The annual awards will be named after three tireless contributors to the L-A community: (l. to r.) Tonie Ramsey, Lee Young and Priscilla Gendron.

At a special celebration at the Ramada Inn of Lewiston, the YWCA of Central Maine recently presented Lee Young of Auburn with the agency’s inaugural Women of Achievement Award. Young was recognized for her many years of service on the YWCA Board of Directors and for her civic and volunteer service to Lewiston-Auburn and to the greater State of Maine.

At the event, YWCA Executive Director Kathy Durgin-Leighton explained that the agency has in fact established three awards that henceforth will be presented annually under the umbrella of the Women of Achievement Award. The three awards have been named for women who have contributed extensively to the YWCA and the Lewiston-Auburn area. They will be called the Lee Young Leadership Award; the Tonie Ramsey Service Award; the Priscilla Gendron Legacy Award.

The Ramsey and Gendron awards were inspired by the decades of volunteerism and service to local nonprofit executive boards provided by their namesakes. Tonie Ramsey has served CMMC’s Bennett Breast Care Center, the Women’s Literary Union, Auburn Public Library, Sarah Frye Home, Androscoggin County United Way, and the Women’s Hospital Association. Priscilla Gendron has served St. Mary’s Hospital, the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, the Cub Scouts, the Red Hats, Pathways, and Holy Cross Church. All three women have been dedicated supporters of the YWCA of Central Maine.

The Women of Achievement Awards will be presented annually at the YWCA Awards Gala. For more information about the awards, or to get involved in the nomination or selection process or in planning the 2016 gala, call Kathy Durgin-Leighton at 795-4050.