YWCA JAMESTOWN
Women of Achievement 2024
YWCA Jamestown believes in the power of women to change the world. Our Women of Achievement Dinner celebrates women in our community who are making a difference by supporting and empowering other women, while fighting for equality and justice. Join us in recognizing these incredible women and their impact on our community.
2024 Recipients:
Bonnie Weber:
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Impact Award
Bonnie is a visionary leader and advocate for social justice in our community. Bonnie tirelessly works to provide essential resources such as tents, clothing, food, and supplies to individuals living without stable housing, connecting these individuals with social services and rehabilitation programs when necessary. Leading by example, Bonnie spearheads initiatives under the unincorporated organization, "Be the Change You Want to See in Jamestown," demonstrating exceptional skills in community mobilization and resource acquisition. Her efforts have resulted in significant contributions from the local community, totaling tens of thousands of dollars in goods and thousands of hours of volunteer support each year.
Momina Di Blasio:
Power the Future
Momina Di Blasio manages the New Neighbors Coalition program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. In her role with the Coalition, Momina feels a strong commitment to advocating for and supporting marginalized individuals, across all spaces, in a way that is rooted in intersectionality and inclusivity. As an immigrant with firsthand experience regarding the challenges non-American-born individuals may face, her passion lies with promoting language accessibility, pushing for immigrant equity, and advocating for cultural humility in her professional and personal life. Through the New Neighbors Coalition, Momina works with dozens of volunteers to assist area new arrivals in accessing services, navigating transportation challenges, fostering human connection, and engaging in the local community through various events and volunteer opportunities. Currently, she serves on the Education Solution Team of the Chautauqua County Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Coalition (IDEA), and sits on the Audubon Community Nature Center’s IDEA Committee.
Kristan McMahon:
Shattered Ceiling
Kristan McMahon has served as President of the Robert H. Jackson Center since April 2019. She is now the longest-serving president of the organization, shattering glass ceilings in the predominantly male-dominated legal field. She serves as a Trustee and Chair of the Franciscan Mission Committee for St. Bonaventure University, as Secretary and Governance Chair on the board of Youth For Understanding, and as a board member of Sitar Arts Center. Her remarkable trajectory, navigating the challenges and barriers inherent in the roles of nonprofit leadership, is a testament to her unwavering determination, resilience, and competence. Kristan champions programming and events that amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. By creating these platforms, she has fostered an environment of inclusivity, ensuring that diverse perspectives and experiences are not only heard but also valued and celebrated.
Korinda Messenger:
Catalyst for Change
Korinda exemplifies the core values of this award through her dedication and contributions to the field. She has served as a preceptor for midwives, nurse practitioners, and medical students, playing a vital role in enhancing cultural competency within the healthcare, human services, and educational sectors. In addition to her professional duties as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Lane Women’s Health, she has participated in multiple mission trips to Kenya, Africa, providing training and education to over 200 midwives, birth attendants, and community health promoters in rural areas to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. She has volunteered at St. Susan's Soup Kitchen and is the co-founder of a 501C3 organization, Mustard Seed Global Health & Wellness Inc., focused on providing quality healthcare, education, skilled job training, and spiritual outreach to underserved women and children. Through sustainable development projects, economic initiatives, improved access to water and energy, educational opportunities, and humanitarian aid, she aims to make a positive impact on individuals and families worldwide.
Chloe Yu:
Chloe is a Southwestern High School graduate with plans to study Nursing at JCC this fall. Chloe is dedicated to advancing and promoting diversity and equality, demonstrating precocious ability as a leader. At just 18 years old, she holds leadership roles in myriad extracurriculars including Art Club, IAAP, and Allies for Diversity. Her involvement in these activities is founded not only on her passions—art and social justice—but in her desire to advance others’ knowledge and awareness as well as to ameliorate our community. In the words of nominator Alexis Crytzer, “Chloe is an incredible young woman that uses her insightfulness, self-efficacy, and empathy to advocate for all... not only so that she feels heard and seen but so that others do as well. She supports and promotes a safe and respected environment anywhere she is and communicates with the warmth that welcomes all.”
Rising Star
Hall of Fame
Congratulations to all of our winners past and present!
This year YWCA Jamestown and the board of directors would like to invite all of the previous recipients to join the Women of Achievement Circle of Support.
With a $100 donation to the Women of Achievement Dinner you will receive one ticket to the dinner, be recognized during the ceremony as a member of the Women of Achievement Circle of Support, and have your name published in the program. This opportunity is exclusive to those who have previously been awarded by YWCA Jamestown's Women of Achievement Dinner.
By joining the Circle of Support, you show your dedication to YWCA Jamestown’s mission of “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity to all.” Your contribution will support the empowerment of more women, like yourselves, in Chautauqua County.
2023
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Patricia Graves
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Leigh Ann Hendrick
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Tamara Dickey
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Sukanya Burman
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Annika Spitzer
2018
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Brenda Salemme
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Kyla Rodriguez
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Emily Reynolds
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Breanne Agett
2015
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Amanda Gesing
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Jacqueline Chariot Phelps
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Shane Hawkins
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Dr. Jacqueline Crisman
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Monika Alch
2022
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Quianna James
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Andrea Desnerk
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Carolee Corbitt
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Danica Delois
2017
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Lisa Schmidtfrerick- Miller
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Melanie Berg
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Sarah Bigney
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Rev. Chloe Smith
2014
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Melody Peach
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Lexy Baglia
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Rosie Digirolamo
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Lynn Dunham
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Deb Eck
2011
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Martha Young
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Wendy Wilcox
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Megan Sorenson
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Jean Schrader
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Anna Dibble
2008
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Tiffani Reynolds
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Denise Jones
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Mary Dwaileebe
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Claudia Bowker
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Glenda "Sue" Blake
2004
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B. Dolores Thompson
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Bernie Palermo
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Becky Nystrom
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Jane Fagerstrom
2010
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Tiffany Wakely
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Julie Poppleton
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Lucille Miller
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Andrea DiMaio
2006
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Roslin Newton
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Cheryl Nelson
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Sharon Matson
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Sandra Haines
2003
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Sandra Sopak
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Tillie Solomonson
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Judy Gustafson
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Cynthia Aronson
2001
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Loretta Slaton- Torain
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Debbie Ognibene
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Sharon Hamilton
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Judith Claire
1998
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Dr. Vivian Conover
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Bonnie Youngren
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Mary Lou Scully
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Patricia A. Smith
2000
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Roberta Paddock Thompson
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Marie Plumb
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Sarah Lawson
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Maria Jones
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Victoria James
1997
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Diane L. Mueller, MD
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Carmen M. Montanez
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Katherine K. Beiter
2019
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Gaylene Lindell
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Shari Grice
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Diana Butcher
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Linnea Carlson
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Mary Maxwell
2016
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C. King
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Julie Rockcastle
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Jan Bowman
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Sue Huther
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Christine Schuyler
2013
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Journey Gunderson
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Lori Cornell
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Ann Aversa
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Kristy Zabrodsky
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Brenda Ireland
2009
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Rita Brown
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Rosary Kolivas
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Kerri Brown
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Rev. Dr. R Elinor
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Janet Forbes
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Patricia Bagley
2005
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Lula Taylor
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Joan Patrie
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Marianne McElrath
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Letha Adelman
2002
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Maggie Monroe- Cassel
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Anette Mohawk
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Deborah Kathman
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Karen DeSoto
1999
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Linda Hewes
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M. Susan Maloney
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Christine Tarbrake
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Caryl Vander Molen