Save the Date!
Women of Distinction 2024
April 25, 2024
The Capital Room in St. Peter
PAST HONOREES NOMINATION FORMGET TICKETS
For additional information, contact our office at 507-345-4629 or email ywca@ywcamankato.org.
YWCA Mankato’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women to create a world where all women and girls are safe and free.
YWCA Mankato has been honoring women, organizations, and businesses for their leadership, community impact, and dedication to the YWCA Mankato’s mission for over 50 years at the annual Women of Distinction event.
Our objective is to recognize and honor members from the greater Mankato area whose achievements have made a significant contribution to community life and embody the mission of YWCA Mankato.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following awards are available for individuals and organizations in the Greater Mankato area.
The Women of Distinction award is given to women who lift up women. Someone who provide direct assistance and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all, especially those who face disadvantages/challenges in the greater Mankato Community. They break down barriers and carve a path to benefit us now and for generations to come. These women are our partners in working toward our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
The Rising Star award is given to a woman, girl, or gender-nonconforming individual who has shown a promise to make a significant contribution to their community through their leadership, innovation, volunteer service, or others special achievements while inspiring other to follow their example. They are emerging in the community and actively working toward the YWCA Mankato’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
The Distinctive Difference award is given to a business that has made a significant contribution to the community and embodies the YWCA Mankato’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. The business supports girls and women in the community by providing resources, removing barriers, and/or advancing their social, physical, and psychological well-being.
We can not do this work alone. The YWCA Mankato depends on and would like to support people in our community who work toward the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
The $1,000 Advancing Racial Justice grants are intended to uphold the YWCA USA area of focus of Racial Justice & Civil Rights. The grants support and celebrate community-based work, done by individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), that lifts our mission. “Work” can include volunteerism, activism, advocacy, or business endeavors.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to those who take the time to submit nominations for the Women of Distinction awards at YWCA Mankato. In our community, there are countless remarkable individuals actively contributing to positive change and deserving of recognition. It is our mission to celebrate and share the stories of these extraordinary women, and your nominations play a crucial role in making that happen.
To facilitate the nomination process, the YWCA Mankato staff is available to arrange a phone call or meeting with you, providing assistance in gathering information for the application.
Moreover, we encourage applicants to complete the application in the language they feel most comfortable using.
As the nomination committee reviews the applications, it is important to note that they rely solely on the information provided in the application. Assume that the committee is unfamiliar with the nominee and, therefore, include both broad and specific details that vividly illustrate the nominee’s impactful contributions. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the nominee’s story and enhances their chances of receiving the recognition they truly deserve!
Nominees are selected through the convening of a nomination committee. The nomination committee is made up of YWCA Mankato board members and past honorees.
The committee reviews and scores the application based on categories included at the top of each award section on the application and on the YWCA Mankato mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
2023 Women of Distinction Honorees
Dr. Yalda Hamidi
2023 Woman of Distinction
Honoree
![Sherrise[61]](https://ywcamankato.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sherrise61-200x200.jpg "Sherrise[61]")
Dr. Sherrise Truesdale Moore
2023 Woman of Distinction
Honoree
Jennifer Ek
2023 Woman of Distinction
Honoree
Michelle Zehnder Fischer
2023 Woman of Distinction
Honoree
2023 Advancing Racial Justice Grants
Women of Distinction History
YWCA Mankato has honored and recognized the contributions of women in our community every year since 1973.
The YWCA has honored 150+ women and 8+ organizations for their leadership, significant impact on the community and their dedication to YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women while promoting peace, justice, freedom and ensuring dignity for all. Each of the women nominated have made a large impact on the community. Their efforts have helped women to live independently, combat ignorance, actively try to end gender violence and provide community assistance.
Women of Distinction Honorees
2021
Dr. Erin Westfall
Clarise Esslinger
Heather Clark-Fisher
Diane Halvorson
2020
Margo Wallace Druschel
Dr. Yurie Hong
Jean Keenan
2019
Kate Cox
Annette Parker
Nancy Zallek
2018
Caroline Baerg
Sue Keithahn
Sarah Richards
2017
Kaaren Grabianowski
Pam Jagdfeld
Jo Ann Radlinger
2016
Janice Hope Gorman
Carolyn Kanyusik
Mitzi Roberts
2015
Avra Johnson
Katie Smentek
Amy Vokal
2014
Susan Frost
Cheryl Hamond
Julie Hawker
2013
Pam Determan
Julie Vetter
Ann Hoeltke
2012
Najwa Massad
JO Guck Bailey
Jennifer Pfeffer
2011
Marcia Richards
Sarah Kruse
Laura Bowman
2010
Ann Hendricks
Katie (Nerem) Nermoe
Stacey Straka
2009
Shannon Gullickson
Aileen Eick
April Johnson
2008
Shannon Robinson
Sr. Mary Donald Miller
Anna Thill
2007
Marsha Danielson
Ann Splinter
Betty Young
2006
Yvonne Cariveau
Sherryl Wolff
Mary Lou Kudela
2005
Sarah Person
Malda Farnham
Guadalupe Quintero
2004
Deb Flemming
Ruth Harvey
Murial Schoon
2003
Anne Ganey
Shelly Schulz
Genie Hedlund
2002
Kathleen Brynaert
Kathleen Trauger
Tami Paulsen
2001
Julia Ketcham Corbett
Noell Webber
Annette McBeth
2000
Judy Ringler Mountain
Loretta Wolthuis
Jane Schostag
1999
Jane Rush
Sally Coomes
Lynn Sprague
1998
Marcia Bahr
Jo Cattrysse
Judy Vosbeek
1997
Pamela DeMarce
St. Mary Anne Schaenzer
Elaine Schoeneberger
1996
Colleen Landkamer
Linda Gilsrud
Louise Dickmeyer
1995
Maureen Gustafson
Stephanie Stoffel
Eydie Swanson
1994
Mary Ann Holdrege
Shirley Piepho
Kathleen Sheran
1993
Judy Arzdorf
Linda Hachfeld
Pamela Year
1992
Diane Norland
Lori Ruthenbeck
Robbie Madison
1991
Marian Anderson
Mary Utermohlen
Carol Adamson
1990
Sue Chambers
Shirley Higginbotham
Jean Peterson
1989
Dee Saman
Jean Sorensen
Florence Cobb
1988
Diane Manahan
Florence Sponberg
Erma Beinke
1987
Pat Hale
Iris (Nigg) Lundin
Judy Ehmke
1986
Betty Nelson
Sister Ramona Schweich
Marie Bruce
1985
Dixie Johnson
Maurine Johnson
Anita Dittrich
1984
Barbara Jones
Nancy Hamer
Ann Stewart
1983
Mary Dickmeyer
Lois Dahl
Marilyn Berg
1982
Claire Gau
Judy Mans
Margaret Preska
1981
Sheryl Barnes
Elizabeth Kearney
Mary Lofy
1980
Mary Jane Blethen
Evelyn Dawley
Gretchen Taylor
1979
Joan Besser
Marge Meredith
Ruth Schellberg
1978
Hazel Faust
Elizabeth Lorentz
Alice Sjoding
1977
Fern Meyering
Winnie Renner
Lois Schader
1976
Blanche Huntzicker
Vera Kvamme
Sister Grace Schutte
1975
Arline Brown
Marion Christianson
Charlotte Farrish Luwe
1974
Gertrude Eberhart
Jean Jaxx
Bernice Star Jones
1973
Verona Burton
Marion Mason
Nadine Sugden
Rising Star Honorees
2021
Margarita Ruiz
2020
Dr. Deb Bobendrier
2019
Deisy De Leon Esqueda
2018
Melissa Bradley
Chloe Aanenson
2017
Sesamae Glackler-Riquelme
Brittany King-Asamoa
2016
Fardousa Jama
2015
Dana Sikkila
2013
Terri Hanson
2011
E.J. Sharmer
2008
Karishma Kamath
2007
Luliana Dabija
2005
Vanthy Im
Distinctive Difference
2021
J’s Sambusa
2019
The Coffee Hag
2018
Pub 500
2017
410 Project
2016
Angie’s Boomchickapop
2015
Zonta Club of Mankato
2014
Eide Bailly
2013
Wells Fargo Bank
2012
HickoryTech
