In honor of Women’s History Month, the City of Yonkers is accepting nominations for its annual “Women of Distinction” Award. The award celebrates women who have made positive contributions to the Yonkers community.
Earlier today, Mayor Mike Spano announced the call for nominations to commemorate local women who have benefitted the lives of fellow Yonkersites.
“Many of our women in Yonkers are our community leaders, educators and agents of social change,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “I encourage our Yonkers residents to nominate the heroes in their lives for our Women of Distinction Award.”
Yonkers’ History of Distinguished Women
Many notable women hail from Yonkers, and their impact on their region continues to be felt. Mary J. Blige, the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”, grew up in the Schlobohm Housing Projects. Before going on to win 9 Grammy Awards and 12 NAACP Image Awards, she was a member of Pride, a local Yonkers band.
Ella Fitzgerald, another local talent, was known as the “First Lady of Song”. She got her start singing at Yonkers’ Bethany African Methodist Episcopal Church before reaching worldwide acclaim and achieving 14 Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Medal of Arts.
Edith P. Welty, Yonkers’ first and only female mayor, took office in 1949 after incumbent mayor Curtiss E. Frank resigned near the end of his term. After being elected to five two-year terms on Yonkers City Council, she served as mayor for only four months—but her time on council left an impression of her steadfast service to the Yonkers community.
Nominations Now Open
Women of Distinction nominations can be submitted to https://www.yonkersny.gov/ by Wednesday, March 15th, 2023. The awards presentation will take place on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00 pm at Yonkers City Hall (Ceremonial Courtroom, 4th Floor).
Winners are selected by the Mayor and the Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Board. Recipients will be notified on Friday, March 17th.
