YWCA Greater Atlanta hosted its annual Salute to Women of Achievement on April 18, 2024. This event celebrates remarkable women who embody the YWCA mission and contribute significantly to the community. 

The luncheon was dedicated to recognizing the outstanding achievements of extraordinary women, showcasing their exemplary leadership and dedication to making a positive impact in Atlanta. The 2024 honorees included Paige Alexander, president and CEO of the Carter Center; Deisha Barnett, president of Global Communications for UPS; Julia Houston, chief strategy and marketing officer for Equifax; Kaye Husbands Fealings, assistant director of the National Science Foundation and former dean of Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College; Chanel Frazier, head of BlackRock Atlanta; Ayesha Khanna, managing director of CARE Enterprises; Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta; Gina Espinosa-Meltzer, CEO of Hope Beckham Espinosa; Maya Penn, CEO of Maya’s Ideas; and April Ross, executive director of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. 

In a touching tribute, this year’s surprise Woman of Achievement was named as Phillis Wheatley, in honor of the Collaboration in Action Campaign to renovate the Phillis Wheatley YWCA on Atlanta’s Westside. 

The event also served as a platform to highlight YWCA Greater Atlanta’s core programs, including the Early Learning Academy, Digital Skills Academy, EncorePLUS and Georgia Women’s Policy Institute. Through the inaugural Fund The Mission initiative, an impressive $140,885 was raised to support these essential programs, marking a significant milestone for the organization. 

The success of the event was further amplified by the generous contributions of sponsors, surpassing a total of $300,000. Delta Airlines was recognized as the 2024 Salute Heritage Sponsor, alongside corporate sponsors including The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power and Ann Stallard. Distinguished sponsors included The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Chick-fil-A Inc., Georgia Tech, Kaiser Permanente and Southwire. Affiliate sponsors Federal Home Loan Bank Atlanta and PNC, as well as community sponsors AT&T, Blackrock, Equifax, Georgia Pacific, Hope-Beckham-Espinosa Inc., Imara Aids Healthcare Foundation, Bari and Russell Love, Marriott Marquis, SouthState Bank, Truist, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, and Andrew and Carolyn Young, played pivotal roles in the event’s success. 

YWCA Greater Atlanta extends its deepest gratitude to all sponsors, supporters and attendees who helped make the 2024 Salute to Women of Achievement an unforgettable event celebrating the remarkable achievements of women in Atlanta.