100 Women Strong has honored some influential women in Berrien County with its 11th Annual Leader of Distinction Luncheon.

100 Women Strong Co-Chair Lynne Christiano tells us the event was held Thursday with about 150 people in attendance, making it the group’s largest ever luncheon. They honored Silver Beach Carousel President Suz Schalon and her mother, Marcie, along with Priscilla Upton Byrns.

“Our original plan was to honor Suz because of all the work she had done to bring the carousel back, plus everything that the Schalon Foundation has done for our community, and Suz agreed to be honored as long as we also recognized her mom and Mrs. Byrns because of everything they had done in the community while they were with us.”

Marcie Schalon and Priscilla Upton Byrns are both deceased, but Christiano says they have held posthumous honors before, including for the late Denise Bohn.

Christiano says 100 Women Strong has benefitted hundreds of women in Berrien County since being founded in 1998. It gives financial support to those who work, but have hit a financial emergency. They can receive up to $500 when in a pinch.

“That may not seem to be a lot of money for a lot of people, but $500 can make a huge difference in people that are living paycheck to paycheck and have no safety net.”

Christiano says 100 Women Strong started out when 100 women from the community each donated $100 to get the initiative started with a $10,000 total nest egg. The guest speaker at this week’s luncheon was 102-year-old Gloria Weberg, who has a long history of community service in her life.

Anyone can find out more about the services offered by 100 Women Strong by contacting Mosaic CCDA.