Tracy Wilkerson
Karen Williams
Debby Weinstein
Chanel Hunt
2022
Kenyatta Grant
The Hon. Stephanie Thacker
Dr. Sherri Young
Dr. Jacqueline Stump
Shimaya Jones
2020
Amy Shuler Goodwin
Dr. Michelle Foster
Sandra Murphy
Morgan Rhea Beals
Deborah Harris
2019
Brigadier General Paige Hunter
Dr. Joan Phillips
Meshea L. Poore
Kelly Shafer
The G-Unit
2018
Jan Vineyard
Melissa Rubin
Dr. R. Jenee Walker
Brittany Javins
Whitney Breckenridge
2017
Mildred Lisa Lewis
Alissa Novoselick
Elizabeth Pellegrin
Dr. Cynthia A. Persily
The Hon. Joanna I. Tabit
2016
Denise Burgess
Sara Busse
Daven Burroughs
Mary Jean Davis
2015
Kitty Dooley
Sharon Flannery
Amy Thomas
Judy Wellington
2014
Mary Kay Bond
Glenna Hughes
Susan Poffenbarger
Diane Strong-Treister
2013
Fonda Elliot
Mary Johnson
Dr. Patricia Kusimo
The Hon. Mary Stanley
2012
Linda Arnold
Dr. Ethel Caffie-Austin
Debra Sullivan
Threece Clements-Townsend
2011
Mary Frances Bleidt
Virginia King
Dr. Elizabeth Spangler
Elvina Walker
2010
Deb Copeland
Nina Denton Pasinetti
Kay Goodwin
Star Hogan
2009
Anita Casey
Kim Knopf
Callen McJunkin
Lois Smith
2008
Helen Lodge
Dr. Jorea Marple
Sarah Stebbins
Jennifer Bailey
2007
Deborah Herndon
Sally Richardson
Mary C. Snow
Kay Kirk
2006
Phyllis Huff Arnold
Carole “Cookie” Glasser
Kim R. Pauley
Helaine Rotgin
Sharon Pendleton
2005
Ann Brotherton
The Hon. Phyllis Carter
Nancy Thomas
Tribute to Louise Palumbo
2004
Sallie McClaugherty
Karen Price
Martha Wehrle
2003
Becky Ceperley
Rosalie Gaziano
Helen Thalheimer
2002
Dr. Diana Amores
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Dr. Henrietta Marquis
2001
Nelle Chilton
Ann Saville
Sue Sergi
The Hon. Margaret Workman
2000
The Hon. Irene Berger
Ellen Cappellanti
Betty Schoenbaum
Annette Zavareei
1999
Dr. Charlene Byrd
Justice Robin J. Davis
The Hon. Betty S. Ireland
The Hon. Martha Yeager Walker
1998
Rebecca A. Betts
Georgette Rashid George
Elizabeth “Ditsy” Keightley
Ivin B. Lee
1997
Ann S. Green
The Hon. Elizabeth V. Hallanan
Nancy Starks
Margaret Howard Teeter