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Save the Date: Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala on Wednesday, March, 19th

Sports Luminaries, Community Leaders and Academic Scholars Honored at the
(Washington, D.C.)—The Greater Washington Urban League, Inc. (GWUL) will commemorate 76 years of service in metropolitan Washington, DC, at its 42nd Annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Gala that will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel (1000 H Street NW Washington, DC 20001) on Wednesday, March 19, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “GWUL ON THE MOVE,” in recognition of the GWUL moving forward with a new leadership team and promoting ways to raise the consciousness of the community to become healthier and more fit in the greater Washington region. To that end, GWUL will honor sports and athletic luminaries who are advocates for health and fitness, as well as community partners that promote healthy lifestyles through nutrition, physical activities and education awareness. 
 
George H. Lambert, Jr., the newly appointed President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League, Inc. states, “With all that we have happening the evening of the gala, I am most proud of the scholarship opportunities we have been able to afford to the ten high school students from around the Greater Washington area.” 
 
A total of ten scholarships will be presented. Nine scholarships will be awarded to local high school seniors, sponsored by Safeway, Pepsi, Charlotte Elizabeth Yancey Eights Trust and the GWUL Thursday Network. In addition, one scholarship will be awarded to a student from a veteran’s family made possible by a donation from Giant Food.   
 
At this year’s gala, GWUL will honor three individuals with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Community Service Award for their outstanding contributions to health and fitness in the community over the years. 
 
This year’s honorees include:

  • Youth Inspiration Award: Katie Ledecky, Distance Swimmer, US Olympic Gold Medalist; Broke the American record in the 1,650-yard freestyle by nine seconds at 2013 AT&T Winter Nationals.
  • Trailblazer Award: Catana Starks, Ph.D., First Female Head Coach of an NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Team; Inspiration for “From the Rough” movie starring Taraji P. Henson and co-starring Michael Clarke Duncan in one of his last roles.
  • Pioneer Award: Joel Ward, NHL Hockey Player, Right Wing for Washington Capitals; The Capitals advanced to the conference semifinals on Ward's game-winning goal in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.
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About the Greater Washington Urban League
The Greater Washington Urban League provides more than 50,000 residents in the Washington, D.C., region with education and employment training, health and nutrition, food and utility assistance, affordable housing, and community development programs and services. Our mission is to increase the economic and political empowerment of African Americans and other minorities and to help all Americans share equally in the responsibilities and rewards of full citizenship. The League is one of 98 affiliates of the National Urban League and is a member agency of the United Way of the National Capital Area. 
 

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