An Evening of Recognition

June 11, 2021

FirstEnergy’s Lorna WishamMaggie Myers and Karen Sealy will long remember Thursday evening, May 27. That’s when they were recognized at the YWCA of Greater Cleveland’s 45th Women of Achievement Awards ceremony. The virtual event was broadcast live on Cleveland’s WKYC Channel 3.

Lorna, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement, and president, FirstEnergy Foundation, was one of eight 2021 YWCA Women of Achievement Award recipients. The award is presented to a select group of northeast Ohio women who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments through career success, community service, leadership, mentoring and dedication to YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

Maggie, manager, FEU Process Improvement, and Karen, senior corporate counsel, received Women of Professional Excellence awards.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this recognition from the YWCA of Greater Cleveland,” Lorna said. “The organization is a pillar of the community and is doing exemplary work in its efforts of eliminating racism and empowering women. Most of all, I’m excited to share this wonderful evening with Maggie and Karen who truly are women of professional excellence.”

Lorna receives her award from Margaret Mitchell, president and CEO, YWCA of Greater Cleveland.

The Women of Professional Excellence Award recognizes the contributions of exceptional women within their organizations who exemplify high professional standards and evidence of career and personal growth; make significant contributions to the effective, efficient operation of their organizations; display a willingness to support and mentor others; and make a positive impact on the community.

“I’m humbled to be recognized alongside such great female leaders as Karen Sealy and Lorna Wisham,” Maggie said. “The YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women aligns with my personal ethic statement, and to me it means my efforts to actively engage in diversity and inclusion activities are valued. I thank all those who have been part of this journey with me, providing support, guidance and encouragement along the way. We can only be successful if we work together to respect and appreciate what makes us unique contributors.”

“Winning this award brings awareness to the work FirstEnergy, our Employee Business Resource Groups and the FirstEnergy Foundation are doing to improve diversity and racial equity across our company and in the communities we serve,” said Karen. “On a personal level, the work we do toward eliminating racism and empowering women means that my daughters will be s​een and heard for who they are and the value they bring – and not dismissed because of their gender or skin color.”

The YWCA Greater Cleveland has been serving the community for more than 150 years. You can watch the 45th 2021 YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony on YouTube.

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