Bethlehem's YWCA will honor area volunteers and staff members during its 86th Annual Business Meeting luncheon Aug. 15 at Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem at 3604 Farmersville Rd.

The event, which is open to the public, costs $35 and includes a luncheon and keynote address by Karen Green, dean of students for Muhlenberg College, entitled "21st Century College Women: Opportunities and Challenges."

Following the keynote address, the YWCA of Bethlehem will present the following awards:

oVolunteer of the Year Award, Beth Ann Boyer;

oRacial Justice Award, Myra Piña, M.D.;

oWomen's Empowerment Award, Erin Monie and Raul E. Gomez of Steelwire Productions;

oFive-Year Staff Service Awards, Matthew Heydt, Anna Holmes, and Melissa Lee;

o10-Year Staff Award, Kelly Luckey; and

o25-Year Staff Award, Mahboobeh Shekari

Beth Ann Boyer is being honored for her dedicated volunteer service of over 20 years for the YWCA of Bethlehem. She is member of the Finance Committee and Women and Teens of the Year Award Committee. Beth was also a recipient of the YWCA Woman of the Year Award. She is the wife of Frank Boyer and the loving mother of three wonderful children.

Myra Piña, M.D. is being honored for dedicating countless hours ensuring Hispanic women have access to breast health education and mammograms. Dr. Piña bridged the language and cultural barrier for Spanish speaking program participants by translating during the YWCA's breast cancer awareness programs and she translated all print material from English to Spanish. Dr. Pina demonstrates a strong sense of advocacy and leadership in eliminating barriers to breast health education for Spanish-speaking women.

Monie and Gomez, founders of Steelwire Productions, believe in the empowerment of women and girls and used their talents to produce a video, pro bono, for the YWCA's 85th Anniversary which was celebrated with a Breaking the Glass Ceiling Gala. The YouTube video is entitled "Breaking the Glass Ceiling" and features Lehigh Valley women from all walks of life and professions. It captures why the proverbial glass ceiling needs to be shattered!

In addition, Monie and Gomez have been attending various YWCA events all year and filming in preparation for the 86th Anniversary video. Steelwire Productions combines storytelling, visuals and sound to produce videos that tug at the heart and move people in amazing ways.

For more information about the YWCA of Bethlehem or the Annual Meeting, please contact the YWCA of Bethlehem at (610) 867-4669, extension 105.