On June 14th, the YWCA hosted their annual 2022 Phenomenal Woman Awards Celebration “UNSUNG SHEROES” at the SoFi Stadium/Youtube Theater.
While this event looked like a triage center full of uniformed police officers, doctors, nurses, drivers, hospital workers, educators, it wasn’t for an emergency. In fact, this awards ceremony was a celebration to all those who’ve contributed to helping the Los Angeles community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 3,500 first responders and essential works were honored by the YWCA Greater Los Angeles (YWCA GLA). This was the first event of its kind to honor the phenomenal women at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was co-hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and Salli Richardson, with performances by award-winning and Masked Singer judge Robin Thicke, Grammy-winning artist MC Lyte, and Double Diamond Selling Music Icon Nelly. The show was produced by legendary producer Bill Hammond of Hammond Entertainment.
The event also honored news anchors KNBC Beverly White, KTLA’s Courtney Friel and KTTV’s Christine Devine for their reporting and coverage throughout the pandemic.
Additional guests included YWCA GLA’s Ambassador and philanthropist Kathy Ireland, Grey’s Anatomy Jim Pickens and Dawnn Lewis, Los Angeles Lakers-Byron Scott, Actress Kym Whitley, Euphoria’s Nika King, Veronica Mars Jessy Schram, San Francisco 49ers Ray RayMcCloud, Greys Anatomy Sylvia Kwan, a video tribute from Brandy and many other influencers. Legislators included Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, and, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts
Sponsors for the event included Amazon/Amazon Fresh, Toyota, as well as other major organizations and entities including Brotherhood Crusade Los Angeles, Los Angeles Urban League, Para Los Ninos, Special Needs Network, St. Anne’s Family Services, She Ready Foundation, JumpTime, GLAAD, Forgiving For Living, the KIS Foundation, Ronald Reagan, UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, Long Beach Memorial, Glendale Adventist Hospital, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, Torrance Memorial, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Martin Luther King Community Healthcare, Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center, LAC + USC Medical Center, Hubert Humphrey Comprehensive Care, White Memorial Medical Center, Kedren Community Health Center, Whole Foods, City National, JPMorgan Chase, Union Bank, Westfield Mall, LAUSD and many more.
YWCA–GLA President and CEO Faye Washington commented, “the evenings star power was so bright, not only with the onstage talent, but by the stars in the audience that helped us through the pandemic, this night was about saying Thank you to each and every one of them.”
Since 1975, the Phenomenal Woman Award Ceremony has recognized exceptional steadfast leadership addressing the type of leadership that directly parallels YWCA GLA’s engaged mission: to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The event’s past honorees include amazing leaders such as Maya Angelou, United States Vice President Kamala Harris Venus Williams, Kathy Ireland, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Los Angeles Lakers Kiesha Nix, Vice President of Community Philanthropy and Maria Contreras-Sweet, the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet.
For over 20 years the YWCA-GLA has celebrated phenomenal women who have played a significant role in our community “But, this year Faye and I had the idea of partnering with corporations and the community to bring together and celebrate all of the amazing women throughout Los Angeles County to celebrate these “SHEROES” who played a vital role in helping us all navigate the COVID pandemic.. My heart is full right now celebrating over 3500 first responders!” said Heard.
