[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Oct. 19 and 20 at the Omni William Penn Hotel, there was a celebration of the 15-year legacy of the late Commander Gwen Elliott. In 2002, Gwen’s Girls was created. It’s a non-profit organization that has worked for 15 years to empower girls and young women to have productive lives through gender specific programs, education and unique experiences.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”528″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]DEDICATED SERVICE—Cecelia Coleman, Denise McGill-Delaney and Lea Thomas[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”529″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]2017 HONOREES—Lynn Hannon, Kristy Trautmann, Natalia Rudiak and Judy Hannon[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”527″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]ENJOYING THE RECEPTION—Toni Silva, Kathi Elliott and Kalisha Dessources[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]With Dr. Kathi Elliott, who is Gwen’s daughter and Executive Director of Gwen’s Girls, there was a celebration of the accomplishments of the organization. None of which would have been possible without the vision and leadership of the founder Gwen Elliott. Dr. Kathi Elliott said they were excited to commemorate their accomplishments by celebrating those who have contributed to their mission.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”535″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]REMEMBERING GWEN ELLIOTT—Cecile Springer (Photos by Debbie Norrell)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”536″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]PRE-DINNER CHAT—Dr. Kathi Elliott and
David Goldman[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner el_class=”blog-inner-page-cell-text” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”537″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]THE EMCEE FOR THE EVENING—Lynne Hayes-Freeland[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]During the award dinner the contributions of their founding executive director Lynn Knezevish, FISA Foundation Executive Director Kristy Trautmann, Gwen’s Girls Volunteer Judy Hannon, City of Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natlia Rudiak and The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Links, Inc. were celebrated. Cecile Springer, award dinner honorary chair, and Judge Kim Berkeley Clark spoke about how their lives had been touched by Gwen Elliott. There was also a special recognition to three employees who have been with Gwen’s Girls since the very beginning: Denise McGill–Delaney, Cecelia Coleman and Lea Thomas.
The awards dinner was part one of what is now a two-part event. On Oct. 20 also at the Omni William Penn Hotel the Second Annual Equity Summit was held in collaboration with Black Girls Equity Alliance and University of Pittsburgh. Kalisha Dessources, Director, National Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives and former Policy Advisor to the Obama White House Council on Women and Girls served as the Equity Summit Keynote Speaker. Day two consisted of breakout sessions that focused on education, juvenile justice, health & wellness and child welfare.
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