'In the Company of Women' — Central Westchester YWCA's 9th Annual Luncheon [VIDEO]

TARRYTOWN, NY — The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester in collaboration with the Women’s Research and Education Fund will hold the 9th annual In the Company of Women on Friday at the DoubleTree in Tarrytown. The luncheon event will draw more than 500 diverse and successful women (and a few good men!) from across Westchester County and beyond.

This year’s honorees will be Millie Hernandez-Becker, president and CEO of Skyqueen Enterprises and Dr. Jin Li, neurologist with Westchester Medical Center. Keynote speaker for the occasion is Lauren Leader-Chivèe, co-founder and CEO of All in Together, a nonprofit campaign dedicated to engaging American women in politics and civic action.

New York Assemblywoman Amy R. Paulin will be inducted into the Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame. Paulin has served the 88th New York State Assembly District (Scarsdale, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Pelham, Pelham Manor, and parts of New Rochelle and White Plains) since 2001. She will be the 33rd inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame, which was created by WREF.

Organizers said Paulin was chosen by a committee of former inductees and other women in the community because of her exemplary record of success, passing 192 laws she authored to empower women, children and families; to combat domestic violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, human trafficking, to support pay equity, and healthcare, among many others. As a result of Paulin’s work, women in New York State are safer and more financially secure.

About the honorees

• Millie Hernandez-Becker is being recognized for her strength and perseverance, pushing through boundaries and always championing the underdog. Through her work as the President of the Bedford Central School District’s Special Education Parent Teacher Association Millie has support of inclusive programing for youth – no matter their ability.

• Dr. Jin Li was selected as an honoree for being one of the trailblazers in the field of neurology and as such is a magnificent role model for young women. In addition to her duties as a neurologist, she finds time to maintain involvement in the Chinese American Society and the Huaxia Chinese School. In her everyday life and in her vocation, Dr. Li shows her “smarts” and sincerely deserves this award as “Health & Wellness Champion.”

Keynote speaker Lauren Leader-Chivèe is an author, activist, and an expert and advisor on diversity and women's issues. She was recently named one of Fortune's 50 Most Influential Women on Twitter. Her latest book is titled, “Crossing the Thinnest Line: How Embracing Diversity—from the Office to the Oscars—Makes America Stronger.”

The event will also take time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New York State. New York was one of the first states in the country to pass legislation giving women the right to vote in 1917, three years before the 19th amendment was passed.

Attendees are asked to wear orange or persimmon, the official color of the YWCA, to show support. There will also be a silent auction to win a variety of unique items and services and in Persimmon Plaza, The Women’s Marketplace will return showcasing a wonderful variety of items from women-owned businesses.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the event visit contact events@ywcawpcw.org or visit www.ywcawpcw.org