Women's Endowment Fund's "For Women, Forever" Celebration

Join us to celebrate the Women's Endowment Fund's grant recipients and the fund's impact on the health, safety and economic empowerment of women and girls in Summit County.

Sponsors and VIP guests are invited to a VIP reception at 5 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for all other guests, and everyone should be seated for dinner by 6:30 p.m. The main program will begin at 6:50 p.m.

Our 2026 Judith A. Read Tribute Award recipient, Bernett L. Williams, will participate in a fireside chat to share her story of leadership and service. Williams is the chief engagement officer at Akron Children's, where she leads the hospital's community partnerships and collaborations, patient and family engagement efforts, community benefit strategies, and efforts to foster a culture of belonging, respect and equitable access across the hospital system.

Williams currently serves on the boards of the Akron History Center, Greater Akron Chamber, and Minerva Fund of Akron. Previously, she served on the boards of the Akron-Canton Airport, Summit County Social Services Advisory Board, the Women's Endowment Fund, First Tee – Greater Akron, Leadership Akron, and the United Way of Summit & Medina.

Williams has been recognized with many awards throughout her career, including Crain's Cleveland Business' 40 Under 40 Award and Summit County Children's Services' Champion for Children Community Leader Award. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland inducted Williams into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. In October 2020, she was honored with three prestigious community awards: Love Akron's Brenda Burnham Unruh Servant Leader Award, Project GRAD Akron's Community Leader Award, and Leadership Akron's Read Family Difference Maker Award. In 2022, the American Red Cross honored her with the H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award.

For more information about the event, please contact Affiliate Fund Event & Volunteer Coordinator Malia Rivera-Speer at [email protected] or 330-436-5649.

Sponsorships received after Feb. 23, 2026, may not be included in the event program.

Info: All sponsors, sponsor guests and VIPs are invited to a pre-celebration reception, which will include an open bar and appetizers, beginning at 5 p.m. Bernett L. Williams, the recipient of the 2026 Judith A. Read Tribute Award for Service & Advocacy for Women, will be in attendance at the VIP reception.

Info: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for individual and young professional guests. Enjoy a complimentary drink, appetizers and networking.

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