The YWCA Bradford will host its 21st annual Leader Luncheon at noon March 7 in the Mukaiyama University Room in Frame-Westerberg Commons at University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Each year, the YWCA recognizes adult and young women, between the ages of 16 and 25, who have demonstrated leadership qualities and made a difference in the lives of women and girls in McKean County at our annual Leader Luncheon.
The YWCA accepts nominations, which helps to identify women whose community service, academic and/or professional successes exhibit their extraordinary leadership or potential thereof.
The YWCA’s 2018 awards will recognize Kim Graham and Ellery Signor.
Graham, the Women’s Leader honoree, is recognized for her “completely unselfish involvement in our community,” according to the YWCA.
Having dealt with cancer in her family, Graham has a special interest in opportunities that aid cancer patients, including Look Good Feel Better and Locks of Love.
She is employed as a stylist at Bella Capelli Salon and she owns Graham’s Greenhouse & Landscaping along with her husband, Bill, and their two sons, Ben and Fred.
Signor, the Rising Leader honoree, is a senior at Bradford Area High School and the daughter of Guy and Dara Signor.
Ellery is described as “an extraordinary young leader,” serving as the president of Key Club, chair of the Key Club fundraising committee and student council secretary for the senior class.
Through these two organizations, she performs over 125 hours of community service a year, including making blessing bags for individuals experiencing homelessness, cards for residents of local nursing homes, blankets for the preschool classes at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School, cat and dog toys for the SPCA and coordinating an annual blood drive with the Red Cross.
In addition, she coordinated a large fundraiser for the Thirst Project in Swaziland, a youth-centered organization that works to provide clean water and sanitation throughout that African country, which has the highest-density population of people affected by HIV/AIDS in the world. She has also worked as a member of the childcare staff at First Presbyterian Church for three years.
Active with the Bradford YMCA Barracudas swim team, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has been on the high honor roll every marking period throughout high school.
Leader Luncheon also provides community members the opportunity to celebrate a special woman in their life through our annual Honor Board. This may be done in memory or in honor of an outstanding influence. A message and photo (if desired) for the honoree will be on display before and after the luncheon via an electronic presentation.
Honor board forms are available by contacting the YWCA Bradford, and the deadline for submission is March 1.
Tickets for the luncheon are $30 per person, and all are welcome to attend. To make a reservation or for more information, call 368-4235 or email angelae@ywcabradford.org.
