YWCA Princeton is set to honor nine leaders from across central New Jersey at the 31st annual Tribute to Women Awards.
Through their numerous contributions and accomplishments, these women have demonstrated a high level of leadership, exceptional talent, generosity to the community, and support of the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
Honorees are nominated by colleagues and peers each fall. A selection committee evaluates all those nominated on criteria such as professional responsibility and contributions, community service, leadership, academic achievement and commitment to the YWCA’s mission.
This year’s honorees are Kristin Appelget, Joan Bartl, President, Sheila Berkelhammer, Barbara Flythe, Danielle Gletow, Founder, Amy Rabner, Jigna Rao, Ann Reichelderfer and Jane Dennison.
YWCA Princeton will award its highest honor, the Waxwood Award, to Jane Dennison.
The award recognizes women who, over the course of a lifetime, have made a truly distinguished contribution to YWCA Princeton. It is named after Susie Waxwood, the organization’s first African American executive director.
Jane first became a YW participant when she attended summer camp in Central Pa., at the age of nine. When she celebrates her 90th birthday this June, she will mark her 81st anniversary as a YWCA member.
Robbinsville resident Kristin Appelget has served as Princeton University’s director of Community and Regional Affairs since 2006. She has been credited with growing the university’s connectivity to its communities substantially. She is also the past president and CEO of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Appelget was elected to the West Windsor Township Council where she was influential in the preservation of open space and the creation of recreational opportunities. She has also served on the Robbinsville Township Zoning Board and on the board of directors of numerous community organizations.
Princeton resident Joan Bartl is the owner of Payment Management Systems.
After studying at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, she started her career at Nassau Broadcasting and was a founding member and associate publisher of New Jersey Monthly Magazine.
She is a women’s and children’s advocate who, in 1969, was a founding member of Women on Words and Images, an organization that did landmark research of gender stereotyping in children’s textbooks, career education materials and family TV shows.
Princeton resident Sheila Berkelhammer is the past president of Princeton Community Housing, Inc., and a past board member of the Greenwood House.
She has also served as a leader in Community Without Walls, the Ewing League of Women Voters, the Educational Media Association of New Jersey and Meals on Wheels.
Berkelhammer worked as a middle school teacher, high school librarian and sales representative before retiring.
Lawrenceville resident Barbara Flythe is an educator, consultant, retreat leader, and a life-long community activist.
She has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education and the National Head Start Program, as well as a panelist for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Excellence Program.
Recently, she was named chairperson of the New Jim Crow Community Project that includes residents of Princeton and Trenton, churches, synagogues, the public library and Princeton University.
Ewing resident Danielle Gletow is the founder of One Simple Wish, a non-profit organization that aims to positively impact the lives of foster children and at-risk youth by using the Internet to connect those who have to those who need.
Since 2009, One Simple Wish has grown to nearly $1 million in donations and established partnerships with over 475 social service agencies in 42 states.
Her work has earned her many honors, including being named a Top 10 CNN Hero.
Skillman resident Amy Rabner is known as the creator and implementer of the Princeton HealthCare KIDS MARATHON as well as the University Medical Center at Princeton’s “ArtFirst” fundraising initiative.
The marathon, which began with 125 participants, now attracts more than 700. It aims to get elementary school students up and moving and encourages nutritional literacy.
Rabner is a past President of YWCA Princeton Board, a member of the Joint Trustees of the YWCA-YMCA, and the current chair of the YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center’s Task Force.
Lawrenceville resident Jigna Rao is a patient advocate and health activist working to raise awareness of tuberculosis.
Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she moved to the United States in 2000 and was diagnosed with pelvic tuberculosis while undergoing treatment for infertility.
Since then, she has devoted her time to raising awareness, speaking regularly at medical trainings, community events, as well as national and international conferences educating medical providers, health workers, and the community about tuberculosis.
Rocky Hill resident Ann Reicherfelder is a shareholder at Stevens & Lee, PC, heading the firm’s New Jersey Estates and Trusts practice.
She is a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel and a member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning and National Association of College and University Attorneys.
Reicherfelder is the former chair of the Princeton Area Community Foundation Board, as well as a founder and member of the Gift Planning Council of New Jersey.
Tribute to Women Awards Dinner is scheduled for March 6 at Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton.
Tickets are $130 on or before Feb. 21; $150 thereafter. Proceeds from the evening benefit YWCA programs and services.
More information is online at ywcaprinceton.org/tribute.