PRESS RELEASE
September 18, 2015
Contact: Hilary Robertson
hilary@wfandco.com
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Former Utah Governor Olene Walker will be presented with the Mary Schubach McCarthey Lifetime Achievement Award at the YWCA’s 27th Annual LeaderLuncheon on Friday, September 25, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Grand America Hotel.
Former Governor Walker will be recognized for her leadership and the influential role she has played in enhancing the lives of Utah women and children.
“We are privileged to present Former Governor Olene Walker with this award,” says YWCA CEO, Anne Burkholder. “Governor Walker is a trailblazer, not only because she was the first female governor of Utah but also because of her many initiatives and accomplishments in public life. These include championing child care for working families, health insurance coverage for children, education for women, and affordable housing for all, as well as sponsoring successful legislation to form Utah’s Rainy Day Fund. She is an extraordinary public servant whose example will inspire women for generations to come.”
The luncheon will feature keynote speaker Laura Ling, an award-winning journalist and web and TV host who was arrested and held captive for 140 days after attempting to report on the trafficking of North Korean women.
YWCA Utah will also honor four other women with Outstanding Achievement Awards.
“We are delighted to honor the accomplishments of these remarkable women,” says Burkholder. “These women have excelled in their fields, gained the respect of their peers, persevered and grown through professional and personal challenges, inspired and empowered other women and girls—and exemplified the YWCA mission.”
Women receiving these awards include:
Peggy Tomsic – Law
Peggy is a partner at Magleby & Greenwood where she specializes in complex commercial litigation in federal and state court. Tomsic won one of the largest Utah jury verdicts – over $133 million – and was lead counsel in Kitchen v Herbert, the case that brought marriage equality to Utah. Prior to practicing, Tomsic was an adjunct professor at the Utah College of Law for seven years.
Linda Leckman – Medicine/Health
Linda is the vice president of Intermountain Healthcare and chief executive officer of the Intermountain Medical Group, a group focused on improving the health and well-being of patients by practicing evidence-based medicine, treating people with care and compassion and working with the Intermountain Healthcare system to help people live the healthiest lives possible.
Carolyn Goodwin Schubach – Education
Carolyn has been a Utah educator for 44 years, serving as a teacher, principal, director of the Utah Principals Academy and as the director of district curriculum. Most recently Schubach has served as the director of Dual Language and Advanced Learning Programs for Granite School District, working with dual language immersion programs statewide to provide language learning and global understanding to thousands of Utah students.
Rosemarie Hunter – Community Service
Rosemarie is an associate professor at the College of Social Work at the University of Utah and program director for the Bridging Border partnership, an annual “Train the Trainer” program that engages student and faculty in working with communities living in refugee camps along the Thailand/Myanmar border. Hunter also works with University Neighborhood Partners, located on Salt Lake City’s west side.
The YWCA LeaderLuncheon is an annual event attended by over one thousand community leaders, business leaders, non-profit representatives and volunteers who come together to recognize outstanding Utah women who excel in their fields and live the YWCA’s mission of empowering women.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the YWCA’s programs and services to advance the well-being of Utah women and their families. Tickets for the event are $65.00 for YWCA members and $75 for non-members and can be purchased online at www.ywca.com.
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About the YWCA
Since 1906 the YWCA Utah has advanced the well-being of women in key dimensions of their lives through direct programming, education, and advocacy designed to encourage their aspirations, protect their rights, and meet their changing needs. The YWCA’s enduring belief has been that better lives for all women lead to stronger families and communities. Current direct programming focuses on violence against women, early childhood education, and women’s leadership development. Current research, education, and advocacy and public policy efforts focus on developing the new Utah Women’s Well-Being Initiative, which began in 2014 with the publication of The Well-Being of Women in Utah: An Overview, in partnership with IWPR. For more information visit www.ywca.com