YWCA Evanston/North Shore to honor retiring CEO at YWomen leadership celebration
YWCA Evanston/North Shore will honor 18 years of deepened impact under the leadership of retiring CEO, Karen Singer, at its annual YWomen leadership celebration on October 15 in Evanston.YWomen is back in person after a two-year pause due to the pandemic. This year’s event will recognize Singer, who will retire from her role this year after almost two decades at the helm of the YWCA, whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.During Singer’s tenure, the YWCA experienced tremendous growth and successes, including the creation of new program areas in racial equity and women’s economic advancement; two local social enterprises (YWCA Shop for Good and Crowded Closet); Bridges longer-term housing; the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate; MacKenzie Scott’s unrestricted $9 million gift; and the completion of an $18.5 million capital campaign to renovate the campus and increase the number of people served by the organization.“This year’s YWomen event is special in so many ways. It will allow us to come together in person to celebrate our campus expansion, deepened impact in the community, and Karen’s remarkable leadership,” said Kathy Slaughter, YWCA Evanston/North Shore's chief development officer. “We are excited to host YWomen in Evanston, where we are rooted, as we reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and envision the future of YWCA.”The event, which includes dinner, a film presentation by filmmaker Susan Hope Engel, and a special tribute, will be held at Palmhouse, 619 Howard Street in Evanston. To learn more and purchase tickets, go to www.ywca-ens.org/ywomen/ or call the YWCA at 847-864-8445.YWomen was created by YWCA Evanston/North Shore in 2008 to recognize, support and promote women’s leadership and the impact women have in bringing social change and racial justice to our local communities.Thermoflex is a presenting sponsor of this year’s event. Other sponsors include Allstate, Hagerty Consulting, and Evanston Community Bank and Trust -- a Wintrust Community Bank.