YWCA Leader Luncheon

Leader Luncheon XXXIX: Women of Achievement

Leader Luncheon is the YWCA Northwestern Illinois’s primary fund-raising event. Funds from the event are used to develop and expand programming and advocacies for women and families’ economic self-sufficiency with a clear commitment to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women.

YWCA Northwestern Illinois welcomes keynote speaker Kimberla Lawson Roby

New York Times Bestselling Author & Professional Speaker, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published 27 books which include BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, SIN OF A WOMAN, A SINFUL CALLING, BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL, A CHRISTMAS PRAYER, THE PRODIGAL SON, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, THE REVEREND’S WIFE, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR, SIN NO MORE, CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. She has sold more than 2.8 Million copies of her novels, and they have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and many others.

Over the years, Kimberla has spoken to thousands of women at conferences, churches, expos, workshops, luncheons, libraries, colleges, universities and bookstores. She shares her own personal journey straight from her heart and has a strong passion toward helping women discover their God-given purpose.

Kimberla is a professional member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), she is the 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor award, the 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author award, the 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year award and the 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year award, the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year award, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and in 2001, Kimberla was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL).

Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church (and the consequences),  Christian/family/moral values, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life.

Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.

Bright Future Scholarship

Each year, YWCA Northwestern Illinois awards $1,500 Bright Future Scholarships to outstanding female high school seniors. The YWCA is committed to promoting and recognizing our future leaders. The 2019 Bright Future Scholarship deadline is January 18, 2019. Eligible candidates will reside in Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, or Jo Daviess counties. Contact Marketing and Fund Development office, (815) 968-9681 ext. 308, for further information.

YWCA La Voz Latina Scholarship

YWCA Northwestern Illinois is honored to be able to continue the La Voz Latina Scholarship, funded through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a male or female high school senior of of Hispanic/Latino descent, residing in Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson or Jo Daviess Counties. Please download the scholarship application to review eligibility and requirement criteria. Scholarship deadline is January 18, 2019.

Leader Luncheon: Women of Achievement Awards

This year’s event will once again honor six outstanding individuals in the categories of Business, Community Leadership, Mentorship, Professions, Promise, and Racial Justice. Nominate a colleague, mentor, or co-worker today. The deadline for submission is January 18, 2019.

Past Recipients

Thank You to Our Valued 2019 Event Sponsors

Innovator

Vision

Benefactor

BMO Harris Bank

GE Aviation

Lechtenberg & Associates LLC

Mercyhealth

PNC Bank

Leaders in the Workplace

ComEd, An Exelon Company

Oliver Close, LLC

SwedishAmerican Health System- Belvidere

Thayer Lighting Inc.

WilliamsMcCarthy LLC

workplace

Mentor

CoyleKiley Insurance Agency, Inc.

Crusader Community Health

Heritage Woods of Rockford

Media