Women of Achievement
Thank You for Celebrating with Us
YWCA Kalamazoo extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Women of Achievement Legacy Celebration. This year’s event marked a significant milestone—140 years of unwavering commitment to equity, justice, and community transformation.
We were honored to welcome Minnijean Brown Trickey, a member of the Little Rock Nine, whose powerful testimony reminded us why preserving the truth of our history is essential. Her lived experiences and profound perspective on advocacy and social justice inspired us to reflect on how deeply our success is tied to one another.
Our sincere thanks to the Honorable Carolyn Williams for moderating such an impactful and engaging conversation, and for guiding us through an evening that uplifted both legacy and purpose.
We also recognized the exceptional leadership of Dr. Sravani Alluri, recipient of the Dorothy I. Height Social Justice Award, and Katie Sytsma and Katie VanderLaan, recipients of the Genevieve U. Gilmore Volunteer Award. Their contributions continue to shape a more equitable and compassionate Kalamazoo.
A special acknowledgment to our Young Women of Achievement, who spoke with eloquence, passion, and clarity on the importance of reaching back, centering equity, and ensuring access to education for all. Their voices serve as a powerful reminder that the future of justice work is already in motion.
Thank you for being part of this meaningful celebration. Together, we honor the past, recognize the changemakers of today, and invest in a more just tomorrow.
