From our head table, from L, Kathy Rogers from Event Sponsor Philips North America, Deputy Director Lee Woodbury, Keynote Speaker Wilnelia Rivera and Board President Margaret Crockett. Missing: Executive Director Rebecca A. Hall
	2012 Honorees with former Senator Sue Tucker [standing, L] and Keynote Wilnelia Rivera [standing, R]
	Keynote Speaker 2012, Wilnelia Rivera

The YWCA of Greater Lawrence held our 29th annual Tribute to Women awards luncheon, sponsored by Philips North America, at the Andover Country Club, and honored 24 women of remarkable business and community achievement in the Merrimack Valley.

The event drew 470 business and community guests and former Senator Sue Tucker served as our Honorary Chair, and spoke of her continued commitment to and the importance of this event, as well as her dedicated work in supporting women and children’s issues when she was a legislator. Keynote Speaker Wilnelia Rivera, Political and Policy Campaign Director at Neighbor to Neighbor in Boston gave an inspiring and thought provoking talk on Women in Leadership. Well recognized as a charismatic young leader, Ms. Rivera wove her personal experiences about growing up in Lawrence into her talk, which included her six years as part of the YW’s Girls’ Center.

They represent a tradition of leadership, service and ingenuity encouraged by the work of the YW. Some might call these women extremely capable, extraordinarily gifted and very successful. However, we know that it isn’t just about being extraordinary – their success is built by being talented, working smart, and using their gifts to better themselves and their communities.

These women join the over 700 women who have come before them who have been honored at this event. Their accomplishments inspire the community at large to continue our good work. The YWCA believes that the achievement these women represent serve as motivation to the more than 15,000 they annually serve. Honoring this group of women who have made a difference for themselves and others serves as an important lesson for us as we work to carry out our mission of creating opportunities for women’s growth and leadership while striving to attain a common vision of peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.

Executive Director, Rebecca A. Hall, felt the event was uplifting, with a renewed sense of purpose. “It is exciting to recognize the accomplishments, advancements and work of our Honorees,” she said, “and having such meaningful messages from former Senator Tucker and Ms. Rivera helps keep us all inspired and willing to continue the work we do.” Additionally, Deputy Director Lee Woodbury gave a heartfelt talk on the work we do to develop young girls into future leaders.

Board President, Margaret Crockett, gave special attention to their other sponsors including Premier Sponsor, Pfizer, Inc., as well as Special and Benefactor Sponsors: Wheelabrator of North Andover, UniFirst, Independent Tire & Auto, All Brand New England, Bay Path College, Holy Family Hospital, IBMS and Sovereign Bank.

Katie Cook
Comfort Home Care Services, Methuen

Suzanne Coppinger
Internal Revenue Service, Andover

Leslie Costello
Essex Art Center, Lawrence

Zoila Gomez
Law Offices of Zoila M. Gomez, Lawrence

Suzanne Hyde
Holy Family Hospital’s William L. Lane Cancer Center, Methuen

Joan Kulash
Jericho Road Lawrence, North Andover/Lawrence

Michelle LaMothe
GLFHC, Lawrence

Carrie Lane
General Mills, Methuen/Lawrence

Therese Leone
Enterprise Bank, Methuen/Andover

Robin Lynch
GLCAC, Lawrence

Linda Macisaac
Alcatel-Lucent, Methuen

Dr. Maritza Morell
Pediatric Dentistry Specialists, Lawrence

Maureen Perkins
formerly of Brooks School, North Andover/Amesbury

Delilah Rivera
Lawrence/Methuen Community Coalition of GLCAC, Lawrence

Carol Ross
Bread & Roses, Methuen/Lawrence

Barbara Somers
Elder Services and Somers Psychological Associates, Lawrence

Helen Tory
Essex Art Center, Lawrence

Abby Tracy
Lawrence General Hospital, Lawrence

Amy Walsh
Pfizer, Inc., Andover

Colleen Walsh
Northern Essex Community College, North Andover/Lawrence

Pamela Yameen
Lawrence History Center; Butcher Boy Market, Haverhill/Lawrence

Linda Zimmerman
Neighbors in Need, Andover/Lawrence