Full announcement from YWCA of Asheville:

(Asheville, NC) – The YWCA of Asheville will hold its 21st Annual Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) awards event on Thursday, September 20th at 7 pm at Pack Place and the Diana Wortham Theatre. The mission of the YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. The TWIN award is given to women who are role models in their fields, organizations, and community. A total of 20 women/groups of women will be honored at the event (see list below), with featured winners in the categories of equality, empowerment and transformation. The emcee will be Lisa Gatewood-McMillan of Exquisite Events & Consulting. Local filmmaker Katie Damien is producing a series of videos that will be screened at the event. Music will be provided by LYRIC.

“The YWCA is honored to celebrate this impressive group of women,” says YWCA Executive Director Beth Maczka. “The positive impact they make on our community is truly inspiring.”

Tickets to the reception and awards presentation are $60 per person. Proceeds from the TWIN event will go to support YWCA programs that bridge gaps in child care, education, health and earning power. For more information or to reserve tickets, go to http://www.ywcaofasheville.org or call 254-7206 x 207.

2012 YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence Honorees
Alyson Johnson-Sawyer, CarePartners Health Services
Anna Mills, Van Winkle Law Firm
Asheville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Casey Blake, Asheville Citizen-Times
Catherine Faherty, TEACCH-Asheville
Dr. Elizabeth Castillo, Mission Health System/Asheville Specialty Hospital
Evelyn Fozzard, Melvin R. Lane Foundation
Imke Durre, NOAA's National climatic Data Center
Irene Jurczyk, Mountain Area Health Education Center
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Campaign for Southern Equality
Jennifer Mayer, Charlotte Street Computers
Joy Michelle Ponder, Asheville Fire Department
Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Leslie Boyd, Life O' Mike
Marie Jensen, Eliada Homes
Mary Kate Rikard, HomeTrust Bank
Schell Alexander, Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association
Stephanie Hickling Beckman, Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective
Willie Vincent, Mountain Housing Opportunities
Yolanda Bopp, Pisgah Legal Services