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Ohio University Lancaster is thrilled to announce that its Celebrate Women committee has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Diversity Champion Award by the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by Pickerington Magazine, this award was presented during the special annual awards ceremony held at the Wigwam Event Center on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
This award recognizes the exceptional efforts of the Celebrate Women steering committee in organizing impactful events that promote diversity and inclusiveness. The 2024 Celebrate Women team included Co-Chairs Pamela Kaylor and Candice Thomas-Maddox, and Steering Committee members Cathleen Battiste-Presutti, Cenell Boch (President & Founder of C&C Wellness Inc.), Sarah Bogdewiecz, Judy Carey Nevin, Jaime Cox, Shiela Daniels, Amber Landis, Rebecca Petty, B. Kreig Prior, Angela Richcreek, and Brooklyn Stallworth.
The Diversity Champion Award celebrates area businesses, organizations, and institutions that actively foster greater appreciation, advancement, and celebration of diversity and inclusiveness within the Pickerington/Violet Township community. Nominees must be members in good standing of the Pickerington Area Chamber.
For the past 18 years, Celebrate Women has provided community and business leaders, campus and community members, and students with opportunities to learn, share ideas and network. The purpose of Celebrate Women is to encourage and enhance gender equity by honoring the past, present and potential accomplishments of women from diverse ages, ethnicities and backgrounds through education, enlightenment and inspiration.
Returning to a sold-out crowd of more than 440 participants for the second consecutive year, Celebrate Women 2024, held on the Ohio University Lancaster campus , centered on the theme of “Dream, Dare, Deliver: Expanding our Mindset.” This theme encapsulated the journey towards empowerment and achievement, reflecting the essence of mindset—a set of attitudes and beliefs that shape how we perceive ourselves, our capabilities and the world around us.
The event featured a keynote address by NASA Flight Chief Allison Bollinger and included more than 35 speakers covering a wide array of topics such as mental health, women in STEM, work-life balance, leadership skills, stress minimization, art and politics. Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez also attended and delivered an inspiring speech at the luncheon.
“We are deeply honored to receive the 2024 Diversity Champion Award,” said Dr. Pam Kaylor and Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox, co-chairs of the Celebrate Women committee. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team and the support of the Ohio University Lancaster community. The first year (2006) the theme was ‘Embracing Diversity’ and we remain committed to maintaining a foundation of promoting diversity and inclusiveness through our events and initiatives.”
Looking ahead, Celebrate Women 2025 is slated for Friday, March 21, 2025, at Ohio University Lancaster. This event, planned in conjunction with National Women’s History Month, will continue its tradition of fostering an inclusive environment and celebrating the accomplishments of women from diverse backgrounds.
For more information about Celebrate Women 2025 and to stay updated on event details, please visit ohio.edu/celebrate-women.