MANKATO — YWCA Mankato has announced the recipients of this year’s Women of Distinction, Rising Star and Distinctive Difference Business Awards.
Women of Distinction are Karen Wolters, Megan Schnitker, Danielle Scott and Shelley Schultz. Rising Stars are Saarah Hassan and Sabina Alhag, and Distinctive Different Business is Lakota Made.
The women were chosen based on their embodiment of intersectionality, impactful leadership and a commitment to inclusivity in all they do, according to a release. The YWCA has been honoring such women for more than 50 years.
Wolters serves as the program coordinator for the Adult Basic Education program in the Mankato Area Public Schools District. Wolters’ leadership of ABE has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity within our communities, according to her nomination. Under her guidance, countless individuals have been empowered to realize their full potential.
Schnitker owns Lakota Made and promotes education daily through her platform with her woman-owned, Indigenous-owned business. The nomination states: Schnitker brings her culture and teachings to our community by owning a successful Native-owned business.
Through her business, Schnitker works with small women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to help share her successful social media and e-commerce strategies to empower women and BIPOC.
Scott’s life’s work has been to dismantle barriers first in public schools for children of color who have disabilities and now at Minnesota State University as a faculty member. Her nomination states that she embodies intersectionality and pours her heart and soul into teaching courses that dismantle barriers and foster inclusion.
Schultz has embodied her values through her leadership in Zonta International, a leading global organization of individuals working together to build a better world for women and girls. Schultz is a hands-on activist in promoting diversity, equality and opportunity for both women and girls throughout her educational career as teacher and as a school administrator, according to the nomination.
Hassan is a senior at Mankato West High School, and Alhag is program coordinator at Life-Work Planning Center.
Among Hassan’s accomplishments is the creation of a culture and diversity week at West. She is the daughter of immigrants and has experienced racism firsthand. She worked closely with administrators to organize student activities and seek community resources.
This is in addition to other accomplishments: being a general organizer of West’s Moving Our Futures Forward club; helping organize Denim Day to raise awareness about sexual assault and teen dating violence, organizing a mental health discussion panel and a HER drive to raise money and collect donations for homeless youth (particularly young women), and a poverty awareness event with a food and monetary donation drive.
Alhag came to the U.S. as a refugee from South Sudan when she was a child. She experienced rule-breaking and lawlessness on her journey, learning resilience, tolerance and the importance of hope. Through this experience, she provides insight and wisdom to other women and girls on how to deal with racism, according to a news release.