YWCA 2020 Academy for Women of Achievement honorees.
As Tennessee and the nation prepare to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is recognizing eight women and one organization that have made their mark on our community. This inspiring group will be inducted into the 2020 Academy for Women of Achievement on Oct. 21. Health conditions permitting, the 29th annual AWA induction dinner will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and at intimate gatherings throughout the Metro Nashville areas.
The 2020 honorees include: Jacky Akbari, founder/managing principal, Worthington Advisory; Lisa Hooker Campbell, community volunteer; Janet Miller, CEO/market leader/partner, Colliers International; Sabina Mohyuddin, executive director, American Muslim Advisory Council; Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol, director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Gini Pupo-Walker, state director of The Education Trust; LoLita Toney, CEO/founder of Ivy Business Solutions; and Christie Wilson, CEO of Wilson Group Real Estate Services. Cummins Filtration, Inc., is the 2020 corporate honoree.
This year’s honorees join a prestigious group of 171 women and 31 organizations previously inducted into the AWA. They are leaders in the advocacy, medical, business, education and philanthropy fields. The judging committee, made up of business and community leaders and the YWCA Executive Committee, chose the individual and corporate honorees from an exceptional list of nominees.
“Our theme for this year’s Academy for Women of Achievement program is ‘She Persisted,’ in recognition of the women’s suffrage movement and how this work empowered the next generation of women,” said YWCA President/CEO Sharon K. Roberson. “Members of our 2020 AWA class have persisted in their own ways and chosen fields to achieve success and make a difference. They are role models to us all and help make our community a more just, educated and vibrant place to live.”
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This mission is even more relevant today, and during these uncertain times, it’s important YWCA continues the AWA tradition and honors those women who embody the mission while also celebrating the role that all women played in the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
To ensure the health and safety, YWCA is planning a unique series of events for the 29th annual AWA. A small, live-streamed induction ceremony for honorees is planned for the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Renaissance Hotel. The broader Nashville community is invited to join us in celebrating the 2020 AWA honorees and supporting the work of the YWCA by either purchasing a virtual ticket or hosting small gatherings in their homes or businesses. These gatherings will provide an opportunity for community members to share their passion for the mission of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, have conversations on eliminating racism and empowering women, and celebrate the women leading this year’s honorees. Visit our website to learn more and purchase virtual tickets for the Oct. 21 event. Visit <www.ywcanashville.com/awa> for further information.
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, dedication to the lives of others and the quality of life for all. This year’s co-chairs include two past AWA honorees: Patricia Pierce and Yvonne Wood, and YWCA board member Kendra Deas.
