26th Annual Resourceful Women's Gala

An evening to recognize and honor those whose community and professional pursuits advance the Empowerment of Women.
About this Event

The 26th Annual Resourceful Women’s Gala will be held at Albany Capital Center on Friday, September 25th at 6:00 PM.

The Resourceful Women’s Awards were established in 2000 to honor women whose community and professional pursuits advance the empowerment of women, a core element of our mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Our 2026 Resourceful Woman of the Year is Kathy Sheehan, Executive Director of the Hart Cluett Museum and the Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian. A native of Troy, NY, Kathy’s career at the museum began as an intern from the Public History Program at SUNY Albany. She is currently working on a publication titled: “Architecture Worth Saving in Rensselaer County Revisited, 50 years Later”. Kathryn has lectured on various local history topics including, Uncle Sam the Man & the Legend, the Underground Railroad, Public Health, Woman Suffrage, Agriculture and the changing landscape of the county. Recently Kathryn has been a location and historic background advisor for HBO’s production, The Gilded Age. She has appeared on national and international shows including CSPAN, the History Channel, Russian and Japanese TV. She has appeared locally on WMHT, CBS6 and WNYT. Kathy can be often seen giving tours through downtown Troy, and Oakwood Cemetery.

Please unite with us in supporting Kathy Sheehan and YWCA-GCR through sponsorship or as an honorary committee member. Our 2026 Resourceful Women’s Awards fundraising goal is $100,000. All proceeds help to sustain, enhance, and expand the unique services and programs YWCA-GCR provides. YWCA-GCR is one of the area’s largest providers of supportive housing to both single women and women with children who would otherwise be homeless or living in substandard housing. In addition to our economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security services and supportive programs, every day, YWCA- GCR houses 104 women and over 50 children.

Please consider becoming a corporate or community sponsor and/or joining the honorary committee for our 26th anniversary of this empowering event. Your support will change lives and we appreciate you!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR HONOREES

2026 Resourceful Woman of the Year

Kathy Sheehan, Executive Director - The Hart Cluett Museum, Rensselaer County & Troy City Historian

Woman of Inspiration

Mary Fiero, YWCA-GCR Staff

Renee Walter, YWCA-GCR Tenant

Mission Partner

CARES of NY

2026 Honorary Committee Chair

Dr. Jennifer J. Thompson-Burns

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

Groff NetWorks

Persimmon Sponsor

Regeneron

Mission Sponsor

Godfrey Financial Associates

Empowerment Sponsor

New York State Industries for the Disabled