Women of Achievement

Women of Achievement 1410 900 Cribs for Kids

Each year in Pittsburgh, Cribs for Kids hosts the Women of Achievement Awards honoring exemplary women in the Pittsburgh region. This event highlights their amazing work within their fields and communities.

On March 27, 2024, Cribs for Kids will be recognizing 20 Women of Achievement, 2 National Women of Achievement, and 6 Junior Women of Achievement at the 17th Annual Women of Achievement Awards.

17th Annual
Women of Achievement Awards
March 27, 2024

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Omni William Penn Hotel
Grand Ballroom
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Congratulations to our 2024

Distinguished Women of Achievement Honorees

  • Laura Ley Carlson: Allegheny Health Network
    Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy & Service
  • Dr. Shanea Clancy, DNP, EMBA-H, RN, CARN-AP, FIAAN: Clancy Consulting Services
  • Kaitlin Cobourne, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEd: South College
  • Renee’ Coyner: Business Development and Strategy Executive
  • Chaunda Cunningham: Healthy Start, Inc.
  • Roxanne Elizabeth Epperson: Women Against Abusive Relationships (WAAR)
  • Sunnie Fenk: Thermo Fisher Scientific and getWITit Pittsburgh Chapter
  • Carolina D. Frantz: Duquesne University
  • Madalyn Gottschalk: UPMC
  • Carey A Harris: Literacy Pittsburgh
  • Maura Hanke: Charlie’s Kids
    National Woman of Achievement: Making a Difference Award
  • Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew: Allegheny Health Network / Highmark Health / Drexel University / JUST WONDOOR
  • Susan Lautenbacher, Ph.D.: Lark Enterprises, Inc.
  • Ariel Meadows: Bridgeway Capital
  • Maria Montaño: Office of the Mayor Ed Gainey
  • Delvina Lorraine Morrow: Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Michelle Pagano Heck: Nonprofit Talent
  • Raquelle Pakutz: Zen Freight Solutions
  • Tonja Smith: Allegheny County Home Care
  • Tracy Staller, PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocate: PNC Bank
  • Dr. Tamara Thornhill, LPC, MBA, CCTP, NCC: The Community Mental Health Collective
Junior Women of Achievement Honorees
  • Eshal Ahmad: The Pink Dragonfly
  • Merris Gable: Pajama Pals, Inspired Women Paying It Forward
  • Sophia Gerardi: One Box at a Time
  • Abigail Ann Hall: The Ribbon Girls and Woolslair Elementary School
  • Bristol Joseph: Magical Milkweed Market, LLC
  • Nikhita Thakuria: Quills and Keyboards (International Nonprofit)
Nominate a Woman or Junior Woman of Achievement for 2025

Nominations open March 27, 2024. 

Note: You will be redirected to our applications manager Submittable. 


National Women of Achievement Awards

Each year at the annual Women of Achievement Awards, Cribs for Kids honors two National Women of Achievement.

Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy and Service

In 2019, we introduced the Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy and Service in memory of Laura Ditka, who unexpectedly passed away in October 2018 at the age of 55. Laura Ditka was a Woman of Achievement in 2008 for child advocacy.  Her life revolved around serving others as she dedicated her life to public service, law enforcement, and supporting victims. 

Laura spent her legal career as a prosecutor serving for 25 years in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office, before joining the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office as supervisor of the western region criminal division. In her honor, the Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy and Service will be awarded each year at this event.  Laura will always be an example of an inspirational Woman of Achievement.

National Woman of Achievement: Making a Difference Award

The National Woman of Achievement: Making a Difference Award celebrates women who have spent their lives and careers serving others. At Cribs for Kids, we are incredibly inspired by women who represent a positive force for good. Each day these women demonstrate their strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to their cause. They are exemplary models of what it means to persevere in the face of adversity.

Whether their influence can be seen in the non-profit sector, legislative action, volunteer work, or philanthropy, these women walk with a purpose and use each day to work towards creating a better community and a better world.

Each year, Cribs for Kids recognizes one woman, nominated by her peers, who demonstrates strength, resiliency, compassion, and commitment to being a force for change. This woman will be known as the National Woman of Achievement.

Thank you to all who attended our
2023 Women of Achievement Awards

A Special Thank You to Pittsburgh Digital DJs and DigiBooths for providing our Selfie Booth for our 2020 Women of Achievement Awards. 

CONTACT

For more information, please email us at info@cribsforkids.org