On Oct. 26, the YWCA of Bethlehem will host its second annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Gala to salute local businesses and organizations that are dedicated to empowering women, minorities and persons with disabilities. The Gala will be held at Iacocca Hall on Lehigh University's Mountaintop Campus. The event will include a keynote address by Lilly Ledbetter.

For 10 years, Lilly Ledbetter fought to close the gap between women's and men's wages, sparring with the Supreme Court and lobbying Capitol Hill. Her efforts lead to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Ledbetter, an advocate for change, currently travels the country speaking to women and girls. She was born in Alabama.

Stephanie Hnatiw, Executive Director of the YWCA said, "We believe the biggest employment issue of our time is the gender pay gap. Lilly Ledbetter is our nation's hero when it comes to pay equity. We are delighted to host her visit to the Lehigh Valley."

The second annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Gala will include corporate awards for businesses and organizations that operate in the Lehigh Valley. The award categories are Company of the Year, Women's Leadership Award, Diversity Leadership Award and the Women Owned Business Award. A nomination form can be obtained from the YWCA of Bethlehem. Forms will also be mailed to companies in the upcoming weeks and included in email blasts from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. All nominations are due by July 31, 2013.

For additional information about the Breaking the Glass Ceiling Gala, please contact the YWCA of Bethlehem at (610) 867?4669, ext. 101. For more information about the YWCA of Bethlehem visit the website www.ywcabethlehem.org.