Nominate a Change-Maker for the Val Joshua Award
The purpose of Val Joshua Racial Justice Award is to celebrate and honor individuals, groups, or organizations in Clark County demonstrating leadership in eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.
How is the award determined and how will the recipient be honored?
Completed nomination forms will be reviewed by a group of past award recipients and members of the YWCA’s Racial Equity Committee
The recipient will be honored at the March 21, 2026 Shine Gala
$1,000 will be given to the equity-driven organization of the recipient’s choosing/affiliation
A video asset will be produced
The original YWCA social justice award was presented to Val Joshua in 1989 to recognize her life-long commitment and work towards eliminating racism in our community. It was changed as a named award to honor her legacy in Southwest Washington by NAACP and YWCA Clark County, as Val Joshua served both nonprofits during her impactful time in the community.
Last Year’s Recipients
Dania Otto and Lester Griffin receive the 2025 Val Joshua Racial Justice Award for courageous leadership and unwavering commitment to equity. Dania, Executive Director of Sakura 39ers Youth Association, advances education, language access, and community empowerment for Chuukese families in Vancouver. Lester Griffin is honored for a long-standing dedication to justice, equity, and collaborative community progress. Together, they embody the spirit of Val Joshua—courage, accountability, and a steadfast belief in the dignity of all.
Past Val Joshua Racial Justice Award Recipients
Inception - 1999
1989 Val Joshua
1991 Jim Belton and Joan Stout
1992 Dave Radke
1993 Jerry King and Leann Johnson
1994 Randy Wulff and Community AME Zion Church
1995 Florine DuFresne and Private Industry Council
1996 NAACP Vancouver Branch, Kim Chau Larson, and Brian Willoughby
1997 DaVerne Bell and Harriet Levi
1998 Leonor Amaya-Brooks and Vernon Stoner
1999 Michelle Danley and Joyce Smith
2000 - 2010
2000 Patricia Guy and Greg Ford
2001 Karl Landerholm and Tanisha Harris
2002 Bob Moser
2003 Hewlett-Packard Vancouver
2004 Earl Ford and Diana Avalos
2005 Leilani Russell
2006 Dave Morris
2007 Jamie McCoy and Richard Twiss
2008 Mike Ciraulo and Rekah Strong
2010 Luz Virgen Gonzalez
2011 - Current
2011 Vanessa Gaston
2011 Adam Carpinelli
2012 Kellie Henderson and Elizabeth Ruiz
2013 Amanda Marchak
2014 Michelle Bart and Christopher Resendiz
2015 Diana Perez 2016 Felisciana Peralta
2017 Eulalia Soto and Becky Archibald
2018 Cindi Fisher 2019 Abby Bambilla
2025 Dania Otto and Lester Griffen