Women's Hall of Fame

Women's Hall of Fame

Womens Hall of Fame generic

The League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown is excited to celebrate women who have empowered, educated, engaged, and advocated for the people in our Valley; who made an enduring local impact; and have fought to uphold the values of our democracy.

Specifically, women considered for the Hall of Fame are those who make significant contributions in Empowering Voters, Strengthening Democracy, or Building Community in one or more of the following categories: 
  •   Encouraging informed and active participation in civic life
  •   Protection of voter rights
  •   Addressing structural problems in democracy  (e.g., gerrymandering) 
  •   Non-partisan voter education 
  •   Increasing understanding of public policy issues 
  •   Creating opportunities so all can achieve their potential
  •   Ensuring community safety
  •   Promoting community health

A ceremony honoring these outstanding women takes place in March during Women's History Month. The women are also recognized on the League's Social Media during the month of March.

The 2026 Women's Hall of Fame will be held on March 19, 2026

To purchase tickets to the Women's Hall of Fame, click here: https://square.link/u/u9O4mE6j

To find out about sponsorship opportunities. please contact us:
By phone - (330) 779-1664 
By e-mail - lwgyo [at] gmail.com
Or click here: https://square.link/u/4jMNVSFr

To nominate a deserving candidate, click here: https://forms.gle/JkzACbihED84XHbu8

Past Honorees and Inductees

2025 

Carole Safier Weimer
Dr. Cryshanna Jackson Leftwich
Dr. Traci Hostetler
Honeye Price
Tina Chance
Debbie McBride Woodford
JoAnn Johntony (posthumously)

Distinguished Service Award

Former Chief Justice of Ohio Supreme Court Maureen O'Connor

2024

Paige Fortner
Kathie Chaffee Gaige
Shari Harrell
Lisa Resnick
Dr. Alexis Smith
Ra'Cole Taltoan
Samie Winick

2023

Nominees

Anne Harpman
Roxann Sebest
Sarah Grinstein Wilschek

Honorees

Suzanne Barbati
Bonnie Deutsch Burdman
Lashale Pugh
Vickie Vicars

Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Amy Acton

2022

Nominees

Kim Akins
Marcy Angelo
Leigh Greene
Dawn Turnage
Cassandra Valentini

Inductees 

Dionne Dowdy
Gwendolyn Fish
Dr. Kellie Kirksey
Leah Sakacs

2021

Susie Beiersdorfer
Sophia Buggs
Deborah Cunningham
Stephanie Gilchrirst
Shay Kahani
Becky Keck
Shannon Lehn
Sarah Lowry
Leah Merritt
Lisa Ramsey
Denise Rising
Patricia Sweeney

2019

Reverend Gayle Catinella
Dorothy Kane
Sister Ann McManamon
Mildred Delgado Pierce

2018

Elder Rosetta Carter
Lola Armanda Simmons
Judith Stanger

2017

Norma Coe Anderson
Jaladah Aslam
Barbara Brothers
Monica Craven
Marion Gillette
Mary Lour Reyes
Carol Rimedio Righetti

2016

Detrinalyn Benson
Joyce Kale-Pesta
Suzyn Schwebel Epstein
Cheryl L. Waite
Penny Wells