YWCA Vermont and community members honored Lynn Vera, the
2010 Thrive Award recipient, as well as three other finalists—Kesha Ram,
Susan Sgorbati and Nancy Vogele—at the YWCA Thrive luncheon on Thursday,
October 21, 2010, from 12:00pm-1:30pm, on the Northern Lights.
The YWCA Thrive Award recognizes the intrinsic value successful women and
girls bring to their communities, workplaces and the world. In addition to
the recognition of these exemplary women, $6,500 was raised to support
leadership initiatives for Vermont high school girls.
Sponsors of this year’s YWCA Thrive Luncheon included Merchants Bank as the
lead sponsor, Domtar Corporation, Northern Lights, Key Bank, Vermont Works
for Women and Kinney Insurance. Other sponsors included Central Market
Florists and Buy Monthly Publishing in Waterbury.
Ms. Vera was recognized for her positive contributions to the development
opportunities for Chittenden County women and girls for over two decades.
She has been a tireless advocate for several measures that have advanced
women’s economic opportunities; brought Step Up for Women, a trades training
program, to Burlington; and worked with the City’s Councilors to pass
legislation that set hiring goals for construction projects funded by
Burlington. Ms. Vera has worked as Guidance Counselor at the Center for
Technology, Essex, and served as a member of the state’s Workforce
Development Council. Her efforts have helped to support women and girls who
pursue nontraditional careers and to address cultural biases or policies
that limit their choices and success.
Ms. Vera was one of four finalists. The YWCA Vermont also recognized Kesha
Ram, Susan Sgorbati and Nancy Vogele for their contributions to building
communities where women and girls thrive.
