By Sheryl Swingley—
MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie-Delaware County Coalition of Women’s Organizations will honor six women with Vivian V. Conley Recognition Awards during its annual Women’s Equality Day program, which celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote.
The awards ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, in the auditorium of Muncie City Hall. The event is open to the public and is free.
“The Women’s Equality Program is important because it shines light on the contributions women make in society, politics, business, civic and humanitarian efforts,” said WaTasha Barnes Griffin, chief executive officer of YWCA Central Indiana and member of the Women’s Equality Day Committee.
Women who will be recognized with Vivian V. Conley Recognition Awards are as follows:
–Linda Daniel, behavioral health specialist and psychologist associated with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, for “Distinction in Community Health”;
–Marcy Minton, president and chief executive office of the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, for “Distinction in Philanthropy”;
–Bette Sloss, former nurse and pastoral leader, True Vine Church, for “Distinction in Civic Engagement”;
–Erina Tyree, a social worker and activist in the African-American community, for “Distinction in Social Justice”;
–Diane Watters, associate director of the E.B. and Bertha Ball Center, for “Distinction in Community Education”;
–LaShanta Vaughn, president and chief executive officer for the Horizon Convention Center, for “Distinction in Business.”
The awards honor Conley’s memory, who died May 8, 1993. She was at the forefront of many community issues relating to education, civil rights and aging. She attended Ball State University in her 60s, earning her bachelor’s degree in political science and then a master’s degree in gerontology.
Emcee for the event will be Ann Johnson, award-winning and internationally known Muncie artist and former recipient of a Conley Recognition Award.
Prior to the awards presentation, Mayor Dan Ridenour will read a proclamation recognizing Women’s Equality Day.
The guest speaker, who will offer closing remarks for the event, will be Indiana State Rep. Renee Turner Pack, who represents District 92, which covers western Indianapolis. Rep. Pack is a former educator, community advocate and a U.S. Army veteran. As a legislator, her key concerns are support and housing for military veterans, public education and adult education, lowering household utility and living costs, and child protection laws and anti-trafficking efforts.
Organizations that make up the coalition are the Friends of Conley, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County, American Association of University Women – Muncie Branch, the YWCA of Central Indiana, the National Organization for Women and the Indiana Women of Achievement Awards Committee.
