Ywca Honors The Women Who Built Habitat Housing

Fri., Nov. 17, 1995

Putsata Reang Staff writer

Consider it a big “thank you” to the women leaders of Spokane - and consider hundreds of people gathering in one spot to say it.

About 500 people came together Thursday in Spokane’s Crescent Court for the 14th annual YWCA Leader Lunch. The event is the only one of its kind that recognizes the city’s outstanding women.

“We’ve moved forward from just encouraging women to consider wider career options to recognizing the positive role models we have here,” said Joanne Shiosaki, who helped organize the event.

Since the event’s inception in 1982, the YWCA has recognized 89 women.

The Leader Lunch committee broke tradition this year by honoring a group of women in one category rather than individual leaders.

About 800 women who contributed $100 each and volunteered at least one day of labor in Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s House Project were recognized for building a duplex.

The YWCA receives about 60 nominations each year. The committee begins planning as early as August, said Sally Pritchard, YWCA president.

“I see this as a gift of the YWCA, this opportunity for people to come together, and honor women, and the various worlds in which they operate and provide vision,” Pritchard said. “It reminds us all of what’s important.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: YWCA HONOREES Those honored were: Shayna Silverstein, young woman of achievement. Silverstein, a 4.0 student at Lewis and Clark High School, plays the violin with the Spokane Youth Orchestra and dances with the Theatre Ballet of Spokane. Peggy Goodner Tan, art and culture. Tan founded the Ballet Arts Academy, served as director of the Spokane Ballet School, and founded the Theatre Ballet of Spokane. Bobbi Johnson, business. Johnson is president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest. She volunteers at the Spokane Chamber of Commerce and on a school advisory committee. Donna M. Hanson, community service. Hanson volunteers at the Catholic Diocese, and with groups advocating for women and children. In 1995, Hanson received the highest honor for lay members of the Catholic Church. Margaret Ross Thrailkill, education. Ross has been involved in education and business for more than 30 years, particularly at the Community Colleges of Spokane. She is involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA domestic violence program, and the Friends of the Library. Nancy Fike, government. Fike served as past president of the Spokane School Board. She is a Junior League of Spokane sustaining member and has worked with the Chase Youth Commission and the YMCA board of directors. Dr. Joan Craig, health care. Craig was one of Spokane’s first woman physicians. She helped establish the Sacred Heart Cancer and Research Center and has been a leader in a program for screening mammograms for local and rural underserved women. The Women’s House Project, community activism. Eight hundred women contributed more than 500 hours of work to help build an affordable duplex for two families.

This sidebar appeared with the story: YWCA HONOREES Those honored were: Shayna Silverstein, young woman of achievement. Silverstein, a 4.0 student at Lewis and Clark High School, plays the violin with the Spokane Youth Orchestra and dances with the Theatre Ballet of Spokane. Peggy Goodner Tan, art and culture. Tan founded the Ballet Arts Academy, served as director of the Spokane Ballet School, and founded the Theatre Ballet of Spokane. Bobbi Johnson, business. Johnson is president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest. She volunteers at the Spokane Chamber of Commerce and on a school advisory committee. Donna M. Hanson, community service. Hanson volunteers at the Catholic Diocese, and with groups advocating for women and children. In 1995, Hanson received the highest honor for lay members of the Catholic Church. Margaret Ross Thrailkill, education. Ross has been involved in education and business for more than 30 years, particularly at the Community Colleges of Spokane. She is involved in the Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA domestic violence program, and the Friends of the Library. Nancy Fike, government. Fike served as past president of the Spokane School Board. She is a Junior League of Spokane sustaining member and has worked with the Chase Youth Commission and the YMCA board of directors. Dr. Joan Craig, health care. Craig was one of Spokane’s first woman physicians. She helped establish the Sacred Heart Cancer and Research Center and has been a leader in a program for screening mammograms for local and rural underserved women. The Women’s House Project, community activism. Eight hundred women contributed more than 500 hours of work to help build an affordable duplex for two families.