From 1987 through 2007, the Women’s Forum Young Adult Leadership Award (YALA) honored a young North Carolinian, who demonstrated leadership in improving the lives of North Carolinians, particularly women.
The award was established by Jan Proctor, a charter member of the Forum, in memory of her son, Robert D. Proctor.
The areas of leadership considered for this award included the fields of community service, the arts, science, physical fitness, health care, family, education, business, and the public arena. The finalists
- received a certificate of recognition, a plaque, and a $500 cash award
- were matched with Forum members who serve as mentors, and
- became Associate Members of the Forum.
| Year | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Nikki McKoy | Research Associate, UNC Center for Women’s Health |
| 2006 | Valerie K. Fields | CEO and founder of V. K. Fields & Company |
| 2005 | Lorrin Freeman, Raleigh | Assistant Attorney General, NC Department of Justice |
| 2004 | Angela Baylis, Raleigh | Doctor of Chiropractic |
| 2003 | Charletta Sims, Raleigh | Director of Commuter Life and Diversity Programs, Meredith College |
| 2002 | Angelia Coleman, Durham | |
| 2001 | Latrice Michelle Gay, Charlotte | Director of Community Health Education, Mecklenburg Council on Adolescent Pregnancy |
| 2000 | Christine Medlin, Raleigh | Leadership Director, N.C. Equity |
| 1999 | Rachel K. Esposito, Raleigh | Former elementary teacher, Teaching Fellow: Third year law student, UNC at Chapel Hill, goal: reform public education |
| 1998 | D. Veronica Creech, Ferguson MO | Social worker with M.S. in community Planning, UNC at Chapel Hill; Doctoral student, Saint Louis University (2000) |
| 1997 | Durenda M. Johnson | International Business Senior and Student Government Assn. President, University of NC at Greensboro |
| 1996 | Kristen Goff, Raleigh | Public Health Educator, Wake Co. Dept. of Health, classes in childbirth, parenting, domestic violence & smoking cessation |
| 1995 | Ortharine Williams, Raleigh | Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Saint Augustine’s College |
| 1994 | Kiran Sigmon | Medical Student, ECU School of Medicine, with a goal to be a Family Medical Practitioner |
| 1993 | Barbara Taylor Hood | Largest employer in Johnston County; counsels and supports women and community organizations |
| 1992 | Lee H. Wood | Works for political empowerment of women and elimination of bigotry and oppression |
| 1991 | Naomi Randolph | UNCG student in Dance N.C. Teaching Fellow Local volunteer, world traveler |
| 1990 | Sheila Crumb | UNCW Nursing student on Chancellor Search Committee Member of the Army ROTC |
| 1989 | Julie Bell | Campus leader/role model Law student with the goal to be a United States Senator |
| 1988 | Renee Stephen | Vista Volunteer in Community Development of Mental Retardation Services |
| 1988 | Adelaide (Stephenson) Brooks | First Executive Director of Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Network in Johnston County |
| 1987 | Robyn Hadley | Rhodes and Morehead Scholar President, Southern Assn. of Student Councils |