Princeton YWCA to Hold Annual Tribute to Women Awards Dinner

The YWCA of Princeton’s will present its 29th Annual Tribute to Women Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 1, at the Hyatt Regency Princeton beginning at 5:15 pm.

Ten women who embody the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women will be inducted, including Suzanne McCroskey, the recipient of the Waxwood Award in recognition of her contributions as a YWCA volunteer for more than a decade.

The Waxwood Award Recipient is the highest honor the YWCA Princeton bestows upon one person.  It is a “lifetime achievement award,” given to a woman who, over the course of many years, has made a truly distinguished contribution to the YWCA.  It is not given annually, only when it is felt there is a person justly deserving of this award.  The award is named after its first honoree, Mrs. Susie B. Waxwood, who was executive director of the YWCA Princeton from 1958 to 1968, and the first African American woman to hold that post. She remained an active and dedicated supporter of the YWCA until her death in 2006 at the age of 103. 

The other 2012 Tribute to Women Award recipients are: 

• Pina Albo, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. (Princeton)
• Nola Bencze, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C. (Titusville) 
• Gloria Frederick, The Institute of Wonderful Women Working for Empowerment (Ringoes) 
• Marilyn Grounds, Community Activist (Lawrenceville)
• Nancy Healey, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Central and South Jersey (Pennington)
• Marlene Lao-Collins, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton (Trenton)
• Ferris Olin, Rutgers University (Princeton)
• Deborah Shepherd, Merrill Lynch (Bucks County, Pa.)
• Denise Taylor, Great Looks 4 Less Hair Salon (Lawrenceville) 
• Melissa Tenzer, CareersUSA (Washington Crossing, Pa.)

Event Co-Chair Linda Richter said the YWCA Princeton has honored more than 300 women over the years who have generously given of themselves for the good of others. This year is also the YWCA Princeton's 90th anniversary. 

"We are honored once again to present to the community another class of remarkable women,” Richter said.

Honorees are nominated by colleagues and peers each fall. A selection committee evaluates the nominees based on criteria such as professional responsibility and contributions, community service, leadership, academic achievement and a commitment to the YWCA’s mission.

Proceeds from the March 1 event will support YWCA Princeton programs and classes, including summer camps, aquatics, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, adult education, nursery school, after school programs, English language training, the Breast Cancer Resource Center, women’s and racial justice programs, community events and much more.

The award program was established by the YWCA Princeton in 1984 to honor women who have made significant contributions to their professions and the community in executive, entrepreneurial, professional, educational, elected, activist, and volunteer roles. 

Tickets are available online here or by calling (609) 497-2100 ext. 333. Cost is $125 each or $1,250 for a table of ten.