The YWCA Quad Cities will again honor those Quad Cities leaders and mentors who are empowering women every day through their actions, words and other support.
The YWCA, along with its YES SHE CAN series, is making plans for the second annual Champions of Change Awards event to be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf.
The community is asked to submit nominations for both the Female Champion of Change and the Male Champion of Change.
The awards program, launched by the Rock Island-based YWCA in 2022, was created to specifically celebrate those who mentor and empower women in the Quad Cities. The 2022 Champions of Change were: LuAnn Haydon, retired John Deere, and Rob Woodall, Arconic.
Organizers are seeking nominations for the 2023 awards of Quad Citians who are stepping up beside women in building a better and more gender equal community to be considered for the 2023 Champions of Change Awards, said Deanna Woodall, the YWCA’s vice president and executive director of its Iowa Empowerment Center.
She added that she hopes the community will help recognize the “unsung heroes” who are helping empower women everyday.
Tickets also are now on sale and are $45 per person/$325 for a table of eight. Visit here to purchase tickets.
Awards will be given to one female and one male. To be nominated, honorees must meet this criteria:
- Demonstrates an unwavering passion and commitment to the Quad Cities community.
- Be role models making a difference in the lives of others – specifically to women in leadership – through exhibiting an exceptional commitment to their success.
- Have made significant contributions that have inspired women to succeed.
- Utilizes his/her influence, talents and abilities to enhance gender diversity.
- Have made the Quad Cities a better place to live, work and play.
Submit nominations online for female honorees and/or male honorees. Nominations are due by Monday, Jan. 16.
All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee, which will narrow the list to the top three male and top three female finalists. The nominees then will be tasked with writing an essay that will help determine the overall winner. Nominations are due Monday, Jan. 16.
The finalists are then asked to write an essay, which will be used in the final selection process of the award winners.
The selection committee will include: representatives from the YWCA and YES SHE CAN Series, the event sponsors, as well as the 2022 Champions of Change winners.
Tickets are now available at https://ywcaquadcities.salsalabs.org/ChampionsofChange2023. This year’s sponsors include: Female Champion of Change Award presented by Quad City Bank & Trust; Male Champion of Change Award presented by American Bank & Trust as well as: Waterfront Convention Center, host location sponsor; Edwards Creative, awards sponsor; Quad Cities Regional Business Journal, media sponsor; Silver Level Sponsor – GreenState Credit Union; Bronze Level Sponsors – Assured Partners, Shive-Hattery and Tyson Foods.
Sponsorships are still available, beginning as low as $500, by contacting Ms. Woodall at dwoodall@qcywca.org.
