UTICA, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) – YWCA Mohawk Valley (YWCA MV) will host the agency’s 36th annual Salute to Outstanding Women awards ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The celebration is presented by Bank of Utica.
Salute to Outstanding Women will be held on Thursday, March 27 at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. Reservations are required; tickets are $75 and can be purchased by visiting ywcamv.org/Salute, emailing events@ywcamv.org, or calling 315.732.2159 ext. 235. The RSVP deadline is March 14.
Salute to Outstanding Women is a decades-long tradition at YWCA MV that honors local female leaders for their achievements and impact on the community. The class of 2025 honorees are:
- Shawna Papale: Business & Industry, sponsored by Utica National Insurance Group.
- Dr. Cheryl Beckett-Minor: Education, sponsored by Kristin’s Fund.
- Kathleen Rutishauser: Entrepreneur, sponsored by Adirondack Bank.
- Maria Kontaridis, Ph. D.: Healthcare, sponsored by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
- Kelly Walters: Human and Public Service, sponsored by Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc.
- Adelynn Leslie: Outstanding Youth, sponsored by Adorino Construction, Inc.
- Ace Morreale: Social Justice, sponsored by Fort Schuyler Club.
- Amy Jaworski: STEAM, sponsored by Indium Corporation.
YWCA MV extends thanks to the generous sponsors who make Salute to Outstanding Women possible. Salute to Outstanding Women 2025 is presented by Bank of Utica.
Salute serves as YWCA MV’s largest annual fundraiser. All proceeds directly benefit the agency’s life-saving free, confidential, and 24-hour domestic and sexual violence crisis services. To learn more, visit ywcamv.org.
