Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Salute to Women in Leadership Gala

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis honored some distinguished women on the local and national level at the 12th Annual Salute to Women in Leadership Gala, Friday, June 19, 2015, the Renaissance Grand Hotel. The blacktie reception began at 5:30 PM with the dinner and awards ceremony immediately following.

The Salute to Women in Leadership Gala originated nearly 11 years ago by Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League, when he served as Chairman of Board of the St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation. To date, over 100 women across various professions have received this award

“We are proud to recognize women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve their communities. The Urban League is proud to give recognition to outstanding women who embody the mission of our organization to help create opportunities for disadvantaged and overlooked individuals and communities,” McMillan declared.

This year’s festivities honored these remarkable women: Amie Needham, Civic Leadership; ‘Angela Winbush, Lifetime Achievement; Brenda Walker McCain, Urban League CEO of the Year; Cheryl Miller, Lifetime Achievement; Deborah Catchings-Smith, Civic Leadership; Denise Turner, Urban League Guild Member of the Year; Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Educational Leadership; Hazel Mallory, Employee of the Year; Mary Ann Wagner, Media Leadership; Mary Harper Thomas, Civic Leadership; Marylen Mann, Civic Leadership; Rebeccah Bennett, Civic Leadership; Gloria Hernden, Civic Leadership; and Rev. Traci Blackmon, Civic Leadership.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis exists to empower African Americans and others throughout the region in securing economic self-reliance, social equality, and civil rights. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis,Inc. takes a holistic approach to economic empowerment and self sufficiency. Through community programs in three counties across the bi-state region, it helps its clients to climb out of poverty by helping them to find economic opportunity, providing educational excellence and community empowerment, and encouraging civil rights and advocacy.

The League’s Community Empowerment Initiative serves clients in need with food, clothing and other life necessities while strengthening families and helping people become self-sufficient. The Education Excellence Initiative encourages and enables participants to apply learning to everyday situations, to embrace technology and to achieve academic excellence. The Economic Opportunity Initiative provides resources to strengthen individuals, families, and communities by improving and climbing the economic “ladder” to a better quality of life..