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YWCA CEO: 'We're all in this together'

Anna Kenny (left) of Harvard, Faye Marcus of Rockford and Connie Tremulis Award recipient Mary Ann Norwood of Harvard talk Monday, March 2, 2009, after the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper (left) presents Dr. Michelle Rotert the Mildred Berry Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Kelly Croutcher receives the Rasmussen Empowering Women Scholarship from Scott Vukoder, Rasmussen campus director, on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Aimee Kuelling (from left), YWCA vice president, fund development and marketing; Brooke Lamere, YWCA program coordinator/facility manager; and Ann Bown of Rockford talk Monday, March 2, 2009, after the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Rockford Register Star Executive Editor Linda Grist Cunningham (from left) and YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper present Theresa Paulette Gilbert the Nancy Olson Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Sean Henry and Kathy Hess of Maverick Media B103-FM morning team present Shirley DeBenedetto the Marcella Harris Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper (left) presents Joyce Nicklas the Alta Hulett Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Keynote speaker Malaak Compton-Rock talks Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Kelly Croutcher received the Rasmussen Empowering Women Scholarship on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper (left) presents Geri Alten the Caroline Griffith Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper (left) presents Joyce Bass the Dr. Frances Johnson Award on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Auburn High School senior Kalah Marie Polsean receives the Bright Future Scholarship on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center CEO David Schertz receives the Not-for-Profit Agency of Distinction from YWCA of Rockford CEO Kris Kieper (center) and YWCA board member Jessica Jones on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Einar Forsman (left), CEO of Rockford Chamber of Commerce, and Jessica Jones, YWCA board member, talk Monday, March 2, 2009, after the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Mary Ann Norwood receives the Connie Tremulis Award from Kris Kieper (left), YWCA of Rockford CEO, and Linda Heckert, National City market president, on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

Sarah Bursley McNamara (from left) of Rockford, Sunil Puri of First Rockford Group and Kylie Crull of PR Etc. listen to keynote speaker Malaak Compton-Rock on Monday, March 2, 2009, during the YWCA Leader Luncheon at Giovanni's in Rockford.

YWCA honors volunteerism, dedication

By Melissa Westphal

BusinessRockford.com

Mar 02, 2009 @ 01:27 PM

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All of us have something to give, and the YWCA aims to encourage involvement each year during its leader luncheon.

The 29th annual event took place Monday, honoring women and girls who make a difference in the region through education, public service, community service, business, arts, sports and volunteerism. About 550 people attended the luncheon at Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road.

Seven local women were honored with service awards, and two local people took home scholarships. Rasmussen College offered the Empowering Women Scholarship for the first time this year, which provides up to $3,000 for women who want to continue their education.

The YWCA’s Bright Future Scholarship provides $1,500 for a local student.

Activist and philanthropist Malaak Compton-Rock, wife of comedian Chris Rock, emphasized the message of involvement during her keynote address, which was aimed at empowering women and children as well as reviewing some of the projects she has been involved with.

Compton-Rock has worked with several agencies, including UNICEF and The Angel Rock Project, which is an online community that promotes volunteerism. Her message of giving cited examples such as monetary donations, gifts of in-kind goods and volunteer hours.

“When you empower a man, you often only empower one person,” Compton-Rock said. “But when you empower a woman, you empower her kids, you empower her neighborhood, you empower her community, you empower her city and you can empower the world. Everyone, everyone benefits.”

The YWCA has provided 119 years of service to the region, and the leader luncheon events have recognized nearly 300 people for their service commitments.

Staff writer Melissa Westphal can be reached at 815-987-1341 or mwestpha@rrstar.com.

In the winner’s circle
Connie Tremulis Award for business owners: Mary Ann Norwood

Marcella Harris Award for community service: Shirley DeBenedetto

Mildred Berry Award for education: Dr. Michelle Rotert

Nancy Olson Award for lifelong volunteerism: Theresa (Paulette) Gilbert

Alta Hulett Award for for-profit individuals: Joyce Nicklas

Caroline Griffith Award for nonprofit professions: Geri Alten

Dr. Frances Johnson Award for science and health: Joyce Bass

Not-for-profit Agency of Distinction: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

YWCA Bright Future Scholarship: Kalah Marie Polsean, Auburn High School senior

Rasmussen Empowering Women Scholarship: Kelly Croutcher, client-services representative at Savant Capital Management

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YWCA honors volunteerism, dedication

By Melissa Westphal

BusinessRockford.com