Alaska

YWCA recognizes Alaska’s women leaders at annual awards ceremony

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2024

YWCA recognizes Alaska’s women leaders at annual awards ceremony

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – YWCA Alaska hosted its 35th annual Women of Achievement Awards in Anchorage on Monday.

The event celebrates those who have lived up to the YWCA’s mission of empowering women, combating racism, and promoting social justice.

Selected awardees have served as leaders and mentors, and have worked to better their communities.

Ten women were recognized this year, ranging from local business owners, doctors, to corporate executives and more.

2024 awardees included:

Dr. Robin Bronen, Executive Director of Alaska Institute for Justice
Aleesha Towns-Bain: Executive Director, Bristol Bay Foundation
Elizabeth Miller: Vice President of Development and Communications, Alaska Community Foundation
Dr. Jillian Woodruff: Cosmetic Gynecologist, Modern Gynecology & Skin
Krystal Nelson: EVP & COO, Bering Straits Native Corporation
Linda Leary: Owner/Principal, Linda Leary Consulting
Minoo Minaei: Community Leader, Anchorage, AK
Angie Astle: Chief Financial Officer, Chugach Alaska Corporation
Christa Bruce: Community Leader, Ketchikan, AK
Dr. Stephanie Eklund: Senior OB-GYN and Medical Director, Southcentral Foundation and Providence

Additionally, YWCA Alaska Advocacy Committee member Jason Norris was presented with the Special Ambassador Award.

Awardees will work closely with the YWCA over the next year to continue to uphold those values.

Ivy Spohnholz, a former YWCA Alaska board member and 2016 Women of Achievement Awardee,

“We know that our communities are healthier, stronger and happier when every person brings their whole, unique strengths, skills and experiences to bear on the challenges that we have,” Spohnholz said. “This amazing group of leaders demonstrates that principle of a leader in every chair and space.”

To learn more about YWCA Alaska, click here.

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Related Topics:anchorage women Featured women of achievement ywca ywca alaska

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Alaska

I Took My First Alaskan Cruise—Here Are 7 Packing Mistakes You Should Avoid, and What to Bring Instead From $6

Published

9 hours ago

June 21, 2026

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I Took My First Alaskan Cruise—Here Are 7 Packing Mistakes You Should Avoid, and What to Bring Instead From

A travel writer shares the 7 biggest mistakes they made when packing for an Alaskan cruise—and the smart solutions they recommend instead. Here, shop their go-to travel essentials, including a puffer jacket, binoculars, Samsonite luggage, and more, starting at just $6 from Amazon.

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Alaska

DFFP Responds to Joaquin Fire 31.5 Miles Southwest of McGrath

Published

20 hours ago

June 21, 2026

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DFFP Responds to Joaquin Fire 31.5 Miles Southwest of McGrath

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on June 20, 2026

DFFP received reports of smoke near Mt. Joaquin at 8:00 PM Saturday. A DFFP helicopter responded and located the Joaquin Fire (#238) burning in black spruce and tundra roughly 31.5 miles southwest of McGrath.

Due to a nearby native allotment, additional aerial resources were ordered. The fire is currently 30 acres and has six smokejumpers, one air attack, and two single-engine water scoopers. No structures are threatened.

‹ Go Evacuation for Anderson due to wildland fire

Two new wildfires reported Saturday evening north of Anderson ›

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)

Tags: 2026 Alaska Fire Season, Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, DFFP Coastal Region, Joaquin Fire, Southwest Alaska

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Alaska

Anchorage celebrates Juneteenth with 3-day community event downtown

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

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Anchorage celebrates Juneteenth with 3-day community event downtown

The crowd reacts to a performance at the Juneteenth Citywide Celebration at the Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

Anchorage is commemorating Juneteenth with dancing, music and celebrations of Black excellence and culture this weekend.

The citywide Juneteenth celebration also includes opportunities for education, community gathering and reflection, and features vendors and guest speakers. The event kicked off Friday and continues from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the Delaney Park Strip.

A dancer performs during the Juneteenth Citywide Celebration at the Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

A young drummer performs during the Juneteenth Citywide Celebration at the Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

Tragil Wade, an entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker, takes the stage at the Juneteenth Citywide Celebration at the Delaney Park Strip in Anchorage on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

Tragil Wade, an entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker who is the big sister of former NBA great Dwyane Wade, was Friday’s special guest.

Saturday’s festivities, spotlighting the theme “Community and Culture,” kicked off with a freedom rally and parade. Saturday also features a youth segment, hip-hop dancing, community line dancing, multiple DJs and a performance from Soul Society.

“Faith and Family” is the theme for Sunday’s festivities. There will be a special Father’s Day opening at 1 p.m., a praise cardio session on the grass and an HBCU gospel segment. The afternoon will close with a community praise dance.

Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last slaves in the Confederacy were informed of their freedom following the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865. Long celebrated by Black Americans, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. In 2023, the Anchorage Assembly made Juneteenth an official city holiday, and in 2024, the Alaska Legislature passed a bill to designate Juneteenth as a state holiday.