YWCA NAMES 31st ACADEMY FOR WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT HONOREES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 12, 2022) – YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is celebrating the 31st Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) presented by Amazon and recognizing seven women and one organization who have made their mark on our community. This inspiring group will be inducted into the AWA on Jan. 26, 2023, at the Music City Center.The 31st AWA honorees are: Jean Ann Banker, Community Volunteer; Hannah Paramore Breen, Founder, Paramore Digital; Honorable Angelita Blackshear Dalton, Judge, Davidson County Criminal Court; Sherry Deutschmann, Founder and CEO, BrainTrust; Mary Ann McCready, Founding Owner and Business Manager, FBMM Entertainment Business Management; Sharon W. Reynolds, President and CEO, DevMar Products, LLC; Denine Torr, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy, Dollar General; and corporate honoree HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health.This year’s honorees join a prestigious group of 184 women and 33 organizations previously inducted into the AWA. They are leaders in the legal, advocacy, medical, business, education, and philanthropy fields. The selection committee, comprised of business and community leaders and YWCA’s Executive Committee, chose the individual and corporate honorees from an impressive list of nominees.“Our theme for this year’s Academy for Women of Achievement program is ‘United with Purpose,’ in recognition of our power to create a stronger, more generous, and more just community by working together,” said YWCA President and CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “The honorees are women united in our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”The awards celebration will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at the Music City Center. Individual tickets are $225, corporate tables are $1,800, and can be purchased now on YWCA’s website (www.ywcanashville.com/awa).YWCA is grateful to the many sponsors who support this program and our work, including Presenting Sponsor – Amazon; Dignity Sponsor – Dollar General; Freedom Sponsor – Mary Wester Foundation; Peace Sponsor – Deloitte, First Horizon; Justice Sponsor – Jackson National Life Insurance; Marketing and Media Sponsors – FINN Partners, The Tennessean, Hatcher & Fell Photography, MP&F Strategic Communications, and FW Publishing. Proceeds from the AWA event help fund YWCA programs and services, including the Weaver Domestic Violence Center.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, and dedication to the lives of others and the quality of life for all. This year’s co-chairs are Sallie B. Bailey, Honorable Ana Escobar, and Jerry Williams.About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee:YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. For 124 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, Family Learning Center, and Social Justice & Advocacy. 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 contact:Michelle Mowery Johnson, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, Michelle.MoweryJohnson@ywcanashville.com, (615) 424-0544Amy Dalton, MP&F Strategic Communications,adalton@mpf.com, (615) 259-4000