Pink daisies matched the fan-folded pink napkins, and women jumped up from their tables to kiss incoming women.

If the amount of pink in the room wasn’t telling of the night’s purpose, the pink screensaver screamed it, welcoming guests to the Phenomenal Women Recognition Banquet.

The banquet’s theme “Our History is our Strength” was celebrated in Carter Hall on Wednesday in honor of the women at USI and its community marking the 10th annual banquet.

This year Phenomenal Women had 10 individual honorees as well as 10 organizational honorees.  

“We really wanted to make it special because it is the tenth year. We wanted to make sure we honor women organizations in the area,” Senior Administrative Assistant Danielle Beebe said.

Girls in Bloom, Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Evansville and Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana were a few of the honoree organizations.

Provost Ron Rochon welcomed the guests and honorees.

“Every day I look at my daughter. I look at her with such sincerity and great hope and pride,” Rochon said.

Rochon hopes she knows and understands she has many equal opportunities to contribute to the community. He believes the honorees are role models the younger ladies can look up to.

Betty Hart, a 2007 honoree, read a poem by Maya Angelou called “Phenomenal Woman.”

“’I’m a woman, phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me’,” Hart read.

After dinner, Gina Moore sang “We Are Family”, walking through the crowd with a smile on her face, handing the microphone to the guests.

Jemeer Granger, 6, sang along with his mother, Danyelle Granger, a 2011 honoree.

He stood on his chair waving his arms to the music with a smile from ear to ear. Representatives of the recognized organizations sat at the tables, many bringing their children.

Jahanara Tapal, American Association of University Women (AAUW) representative, sat with her daughter Sarah, 4. Sarah dressed in pink to help celebrate the night.

Tanya Cook, community member, housed a family of 13 and served in the U.S. Army. She is currently working on her first book, “Pages of the Heart.”

Senior Koryn Heeke, public relations and advertising undergraduate, has a 4.0 GPA and is President of Student Ambassadors.

She volunteers for the American Cancer Relay for Life.

Daniela Vidal, instructor in the Engineering Department, created Hospitality and Outreach for Latin Americans (HOLA)- the first non-profit organization focused on the Hispanic population in the community.

Ending the night with chocolate cake and a final picture, the women congratulated one another.

“Of all the things that have changed throughout the years, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the face that women are continuing to make a difference in the area of diversity in ever-changing community,” said Pamela Hopson, director of the multicultural center.