TRIBUTE TO WOMEN—Honorees from left, sitting: Linda Lane, Debra Todd, Peggy Harris and Betsy Benson. Standing, from left: Candi Castleberry-Singleton, Cathy Raphael and Alka Patel. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
Last year, more women received doctoral degrees than men and there were more women enrolled in college than men. Today, women-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of the United States economy.
Local examples of the social and economic strides being made by women were celebrated at the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s 31st Annual Tribute to Women Leadership Awards Luncheon at the Westin Convention Center Hotel on May 30.
The annual luncheon honors strong, self-sufficient women whose efforts and achievements have improved the lives of women and children throughout the region. However, while the women have demonstrated success in fields ranging from healthcare to education, along with others throughout the country, many women still lag behind men when it comes to workplace disparities.
“With all of the success we can identify in all of these fields, there’s one area where we haven’t been doing well in Allegheny County and western Pennsylvania and that’s equal pay,” said YWCA CEO Magdeline Jensen.
The gender pay gap between men and women is estimated to equal a ratio of .77, meaning women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. According to a 2011 report, it could take 150 years to reduce this pay disparity.
INVOCATION—Rev. Earlene Coleman, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Despite the seriousness of the YWCA’s message on pay disparities, the afternoon was filled with reasons to celebrate. At this year’s luncheon, the YWCA honored Three Rivers Youth President and CEO Peggy Harris with the Allerton Lifetime Achievement award.
Harris has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and has spent her time at Three Rivers Youth responding to the needs of at risk youth and their families. Her commitment to child welfare, youth development, racial and social justice, empowerment of women and girls, and educational achievement is also manifested through her service on the boards of a variety of organizations throughout the region.
“This award is less about the arc of the circle complete, but more about the space I have to come full circle,” Harris said. “While I do pause today in humble gratitude, I do so with a skip in my step.”
The Allerton Lifetime Achievement award has only been presented to 11 individuals since its inception in 1989. The special award recognizes women who epitomize the philosophies and concepts of the YWCA.
“To the YWCA, I thank you for your steadfast mission of eliminating racism and empowering women,” Harris said after thanking a long list of family, friends and colleagues who have supported her over the years.
The other honorees were Cathy Raphael, board chair of the Ms. Foundation for Women, in the civic and community service category; Pittsburgh Magazine Publisher and Vice President Betsy Benson in communication; Pittsburgh Public School District Superintendent Linda Lane in education; Candi Castleberry-Singleton, chief diversity and inclusion officer of the UPMC Center for Inclusion, in the health and human services category; Alka Patel, managing director and senior counsel at BNY Mellon, in the young leader category; and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd in the business and professional services category.
MAGDELINE JENSEN
Your comments are welcome.
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier