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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Freedom Sponsors

Justice Sponsors

Production Sponsor

Media Sponsors