LEWISTON — The Board of Directors and staff of the YWCA of Central Maine are announced the First Annual Women of Achievement Award Gala to be held on Thursday, Dec. 3, at the Ramada Inn.

The Women of Achievement Award recognizes exceptional community contributors. Award recipients are women leaders in Maine who have exhibited a unique combination of qualities including leadership, commitment to civic engagement, service to community, and participation in advocacy that emulate the mission of the YWCA and leave a lasting impact in our state and local community. The first Woman of Achievement Award honoree is Auburn’s own, Lee Young.

Young has committed tireless hours to bettering her community and state through civic engagement, education and community service. As a pioneer in her diverse career fields, Young has accomplished numerous firsts as a women leader in this community. She was both the first woman to receive the Citizen of the Year award from the Auburn Business Association, changing the title from Man of the Year, and the first female mayor of Auburn. Lee has been instrumental in the development of the YWCA, and her work has contributed greatly to the organization’s success today. Her distinguished career achievements and community engagement work at the YWCA and at organizations throughout the region have paved the way for future generations of female leaders. Young is an exemplary first recipient of the YWCA of Central Maine’s inaugural Women of Achievement award.

The Women of Achievement Awards Gala with Tammie Grieshaber as emcee will be a seminal event drawing top professionals from key organizations and esteemed civic-minded leaders.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and will include dinner, festive music and an award program honoring Young. The program will also feature the showing of an Oral History project featuring YWCA women from the early 70s to the present. Tickets are $50 per person.

FMI, tickets: 207-795-4050, www.YWCAMaine.org.