Kalamazoo Women of Achievement & Courage Award Recipients Announced!

Meet the Award Recipients

This event honors extraordinary leaders with the Women of Achievement and Courage Award. This prestigious award celebrates Michigan women who exemplify commitment to community services, have a proven track record as a mentor and role model for others, and that empower and inspire their community. This year we are pleased to honor Kristen DeVries, Mattie Jordan-Woods, and Betty Lee Ongley.

Kristen DeVries

Vice President & Executive Director, WMU Foundation

A Michigan native, Kristen believes that the power of higher education lies in its ability to transform lives, empowering individuals to envision themselves changing the world, then providing the tools for them to do just that. She has spent her career on the front lines of these transformations, joining philanthropists at all levels with universities dedicated to serving their communities.

Kristen is the first woman to have held the titles of Vice President for University Advancement at Western Michigan University and Executive Director of the WMU Foundation. In 2021, Kristen was responsible for WMU receiving the largest gift ever made to public higher education – the anonymous $550 million Empowering Futures Gift. At Western Michigan University, Kristen continues to drive transformational change through building joyful relationships with alumni, donors, colleagues and students.

Mattie Jordan-Woods

Executive Director, Northside Association for Community Development

Mattie Jordan-Woods is the Executive Director of the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD). She is truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve the community for over 35 years.

In 2003, together with residents and community members, Mattie led the $3.7M development of a 26,000-square-foot grocery store. NACD owns the land and building.

Since 2014 Mattie secured funding and managed the development of senior housing units, and land control of four city blocks and was instrumental in the development of neighborhood-based health and other vocational training programs. She currently chairs the board of the Northside Cultural Business District Authority (NCBDA), a tax increment financing (TIF) tool, which will assist in cultural sustainability initiatives, the creation of resident-owned businesses, energy-efficient, quality, affordable below-market owner-occupied family homes and rental housing for young adults.

First Female Mayor in the State of Michigan, City of Portage

Betty is an activist, community leader, and the first female mayor of Portage, Michigan. Ongley is best known as an extraordinary community servant who founded and contributed to a myriad of organizations to make life better for those in Kalamazoo. This is in addition to her high regard as an accomplished professional in the school guidance field, and as a revered mentor to many women who ultimately went on to serve the community in non-profits and in elected office.

Betty occupied key leadership roles during the early years of the formation of the City of Portage in 1963. In 1968, a few friends asked her to run for City Council after raising $52 to support her campaign. After winning and serving one term on City Council, Ongley decided to run for mayor, and served in that role for three terms until 1979. She was elected to an additional term as Councilmember, in total serving 20 years on the City Council from 1968-1984 and again from 2001-2005. She was then elected to two terms as a Commissioner of Kalamazoo County, Michigan (1987-1990).

Join Us!

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Location: The Fetzer Center at WMU

2251 Business Ct, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Get Tickets

Be Part of the Change

The revenue from WomanUp & Celebrate Events across Michigan helps raise unrestricted funds to support our statewide efforts to break down gender and racial barriers to improve economic equality, equity, and wealth.

Each year we refine, expand, and create new opportunities to support Women entrepreneurs.

Download the Sponsorship Packet