Board President, Alane Hohenberg to be Named Resourceful Woman of the Year

Community activist and volunteer Alane Hohenberg will be honored this fall as the YWCA's "Resourceful Woman of the Year." Eight other award recipients will be announced at the October 14 luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy.

"We are delighted to honor Alane," said YWCA Executive Director Sherry A. Rounds. "She has done so much for the community, leaving a mark that will be felt for years to come." Hohenberg is the founder of the Troy Community Food Cooperative, a community effort to bring a full-service food market into downtown Troy. Concerned by the lack of access to fresh food and the alarming increase in childhood illnesses related to obesity, she began soliciting community input in September 2005. With the support of hundreds of members and hours of volunteer time, the Troy Community Food Cooperative will open to the public this fall. In addition to being president of the food cooperative, Hohenberg serves on the boards of the Troy Downtown Collaborative, Oakwood Cemetery, and Barker Park. She is a former YWCA board member.

In addition to Hohenberg, eight other women will be honored at the Resourceful Women Awards Luncheon. A volunteer selection committee will choose honorees for awards in eight categories: education, entrepreneur, front-line, health and human services, management, philanthropy, public service, and youth. Nominations are currently being accepted from honorary committee members and sponsors. This is a departure from previous years, during which only one woman was honored. Previous honorees include Phyllis Conroy (2009), Lauren Payne (2008), Beth Coco (2007), Kathleen Jimino (2006), Linda Comstock (2005), Mary O. Donohue (2004), Dr. Antonia Novello (2003), Sandra Gull (2002), Lorraine Schindler (2001), and Sally Catlin (2000).

"The new award categories provide a great way for the YWCA and partner organizations to honor women who are making a real difference," said Rounds. "And we are looking to honor everyday heroes, not just well-known women in highly visible positions." Rounds pointed to the front-line category as an example. "Front-line women," she explained, "are those in support roles such as secretaries, receptionists, executive assistance, or tellers."

The annual Resourceful Women Awards Luncheon benefits the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, which is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice freedom and dignity for all. The YWCA, which has been a Troy fixture since 1883, is the region's largest provider of supportive housing for women. According to Rounds, supportive housing has been proven to be the most effective remedy to homelessness. The YWCA can accommodate 94 women in its First Street building and an additional seven in apartments that are scattered throughout the community. Women live at the YWCA for anywhere from a few months to many years. During any given year, approximately 250 women and their children call the YWCA home. And the need exceeds the YWCA's capacity. "At any given time," Rounds said, "we have 40 to 50 women on our waiting list."

Rounds added that the YWCA is frequently confused with the YMCA. "People don't come to the YWCA to swim and work out - women come to get their lives back together. We don't offer use of a pool and exercise equipment, we offer safe and affordable supportive housing," she said. "We offer hope."

Tickets for the luncheon are $50 each. Sponsorships, which include luncheon tickets and the opportunity to nominate a woman for an award, begin at $125. For more information, contact Gary Ferris or Ellen Randolph at the YWCA by calling 518-274-7100, or email Ferris at garyf@ywca-troy.org.