NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Women from all across the state gathered in North Charleston to celebrate each other.
It is the eighth annual “What Women Bring Awards,” sponsored by the YWCA Greater Charleston.
Live 5’s Ann McGill co-hosted the event, where women shared lunch and words of wisdom.
Each year, eight women are chosen from around the state and recognized as trailblazers in their respective fields of work.
Their contributions are highlighted in the areas of business, tech, education, law and healthcare, as well as nonprofits.
The event took place at the Conference Center at Trident Tech in North Charleston.
This year’s winners include several women from the Lowcountry.
Here are the honorees for the 2025 What Women Bring Awards:
Adrian Capers-Swinton, Human Affairs & Racial Conciliation Manager, City of Charleston, Community: Eliminating Racism
Dr. Jeannelle Perkins, Founder & CEO of Haruki- Resilience & Recovery and TMI Counseling & Coaching, Healthcare
Iris Spann, CEO of Fundamentals of Learning, Executive Director of a Home For School (Micro-school), Entrepreneurship
JenVon Cherry, Founder of Epitome of Epilepsy Nonprofit Organization, Rising Star
Katrina Carpenter, Founder of Jean’s Angels Nonprofit Organization, Community: Empowering Women
Lady Joi, Founder of POJE Cosmetics, ZoLam Communications, D.R.E.A.M. Pushers INC., Wildcard
Niki Smith, Parent Advocate/Title I Coordinator, Charleston County School District, Education
Yajaira Torres-Bess, Public Relations Specialist at Berkeley Electric Cooperative, INC., Business