Announcing our Class of 2023 Women of Influence Honorees!
YWCA Dayton will honor six women during its 2023 Women of Influence awards luncheon on March 9, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Dayton Convention Center. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the award; with an average attendance of 880, it is known as the largest nonprofit luncheon in Dayton.Since 1998, the YWCA Dayton WOI Awards have recognized and honored more than 180 influential women in the Dayton area, visionaries and thought leaders who have made a difference in our community through their dedication to the YWCA mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.Honorees in the Women of Influence Class of 2023 are:
- Melodie Bennett – Executive Director, House of Bread
- Marvene Mitchell Cook – Director of CARES Act and Workforce Development, Montgomery County
- Joanne “Jo” Granzow – Community Volunteer
- Michelle Kaye – Vice President and Client and Community Relations Director, PNC Bank
- Carol Prewitt – President, Prewitt Consulting LLC
- Carolyn Rice – President, Montgomery County Commission
We will also be honoring Lifetime Achievement Award winner Susan Gruenberg.Honorees were selected from a pool of 67 nominations by YWCA leadership and the volunteer WOI Committee, led this year by Chairs Lori and Chris Kershner. Lori is owner of LMK Advocacy and Chris is president and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer Harrison of Taft Law is serving as 2023 Co-Chair.“We stand in awe of these women," says Shannon Isom, YWCA Dayton President & CEO. "They are thought leaders, innovators, literal care givers. They make our community stronger by sharing those gifts to break down barriers and help the most vulnerable among us thrive. That is the mission work YWCA Dayton has done for 152 years, and we are honored to lift up these women in pursuit of that vision.The Women of Influence luncheon serves as YWCA Dayton’s largest fundraiser. Sponsorship opportunities, program advertising, and table and ticket purchase information are available at https://www.ywcadayton.org/news-events/signature-events/women-of-influence/. See a list of past Honorees HERE.You can follow the conversation on social media using hashtag #WOI23.