Thread by thread, women are weaving the fabric of community and care.
Some of the strongest communities are held together by women whose leadership, care, and courage are woven into everyday life.
This year, In the Company of Women honors the steady ways women create connection, restore possibility, and strengthen the fabric of our communities.
Thread by thread, relationship by relationship, women are shaping futures rooted in equity and opportunity.
Join us Friday, May 8th, 2026, at the Westchester Marriott for the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester’s annual luncheon, a celebration of shared impact and weaving what’s possible, together.
This year’s theme, She Is the Thread, honors the steady, often unseen ways women hold families, organizations, and communities together through leadership, care, courage, and commitment. Thread by thread, women create connection, continuity, and opportunity; the invisible architecture of lasting change.
When you take your seat in the room, you become part of the tapestry: distinct in your story, essential to the whole, carrying the work forward.
This year, we are deepening what partnership means.
Sponsorship is no longer just about being in the room. It is about what happens beyond it, and investing in the work that continues long after the event ends. Each level of support is aligned with critical programs across education, economic empowerment, and health and wellness, creating tangible impact for the women, families, and young people we serve.
Your investment does not end on May 8. It lives on in the programs strengthened, the lives changed, and the opportunities created in the months and years that follow.
Power of Persimmon Award
We are proud to recognize an inspiring young woman in High School who is making meaningful impact in her community and embodying the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: March 31
Recipient Announced: April 10
All submissions will be reviewed in full by the In the Company of Women Planning Committee, with the honoree selected based on the strength of each application.
The recipient will be invited to receive the award at our annual fundraiser, In the Company of Women, on May 8 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Westchester Marriott. Should the honoree be unable to attend, we will coordinate an alternate opportunity to celebrate her achievement.
If you know a young leader who deserves to be recognized, we encourage you to submit a nomination before the deadline.
Meet Our Honorees
Our 2026 Cultural Leader Honoree is Dr. Damia Harris Madden. As Commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Dr. Harris-Madden leads with care, courage, and accountability, shaping how children and families across New York are supported and protected. Her work reflects what we know to be true, policy matters, leadership matters, and women’s voices matter.
She is a longtime partner and Westchester leader whose commitment to equity and humanity continues to strengthen our community.
We are proud to introduce our 2026 Philanthropic Leader Honoree, Fran Hauser.
Fran’s work as an investor, author, and advocate reflects what it means to lead with intention and to use influence to open doors for others. Her commitment to advancing women and building more inclusive pathways is exactly the kind of leadership we celebrate.
Our 2026 Civic Leader honoree, Shelley Mayer, exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and responsibility. Her work across Westchester County reflects a deep commitment to education, public service, and building systems that work for all.
Through her leadership, she has helped move forward policies and partnerships that strengthen our communities and expand opportunity