Kaitlyn M. Erdman Memorial WINGS Award
Kaitlyn Erdman was a 2018 recipient of the WINGS award. When awarded, Kaitlyn was a nursing student working on her bachelor's in nursing at Methodist College in Peoria. She traveled from Chenoa to Peoria three to four days a week, while working full-time at OSF in Bloomington. She and her fiancé, Oscar, had a one-year-old daughter, Tinley.
On June 15, 2018–just three weeks after receiving her WINGS award–Kaitlyn was tragically killed in a car accident on her way to work on I-55 near Lexington. She was 25 years old.
In 2019, the award was renamed to honor her and is now the Kaitlyn M. Erdman Memorial WINGS Award. Kaitlyn epitomized the intent and purpose of the WINGS Award.
What is WINGS
The WINGS award was created and is funded by recipients of the YWCA Women of Distinction award. Winners of the Women of Distinction award have a shared commitment to give back to other women in McLean County so they created this award to encourage development in women, both professionally and personally, through mentoring and financial support. The award is given annually to a Woman to Improve her skills for a Notable purpose which allows her to Grow professionally and to achieve Success.
Who is eligible
A woman is eligible for the WINGS award who demonstrates her commitment to professional and personal growth and to service in McLean County. Past WINGS winners are not eligible to apply. Please note women applying for a WINGS Award may not be a nominee for the YWCA Women of Distinction award in the same year.
How can the award be used
WINGS awards, up to $1,500, will be granted to a recipient (or recipients) for a future endeavor that helps them grow professionally and personally. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Workshops and seminars (tuition and class fees)
- Professional conferences (registration fees)
- Software, books, and other materials related to the endeavor
- Certification preparation work, exams, registration or licensing
- Local opportunities for development, such as the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership McLean County or Multicultural Leadership Program
- Other costs incurred as a result of the approved endeavor (such as child care, transportation, lodging and meals for out-of-town activities, etc.)
How to apply
The 2020 application will be available on Wednesday, July 15. Submissions are due no later than Friday, August 28, 2020 at noon.
When will the award be announced?
All applicants will be notified no later than mid-September, 2020 if they are award recipients. The award recipient(s) is expected to attend the YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction Awards Banquet and past winner reception on Thursday, October 15, 2020, where the first public announcement of WINGS recipients will take place. YWCA McLean County will assume the cost for the banquet and the reception (including a guest, if desired). Prior to the banquet, a photograph will be taken of the recipient(s) by a professional photographer for display at the banquet. The cost of the photograph is donated by Barb Adelman at élan Studios.
The application process is now closed for 2020. Please check back early summer 2021 for dates for the 2021 scholarship.
Questions
If you have any questions about the WINGS award, please call (309) 662-0461, ext. 272 or email ywdevelopment@ywcamclean.org.