YWCA Names 2020 Academy for Women of Achievement Honorees
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 9, 2020) – As Tennessee and the nation prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is recognizing eight women and one organization who have made their mark on our community. This inspiring group will be inducted into the 2020 Academy for Women of Achievement on October 21. Health conditions permitting, the 29th annual AWA induction dinner will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and at intimate gatherings throughout the Metro Nashville areas. The 2020 honorees are: Jacky Akbari, Founder & Managing Principal - Worthington Advisory; Lisa Hooker Campbell, Community Volunteer; Janet Miller, CEO & Market Leader and Partner - Colliers International; Sabina Mohyuddin, Executive Director – American Muslim Advisory Council; Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center - Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Gini Pupo-Walker, State Director – The Education Trust; LoLita Toney, CEO & Founder - Ivy Business Solutions, and Christie Wilson, CEO – The Wilson Group Real Estate Services. Cummins Filtration, Inc. is the 2020 corporate honoree.This year’s honorees join a prestigious group of 171 women and 31 organizations previously inducted into the AWA. They are leaders in the advocacy, medical, business, education, and philanthropy fields. The judging committee, made up of business and community leaders and the YWCA Executive Committee, chose the individual and corporate honorees from an exceptional list of nominees.“Our theme for this year’s Academy for Women of Achievement program is ‘She Persisted’ in recognition of the women’s suffrage movement and how this work empowered the next generation of women,” said YWCA President & CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “Members of our 2020 AWA class have persisted in their own ways and chosen fields to achieve success and make a difference. They are role models to us all and help make our community a more just, educated, and vibrant place to live.”YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. This mission is even more relevant today, and during these uncertain times, it’s important YWCA continues the AWA tradition and honors those women who embody the mission while also celebrating the role that all women played in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.To ensure the health and safety of our community, YWCA is planning a unique series of events for the 29th annual AWA. A live-streamed, small induction ceremony for honorees is planned for the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Renaissance Hotel. The broader Nashville community is invited to join us in celebrating the 2020 AWA honorees and supporting the work of the YWCA by either purchasing a virtual ticket or hosting a small gathering in their homes or businesses. These gatherings will provide an opportunity for community members to share their passion for the mission of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, have conversations on eliminating racism and empowering women, and celebrate the women leading this year’s honorees. Visit our website to learn more and purchase virtual tickets for the Oct. 21 event. www.ywcanashville.com/awa.The Academy for Women of Achievement was launched locally in 1992 by YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee to increase community awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and the community. Women are honored for their community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership, dedication to the lives of others, and the quality of life for all. This year’s co-chairs include two past AWA honorees – Patricia Pierce and Yvonne Wood, and YWCA Board Member Kendra Deas.YWCA is grateful to the many sponsors who support this program and our work, including Dignity Sponsor - Dollar General, Signature Sponsors - DVL Seigenthaler – Finn Partners, The Tennessean, Hatcher & Fell Photography, and MP&F, Freedom Sponsor - Mary Wester Foundation, and Peace Sponsors - Jackson National Life Insurance Company and Nissan. Proceeds from the AWA event help fund YWCA programs and services, including the Weaver Domestic Violence Center.YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. For more than 120 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls, and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Dress for Success, and the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit ywcanashville.com, follow us on Twitter @YWCANashville, and Instagram @YWCANashville and find us on Facebook at facebook.com/YWCANashville.For more information, please contact:Michelle Mowery Johnson, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, Michelle.MoweryJohnson@ywcanashville.com, (615) 424-0544###