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Posted On: October 29th 2026, 08:49 pm
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For 10 years, @ywcalancaster has brought women together to recognize those making a difference throughout Lancaster County. This year’s Women of Achievement Awards celebrated that milestone while honoring CEO Stacie Blake at her final ceremony before she steps down in January.
The celebration welcomed past and present honorees. Since the awards began in 2017, 44 women have been recognized, with five more joining them this year.
The 2026 honorees included Dr. Ada Emuwa, a family physician and advocate for health equity; Heather Valudes, president and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber; Lakeesha Bair-Myers, a school social worker at Reynolds Middle School; and Patricia Espinosa-Vargas, director of PA 211 East at United Way of Lancaster County. Andrea Fox Lewis, a student @thaddeusstevenscollege, received the Young Woman of Achievement Award.
For Stacie, the afternoon was especially meaningful as she prepares to conclude seven years leading YWCA Lancaster. During her tenure, the organization established its Center for Racial and Gender Equity, introduced programs supporting Black artists and advanced the YForward renovation of its historic building.
The recently completed third phase of the project added 17 residential rooms for women with extremely low incomes. The investment supports YWCA Lancaster’s longstanding commitment to housing, including its Kepler Hall Residence Program, which provides affordable housing for single women and emergency shelter for single parents with children.
As she prepares for her departure, Stacie credited the organization’s accomplishments to the staff and community members who have supported its work. The celebration introduced Willonda McCloud, who will succeed Stacie as CEO in January.
As past and present honorees gathered around Stacie onstage, the celebration offered a reminder of what 10 years of Women of Achievement represents. Behind each recognition are countless people whose lives have been touched by the women being honored. And as Stacie prepares to step away from YWCA Lancaster, the work she helped advance will continue through the people and community she has spent seven years supporting
#lancasterpa #supportlocal
The celebration welcomed past and present honorees. Since the awards began in 2017, 44 women have been recognized, with five more joining them this year.
The 2026 honorees included Dr. Ada Emuwa, a family physician and advocate for health equity; Heather Valudes, president and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber; Lakeesha Bair-Myers, a school social worker at Reynolds Middle School; and Patricia Espinosa-Vargas, director of PA 211 East at United Way of Lancaster County. Andrea Fox Lewis, a student @thaddeusstevenscollege, received the Young Woman of Achievement Award.
For Stacie, the afternoon was especially meaningful as she prepares to conclude seven years leading YWCA Lancaster. During her tenure, the organization established its Center for Racial and Gender Equity, introduced programs supporting Black artists and advanced the YForward renovation of its historic building.
The recently completed third phase of the project added 17 residential rooms for women with extremely low incomes. The investment supports YWCA Lancaster’s longstanding commitment to housing, including its Kepler Hall Residence Program, which provides affordable housing for single women and emergency shelter for single parents with children.
As she prepares for her departure, Stacie credited the organization’s accomplishments to the staff and community members who have supported its work. The celebration introduced Willonda McCloud, who will succeed Stacie as CEO in January.
As past and present honorees gathered around Stacie onstage, the celebration offered a reminder of what 10 years of Women of Achievement represents. Behind each recognition are countless people whose lives have been touched by the women being honored. And as Stacie prepares to step away from YWCA Lancaster, the work she helped advance will continue through the people and community she has spent seven years supporting
#lancasterpa #supportlocal
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