Young Women Christian Association's LeaderLuncheon in a nutshell

Young Women Christian Association's LeaderLuncheon in a nutshell

By Weslie Hatch 

            The YWCA’s 27^th annual LeaderLuncheon took place on Friday Sept. 25, 2015 from 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Grand American Hotel in Salt Lake City. The luncheon is held every year to present the women who have received outstanding achievement awards their award, give guests the opportunity to give donations, and to hear the address given by the keynote speaker.

            The Young Women Christian Association or YWCA, in Utah, “is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.” The YWCA’s LeaderLuncheon started with a reception where the guests mingled before the luncheon began. The luncheon then started with a welcome, sponsor recognition, and a video presentation for every woman. This was all preceding the outstanding achievement awards and the Mary Schubach McCarthey Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, which is an award the YWCA created in 2003 “to honor a woman of national or international renown whose own life exemplifies women’s empowerment and whose work has significantly advanced the rights and interests of women and girls.” This year the award was given to Former Governor Olene S. Walker. The award has only been given twice before in 2006 and in 2011.

            After the award recognition, the keynote speaker was introduced. Each year there is a different keynote speaker and this year Laura Ling, an award-winning journalist and writer, was the speaker of choice.

            “This year we chose Laura Ling to be the keynote speaker,” said Annie Studer, the marketing and communications manager for YWCA. “We chose her because we feel as though Laura Ling is an inspiration figure in journalism and women’s leadership.”

            Ling spoke about the time in 2009 when North Korean soldiers arrested her along with her colleague Euna Lee.

            “I thought that this years speaker was amazing. I feel like she hit very valuable points,” said Sydney King, a member of the YWCA. “Not only did she talk about her time in Korea and how hard that was, but she spoke on how that has helped her not just personally but in her career. She addressed the women in the room directly and talked about how women can be important figures not just in everyday life but in the professional world as well.”

            King said that she always looks forward to who the keynote speaker will be each year. She said the speaker is usually someone who has overcome a “strange” situation which makes their speech compelling and will draw people and donors in. Every year, during their speech, the keynote speaker will try to remind the guests to donate to the YWCA and if they have already donated to hopefully donate a little bit more. At this years LeaderLuncheon, there was a very generous challenge match. The YWCA had the opportunity to raise $180,000 for YWCA programs and services that advance the well-being of Utah women and their families. The Circle of Women offered to match whatever goal was set for donations, which happened to be $90,000 this year. The association is excited to announce they were able to meet and match the $90,000 to raise the $180,000 they were hoping for.  

            More information about the YWCA Utah can be found at www.ywca.com or by calling 801-537-8604.