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.

In March 2024, Cribs for Kids will be recognizing 20 Women of Achievement and 5 Junior Women of Achievement at the 17th Annual Women of Achievement Awards.

Nominations are now open and will close on November 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM. Our planning committee will select and notify the honorees in December. Use the button below to nominate a Woman or Junior Woman of Achievement in your life.

17th Annual
Women of Achievement Awards
March 2024 (Date TBA)

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Omni William Penn Hotel
Grand Ballroom
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

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

Congratulations to our 2023

Distinguished Women of Achievement Honorees

  • Phyllis Barber: Highmark
  • Iyana Bridges: The Birthing Hut
  • Keri Brown: Giant Eagle
  • Isis Chatman: Ruth’s Way, Inc.
  • Terri Ducsay: Pittsburgh Technical College
  • Kathi Elliott: Gwen’s Girls
  • Ellen Freeman:  Ellen Freeman Immigration Law
  • Kelly Frost: PEEL: Pittsburgh’s Elevated and Emerging Leaders
  • Natalie Furgiuele:  Mon Vale Health Care
  • Hollie Geitner: Duquesne Light
  • Blayre Holmes Davis: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Stacy Juchno: PNC
  • Kelli Komondor: K2 Creative, LLC
  • Sherry Jo Matt Stop the Judgement Project
    Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy & Service
  • Mónica Méndez: Children’s Museum Pittsburgh
  • Nicole Molinaro Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
  • Vivian Petticord UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital
  • Latrice Rose Melanin Mommies Pgh, Inc.
  • Alexis Trubiani Clairton City School District
  • Christy Uffelman Edge Leadership Solutions
  • Marissa Vogel Open Up
  • Lori Winkler SSM Cardinal Glennon
    National Woman of Achievement: Making the Difference Award
2023 Junior Women of Achievement Honorees
  • Molly McKenna Mt. Lebanon High School
  • Priyasha Itani Upper St. Clair High School
  • Ashlynd Warba Ashlynd’s Homeless Project
  • Audrey Wetterau: Socks with a Mission
Thank you to all who attended our
2023 Women of Achievement Awards


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.

Take a Look Back at our 2020

Distinguished Women of Achievement Honorees

  • Rachel Berger, MD, MPH: UPMC
  • Jan Brimmeier, AIA, NCARB: Architectural Innovations, LLC
  • Belinda Callaghan, MSN, RN, NE-BC: Allegheny Health Network
  • Patrizia Costa, PhD: The Brother David S. Baginski FSC Scholars Program at Central Catholic High School
  • Rosamaria Cristello: Latino Community Center
  • Sloane Davidson: Hello Neighbor
  • Fafa Dedji:  PPG Architectural Coatings
  • Christine S. Ferguson, BSE, MBA: Ferguson Financial Consulting, Inc, Prima Eventi, Inc
  • Angela Garcia: Global Links
  • Amera Gilchrist:  City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS
  • Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, PhD: Pittsburgh Technical College
  • MariAnn Hathaway, Esquire: Law Offices of MariAnn Hathaway
  • Jennifer M. Joseph: HIAS PA
  • Leilani Mears, PMP: PNC Bank  
  • Rosemary Mendel Senior Nonprofit Executive
  • Michelle Muccio:  Elk County Coroner’s Office & Lynch-Green Funeral Home
  • Emily Nugent: Christ the Redeemer Diaper Pantry
  • Lisa J. Perry, MPM: Jeremiah’s Place
  • Mary Ellen Ramage: Borough of Etna
  • Lisa Kay Schweyer, MPM: Carnegie Mellon University Traffic21 Institute
  • Jada Shirriel, MS, CLC: Healthy Start, Inc.
  • Rebecca J. Watters, PhD: University of Pittsburgh
  • Senator Lindsey Williams PA Senate, 38th Senatorial District
  • Sister Linda Yankoski, CSFN, EdD: Holy Family Institute

Women of Achievement 2020

Photography by Little Rockstar Photography

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