Luncheon Legacy
The YWCA Career Women of Achievement Luncheon was established in 1980 to increase community awareness and appreciation of the diverse contributions of women in the workforce and in the community. The luncheon has evolved into the YWCA’s largest fundraising event, sponsored by 150 companies and organizations each year, with an attendance of over 2,100. All proceeds directly benefit YWCA programs, supporting its mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Upwards of 75 women are nominated to be Career Women of Achievement each year. An independent panel of 5 community leaders selects women who exemplify personal career success, dynamic leadership qualities, and the unique ability to serve as role models. Former honorees include artists, physicians, educators, executives, politicians, lawyers, human service workers, entrepreneurs, and law enforcement officers.
2020 Event
This year, our agency took the unprecedented step by pivoting from our annual Career Women of Achievement Luncheon to broadcasting a version on network television.
We met the COVID-19 crisis head-on by transforming the previously-scheduled May 6 luncheon into a TV event.
Nearly 15,000 viewers tuned in to watch our 41st Annual Career Woman of Achievement on June 18th!
Program Book
Take a look through our digital Career Women of Achievement Program Book to read more about our Honorees, Scholars & Community Partners!
During the June 18th broadcast, viewers donated $16,000 to support our Domestic Violence Shelters!
Please help us reach our fundraising goal of $20,000.
Text ONAMISSION to 44321 to give on your phone, or click on the image above for a link to donate online.
Thank you!
Thank you to our amazing partners at Duke Energy Convention Center for lighting up the CINCINNATI sign orange through June 18th in honor of our 2020 Career Women of Achievement!
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
Leadership Sponsors:
Cincinnati Business Courier
JAEM Foundation
Macy’s
Madison Design
PNC Bank
Worldpay from FIS
The YWCA is proud to have honored 330 women to date. Here is the full listing.
Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship, presented by Kroger
Winner:
Thalia Grant, De Paul Cristo Rey HS, University of Notre Dame
Runners-Up:
Coniccia Burnett, Withrow University HS, Kentucky State University
Raven Williams, North College Hill HS, Alabama A&M
Honorable Mentions:
Ida Addo, Wyoming HS, University of Notre Dame
Aissatou Barry, Robert A. Taft Information Technology HS, undecided
Mariah K. Figgs, Colerain HS, Xavier University
Angel Lasha Godfrey, James N. Gamble Montessori HS, Ohio Stat University
Tiffany Danielle Johnston, Wyoming HS, Howard University
Alexia Hannah Otchere, Cincinnati Country Day School, University of Cincinnati
Ashlyn Sanders, Woodward Career Technical HS, Kentucky State University
Learn more about the Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship & this year’s winner.
Charlotte r. schmidlapp scholarship, fifth third bank, trustee
Winner:
Briana Moss, Cincinnati State Techincal & Community College
Learn more about the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholarship & this year’s winner.
Check out the full list of past keynote speakers.
$50,000 Presenting Partner
Prominent representation of logo during broadcast segment to approx. 80,000 viewers
Logo placement on postcard announcement to approx. 6,000 people
Special recognition during broadcast by emcee
Prominent listing in electronic program book emailed to 6,000 constituents
Social media marketing pre and post event
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
Logo & hyperlink on YWCA event webpage
$25,000 Gold Partner
Logo placement on screen during sponsorship recognition during broadcast to approx. 80,000 viewers
Logo placement on postcard announcement to approx. 6,000 people
Special recognition during broadcast by event co-chairs
Prominent listing in electronic program book emailed to 6,000 constituents
Social media marketing pre and post event
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
Logo & hyperlink on YWCA event webpage
$15,000 Silver Partner
Logo placement on screen during sponsorship recognition during broadcast to approx. 80,000 viewers
Logo placement on postcard announcement to approx. 6,000 people
Special recognition during broadcast by event co-chairs
Prominent listing in electronic program book emailed to 6,000 constituents
Social media marketing pre and post event
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
Logo & hyperlink on YWCA event webpage
$10,000 Leadership Partner
Logo placement on screen during sponsorship recognition during broadcast to approx. 80,000 viewers
Listing in electronic program book emailed to 6000 constituents
Social media marketing pre and post event
Listing in YWCA Annual Report, YWCA website, and Cincinnati Business Courier
$5,000 Benefactor Sponsor
Name listed on screen during broadcast credits to approx. 80,000 viewers
Listing in electronic program book emailed to 6000 constituents
Social media post event recognition
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
$3,500 Patron Sponsor
Name listed on screen during broadcast credits to approx. 80,000 viewers
Listing in electronic program book emailed to 6000 constituents
Social media post event recognition
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
$1,750 Contributor Sponsor
Name listed in scrolling ticker on screen during broadcast to approx. 80,000 viewers
Listing in electronic program book emailed to 6000 constituents
Social media post event recognition
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
$950 Friend Sponsor
Name listed in scrolling ticker on screen during broadcast to approx. 80,000 viewers
Listing in electronic program book emailed to 6000 constituents
Social media post event recognition
Listing in YWCA Annual Report and Cincinnati Business Courier
Introducing the 2020 Career Women of Achievement Honorees!
Visit our YouTube Channel to watch the Honoree Videos
Iris Simpson Bush
President, CEO
Pig Works
Deborah Gentry Davis
Vice President of Human Resources
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
Brandi Nicole Hutchins Elliott, EdD
Director, Office of Ethnic Programs & Services
University of Cincinnati
Jennifer Loeb Goodin
Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
Roni Luckenbill
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
Jeanne Rehling-Golliher
President & CEO
Cincinnati Development Fund
Verna L. Williams
Dean & Nippert Professor of Law
University of Cincinnati College of Law
Mary Zalla
Global President Consumer Brands & Managing Director Cincinnati
Landor
*Honoree Photo Credit: Mary Strubbe Photgraphy
41st Annual Luncheon Co-Chairs
Debbie Hayes
Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, The Christ Hospital Network
Lakshmi Sammarco, MD
Hamilton County Coroner
Keynote Speaker 
Patty Brisben
Founder & Chair, Pure Romance
In 1983, Patty was a single mother of four children working as a medical assistant. To make more time for her children and improve the quality of their lives, she took a leap and started working as a consultant selling intimacy products following a feature on the Phil Donohue Show. Following 10 productive years as a top sales earner, the company she worked for shut its doors. With $5,000, Patty launched the company that would become Pure Romance from her basement and provided a new opportunity to the 55 consultants who were left stranded when the previous company folded. That company would later be known as Pure Romance and currently has an extensive network of 30,000 consultants across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Puerto Rico, and South Africa.
Since founding Pure Romance in 1993, Patty’s drive to empower and educate women and her truly inspiring leadership abilities have transformed the company into a multi-million dollar business. This has made Pure Romance one of the industry’s foremost companies, as well as a credible resource for women’s sexual health education and the second largest women owned business in the Greater Cincinnati area.
In 2006, Patty launched the Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health. In collaboration with universities and research organizations, the Foundation aims to lead change by directing resources and funding research to advocate for women’s sexual health, and advance the understanding of the issues facing women’s sexuality. To date, the Foundation has raised over $5 million to support research projects and educational initiatives to ensure women have the information they need to live healthy, fulfilled lives.
Patty was recently inducted in to the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame and was honored as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2017.
Take a look back at the 2019 Career Women of Achievement Luncheon
