Nine 'held up and recognized' for contributions at YWCA's Tribute to Women event
With more than 275 people in attendance, the YWCA Greater Johnstown held its 38th annual Tribute to Women at Ace's in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
'There are things getting done in our communities by women every day and they go unnoticed, so this is to recognize them and show them the appreciation their communities have for them,' said Diane Lopez, YWCA Greater Johnstown board president. 'This year's group of women are from all over the county, which is different than it's been in the past.
'We have multiple honorees from the northern part of the county, so the word is getting out and we're very excited about that.'
The nine honorees were Debbie Baxter, employee of Ray Oil & Gas in Portage and recipient of the Arts & Letters Award; Becky DeYulis, owner of WorkLink Staffing in Ebensburg and recipient of the Business Award; Stacey Lewis, founder of South Fork Heritage Days and South Fork Winterfest and recipient of the Community Service Volunteer Award; Angela Seidel, professor of accounting and the chair of the business administration department at St. Francis University in Loretto and recipient of the Education Award; Jessie Mullen, a Marine Corps veteran and teacher at Ferndale Area High School and recipient of the Lady Liberty Award; Ashley Flynn, executive director the Cambria County Library and recipient of the Nonprofit Award; Louann Hoffman, broker/owner of Lang Real Estate and Tax Services in Cresson and recipient of the Professions Award; Jacqueline Hockenberry, a licensed professional geologist with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Cambria District Mining Office and recipient of the STEM Award; and Andi Palmar, executive director of Operation BeYoutiful and recipient of the Yellow Rose Award.
'This is very humbling because there are so many women in business and sometimes you don't feel like you're worthy, but then when someone sees what you do it becomes quite an honor,' DeYulis said. 'It's so nice to see women recognized for all their contributions to the roles that they have.'
She said it's exciting to see women from all over Cambria County being recognized for their achievements.
'The YWCA is located in Johnstown, but their reach for this award is amazing,' DeYulis said. 'I love what they are doing, and I hope this continues to get more notoriety on what they do and it can enhance their programs.'
Lewis said women do so much in their communities and deserve to be celebrated.
'We work so hard and you sometimes think people don't see everything, not that you need the recognition, but it's just nice to be acknowledged,' she said. 'Women can put a lot on their plate sometimes and we try to juggle everything, so it's phenomenal that the YWCA does this for our community and spotlights women.'
Lewis said it's a thrill be included with the other honorees.
'To be acknowledged is an accomplishment and something very special,' she said. 'I'm already thinking about who I can nominate next year.'
Flynn said the award is overwhelming, and she's glad she can help draw attention to the public library system.
'I work with some really great people and to know what we're doing is being noticed at the level of all these other honorees is very impactful,' she said. 'So many of the women that are doing these incredible things are also juggling many responsibilities at home and fulfilling a lot of different roles in their lives, so to be recognized at this professional level is very important.'
Flynn said the event can inspire other women.
'It's good to know that we women are working together to make things better,' she said.
'It's fun to be a part of that.'
Seidel said she appreciates the award.
'It's a heartfelt nomination, and it's very humbling,' she said. 'So many people go unrecognized for the work that they do. They give so much time and effort and give so much of their hearts to what they do, so it's a great thing to be recognized.'
Seidel said she does what she does because she loves it.
'I'm just grateful that I have an opportunity to get up every morning and go do something that I love to do,' she said.
Mullen said receiving the award is an honor.
'Women need to be held up and recognized so that we can inspire each other to continue to do good work and can inspire the younger generation to do even better work,' she said. 'So often the people you see in the news or history books are men, so holding up women as examples in your community gives younger women an example to follow.'
She said to be the company of current and past honorees is gratifying.
'I didn't know some of the great work these women were doing, so I hope we can find ways to work together to make our community even better,' Mullen said.
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