Meet the 14 honorees of the Mercy Center's 2025 Women Making History in Erie community
Dana Massing- The Mercy Center for Women will honor 14 women for their community service and achievements.
- The honorees have made significant contributions in various fields, including healthcare, education and social services.
- The Women Making History event will take place on March 31 at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.
Fourteen trailblazers who lead and serve their Erie-area community will be honored this month by the Mercy Center for Women.
The center has for more than 30 years recognized Women Making History, an honor bestowed annually on women who have a lasting effect on the community through their dedication, service and achievements. This year's honorees will be celebrated March 31, the final day of Women's History Month.
"It is no easy task to select a remarkable woman who aligns with the Mercy mission," said Jennie Hagerty, Mercy Center for Women's executive director. "However, the 14 women chosen this year embrace the qualities of passion and empathy of the diverse population we serve and house in Erie."
Hagerty said the Mercy mission evolves around charism and critical concerns of women. The center provides safe, supportive and empowering housing solutions for individuals and families in transition with a focus on those affected by domestic violence, addiction and mental health challenges, according to its website. One of its programs is the Mercy Anchor Community Center, which provides apartments for men, women and children along with other services in a former school building.
The 14 individuals who are this year's Women Making History honorees are: Lauren Bauer, Shannon Brown-Stewart, Sonya Byes, Sarah Carter, Gretchen Gallagher Durney, Kathleen Getz, Lisa Graff, Ellen Kehl, Sister Kathleen Ann Kolb, Angie Kontur, Katie Kretz, Debi Mitchell Liebel, Mary Lynn Rote and Char Szymanowski.
Meet the 2025 Women Making History
Lauren Bauer, senior vice president and wealth management adviser with Merrill Lynch, has served as the chair of the Erie Women’s Fund and has recently joined the Erie Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Shannon Brown-Stewart, a licensed professional mental health counselor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has been a supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie for more than a decade and became a mother in 2024.
Sonya Byes, CEO and founder of Mocha Media Management LLC, serves those around her through her involvement with the Martin Luther King Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Erie Women’s Empowerment and more.
Sarah Carter, owner of iAesthetic Med Spa, uses her medical skills and science to empower her clients and is also a supporter of Erie United Methodist Alliance, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania and more.
Gretchen Gallagher Durney, an advocate for access to local, healthy food and educating the community about the food system, was formerly director of gardens and greenspace with the Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network.
Kathleen Getz, president of Mercyhurst University since 2021, is also a board member at the Erie Regional Chamber, a parish member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and an occasional volunteer at Emmaus Soup Kitchen.
Lisa Graff, recruiting and development coordinator with Erie Homes for Children and Adults, is president of the Rotary Club of Presque Isle and involved with the boards of the Erie Philharmonic, Family Services of NWPA and Meals on Wheels.
Ellen Kehl, director of marketing and development with LECOM Health, was formerly with the Nonprofit Partnership and works with Young Erie Professionals, Public Relations Society of America and the Wattsburg Area School Foundation.
Sister Kathleen Ann Kolb, regional director of health and wellness for the Sisters of Mercy since 2008, credits her success to God, her loving family and the women of the Sisters of Mercy, and is on the Mercy Center's board of directors.
Angie Kontur, for many years an associate broker with the RE/Max Real Estate Group, has been involved with St. Patrick Church, Habitat for Humanity, St. Patrick Haven and Our Neighbors Place, and is the mother of two daughters.
Katie Kretz, executive director of the Multicultural Community Resource Center, has held board positions with the Barber National Institute, is a board member for Voices4Autism and was appointed to the Pennsylvania Housing Advisory Committee.
Debi Mitchell Liebel, who has more than 50 years of social service and community involvement, co-founded Erie Together, which has a mission to make the Erie region a community of opportunity where everyone can learn, work and thrive.
Mary Lynn Rote, a licensed professional counselor, is the owner of ABCs of Building Better Lives Counseling Services as well as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and a critical incident stress debriefing responder.
Char Szymanowski, salon coordinator at Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon, is known for her big heart and giving spirit, and she and her team truly enjoy supporting a long list of local causes including Mercy Center for Women.
Choosing Women Making History
Each November, Mercy Center for Women asks the Erie community to nominate trailblazers who have set the path for success. Hagerty said 26 nominations were received this past fall and 14 were chosen to be designated as Women Making History. The number of recipients varies from year to year.
"There is no one woman stronger than the next," Hagerty said about the recipients. "But together they embody Women Making History."
How to celebrate them
The women will be recognized on March 31 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. Organizers said the event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.