CANFIELD, Ohio – The Fund for Women & Girls, a community-led fund at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, put the spotlight on the work of five incredible women at its Gems of the Valley event on Oct. 17.
The honor recognizes women doing important work to make the Valley a better place for all, especially when that work is overlooked or underappreciated.
Selected by the Fund for Women & Girls Guiding Circle, this year’s Gems are:
- Tonya Dean, founder of Harvesting Hope and CEO of Almost Home Event Center
- Jennifer Frank, fashion merchandising professor at YSU
- Honeya Price, founder of Swag Sisters 330 and Warren 6th Ward Councilwoman
- Dr. Alexis Smith, radiologist with Penn Highlands Healthcare and women’s health advocate
- Ariana Wyndham, outreach manager for Thrive Mahoning Valley and digital navigator for Oak Hill Collaborative
In addition to this year’s class of Gems, the Fund for Women & Girls also recognized the entire group of nominees, seven other women whose work has clearly made an impact on those around them: Ashley Morrow, Catherine Grizinski, Kathy Shall, Patty Summers, Shannon Lehn, Susan Moorer, Tammy Engle and Taunya Scott.
“As we looked at this year’s nominees for Gems of the Valley, what stood out to the Guiding Circle was how much these women had touched the lives of so many people in ways big and small,” says Samie Winick, a member of the Guiding Circle who helped organize the event. “We wanted to honor all of the work these 13 women – and all women – do for their communities. No deed is too small to matter.”
At the event, each honoree spoke about their work and why uplifting other woman is important to them. Common themes from their reflections included the importance of creating a supportive and welcoming community and leaning on the people closest to you.
“The entire Community Foundation is impressed by this year’s group of nominees for Gems of the Valley. Some of the nominees are women we’ve worked with before and others are women we hope to support more in the future. But what’s clear is that they all have a deep passion for what they do,” says Josh Medore, CFMV staff liaison for the Fund for Women & Girls. “The Mahoning Valley is lucky and honored to have this group of women call our community home.”
As a community-led fund, each donor to the Fund for Women & Girls has a say in how grants from the fund are awarded, while the Guiding Circle develops programs and events to support its mission. In May, the Fund awarded three grants to local organizations whose programs work directly with young women. For more information on the Fund for Women & Girls or to donate visit CFMV.org/fund-for-women-girls.