Presenting the 2025 Women of Achievement Honorees!

  • Woman of Achievement

    We are honored to present Tali Economy with a Women of Achievement award! Tali is a community organizer, artist, and gamer extraordinaire. They started working at the YWCA Olympia in 2018 and made lasting and powerful impact through their 7 years with the organization. Tali developed impactful youth and social justice programming, built lasting partnerships with community organizations, and served as the organization's Co-Executive Director for the past two years. Along with engaging their incredible online community to support LGBTQ+ organizations, Tali is an advocate and organizer for the trans community and began hosting Trans Day of Needs events in the community in 2018. Tali is a gifted artist and advocates for marginalized youth gaining access to non-mainstream art modalities and empowering youth to engage in gaming, art, and advocacy to build community, support mental health, and develop lifelong skills. 

  • Woman of Achievement

    We are honored to present Gabby Schoolcraft with a Women of Achievement award! Gabby has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for other women of color and actively working to combat racism in the workplace. Through her leadership, she has built partnerships with vital community organizations such as Safe Place, Veterans Affairs, Family Support, JBLM, and many others to ensure individuals and families have access to safe, affordable temporary housing. Her commitment extends to working with refugee programs to provide job training and meaningful work experience for women of color, empowering them to build brighter futures. Gabby has also opened her doors to those who participated in protests, offering safe lodging while ensuring the community had access to food and water during events at the state capitol.

  • Woman of Achievement

    We are honored to present Cholee Gladney with a Women of Achievement award! Cholee has worked on behalf of the well-being and belonging of all students, staff, and faculty at The Evergreen State College. Currently her role as Associate Dean of Equity and Belonging includes guiding the efforts to ensure that the needs of underrepresented and minoritized students, staff and faculty are met so that the whole community can thrive. Ms. Gladney models and supports recognition and thriving of relational means of justice and care.  Her orientation is nonjudgemental, compassionate, and wise.

  • Business of Achievement

    We are honored to present Royetta Prew & Prew Cutz with a Business of Achievement award at this years Women of Achievement event. Prew Cutz "is a Barbershop that provides more than just Cutz" they are a full service salon offering products as well. Royetta is committed to giving back to the community through hosting an annual back to school jam with free back to school haircuts, a backpack + supply drive and more. "It’s all love for the community and to ensure all kids are cleaned up and ready to go back to school!" 

  • Lifetime Achievement

    We are honored to present Dr. Thelma Jackson with a Lifetime Achievement award at this years Women of Achievement event. 

    Dr Thelma Jeckson is a respected community leader and advocate win a career spanning over 50 years in education, equity, and diversity. She served on the North Thurston School Board for two decades, was President of The Evergreen State College Board of Trustees, and was one of the founding members of the Black Alliance of Thurston County. She retired in 2020 from Foresight Consultants, a firm specializing in educational issues, equity, diversity, policymaking, strategic Planning, and executive coaching.

    Dr. Jackson continues to drive impactful change as the administrator of the Northwest institute for Leadership and Change. A celebrated historian and author, she published Blacks in Thurston County Washington, 1950-1975: A Community Album in 2022, chronicling the rich history of the Black community in the region. She currently serves as Treasurer and Board Member for the NAACP of Thurston County.

What is Women of Achievement?

A group of Women of Achievement honorees from prior years gathers for a photo at the 2024 Women of Achievement event hosted at ASHHO Cultural Community Center.

Established in 1994, the YWCA of Olympia Women of Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors for women in the South Sound. The award honors folks who embody outstanding leadership qualities, are exceptionally committed to their community or profession, and align with the YWCA of Olympia's mission to eliminate racism and empower those most impacted by oppression in order to actualize our vision of a world where all people are valued, live free from oppression and thrive in a just society. 

During these critical times, we are grateful for volunteer support from the community including former Women of Achievement honorees themselves to host our

31st Annual Women of Achievement Award on Saturday, October 11, 2025!

Please join us in celebrating the wonderful members of our community with delicious food and delightful company, right here in the YWCA Olympia’s home of 80 years, the Kearnery House at 220 Union Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Tickets will go fast, purchase yours today to join what promises to be a night to remember.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Women of Achievement 2025!

Interested in sponsoring this year’s Women of Achievement? Your financial support will make an incredible impact. For information about our sponsorship partnerships, contact us.