YWCA of the Niagara Frontier to honor women leaders at 2024 Niagara Awards luncheon

‘Tribute to Women’ event also features keynote speaker Miss America 2024, the first active-duty woman to earn the crown

The YWCA of the Niagara Frontier announced the nominees for its 2024 Niagara Awards who will be honored at a luncheon in October for “their inspirational work personifying our mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

The nominees are being recognized for their efforts in several distinct categories and, for the first time this year, they include outstanding young women:

•Management Award: Christine O’Hara, HART

•Education Award: Jada Pierce, Niagara University

•Community Partner Award: Amy Boyer and Tera Tillotson

•Behind the Scenes Award: Grace Ayoub, Lockport Memorial Hospital

•Health and Human Services Award: Dr. Mary McCourt, Niagara University; Susan Brooks, R.N., Mount St. Mary’s Hospital

•Entrepreneur Award: Laura Montante-Zaepfel, Uniland Development Co.

•Military/First Responder Award: Capt. Jill Harrison, Niagara County Drug Task Force

•Youth Inspiration Award: The girls flag football team at Mount St. Mary’s Academy

•The Arts Award: Cortney Chyme-Costanzo, Matt’s Musical Vocal Performance Team

•Inspiration Award: Nadja Helen Bohuk Graca, holocaust survivor; Shelly Baxter-Collins, caretaker

“These nominees are quietly and consistently changing lives for the better in communities across the Niagara Frontier,” said Kelly DeMatteo, CEO of the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. “We are excited to give them the recognition they deserve for all they do to make our corner of the world stronger and more vibrant.”

The nominees will be honored during Domestic Violence Awareness Month at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Wurlitzer Events, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.

This year the event will also introduce to the community Miss America 2024, Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, a “trailblazing woman defying the pageant stereotype and shattering expectations as a military member, cancer research scholar, and public policy expert.” From Air Force pilot to public figure, read her story here.

For more information on the 2024 “Niagara Awards: A Tribute to Women,” or to purchase tickets, go to the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier website at https://ywcaniagarafrontier.org/.