YWCA Greater Lafayette welcomes you to the 52nd Annual
The Stables Event Center March 5th, 2026
Tonight’s Events
WELCOME Erika Steuterman & Karen Cooperider
MIILITARY HONORS Erika Steuterman
RECOGNITIONS Karen Cooperider
DINNER
INTRODUCTION Bailey Medley, Board Chair
BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC (HONORING 3 PAST SALUTE WINNERS) Audrey Johnson
HONOREE’S AWARDS Raquel Lopez, Emcee & Sue Scott, Emcee
CLOSING REMARKS & ANNOUNCEMENT OF PEONY GARDEN Lindsey Mickler, CEO & President
Sophia Betz is a senior at McCutcheon High School who is deeply involved in both her school and community. She participates in several clubs and activities, including Students in Action and Academic Spell Bowl, and has worked on the crew for all her school’s plays and musicals. Sophia is an active community volunteer and has been involved in Girl Scouts and 4-H from a young age. She is passionate about giving back and takes pride in staying engaged and contributing wherever she can.
Audra May is an elite coach and the Owner of Accelerated Fastpitch Academy, where she has spent over a decade developing high-performing athletes and strong leaders. Holding a master’s degree in teaching, she blends elite sports performance with purposeful mentorship to build confident, disciplined, and resilient youth athletes. A proud wife and mother, Audra leads with both strength and heart, modeling excellence, balance, and integrity in every role she serves. Her mission is to empower the next generation to lead boldly, believe deeply in themselves, and step fully into their potential — on the field, in leadership, and in life.
Amanda Findlay is a community builder and nonprofit leader deeply invested in creating opportunity, belonging, and access in Greater Lafayette. As executive director of MatchBOX Studios, she has dedicated her career to expanding access to entrepreneurship, education, and shared resources, particularly for women, first-generation founders, and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Amanda’s leadership is rooted in volunteerism and civic engagement, including board service supporting women and students, arts and culture, healthcare, and downtown revitalization. Through scholarship design, inclusive program development, and community advocacy, she has helped hundreds of individuals launch and grow businesses, strengthening hyper-local economies and a more equitable future for the region.
Shireen Hafeez is the founder of Deaf Kids Code, a national nonprofit that has worked with over 16,000 individuals in more than 60 locations. Driven by her son’s diagnosis, she advocates for Deaf children, using computer science, engineering, technology, and design thinking to promote economic and authentic equity. She has served on the National Advisory Board of the NSF INCLUDES Alliance (STEM TAPDINTO), the national board of Ablr 360, and is part of the DEI Task Force of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Shireen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Purdue University. She is a TEDx speaker and a big supporter of artists in the disability community.
Lindsay Mputubwele was born and raised in Tippecanoe County and currently lives in West Lafayette with her husband and their four sons. She is a certified childbirth educator and birth doula and serves as the Executive Director of Transformed Birth Services. She is deeply passionate about improving maternal health outcomes and supporting families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Tracy Orbin is a nonprofit leader and community advocate based in West Lafayette, Indiana. She works across the nonprofit, education, and real estate sectors in Tippecanoe County, helping individuals and families access essential programs, services, and stable housing through grant support and community partnerships. Each role she has held has strengthened her leadership and broadened her impact. As a survivor of domestic violence, her commitment to service is deeply personal and rooted in advocacy, awareness, and access. In 2023, she founded The GNOME Project, Inc., supporting youth education through mobile libraries and childcare assistance. Tracy is driven by family, purpose, and community equity.
Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Richards is a professor and head of the School of Nursing at Purdue University. Her work bridges research, education, and community impact, with a focus on health behavior change and physical activity promotion. She widely disseminates health education about the importance of vaccinations, flu prevention, and physical activity promotion. She has reached audiences through print sources such as The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, CNN, and The Washington Post. Her online presence has wide public reach with articles regarding the importance of vaccination and physical activity promotion in The Conversation surpassing 2.5 million readers. She received her PhD in Public Health promotion from Purdue University (Health & Kinesiology), her MSN in community health nursing from Indiana University, and her BSN from University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, IN.
Marie Morse has been with Homestead Resources since 1985 and Executive Director since 2007. Marie has overseen the development of several housing projects, most recently the Jeffersonian, obtained certification as a Community Development Financial Institute agency and a local HUD housing counseling agency. She initiated a small dollar lending program to help families access affordable lending. She serves on the Board of Director’s for Prosperity Indiana and on two of their steering committees. She serves on the steering committee of the United Way Housing Stability Task Force and is a member of the CRA Advisory Board of First Merchants Bank.
A Legacy of Excellence
The first Salute to Women awards dinner was held on March 15, 1974. Realizing that the local community lacked an environment of support for women and that many women were not being recognized for their achievements, the Lafayette Women’s Political Caucus conceived the idea of a Salute to Women awards dinner. The Purdue Women’s Caucus joined in as a sponsor.
During its first two and a half decades, the Salute to Women program was coordinated by several local women’s organizations: the Lafayette Women’s Political Caucus, the Purdue Women’s Caucus, the American Association of University Women, Lafayette Business and Professional Women, the Lafayette Altrusa Club, the Association for Women in Communications, the American Business Women’s Association, the Association of Women Business Owners, and YWCA Greater Lafayette.
YWCA Greater Lafayette became the sole sponsoring organization in 2000. Salute to Women remains integral to YWCA, bringing focus to empowered women who model a variety of ways to lead, add value to our community, and improve the lives of others.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
YWCA Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for Greater Lafayette.
2025 – 2026 Officers
Bailey Medley
Chair
Jenna Winger
Vice Chair
Ebony Gilbert
Secretary
Vannessa Farmer
Treasurer
Jennifer Layton Board Development Chair
Michelle Brantley
Julie Camp
Dr. Deep Battu
Kenitra Hendrix
Kevin Nading
Kaweme Ng’andwe
Mary Busayo Oluyemi
Lindsey Mickler (ex officio)
YWCA Foundation Board of Directors
2025 – 2026 Officers
Hilary Butler
President
Wilber Alberto
Treasurer
Rachel Cheeseman
Secretary
Morgan Bonifazi
Laura Hess
Jeff Love
Linda Sorensen
Elizabeth Thompson
Bailey Medley (ex officio)
YWCA Association Board Chair
Lindsey Mickler (ex officio)
YWCA Greater Lafayette President & CEO
Salute Steering Committee
Erika Steuterman
Karen Beasley
Raquel Lopez
Tanuja Sheth
Ali Cahoon
Olivia Carmin
Bailey Medley
Sue Scot
Salute to Women Honorees
(1974 - 2025)
MARY KELLER ADE, MD WOMAN OF WISDOM
Mary Keller Ade
Barbara Cook
Maxine Wilson
Dorothy Mennen
Gwen Daniel
Barbara L. Masterson
Jeanette W. Nelson
Joyce Provo
Maggi Ingleman
Linda S. Cohen
Anne-Marie Egan
Cicely Ward
Linda M. Sorensen
Betty Reed
Barbara Reif
Dr. Leah H. Jamieson
Leta Kelley
Mary Jo Sparrow
Mary Alice Nebold
Carolyn Jones
Patricia Short
Sally Watlington
Grayce Lechtenberg
Sallie Dell Fahey
Grayce Lechtenberg
Dorothy Reed
Adelia Sorge
Sallie Dell Fahey
Rose Hillard
Eileen Hession Weiss
WOMAN OF PROMISE
Mindy Thacker
Ebba Gebisa
Jessica Gall
Katie Ly
Alison Steele
Emily Bristow
Judith Asem
Kristy Blair
Courtney Murtaugh
Mary Busayo Oluyemi
Mercy Orukpe Moses
WOMAN OF INNOVATION
Kat Braz
Karah Rawlings
Stephanie Knoth
Maricela Alvarado
Angela Tamer
Jamie Proffitt
Tenecia S. Waddell
Toyinda Wilson-Long
Melissa Gruver
Clara Cordova Montejo
Amanda McNeff
Vanessa Pacheco
Amanda Balser
Khala Hochstedler
Devon Moore
RISING STAR
Trinity Gilbert
Evelyn (Evie) Shepler
WOMAN OF DISTINCTION
Verna Abe
Florence Adibou
Pennie Ainsworth
DaVida Anderson
Sylvia Anderson
Nancy Allman
Mary Ilu Altman
Lorie Amick
Jean Andres
Mary Anthrop
Lifcha Apler
Alice Arthur
Paula Baitinger
Beth Bangs
Marion Barber
Ebony Barrett
Agnes Bass
Naomi Beck
Allison Beggs
Cathy Benner
Sarah Bender
Phyllis Boehning
Irene Bolin
Betty Bolyard
Sana Booker
Janet Boston
Jane Boswell
Linda Bowman
Betty Boyer
Felice Bray
Mildred Breen
Pat Braun
JoAnn Brouillette
Susan Brouillette
CJ Brown
Sarah S. Brown
Cherrie Buckley
Katy Bunder
Patrice Buzzanell
Helena Byers
Sally Byrn
Brenda Campbell
Kitty Campbell
Elizabeth Carpenter
Susan Carr
Ruth Cavanaugh
Jane Chandler
Susan Chavers
Marcia Cherry
Martha Chiscon
Nancy Christmas
Barbara Clark
Helen Clark
Valerie Clark
Cynthia Clingner
Christa Coffey
Joni Comstock
Julie Ann Conlon
Susie Conrad
Harriet Coppoc
Marie Corley
Martha Cox
Louise Crooks
Nancy Cross
Mary Cutler
Pamela K. Dahnke
Kathy Dale
Carol Davidson
Ruth Davidson
Paula Davis
Roberta Deagan
Anne DeCamp
Kathy Delaney
Carol Dewey
Tracy Dodds
Sally Dodds Combs
Elizabeth Doversberger
Sally Downham Miller
Johanna Downie
Lyn Doyle
Sharon Dressen-McKnight
Peg Dunkle
Lin Dunn
Shirley Eads
Fay Ebrite
Regan Eckstein
Loraine Edwards
Marge Ehresman
Sue Eiler
Zenephia E. Evans
Carolyn Featherstone
Evelyn Felker
Angie Ferguson
Sharon Fletcher
Aggie Floyd
Lynn Layden
Julia Leahy
Tetia Lee
Natalie Leimkuhler
Lucie Lévy
Joan Long
Stephanie Long
Mayda Low
Shelley Lowenberg-DeBoer
Jaime Malenchik
Mary Mann
Inge Maresh
Sonya Margerum
Cindy Marion
Roberta Marks
Fern Martin
Sharon Martin
Lucille Mason
June Mathews Stuckey
Kathy Matter
Kathy Mayer
Alice Mayerstein
Carolyn Mayes
Marie L. McCorkle
Susan McCully
Harriett E. McDowell
Sherry McLauchlan
Deanna McMillan
D. J. McPherson
Kristen McVey
Hanna Meissner
Carol Mertler
Lorna Meyers
Betty Michael
Patricia Millard
JoAnn Rita Miller
Pamela Mow
Mary Jane Mowle
Toni Munguia
Aida Muñoz
Leticia Muñoz
Cindy Murray
Virginia Nead
Barbara A. Nelson
Betty M. Nelson
Mariellen M. Neudeck
Tammi J. Nice
Jane Nichols
Kimber Nicoletti
Kathy Nimmer
Jeanne Norberg
Patti O’Callaghan
June Ogborn
Christine O’Hara
Carina Olaru
Donna Osborn
Peggy Owen
Judith Painter
Penny Parmenter
Grace Paton
Venetria Patton
Susan Peak
Sandra Pearlman
Carolyn Pearson
Sandra Peticolas
Juanita H. Pollock
Julie Pope
Cathy Potter
Sarah Powley
Carol Price
Jo-Ann Price
Cara Putman
Sujatha Ramani
Mary Reece
Betty Reed
Sue M. Reser
Eleanor Riggs
Margret G. Robb
Natalia Rodriguez
Linda Rohrman
Erica Rose
Betty J. Rowe
Willie Jean Ruppert
Loretta Rush
Helen B. Schleman
Sue Scholer
Martha Schrader
Sarah Schwarz
Ashley Scott
Sue Scott
LaVaughn T. Semmes
Linda Sharp
Ruth E. Shedd
Diane Sheehan
Christine Sheetz
Pauline Shen
Judith Shook
Mary Pat Siczek
Mary Frances Smith
Christy Smith
Julie Smith
Kathy Smith
Susan Snyder
Elizabeth Solberg
Frances M. Stafford
Elaine Stahl
Lori Stein Sabol
Cassandra Salazar
Megan Shupe
Patricia Stephenson
Erika Steuterman
Maxine Stevens
Libbie Stoddard
Charlene F. Stone
Beverley Stone
Leota Storms
Janet Stroud
Linda Stump
Mary E. Sturgeon
Patricia Foerg
Thometra Foster
Mary Ruth Fouts
Patti Frist
Phyllis Fry
Mary E. Fuqua
Jean Gamble
Frances Gaylord
LaNelle E. Geddes
Nola Gentry
Rose George
Katherine Gertzen
Kathleen Gibson
Melinda Gilbert
Mildred Gillespie
Ebony Gilbert
Annette C. Goben
Iris Goldfeder
Dr. Irene Gordon
Marge Gosney
Louise Grier
Marge Griffith
Gail Gripe
Mida Grover
Debra Hafenbridle
Judy Hall
Sarah Hallberg
Margaret Hand
Sadie Harper-Scott
Mary G. Hart
Persis Haas Newman
Helen Hayden
Susan Orr Henderson
Nancee Hetrick
Barb Hickner
Regina Todd Hicks
Jean Hilkert
Pauline G. Hill
Carolyn Sue Holder
Virginia I. Holowenko
Peggy Hoover Bryan
Catherine Hostetter
Tamara House
Cindy Houseman
Tiffany Howey
Gloria Huffman
Katie B. Hunter
Katy Ibrahim
Margery Ismail
Lynn Isenbarger
Veronica Jalomo
Patty Jischke
Carolyn Johnson
Helen Johnson
Sarah Johnson
Ruth Jones
Mary Ann Junius
Carolyn Kamp
Lillian Kaplan
Kristel Kaye
Leta S. Kelley
Barbara Kerkhoff
Gail Kirkpatrick
Avanelle Kirksey
Angie Klink
Sheila Klinker
Carolyn Kochert
Cynthia Koh-Knox Sharp
Michelle Kreinbrook
Dolores La Baw
Marqueta D. Landis
Jennifer Layton
Claudia L. Suarez
Mangala Subramaniam
A. Charlene Sullivan
Alice L. Sullivan
Melissa Swathwood
Marge Taber
Cindy Taylor
Rita Thacker
Renee Thomas
Nancy Tobias
Marguerite Trachtman
Margaret S. Trimmer
Kathryn Trout
Patti P. Truitt
Kathy Tuite
Barb Tyner
Jackie Ullman
Helen VanHook
Dana Vann
Mary Vaughan
Sharon Versyp
JoAnn L. Vorst
Jo Wade
Emily Wadsworth
Mallori Walker
Sharita Ware
Lois Wark
Sally Watlington
Ginny Webb
Cecilia Weber
Anita Werling
Trudi Wildfeuer
Barbara Wilson
Maxine Wilson
Arletta Winrow
Janet Winslow
Barbara Wintz
Ardis Wipf
Virgene Ann Wolfelt
Paula Woods
Susan Woodson
Linda K. Workman
Alice Wright
Gladys Wright
Cathy Wright-Eger
Marjorie Young
Marilyn Ziemer
Cecilia Zissis