2026 YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Equity Awards
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s Equity Awards honor local leaders, especially women of color, who have furthered our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
The 2026 Annual Equity Awards will take place on Thursday, November 19, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Westin Pittsburgh.
The nomination period will be open May 18 to July 17. To prepare, check out our tips to write a great nomination.
To explore sponsorship opportunities and how your organization can support this impactful event, please contact Elizabeth Surgil.
2026 Award Categories
Ally Award – Honors an individual or group that has taken on the role of ally, advocate, and champion to women of color. We especially welcome nominations of those who do not identify as women of color for this award.
Bridge Builder Award – Recognizes an individual or group that identifies as a woman or women whose work or organization remains true to their ethnic heritage and roots as they champion strategic initiatives so that the Greater Pittsburgh of our future centers and engages women of color.
Creative Arts & Innovation Award –– Recognizes the creativity of an individual or group that identifies as a woman or women involved in the arts or social media initiatives that bring public attention to the empowerment of women, especially women of color, and empower an audience through awareness, education, and inspiration.
Emerging Leader Award – Recognizes those who identify as a young woman, age 24 or younger, whose voice and actions interrupt the status quo to make a difference in their community by serving as a leader in any way to ensure that equity stays in the forefront.
Heroine Award – Recognizes those who identify as women and exhibit innovation in ensuring vital products or services reach those in need. They have exhibited courageous achievements while serving their community and are doing work that may be underpaid and undervalued by many.
2025 Selection Committee
Damon Bethea
Brittany Boyd
Rosamaria Cristello
Adrienne Dupaix
The Rev. Dr. Patrice Fowler-Searcy, M.Div., D.Min.
Zuly E. Inirio, DMA, LSW
Wendy Koch
Mia Merideth
Angelica Perez-Johnston, DPA
Christine Probert
Monica Ruiz, MSW
Juel L. Smith, EdD, MS
Leigh Solomon Pugliano
Madelyn Toliver
Past Awardees
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The Bartko Foundation - Ally Award
Jasmine Browner - Emerging Leader Award
Lori Delale-O’Connor, Ph.D. - Bridge Builder Award
Keysha Gomez - Creativity and Innovation Award
Dara D. Méndez, Ph.D., MPH - Heroine Award
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Amiera Blankenship - Emerging Leader Award
Zuly Inirio - Creativity and Innovation Award
Wendy Koch - Ally Award
Angelica Perez-Johnston - Bridge Builder Award
Dena Stanley - Heroine Award
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Carter, Kaila — Emerging Leader Award
Cunningham, Indira — Emerging Leader Award
Diaz, Rebekah — Creativity and Innovation Award
Merideth, Mia — Heroine Award
Tripp MD, MPH, Rickquel — Bridge Builder Award
Yow-chyi Liu, Sabrina — Ally Award
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Doerge, Rebecca, Ph.D. — Ally Award
Morgan-Lee, EdD, Ayisha A — Creativity and Innovation Award
Plaza, Luna — Emerging Leader Award
Pugliano, Leigh Solomon — Bridge Builder Award
Vidal-Phelan, Johanna, MD, MBA, FAAP, CHIE — Heroine Award
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Black Women for a Better Education (BW4BE) — Ally Award
Boyd, Brittany — Creativity and Innovation Award
Fowler-Searcy, Rev. Patrice L. — Bridge Builder Award
Mui, Abbey — Emerging Leader
Williams, Marisa C. — Heroine Award
Past Racial Justice Award and Tribute to Women Award winners are eligible for Equity Awards.
Equity Awards 2025 Keynote
2025 Equity Awards Sponsors ↘
Presenting Sponsor
Peace Sponsors