	The Women's Forum of North Carolina, Inc.

2007 Young Adult Leadership Award Results

Each year since 1987, the Women's Forum has honored a young North Carolinian between the ages of 18 and 35, who has demonstrated leadership in improving the lives of North Carolinians, especially female. The Forum is pleased to announce 2007 YALA finalists and the award recipient. Congratulations to all of these exceptional young women.

More about the awards.

YALA Winner for 2007

Nikki McKoy has exemplified leadership in improving the quality of lives for women in North Carolina through her work to improve access around birth control such as for the “morning-after” pill. Her commitment to reproductive freedom for all women is remarkable as well as her personal life story. As an African American teen mother, she overcame multiple obstacles to become both a respected researcher and women’s health advocate. Nikki received a plaque and a $500 check.

Nikki led NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina Foundation’s research of access to Plan B (or the “morning-after” pill) at NC pharmacies. Her leadership in this project resulted in a greater awareness of both Plan B and its new over-the-counter status for women 18 and older. It also helped to highlight the various barriers women still meet when trying to access this important pregnancy prevention in North Carolina. The results of her research received statewide attention, including an interview with a Western NC radio station. This was picked up nationally by prominent advocacy groups such as the Guttmacher Institute which works to advance reproductive and sexual health nationally through research, policy analysis, and education. Her cutting edge research and passion for reproductive freedom served as a trigger for efforts to educate pharmacists about Plan B in NC. Her research was also instrumental in kicking off campaigns to get more pharmacies to stock Plan B at NC pharmacies. Her willingness to take on this research despite the controversy surrounding Plan B, demonstrates her ability and courage to take risks to promote women’s health.

Nikki’s commitment to women’s health is broader than just reproductive health care and access. She also coordinated the NC Women’s health report card for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Center for Women’s Health Research including the release of the report card at the NC General Assembly. This report card informs important legislative decisions that impact women’s health and also sheds light on health disparities among women of color and women with disabilities. Nikki continues to reach out to various groups such as NC Women United and the NC Women’s Forum to further expand the reach and use of the women’s health report card.

Forum member Melissa Reed nominated Ms. McKoy.

YALA Finalists

The other two finalists were also exemplary young women.

Kate Catlin, an account executive at MMI Associates, Inc. was nominated by Patty Briguglio. Kate has been very active in the National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), an organization that empowers students to be leaders as they teach other students about alternatives to violence.

Cynthia McBrayer, nominated by Linda McGee, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the School of Communication Arts. She has also worked at Kaleidoscope Fashion Magazine and has mentored young women throughout her life.

Both nominators are members of the Women’s Forum.

YALA Committee
Jo Ann Norris , Chair

The Women's Forum is an invitational, non-partisan organization of diverse women leaders of proven influence dedicated to working together to achieve equality and maintain social, economic and political power for women.

Last modified:
15-Dec-2007