Celebration Station
Welcome to our Celebration Page! This space is dedicated to honoring the achievements and successes within our YWCA community. Here, we showcase the incredible stories, milestones, and contributions of our members, staff, and supporters. Join us in celebrating the positive impact we are making together, fostering empowerment, and promoting social justice for all.
Michaela Howells, PhD
The Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award
Exemplifies UNCW's commitment to excellence in teaching and in teaching-related activities by recognizing faculty members who have made a profound contribution to higher education through their dedication and service to students.
The most prestigious award conferred at UNCW. The purpose of the award is to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward, and support excellence in teaching and teaching-related activities across the University.
The Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Howells' work exemplifies the YWCA's commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women. Together these awards reflect Dr. Howells' commitment to the community, teaching, and scholarship.
YWCA Board Member
Michaela Howells, PhD an Associate Professor of Anthropology at UNCW, an Executive Board Member of the YWCA of the Lower Cape Fear, and a YWCA Women of Achievement recipient (Education) recently received three university-level awards. These included the Distinguished Scholarly Engagement and Public Service Award, the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award, and the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award. She has now been awarded four of the seven university level awards conferred by UNCW.
Recognizes excellence in addressing crucial local, regional, national, or global issues through collaborative scholarly activity directed towards persons and groups outside UNCW - including the YWCA.
The Distinguished Scholarly Engagement & Public Service Award
LGBTQ+ Leaders
LGBTQ+ Leaders
Learn more about the LGBTQ+ leaders who have paved the way for progress and continue to inspire us with their courage and resilience.
Sue Sanders
For over forty years, British LGBT rights activist Sue Sanders has specialized in challenging oppression in the public and voluntary sectors. She created The Classroom, which has lesson plans that ‘usualise’ diverse LGBT people for all ages across the curriculum.
Janet Mock
Janet Mock is a transgender rights advocate, writer, and media producer — and is the first openly transgender woman of color to write a television episode and secure a major studio deal with her hit show #Pose!
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin was the first openly gay person to be elected to both chambers of Congress and has served as the junior Senator from Wisconsin since 2013. Baldwin has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, access to healthcare, and student debt relief.
Angela Davis
Angela Davis is known internationally for her work to confront all forms of oppression in the U.S. and abroad. As a second wave Black Feminist, Davis has consistently worked to dismantle oppression faced by the Black community, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Pragati Singh
Pragati Singh, an Indian medical doctor and public health official and activist who identifies as grey asexual and is known for her research and work in the Indian asexual community.
Kim Coco Iwamoto
Kim Coco Iwamoto, a Hawaiian politician. Her election as a trans woman in 2006 made her, at that time, the highest ranking openly transgender elected official in the U.S. & the first openly transgender official to win statewide office in Hawaii.
Yasmin Benoit
Yasmin Benoit is an alternative fashion model, an Asexual and Aromantic activist from the United Kingdom, and creator of the #ThisIsWhatAsexualLooksLike movement!
Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim
Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim a Nigerian film producer, screenwriter, and filmmaker who create stories of Nigeria's marginalized LGBTQ+ communities, who has worked to give voice to Nigeria's LGBTQ+ community through her film production company, Hashtag Media House.