YWCA USA to Honor Actress and Activist Eva Longoria

Actress and activist Eva Longoria will headline the YWCA USA Women of Distinction Awards Gala on June 7, 2013 at 6 pm at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, as part of the YWCA USA 2013 What Women Want Annual Conference. Longoria will be awarded the Dorothy I. Height Racial Justice Award for her work as a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for racial justice whose contributions have made a national impact.

"At a time when women are growing as a powerful force in American culture and politics, we are delighted to honor Eva Longoria for her activism and her commitment to peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all," said YWCA USA CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D. She added, "Eva Longoria's efforts to reach out and inspire women in diverse communities to get involved in the political process and take on leadership roles exemplify the life and work of civil rights pioneer Dorothy Height. We are truly honored that Eva Longoria will join us at the 2013 YWCA Annual Conference next month."

Also at the Gala, which will be emceed by Master of Ceremonies Cynné Simpson, ABC7/WJLA-TV Anchor, the YWCA USA will present the 2013 Women of Distinction Awards that honor top leaders for contributions in four key areas of public life: Civic Engagement, Business, Philanthropy and Military and Veterans Affairs. Patty Stonesifer, Sharon Love, Commander Zoe Dunning, and Vicky Dinges on behalf of Allstate will be honored as the 2013 Women of Distinction awardees for their work in the private and public sectors to help women and communities in need. Richardson-Heron said, "The Women of Distinction Awards allow women from all areas of civic life to be represented and honored for their achievements. Much like the YWCA, these women touch us in myriad ways, and help improve and empower our lives through their service and leadership."

YWCA USA will also recognize three local YWCA associations for their outstanding work in the areas of women's empowerment, racial justice, and advocacy. There are nearly 230 local YWCA associations in the United States providing critically important services and supports in communities large and small, urban and rural. Richardson-Heron said, "We are truly proud to celebrate and honor the vital and life changing impact that YWCAs across the country have every day in the lives of women, girls, families and communities."

The 2013 YWCA USA Women of Distinction Award Winners are:

Corporate Social Responsibility: Vicky Dinges, Allstate Insurance
Allstate is being honored for their commitment to women's empowerment, as they work to prevent domestic violence and provide resources for survivors of violence. Accepting for Allstate is Victoria Dinges, Vice President-Corporate Social Responsibility for the Allstate Insurance Co. Their Purple Purse initiative is designed to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence and to educate communities about available resources. Through their financial empowerment program, survivors of domestic violence learn skills needed to become financially self-sufficient.

Military/Veterans Affairs: Commander Zoe Dunning, S.C. USNR (Ret.)
Honoree Commander Zoe Dunning, S.C. USNR (Ret.) is a champion for equality in the military. Zoe Dunning graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in one of the earliest classes that included women. After six years on active duty, she transitioned to the Navy Reserves so she could attend Stanford University Graduate School of Business. While a student there, she publicly came out as a lesbian in protest of the ban on gay service in the U.S. military. One of the first military members to be prosecuted under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, she successfully won her discharge hearing and continued to serve as the only openly gay member of the military for the next 13 years. She retired as a U.S. Navy Commander after 22 years.

Philanthropy: Patty Stonesifer, formerly of the Bill & MeLinda Gates Foundation; now President and CEO, Martha's Table
Patty Stonesifer is being recognized for her decades-long commitment to philanthropic work. The founding CEO of the Bill & MeLinda Gates Foundation, she served in that capacity for 10 years. Before joining the Foundation, she spent decades working in technology, with her final role as Senior Vice President at Microsoft heading the consumer and interactive products division. In April of 2013, she became President and CEO of Martha's Table, a Washington DC nonprofit committed to developing sustainable solutions to poverty with programs focused on providing food, nutrition and education. She served on the Board of the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish.

Advocacy and Civic Engagement: Sharon Love, Co-Founder of the One Love Foundation
Sharon Love is a domestic violence activist and the Co-Founder of the One Love Foundation. Created in May 2012, One Love honors the memory of her daughter, Yeardley Reynolds Love, a former University of Virginia student-athlete who was killed by her ex-boyfriend. Through education and technology, the foundation's mission is to end relationship violence. In September 2012, the One Love Foundation launched its "Be 1 for Change" initiative in conjunction with Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and change attitudes about relationship violence throughout the country.

Dorothy I. Height Racial Justice Award: Actress and activist Eva Longoria
The YWCA USA is honored to present the Dorothy I. Height Racial Justice Award to actress and activist Eva Longoria. This award is presented to an individual who has had a national impact in the field of racial justice in the United States. Honorees are selected based on criteria that reflect Dr. Height's contributions: service in a leadership role, commitment to racial justice and a high standard of courage, integrity and steadfastness in support of the YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women. Eva Longoria is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate for racial justice and her charities and organizations help the Latina community at-large. Her foundation works with Latinas to build better futures through education and entrepreneurship. Her nonprofit, Eva's Heroes, is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with developmental challenges.

About the YWCA
The YWCA is The Voice for every woman. For more than 150 years, the YWCA has spoken out and taken action on behalf of women and girls. The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Over 2 million people participate each year in YWCA programs at more than 1,300 locations across the U.S. For more information, visit ywca.org.

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