LEWISTON — On Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Lewiston Ramada Inn, Lee Young of Auburn was presented with the inaugural Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Central Maine. The Women of Achievement Award was given to Young in recognition of her many years of service on the YWCA board of directors and for her civic and volunteer service to Lewiston-Auburn and the greater state of Maine.

The Women of Achievement Award is the first award established by the YWCA to recognize women’s contributions in our community. Executive Director Kathy Durgin-Leighton announced recently that the YWCA has established three awards to be presented annually under the umbrella of the Women of Achievement Award. These awards were named for women who have contributed extensively to the YWCA and to the Lewiston-Auburn area. They include: the Tonie Ramsey Service Award, the Lee Young Leadership Award and and the Priscilla Gendron Legacy Award.

Tonie Ramsey’s award was inspired by decades of volunteerism and service to boards of directors including Central Maine Medical Center’s Bennett Breast Care Center, the Woman’s Literary Union, the Auburn Public Library, the Sarah Frye Home, Androscoggin County United Way and the Women’s Hospital Association.

The Lee Young Leadership Award was an additional honor for Lee Young. The award recognizes her civic, organizational and community leadership in Lewiston-Auburn.

Priscilla Gendron received recognition for her generosity in service and philanthropy to community organizations including St. Mary’s Hospital, the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, the Cub Scouts, the Red Hats, Pathways and Holy Cross Church.

All three women have been dedicated supporters of the YWCA of Central Maine. The Women of Achievement Awards will be presented annually at the YWCA Awards Gala.

For more information or to get involved in the nomination, selection or planning process for the 2016 Women of Achievement Awards Gala, call Durgin-Leighton at 795-4050.