Two of the 14 women from area businesses, organizations, and educational institutions to be honored at the 24th annual YWCA Princeton’s Tribute to Women awards dinner — Lyn Ransom and Anne Reeves — are leading forces in the arts in Princeton. The dinner will be held at the Hyatt Regency Princeton on Thursday, March 15.
The Tribute program was established nationally by the YWCA to honor women who have made significant contributions to their professions and community in executive, entrepreneurial, professional, educational, and elected roles. Until 2002, the program was known as Tribute to Women in Industry, or TWIN. Proceeds from this event benefit the YWCA Princeton and its programs.
Candidates are nominated by managers, colleagues, and peers in the workplace and in the community. Honorees were judged on criteria including academic achievement, professional responsibility, community service, demonstrated leadership, mentoring of others, ability to communicate ideas, special projects or accomplishments, and commitment to the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Lyn Ransom is the music director and conductor of VOICES Chorale, a non-profit community chorus founded in 1987. She also travels throughout the year presenting workshops and conference sessions on behalf of Music Together, an internationally recognized early childhood music program. A personal battle with breast cancer two years ago led her to develop Musical Journeys, a program for women with or survivors of breast cancer. Each 90-minute Monday morning class enables participants to use music to ease their pain and promote healing, both physically and mentally. Ransom holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, a master’s in music degree from the University of Michigan and a masters in arts from Eastern Michigan University, and a Doctor of musical arts from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Anne Reeves is the founding director of the Arts Council of Princeton, infusing the organization with her creative style for more than 20 years. During her tenure, she brought well-known figures such as Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee; Jackie Robinson’s widow, Rachel; and Marion Wright Edelman to Princeton, and organized an impressive collection of annual community events: Communiversity, Dining by Design, Curtain Calls, Christmas Eve caroling on the Nassau Inn’s green, Valentine workshops, several Latin American celebrations, and outdoor concerts.
Honorary chair of this year’s awards, and a past Tribute honoree herself, is Lawrenceville resident Eleanor Horne, vice president of the ETS Social Investment Fund. In addition to Ransom and Reeves, the 2007 honorees are Mary Gay Abbott-Young, chief executive officer, Rescue Mission of Trenton; Karen Baylor, cardiopulmonary technician, Princeton HealthCare System; Elizabeth A. Duffy, headmaster, the Lawrenceville School; Elizabeth Escalante, LEP (Limited English Proficiency) specialist, Capital Health System; Christine Jacobs, senior vice president of plant operations, NRG Energy; Claire Robinson Jacobus, president, Friends of the Princeton Public Library Council; Ida M. Lawrence, senior vice president of research and development, Educational Testing Service; Shauna McWoods, senior manager of strategic sourcing, Novo Nordisk; Michele Minter, director of development, Princeton University; Gail Ruderman, executive director, Bring the Outside World Inside; Becky Taylor, senior director of corporate communications, Bristol-Myers Squibb; and Shirley Turner, New Jersey State Senator, District 15.
Co-chairs of the Tribute program are Doreen T. Miri, principal of Jaguar Group in Princeton, and Karen A. Jezierny, director of public affairs for Princeton University.
YWCA Princeton Tribute to Women Annual Awards Dinner, Thursday, March 15, 5:15 p.m., Hyatt Regency Princeton, West Windsor. Register. $125. Call Diantha Allenby, 609-497-2100, extension 316.
