Forty-three women were nominated in seven categories, including a special category for a rising star, someone between the ages of 18 and 35, who is just beginning to make an impact in the community.

“These women have led by example, they embrace their civic responsibility and they demonstrate exceptional leadership,” said Brittany Fischer, communications and development director at the YWCA.

This year’s award winners were chosen from a pool of 43 nominations, a departure from the selection process used in the past.

“Our work this evening will celebrate the accomplishments of women and young ladies who have achieved success in their fields. They’ve demonstrated academic excellence and they’ve contributed to their communities,” Fischer said.

“Each award recipient this evening has been selected for her vision, her courage, compassion and her proven success,” she added.

Lynn Estomin, who had been nominated in the Arts & Culture category was chosen as the “Wise Woman of the Year.”

The award winners in the following categories were: Arts & Culture, Beth Armanda; Education, Heather Way; Advocacy, Nicole Miller; Health & Wellness, Gayle Kiessling; STEM, Dr. Valerie Myers; Sports, Britni Mohney; and Rising Star, Abbey Welker Yoas.

Young ladies chosen in the following categories were: Arts & Culture, Nicole Mae Canlas; Education, Marcella Fisher; Advocacy, Madeline Pennings; Health & Wellness, McKaye Wilton; STEM, Emma Strickland; Sports, Marissa Helmrich; and Junior Rising Star, Ella Wilson.

In her remarks to the crowd of about 225 people in attendance, the featured speaker, Jennifer Wahl, an instructor at Penn College, said, “this room is filled with powerful, dynamic, intelligent and strong women and each and everyone of you is truly a changemaker,”

“You’ve all opened doors for others that would have remained shut without your advocacy, boldness and perseverance,” Wahl said.

During her talk, Wahl shared her mother’s journey as an immigrant to this country.

“Eventually my mother gained her independence, but it wasn’t an easy road and it was really complicated,” Wahl said.

“Without the help of someone else, she may have stayed and continued to endure even now,” she added.

Wahl acknowledged that her mother’s story is not a unique one.

“Many women have this story and many women have to deal with much worse than what I just explained to you,” she said.

“The truth is, we all know someone and some of us are that someone or we’ve been that someone,” she said.

Calling for women to join together in community and advocacy, Wahl said, “It’s simply not enough to say that we will help or say that we will make a difference. Being an ally is nice, and it is kind, but words are often not enough,” Wahl said.

“Being an advocate is what makes a difference. As women we have a responsibility to help each other. Those of us who have the capacity to engage in advocacy, we have a responsibility to do so,” she stressed.

Listing ways that women can offer support to other women who are in difficult and often potentially dangerous situations, Wahl said, “We need to help make life easier and brighter for each other and for our daughters.”

“Every woman of excellence in this room is not just an ally, she’s an advocate,” Wahl said.

Directing her comments toward the young women in the audience, Wahl said that the rising stars are “our future and the prime examples our daughters should see and learn from.

“Young women, you too are advocates, not just allies. I’m glad to see we are all embracing the responsibility.”

“The award categories exemplify people who have made a difference by doing and advocating in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Each nominee has worked hard to improve our community through efforts that often go unrecognized, until tonight of course, just to make a difference,” she stated.

“Your advocacy is lifting the women of our community just as the YWCA does. And, it turns out when women help women, when women advocate for women incredible things can happen. Thank you all for all that you do, and please, don’t stop,” she said.