SitemapWe all know amazing women throughout the Mahoning Valley who have left an impact through their line of work. One local group is making sure outstanding women don't go unnoticed for their efforts in making the Valley a better place. The 'Gems of the Valley' is an event that returned this year to honor the best of the best in the area. "We get to honor a lot of women who don't get the recognition that they deserve and they're really the unsung heros," explained Jana Coffin with Fund for Women & Girls.
Five outstanding women were honored with the 'Gem of the Valley' award by the Fund for Women & Girls, a community-led fund at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. Out of dozens of candidates submitted, the fund's committee chose their top 5 candidates. Honorees were nominated by someone close to them for always going that extra mile. For the first time, the Fund for Women & Girls accepted nominations from the community as they seek wider input on who to recognize as a Gem of the Valley.
"After the success of our Microfunding Event earlier this summer, we knew it was important to bring back Gems of the Valley," Coffin added. "This event is our way of putting the spotlight on the work of incredible women to make the Mahoning Valley a better place."
The 2023 'Gems of the Valley' included Meghan DeGregory with Thrive 1010, Dee Traylor with Mercy Health, Jennifer Evans with YNDC, Allison Smith with Outreach Quilt and Artists Guild, and Daphne Carr on behalf of Lynn Anderson with Sustainable Youngstown.
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