Local

Gems of the Valley: Fund for Women and Girls recognizes outstanding local women

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

October 17, 2023 2:07 PM

The 2023 Gems of the Valley honorees are (left to right) Meghan DeGregory, Allison Smith, Jennifer Evans, Dee Traylor and Lynn Anderson (not pictured). Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley’s Fund for Women and Girls recognized five local women for their contributions to the community.

Jana Coffin is a member of the Fund for Women and Girls Guiding Circle.

“All of these women do what they do because they’re passionate about it, not because they’re trying to win awards,” said Coffin, who is also co-director of Project MKC. “The Gems of the Valley award exists to say, ‘We see you.’ This work matters and impacts so many people. Our communities are better for having women like Meghan, Dee, Jennifer, Allison and Lynn in them.”

The Guiding Circle selected the following five women to highlight as Gems of the Mahoning Valley:

Lynn Anderson, activist and organizer for Sustainable Youngstown
Meghan DeGregory, director of operations for Thrive 10:10
Jennifer Evans, housing program manager for Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.
Allison Smith, artist and founder of Outreach Quilt and Artist Guild
Dee Traylor, manager of the Resource Mothers program at Mercy Health

The Foundation honored the Gems of the Valley with a dinner and opportunity to share stories on Oct. 12.

“In every nomination the Fund for Women and Girls got for this year’s Gems of the Valley, we saw people talk about not just how important the outcomes of these women’s work are, but how often they’re providing support to others, even if it’s just lending an ear or making someone feel safe and welcomed,” said Josh Medore, community engagement coordinator for the Community Foundation and staff liaison to the Fund for Women & Girls. “That kind of work – emotional labor – is just as important and deserves to be recognized because it is so often taken for granted.”