YWCA Elgin

05/22/2026

An event like our 42nd Leader Luncheon takes a dedicated village behind the scenes, and we owe a massive, heartfelt thank you to our incredible committee and judges!

To our Leader Luncheon Committee: thank you for the months of tireless work, planning, and care. From managing sponsorships and promotions to keeping every detail in place, you brought this beautiful event to life.

To our Leader Luncheon Judges: thank you for volunteering your time and heart to review so many amazing nominations. Your thoughtful dedication ensures these awards are incredibly meaningful to our community leaders.

05/22/2026

A huge, heartfelt thank you to all the amazing local businesses and individuals who donated to our Mystery Book Sale & Raffle at the 42nd Leader Luncheon!

We were thrilled to introduce this brand-new fundraiser this year, and thanks to your incredible support, it was an absolute success—we sold out completely in record time!

You brought so much extra joy and excitement to the event, and your generosity directly impacts the vital community programs we provide right here in Elgin.

We are so incredibly grateful for your kindness, your donations, and for making this new venture such a massive hit! 🧡

05/22/2026

We loved gathering with more than 400 community members for Leader Luncheon 2026 and are excited to share more photos from this unforgettable event.

A special thank you to Dawn Ramos of Ruben Ramos Photography for beautifully capturing the day and all of the incredible moments throughout the luncheon.

Additional event photos are available at www.ywcaelgin.org/leaderluncheon. See if you made it on the Wall of Fame! 📸

And mark your calendars now for next year’s Leader Luncheon:
Thursday, May 13, 2027

05/21/2026

An event as milestone as our 42nd Leader Luncheon is only possible because of an incredible community of supporters. We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of our Leader Circle, Gold Star, Silver Star, and 125th Anniversary Sponsors!

From our major local institutions, businesses, and municipal departments to the dedicated individuals, families, and anonymous donors who stepped up to invest in our mission—your generosity powers our work every single day.

Because of you, we are able to celebrate 125 years of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all right here in the Elgin community.

Thank you for standing with YWCA Elgin and making this year’s luncheon a resounding success. We appreciate you more than words can say.

05/21/2026

Private Wealth Management for serving as our 2026 Title Sponsor for the 42nd Leader Luncheon.

Their generous $5,000 contribution directly supports YWCA Elgin's community-centered programs and mission. Just as they work daily to bring financial peace of mind and clarity to their clients, their philanthropic support brings vital resources to our community.

Thank you to the entire team at The Schrieber Group for your leadership, generosity, and unwavering support of our mission!

05/21/2026

Our 42nd Leader Luncheon was an incredible success, and we owe a massive thank you to these two phenomenal leaders!

Thank you to our Honorary Chair, Carol Gieske, and our Keynote Speaker, Erin Ramirez, for inspiring us all and dedicating your voice and leadership to the YWCA mission. Your impact on our community is immeasurable.

We are so grateful for your support!

05/20/2026

Join us in celebrating Larkin High School senior Mia Satterfield, the recipient of the 2026 YWCA Youth Leadership Award & Scholarship!

Mia perfectly embodies our mission, and as she heads into the field of nursing, her vision for the future says it all: "plans to provide culturally responsive patient-centered care uplifting those in underserved communities."

Out of a highly competitive pool of student leaders across School District U-46, we are incredibly proud to support Mia on her journey to advanced medical practice.

Congratulations, Mia! The future of healthcare is bright.

05/20/2026

Energy, community, and pure inspiration.

We are still riding the wave of inspiration from the 42nd Annual Leader Luncheon! This room was packed with individuals dedicated to empowering our community in so many ways! Relive some of our favorite moments from an unforgettable day.

Congratulations to our 2026 Award Recipients!
Arts: Selena Tapia
Business & Profession: Maria Manrriquez
Communications & Technology: Leslie Wolko
Education: Pietrina Probst
Public Service: Kristal Thompson
Racial Justice: Dr. Kristina Garcia
Social Service: Jen Keller
Volunteer & Community Service: Tiffany Henderson
Youth Leadership & Scholarship: Mia Satterfield

To our nominees, honorees, sponsors, and guests—thank you for being the heart of this mission. Together, we are shaping the future. 🧡

05/19/2026

From SACC and Take 2 Creative Camp to a 2026 ESHOF scholarship recipient!

Huge congratulations to Coreyon Johnson on this fantastic achievement. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication! The sky is the limit!

Congratulations Coreyon Johnson, Alexa Orozco, Olivia Pennington, Abby Mutolo, Emilo Guzman and Edgar Serrano from Elgin Maroons Athletics on being named a 2026 ESHOF scholarship recipients! HOF President, Scott Mason proudly presented the scholarships.

05/15/2026

Take 2 Creative Camp is Back and Bigger Than Ever!

Get ready, Elgin! Our 10th Summer is officially here, and we’re back with 8 weeks of nonstop creativity.

Thanks to the generous support of the Seigle Foundation and Elgin Township, our Take 2 Teens will have even more time to:

- Create bold new projects
- Execute their biggest ideas
- Have more fun in a supportive, creative community

How to Join:
If you or someone you know is between 12 and 15 years old and ready to level up your skills, we want you there:
- Download the Application: ywcaelgin.org/take-2-creative-camp
- Submit it: Email your completed form to our coordinator, Korisa Madayag, at [email protected]
- Applications are due Friday, June 5

Stay Connected
We are coming back stronger than ever. Follow our journey and see what our teens are building:
- YouTube: Subscribe to YWCA Elgin
- Facebook and Instagram: Follow

Empowering our youth through creativity—one project at a time.

05/14/2026

Leader Luncheon 2026: What an Incredible Day!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for this year’s Leader Luncheon! We are endlessly honored to be part of a community that celebrates visionary leadership and the power of what we can achieve together.

A special shout-out to our:
Honorary Chair: Carol Geiske
Keynote Speaker: Erin Ramirez
Our Nominees: Thank you for your tireless dedication and for inspiring us all!

This event is truly the highlight of our year, and we loved celebrating every moment with you.

Congratulations to our 2026 Award Recipients!

Arts: Selena Tapia
Business & Profession: Maria Manrriquez
Communications & Technology: Leslie Wolko
Education: Pietrina Probst
Public Service: Kristal Thompson
Racial Justice: Dr. Kristina Garcia
Social Service: Jen Keller
Volunteer & Community Service: Tiffany Henderson
Youth Leadership & Scholarship: Mia Satterfield