YWCA Achievement Awards program

YWCA NorthEastern NY
and

New York Oncology Hematology
present the celebration of the

39th Annual

Thursday, March 24th, 2022

YWCA NorthEastern NY is dedicated to
eliminating racism, empowering women,
and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and
dignity for all.

YYWCA NENY achieves this mission by providing comprehensive
domestic violence support services, affordable housing for homeless
and low-income women (trans-inclusive), and high quality accredited
early learning education.

For over 134 years, YWCA NorthEastern NY has served women &
families in Schenectady & the surrounding region, constantly
innovating to provide programs & services to meet the changing
needs of our community. Each year, YWCA NENY serves nearly 7,000
individuals & families throughout the greater Capital Region through:
Domestic Violence Support Services

24-hr emergency shelter for domestic violence victims & their
children
24-hr domestic violence hotline: 518.374.3386
Free & confidential advocacy for victims, with advocates located
at the Police Department, Family Court, and Child Protective
Services
Support groups & individual counseling for survivors and their
children
Economic empowerment initiatives
Education & outreach
Housing
Affordable & transitional housing: single rooms & off-site
apartments
24-hr staffing
Soroptimist Closet: free career clothing for anyone in need
Emergency food pantry
Early Childhood Learning Centers
Accredited by National Association for the Educations of Young
Children (NAEYC) & voluntary participants in QUALITYstarsNY
Educational programs for ages 6 weeks to 5 years
Early Head Start, ages 6 weeks to 5 years
Two locations; YWCA NENY Main Campus on Washington Ave and
SUNY Schenectady County Community College

We stand with our sisters at

YWCA of Ukraine

"When you, your husband and son wake up at 4 o’clock in the
morning because of the sounds of explosions, you can’t even
imagine that this is war. The war in the center of Europe, in the 21st
century, in a peaceful, beautiful country. Only yesterday every
woman here was making plans for herself and her family, waiting for
spring and warmth to come, but today’s reality is that each of us
have to survive, falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of
explosions, cannonade and air raid sirens. Some of our women in
order to save their children or old parents from danger were forced
to travel up to 60 – 80 hours on unsafe roads to reach Western
Ukraine and the western border.
Each day we can see young women with little kids on their arms
trying to get on train at the Kiev railway station to move to the safe
places. But there are not enough carriages for all. So, they have to
live at the station for days in terrible conditions, expecting they have
more luck the next day.
Many of us who have not moved to a safe place spend a lot of time in
bomb shelters, or sleep at night on the bathroom floor or in the
corridors of our apartments near the load-bearing walls. This is our
reality now.
The heart of every Ukrainian woman shrinks from pain and anxiety
for her family. But Ukrainian women always were strong and now
they are standing shoulder to shoulder with men, fighting on the
front lines against Russian aggression, doing volunteer work or
crowdfunding.
The woman is a peacemaker by nature. That is why I appeal to you,
the women of the world, to put the maximum efforts to stop this
madness."

President of the YWCA of Ukraine
Nataliya Ulianets
Kyiv, March 2 2022



YWCA NorthEastern NY Present

The 39th Annual
Achievement Awards

Thursday, March 24th, 2022 | 11:30AM - 1:00 PM
Rivers Casino Event & Resort Center

Opening Remarks Amy Aldrich
Welcome Event Chair

Nikita Hardy
Vice President of YWCA NENY
Board of Directors

Premiere Sponsor Remarks Dr. Karen Tedesco
NYOH

Mission Video Presentation Jaye McBride
Master of Ceremonies

Achievement Award Jaye McBride
Presentations

Closing Remarks Kim Siciliano
CEO, YWCA NorthEastern NY
& Carole Merrill-Mazurek
President of YWCA NENY
Board of Directors

Champagne for Awardees located in hotel lobby bar
immediately following event

A Special Thanks to our
Sponsors

Signature Empowerment
Sponsor Sponsor

Justice Sponsors

Champagne Toast Sponsor

Saratoga National Bank & Trust

Freedom Sponsors Program Sponsor

1st National Bank of Scotia Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC
Baker Public Relations
Pursuit Lending Friend Sponsors
Women at Work NY
Patrick J. Higgins, PLLC Siena Fence Co.
Envision Architects
Xenolith Partners, LLC
Crisafulli Brothers

About the Awards

The Achievement Awards are a celebration that seeks to bring
awareness and recognition to the extraordinary achievements of
individuals throughout the Capital Region. Since 1983, YWCA
NorthEastern NY has honored over 300 women who are incredibly
deserving of wide community recognition, yet often go under-
recognized for their contributions. These women not only exemplify
what it is to be an empowered woman, but they also serve as role
models for young women throughout the area, helping them realize
their true potential.

2022 Achievement Award Honorees

Kathleen "Casey" DiPaola

Advocacy Award

Lorraine Silverman

Advocacy Award

Tatiana Cunningham

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Arsyl De Jesus M.D.

Health & Human Services Award

Maura Furey

Katherine S. Rozendaal Volunteer Award

Jacquelyn Szczepanik

Susan Rosenthal Woman in Business Award

Kishani Choudhury

Volunteerism Award

Marcella Hammer

Women Empowerment Award

Anzala Alozie

Youth Empowerment Award

Isabella Getter

Youth Award

Honorary Committee

Dawn Abbuhl Andy Gilpin
Kay Ackerman Sandra Goldmeer
Renee Adamany
Colleen Awa Kathy Gutmen
Latisha Barnett Kevin Harrigan
Robert Beck Rebecca Harris
Kathy Beck Nancy Johnson
Crystal Bedard Sharon A. Jordan
Eileen Bird Kristin Koehler
Vanessa Bobb Catherine A. Lewis
Jessica Close Susan Marlette
Andrea Crisafulli Camille Marocco
Susan Daley
Ann DiSarro John Miller
Coreen Ditoro Marsha Miller
Joanmarie Dowling Deborah Mullaney
Natasa Dugandzic Michelle Ostrelich
Sara Erickson
William Faubion Julie Panke
Kathy Fernandez Ann Parillo
Kathy Fialkowski Carmel Patrick
Rebecca Fitch Elizabeth Paul
Wendi Gapczynski Joann E. Paulsen
Dr. Janet Gargiulo Rosemarie Perez Jaquith
William Gettman Charley Q. Pollard
Alissa Quinn
Brittiny Razzano
James Reeks

Honorary Committee

Kyle Reyell
Howard Schlossberg

Kim Siciliano
Nancy Siciliano
Ri Siciliano Cratty
Katherine Stephens
Hon. Matthew J. Sypniewski
Donna L. Tessitore
Madelyn Thorne
Lauren Trunko
Dot Valachovic
Barbara Viver
Miranda VonFricken
Jo-Anne Voris Rafalik
Yuvette Wayman
Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas
Susan Zongrone

Steering Committee


Amy Aldrich Laura Siracuse
Susan Marlette Kyla Meltzer
Hannah Barr
Kayla Leder Kindra McHale
Miranda VonFricken

Achievement Awards of

Viola Abbitt Miki Conn Paula Gravelle
Kay Ackerman Rachel Conn Alice P. Green
Renee Adamany Linda Cookingham Sonja Greenhill
Jerolyn Allen Sharon Coppola Charlotte Greenwood
Frederica Anderson Joanne Coppola Marion Grimes
Margaret Anderton Kay Creasy
Angela Angerami Andrea Crsiafulli Bell Hagar
Beatrice Angerami Margaret Cunningham Kay Hagbom
Role Angerami Judith Dagostino
Lilian Applegarth Susan E. Daly Bess Haile
Susam Armenia Julia Dalger Cheryl Hage-Perez
Michele Armstrong Marie DeBrocky
Barbara Artis Helen Desfosses Patti Hammond
Martha J. Asselin Joanne DeVoe Ruth Harlow
JoAnne Assini Starr DiCiurcio Joyce Hart
Judy Atchinson Georgetta Dix
Sophie Barber Anne Donnelly Suzanne Hartz
Angela Baris Janine T. Donzelli Madlyn Harwell
Mary Lou Bartotta Barbara Draffen Penny H. Haynes
Nicole Baptiste Lorraine Duchessi
Betty Bean Wendy Durand Betsy Henry
Mary Rice Bee Manasi Dutta Christine Horne
Amy Ertel Ballcourt Delores Edmonds-Mcintosh
Linda Bellick Joan Egan Laura Hudy
Nancy Benz Johanna Ehmann Anita Hug
Elizabeth Bishop Ellen Elliot
Ann Boeke Sister Rosemary Endres Janet Hutchinson
Alice Bonk Sara Erickson Pam Hyland
Ruth Bonn Judith Farrall Marianne Ille
Teri Bordenave JoAnn Faucett
Maxine Borom Nadia E. Finkelstein Malene K. Ingram
Deborah Botch Nancy Fisher Judith Jacobs
Beverly F. Bradley Laureen Fitzgerald
Rosalie Bradt Carole Fox Rosemarie P. Jaquith
Jill Braverman-Panza Hazel Frasca Karen B. Johnson
Maxine Brisport Rev. Eloise Frazier Rev. Pat Jones
Margaret Buhrmaster E. Kristen Frederick
Julia Burgess Frances Friedberg Carolyn M. Jones-Assini
Beverly R. Burnett Lisa A. Frisch Sharon Jordan
Dr. Deidre Hill Butler Dottie Gallo
Miriam Cajuste Abigail V. Gallucci Grace Jorgensen
Judith Carnavos Maura Gannon Lis Orzel Kasper
Barbara "Blue" Carreker Colleen Gardner
Diane Cavoli Cathy Gatta Virginia Kelly
Onicela Cedeño Ann George Barbara King
Sujata Chaudhry Patricia Gioia Betty B. King
Cathleen Chesbrough Melanie Glennon Dr. Peggy King
Erma Rught Chestnut Jennifer Goldman Nancy Konczeski
Julia Chiarello Mary Goldman Susan Kramer
Cristine Cioffi Jane Golub Florence Kudernatch
Jenness Clairmont Vivian Verdell Gordon Barbara Kusek
Mary Coffin Marie Gorman Thelma Lally
Holly Comanzo Rachel Graham Gloria Lamere
Nancy Lange

Margaret Lassiter

Sue Lehrman

Margaret Leonard
Catherine Lewis
Elenor Linberg
Kathleen Lincoln

Terri Little
Lee Lounsbury
Florence Luborsky
Mary Burch Macherone
Alberta Madonna

Excellence Academy

Ruth Mahoney Marion Poterfield-Pierce Gail Smith
Catherine Markowski Libby Post Jan Smith
Mildred Maras Linda Smith
Jaye McBride Cynthia Powell Martha Spang
Mary Lee Marquis Irene Prazak Sondra Stephens
Patricia McGeown Nancy Stephenson
Denise M. McGraw Mary D'Ercole Pritchard Janice Stewart
Maureen McGuinness Alissa Quinn Lois Barton Stilley
Claudia McLaughlin Helen Quirini Toni Stratton
Rosemarie Melius Patty Stroebel
Carole Merrill-Mazurek Colleen Quirion Andrea Strother
Dorothy Meyer Karen Radley Maria Sunikjain
Rev. Stacey Midge Jo-Anne Rafalik Esther Swanker
Edna Miller Amy V. Raimo Katheryn Tabor
Marsha Miller Catherine Raycroft Rowie Taylor
Mardy Moore Shirley Readdean Trudi Thun
Angelica A. Morris Paula A. Reichel Virginia Timberlake
Sabrina Mosseau Carol Reichert Sister Anne Tranelli
Marsha Mortimore Laurie Reilly Wendy Van Bellingham
Debby Mullaney Helen Reynolds Sally Van Schaick
Christina Multer Marie Riccio-Bryce Barbara Viver
Emy L. Murphy Kathryn Rich Sandy Vohr
Malinda Myers Deb Riitano Miranda VonFricken
Susan Nadier Susan Rosenthal Ellie Von Wllsheim
Dr. Yvonne Nelson Anne Rockwood Rosemary M. Wallinger
Maria Neira Wendy Rosher Vaughn Ward
Marth Neugebauer Rachel Rowe Louise Waterman
Joyce Newkirk Ellie Rowland Eleanor Watrous
Patricia Obrecht Patricia Rowledge Susan Watson
Colleen O'Connor Yuvette Wayman
Sari O'Connor Cathy Roy Mary Beth Wenger
Elaine Ognibene Kay S. Rozendaal Angela West-Davis
Adelaide Oppenheim Sonia Rubenstein Jane Weyers
Kerry M. Orlyk Michelle H. Wildgrube
Meredith Osta Kirsten Ruglis Patricia Williams
Gioia Ottaviano Jennifer Russo Loraine Wilson
Amelia Lupe Owen Joan Rutecki Lynee Wilson
Carla Page Beverly Wittner
Elizabeth Paine Carol Ryan Karen Wojcik
Deneen Palmateer Nancy Sagendorf Catherin Woodford
Michele Paludi Linda Wrobleski
Julie Panke Sharon Sager Elizabeth Yanoff
Ann Parillo Anne F. Saile Kristen Youmans
Carmel Patrick Betty Salerno Karen Zalewski-Wildzuna
Christine Patrick Janet Sapio-Mayta
Kathleen Paul Susan E. Savage

Joann Paulsen June Schecter

Leesa Perazzo Debra L. Schimpf
Heather Peterson Helga Schroeter
Anne Phillips Laura Schweitzer
Mary-Jo Pierpont Vincenza Semetelli
Barbara Piper Isabel Shapnek
Michelle Pollard Kimarie Sheppard
Jessica Sheridan
Nitty Singh
Patricia Skinner
Deborah A. Slezak
Natalie Smarro
Suzann Smart
Ann Smith

Amy Aldrich

Event Chair

This year’s Event Chair is the
remarkable Amy Aldrich, owner of the
Amy Aldrich State Farm Agency in
Glenville, NY. She recently celebrated
13 years as a woman owned business
on June 1, 2021. During those 13 years, Amy has grown a profitable,
multi-line, risk management agency. She has earned the significant
distinctions of Chairman’s Circle, Ambassador Travel, and Mutual
Funds Leader, representing a Fortune 50 company. Prior to opening
her agency, Amy had a 14 year career within State Farm, holding
leadership positions including Human Resources Manager and
Agency Recruiting Manager for the Northeast Region. Before State
Farm, Amy had fun managing a high-end jewelry store in Boston,
and was the customer service manager at a chocolate
manufacturing company.

Amy’s passion for giving back is evident in her commitment to the
community. She has held many positions including Past President
and Executive Board Member of The Schenectady Kiwanis Club,
Treasurer of the Glenville Business Professional association,
Glenville Small Business and Economic Development Committee
Member, and Co-Chair of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School
District Bond Referendum Committee. Amy teaches aspiring
entrepreneurs in the Capital District about the risk management
portion of their business plans. She loves being involved with young
adults in the local schools, teaching driver’s education, financial
management, and being a shark in a high school Shark Tank. She
was recently awarded the Volunteer of the Year award at Burnt Hills-
Ballston Lake High School.

Amy has been married to her husband, Bruce, for 30 years. They
have two loving and accomplished children; Hailey & Dillon. Amy’s
passion is spending time with her family and dogs, and traveling.



Jaye McBride

Master of Ceremonies

Jaye McBride is a proud
transgender comedian and
past Women of Achievement
awardee! In addition to stand-
-up comedy, Jaye speaks at high schools, colleges, and
groups all across the country about being transgender
and how to help trans kids from facing the obstacles and
challenges she faced. Having transitioned in 2007, Jaye is
uniquely qualified to talk about awkward first dates,
strained family relationships, and self-acceptance.

Congratulations

Thank you to Kim Siciliano, CEO, and the entire
YWCA Northeastern NY team for your passion,
hard work, and vision for YWCA NENY's mission

In appreciation,
YWCA Northeastern NY Board of Directors

Carole Merrill-Mazurek, President
Nikita Hardy, Vice President

Yuvette Wayman, Vice President
Crystal Bedard, Treasurer
Susan Marlette, Secretary

Renee Adamany Sandra Goldmeer
Brenda Baddam Lauren Gregoire
Latisha Barnett Imelda Lane
Vanessa Bobb Cathy Lewis
Jessica Close
Anne Fernandez Katherine Stephens
Kathleen Fialkowski Jennifer Zhao

39th Annual

Casey DiPaola

Advocacy Award

Casey DiPaola is a partner of Copps
DiPaola Silverman, PLLC in Albany,
New York, where she focuses her
practice on Adoption, Assisted Reproduction, and Estate Planning and
Probate.

Kathleen (“Casey”) Copps DiPaola, Esq. is a Fellow of the Academy of
Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, the President of New
York Attorneys for Adoption & Family Formation, and also an active
member of various bar associations.

Ms. DiPaola worked tirelessly over the last several years to help revise
the New York Child-Parent Security Act and advocate for its
enactment by the legislature. She is also a frequent lecturer to
attorneys, judges, fertility clinics, and other organizations on the
topics of adoption, assisted reproduction/surrogacy and the
intersection of estate planning and family formation.

Thank you for all you do for the community, Casey!

SCAP's Board of Directors
congratulates the dynamic women

who are being honored with the
YWCA NorthEastern NY's 2022

Achievement Awards.

Lorraine Silverman

Advocacy Award

Lorraine Silverman is a Partner with
Copps DiPaola Silerman, PLLC, and
serves on a number of committees and
boards, and participated in several

other volunteer civic activities throughout the community.

The New York State Bar Association, in particular, has been a major
beneficiary of Lorraine’s service, as she chairs its Committee on
Children & the Law, and serves on its Committee to Review Judicial
Nominations, its Family Law Section’s Committee on Domestic
Violence and its Cyber & Sexual Assault Task Force.

Also active with the Albany County Bar Association, Lorraine sits on its
Board of Directors, chairs its Pro Bono Committee, is a member of its
Racial Justice Committee and helps to coordinate, as well as
volunteer, with its Family Court Help Center.

Appointed in 2021 to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission
examining Forensic Report+D2:E10s issued in Child Custody cases,
Lorraine also provides free and reduced fee legal assistance to victims
of domestic violence through The Legal Project's Pro Bono and
Reduced Fee Attorney Panel.

We are honored to grant her a YWCA Achievement Award this year!

Cioffi • Slezak • Wildgrube P.C. is a law firm
providing quality legal services to individuals,

their families and businesses.

We concentrate in the following areas of law:

• Estate Planning
• Estate Administration

• Elder Law
• Real Estate Law
• Business & Corporate Law

When you work with CSW you're working with family

Cioffi• Slezak• Wildgrube P.C.

1473 Erie Boulevard, 1st floor
Schenectady, NY 12305
Phone:518-377-6700
Fax: 518-377-6110
[email protected]

Tatiana Cunningham

Diversity & Inclusion
Award

A graduate of SUNY Delhi, a mother of 3
teenagers, and a born entrepreneur
who created her first business at the

age of eight, Tatiana established in 2018 the Capital of New York State
Black Expo to bring resources, education, and empowerment to the
very community that poured so much into her as a child.

Tatiana’s passion for giving back, along with her skills in event
planning, has made CNYS Black Expo an overwhelming success,
doubling its vendors and attendance numbers in 2021. The event is
dedicated to her deceased grandmother, Annette De’Lavellade, who
instilled in Tatiana the knowledge and belief that she could make a
difference.

In addition to CNYS Black Expo, Tatiana has dedicated her time and
efforts to continue positive events and collaborations in the capital
district. She is proud to be from the Albany, NY Arbor Hill Area and
honored to represent, serve, and highlight all of the greatness that
Albany has been, is and will continue to be.

Thank you, Tatiana for the incredible work you do in our community!



Dr. Arsyl D.
De Jesus

Health & Human

Services Award

Born in Manila, Philippines, to Dr.
Robert Dulay, a radiation oncologist
and Dolores Mallari, a registered nurse,
Dr. Arsyl De Jesus continues her family’s legacy of caring for others.
Her love for medicine began at a young age.

She obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a
medical degree from the University of the Philippines. She was a
surgical intern at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland,
followed by four years of radiation oncology residency training at
Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. In 2008, Dr. De Jesus
joined New York Oncology Hematology (NYOH), the tenth-largest
privately-owned physician practice in the Capital District. She has
been serving at the NYOH Amsterdam Cancer Center ever since.

If you’ve ever met Dr. De Jesus, you know that “she’s the real deal.”
Her empathy, enthusiasm, clinical standards and personal
expectations are at the highest level and she inspires her patients,
colleagues and local and national teams. Her impact and leadership
go beyond clinical care. Dr. De Jesus serves as the vice president of
the NYOH board of directors and chair of the NYOH Compliance
Committee.

She serves as the board of directors vice chair for Mountain Valley
Hospice & Palliative Care and an executive committee member of the
board of advisors for the Northeast affiliate of the American Cancer
Society. At the national level, Dr. De Jesus serves as the medical
director for quality in radiation oncology for the US Oncology
Network, an advocacy ambassador for the American Cancer Society
Cancer Action Network, a member of the Komen Leadership Council
and an advocacy ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Center for
Public Policy.

For Dr. De Jesus, her family and spiritual beliefs are her guiding
force. Her husband, Jonathan and her two beautiful children,
Aliyah and Jarvin, are central to who she is and everything she
does. Their unconditional love has allowed her to continue serving
her patients and community, their endless support has given her
the wings to soar to heights beyond her dreams.

Maura Furey

Katherine S. Rozendaal

Volunteer Award

Maura Furey is a Technical Writer for an
engineering firm specializing in energy
efficiency. Maura's passion for the

environment, animals, and helping others was instilled in her by her
parents, who encouraged and inspired their children to help the
community where and when they could.

By the age of 12, Maura knew she wanted to pursue a career in
environmental science to help to make the world a brighter place.
This later led her to pursue a degree in Environmental Science.

For seven years, Maura’s family and her parents volunteered nightly
for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Then, in August
of 2017, Maura found out about the StreetSoldiers, a grassroots group
of volunteers who support the homeless and other people in need.
Once again along with her parents, Maura’s family began volunteering
nearly every Friday night. With the permission of the founders, they
started the Schenectady team of StreetSoldiers in February of 2019.

Maura also spent several years on the Executive Board of the
northeast New York chapter of the American Diabetes Association and
the young professionals board for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation of Northeastern New York. She is currently a board
member of the Eastern New York chapter of the Air and Waste
Management Association.

Congrats on your Achievement Award, Maura, and thank you for your
years of dedication to our community!



Jacquelyn Szczepanik

Susan Rosenthal
Women in Business

Award

Jacquelyn Szczepanik is this year’s
recipient of the Susan Rosenthal

Woman in Business Award!

At the age of 29 and without any industry knowledge, Jacquelyn
established Sandell Transport. While overcoming many personal
obstacles over the next 15 years, she was able to successfully grow a
one-person operation into a multimillion-dollar company.

An extraordinary businesswoman overseeing three plants in NY, AL,
and IL, Jacquelyn has learned every aspect of the industry, from
driving the forklifts and loading trucks, to running the machines. She
wants to ensure her employees she would be right beside them if
needed.

Everything Jacquelyn has built and accomplished has been self-
taught. Called “Wonder Woman” due to how much she can juggle at
one time, she also understands the importance of team building,
placing the proper people in key positions and moving the company
forward together.



Angela Kishani
Choudhury

Volunteerism Award

Kishani currently serves as a Branch
Manager and Business Development
Officer at the Saratoga National Bank

and Trust Company. A business banker for most of her 21-year career,
Kishani most enjoys helping business owners with their banking
needs and providing advice and direction on growing their
businesses.

Born in Sri Lanka, a beautiful Island just south of India on the Indian
Ocean, Kishani moved to the United States in 1991. In 1999, Kishani
moved to Boston and while there, worked alongside her mother,
helping to teach Sunday school to inner city kids and providing them
with meals.

Active in the Current Church, Kishani has volunteered with their Youth
Ministry. She has also traveled to NYC to provide blankets, food and
water to the homeless, and has volunteered in the Street Ministry,
assisting the homeless and serving meals at the Rescue Mission in
Albany. Kishani also serves as Board Member of CAPTAIN, an
organization focusing on serving the principal needs of youth,
individuals and families in Saratoga County and beyond.
Make sure to congratulate her on her incredible achievement and
meet her on March 24 at the YWCA-NENY Achievement Awards!



Marcella Hammer

Women Empowerment

Award

Marcella Hammer is the COO and
Resident Unicorn at Palette co-working
space!
Marcella has a BA in Writing, Literature,
and Publishing from Emerson College and has worked in marketing,
promotions, events, and management. She is invested in promoting
businesses and communities that support the growth of women.

In addition to being a published poet, she owned and operated Glitter
Nail Bar in Saratoga Springs, a nail salon and champagne bar focused
on empowering employees and clients through nail art. She is the
founder and host of a True Crime Club, a Writers Club, and is a
mountain bike ride mentor for girls with Saratoga Shredders. She
enjoys finding creative ways to lead, connect, and inspire.



Anzala B. Alozie

Youth Empowerment

Award

Anzala is a dedicated mother of four, a
global social impact strategist,
executive leader, and motivational
speaker. She is a recognized leader on women and girls’
empowerment, leadership development and diversity, equity and
inclusion.

Anzala served as the Vice President of the Girl Scouts of Northeastern
New York and has worked with prominent social change
organizations such as the New York State Coalition Against Domestic
Violence & Empire Justice Center. She is also a national speaker and
trainer. Anzala presents leadership development and women’s
empowerment training and workshops across the nation.

Anzala has also worked on federal and local legislative issues that
impact women and girls, most notably the Violence Against Women
Act. She is a board member of the National Women of Color Network,
a board trustee of the Albany Leadership High School for Girls, a
board member of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, serves on the
KeyBank Advisory Council and a member of Chief. And, she is a proud
member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack & Jill of America.
Anzala is a graduate of Albany Law School, of Union University, and
Purchase College.

Congratulations, Anzala and thank you for all that you do!



Isabella Getter

Youth Award

Isabella is a senior at Scotia-Glenville
High School. She is ranked number one
in her senior class and has been the
captain of the girl’s soccer team for a number of years. She is
currently enrolled in the new Visions Medicine & Health Program
because of her lifelong goal for helping others.

Isabella is also active in her schools GIVE program, a service learning
club. In this club, she has helped with school recycling, a sports
program called “Fastbreak”, where she worked with younger disabled
students helping them participate in sports. Every other Saturday she
visited the Montgomery SPCA to walk dogs and socialize with cats.
Twice a month she has gone to the City Mission food warehouse to fill
backpacks with food for children in the Schenectady School district.
During her summer vacation Isabella volunteered for Special
Olympics.

As of now, she is undecided on where to attend college, although she
plans on majoring in biology with the intent of becoming a physical
therapist.

Congrats, Isabella! You are a trailblazer and an inspiration to many.

Stay up to date on future
YWCA NENY Events!

Inspiring Women Project Art Exhibit:
Daily 10-8pm until March 31st, 2022
Vagina Monologues:
September 30th, 2022
Take Back the Night:
October 20th, 2022
& more to come

Scan to view YWCA NorthEastern NY's
site or follow us on social media.

Thank you for attending the
39th Annual Achievement
Awards!

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor,
all donations up to $10,000 will be

matched for the month of March. If you
would like to make a donation please

scan the QR code below.

Thank you for the flowers!