Since 1975, the YWCA Rock County Women of Distinction Awards has honored more than 275 individuals and organizations who have improved women’s lives through community service, professional achievement, integrity, leadership and dedication to the well-being of others.
The YWCA Rock County is pleased to announce its 50th Annual Women of Distinction Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 5:30pm at the Glen Erin Golf Club/Celtic House in Janesville.
The event recognizes women, young women and businesses or organizations who serve as outstanding role models for others in Rock County. The YWCA presents Women of Distinction Awards and Young Women of Distinction Awards (21 and younger) to women and young women who have shown strong achievement in their work and personal lives, and who have given back to their communities in the spirit of the advancement of other women. Many have been trailblazers in their professions, pathfinders for social justice, or young women on the rise, bringing forth key issues facing Rock County women and girls.
The 2025 Women of Distinction honorees are:
Barbara McCrory, Judge: Rock County
Brittany Keyes, Clean Air Coordinator: Healthy Climate Wisconsin
Carmen Roche, Officer: Janesville Police Department
Patricia Majeed, Professional Barber: Clippers and Curls
Silvia Donday-Selenske, VP, Bilingual Loan Officer: PremierBank
Young Woman: Niah Holmes, Student: Craig High School
The recipients will be honored at the 50th annual Women of Distinction event on May 7th, 2025 at the Celtic House at Glen Erin Golf Club. The event raises funds for YWCA Rock County’s Domestic Violence Programs.
Tickets are $80 each or $640 for a table of 8 and are available to purchase by visiting: https://ywcarockcounty.networkforgood.com/events/82888-women-of-distinction-event-tickets
Unable to attend but interested in making a donation to the event? You can do so directly here: https://ywcarockcounty.networkforgood.com/projects/242832-2025-women-of-distinction-donation-page
YWCA Rock County is also excited to announce that Shar Hermanson will be the 2025 Emcee. Shar Hermanson is the President and CEO of Forward Janesville, Janesville’s Chamber of Commerce and leader in private sector economic development. Hermanson and the Forward Janesville team help local businesses and organizations grow by helping them make meaningful community connections, providing access to business resources and amplifying their marketing. They also work on initiatives that ensure Janesville and Rock County are the premier choice for your business, your employees and their families.
Some of the highlights from Hermanson’s first year leading Forward Janesville include: the Keep Kids Learning campaign to educate local voters about the impacts of local school referendums; the launch of a Business Retention and Expansion program aimed to gain valuable data about the local business climate; and growing Forward Janesville’s membership by 20% to include more than 600 local businesses.
Prior to joining Forward Janesville, Hermanson served in multiple executive-level sales and management roles in media and digital marketing, including our local radio stations and The Gazette right here in Janesville. Hermanson previously served on the YWCA Board of Directors, was a leader in the fundraising group Girls Night Out of Rock County and was a Forward Janesville Ambassador.