YWCA Delaware’s Annual Meeting – Celebrating 127 Years of Changing Lives
Thank you to all of our board, staff, volunteers, our sponsors, W.L. Gore and Associates and United Medical, LLC., and everyone who attended our Annual Meeting last week. It was an amazing opportunity to connect and celebrate YWCA Delaware’s 127 years of Changing Lives with so many friends and supporters. We invite you to view our annual report here.
Congratulations to our honorees, Kemal Erkan, recipient of our first Man of Distinction Award, Jalyn Powell, this year’s Genevieve Gore Young Woman’s Leadership Award recipient, and Anne Verplanck who accepted the 2022 Trailblazer Award on behalf of her late mother, Eva Verplanck at our annual meeting.
Honorees
Trailblazer Award – Eva L. Verplanck, PhD
YWCA Delaware Board of Directors and longtime Honorary Board member
The late Eva L. Verplanck dedicated 58 years of service to the YWCA of Delaware as a member of YW’s Board of Directors and as a longtime Honorary Board member. She began her membership with YW in 1963 and organized to promote international understanding of race and social justice during the Civil Rights Movement. She was most passionate about being on the frontline of gender issues and helping women to become independent. While serving as Co-Chair of YWCA Delaware’s Financial Development Committee, Eva played a significant role in fundraising and made an extraordinary difference in the lives of thousands of Delawareans. Read more about Eva’s six decades of influence at YWCA Delaware here.
Man of Distinction Award – Kemal Erkan, MBA
CEO and President, United Medical, LLC
Kemal Erkan is CEO and President of United Medical, LLC and cofounder of the American Surgery Center. Mr. Erkan holds a BS degree in Business Adminstration and Political Science from Ankara University in Turkey, and dual MBAs in Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Finance from Goldey-Beacom College in Delaware. Since 2000, Mr. Erkan has worked in healthcare management and has been recognized for his outstanding work in the healthcare industry. Mr. Erkan has partnered with YWCA Delaware to provide job training, holiday meals for women and families living in our emergency and transitional housing and funding to build YWCA’s Computer Lab. He also helped to renovate the “Family Shelter” emergency unit in honor of his grandmother, Nezahat Anneanne and the “Family Meals Empowerment Zone” in honor of his Uncle Sinan. Mr. Erkan’s overall objective is to positively impact the lives of others through community advocacy and fostering meaningful partnerships.
The Genevieve Gore Young Woman’s Leadership Award – Jalyn Powell, MA
CEO of OUTLOUD, LLC and Community Advocate
Jalyn Powell is CEO and founder of OUTLOUD, LLC, servicing youth and young adults statewide in areas of mental health, wellness, and social justice. After graduating from Delaware State University with a bachelor of arts degree in political science at Delaware State University, Jalyn pursued her masters of arts in law with a concentration in human rights and rule of law at Regent University. She has served as an intern with U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. Jalyn first began volunteering with YWCA Delaware’s Racial and Social Justice program in 2018. Throughout her time at YW, Jalyn has served as a facilitator for the YW Leaders program, designed to help students develop the confidence and skills to actively participate and become involved in their school and community initiatives relating to racial and social justice. She remains devoted to teaching teens how to uplift their voices to effect change as leaders of today.
Thank You to Our Annual Meeting Partners
W.L. Gore & Associates and United Medical, LLC
