The World Heritage Cultural Center (WHCC) this week announced the winners of the 2024 inaugural EmpowHer Newtown Awards.

The following individuals are being celebrated for their valuable contributions to the community: Chetranie Daka, Game Changer Award; Eunice Laverty, Lifetime Achievement Award; Jennifer Chaudhary, Trailblazer Award; Zosia Teraszkiewicz, Rising Star Award; Don Lococo, SupportHER Award; and Kenneth Miller, SupportHER Award 12-18.

The awards will be presented Saturday, August 24, at HillTop Kitchen, 4 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook. A red carpet event will begin at 5 pm, and the ceremony will begin at 6.

Attire is formal. Tickets are $85 each, and available at mywhcc.org/empowher-tickets. Tickets and additional information are also available by calling HillTopKitchen at 203-426-4455.

Proceeds from the tickets will go into a scholarship fund to give back to the community for future generations of children to expand their learning opportunities.

The goal of the EmpowHer Awards is to recognize members of the community who help make positive changes and inspire others in the community. The awards event will honor and recognize the accomplishments of women and their allies who lead, inspire, and motivate.

According to the awards committee, EmpowHER awardees are all role models who inspire those around them to be more and do more. They use their influence and position of power to inspire change in their network, workplace, or community. They are admired and respected for their resilience, leadership, and humility.

“There are so many people that do so many things but never get spotlighted or noticed. They deserve that spotlight,” WHCC Founder Sattie Persaud told The Newtown Bee in May.