Photography by Dave Uhrin and Jim Pile
Nine women join the ranks of our region’s most powerful female leaders in the 32nd year of the YWCA South Hampton Roads’ Women of Distinction Awards. From courtrooms and classrooms to marine life and maritime, these nine honorees are making waves in a plethora of industries, all in hopes of creating a Coastal Virginia community that is connected, courageous and committed to change. We asked these nine remarkable women to share their thoughts on life, leadership and serving the greater good.
The honorees will be recognized at a luncheon, now rescheduled for June, based on the YWCA’s chosen theme for the year, “Dare to Be Powerful,” and inspired by the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the U.S. Coastal Virginia Magazine serves as a media sponsor for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Arts, Culture & Design
Education, Training & Development
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Community Champion
Research & the Sciences
Military
Woman on the Rise
Business & the Professions
Grace Silipigni
Grace Silipigni is an elementary school Spanish immersion teacher based in Virginia Beach and a regular contributor to Coastal Virginia Magazine, covering a wide range of topics such as health and wellness, education and learning, food and drink, happenings and events, travel and getaways and more.
