For nearly a century, YWCA Greater Lafayette has empowered women. One of the ways it carries out that mission is through the Salute to Women awards dinner, which recognizes individuals who exemplify leadership, add value to the community, and improve the lives of others.
The 52nd annual event, held March 5, 2026, recognized several inspiring leaders—including Purdue alumnae Shireen Hafeez (LA’07) and Libby Richards (PhD HHS’12), who were both named as women of distinction.
“Being recognized is a privilege,” says Hafeez, whose organization, Deaf Kids Code, partners with Purdue’s Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program to empower deaf children through technology. “It carries deep meaning for me to be seen and appreciated because my work is quiet, steady, hyper-focused, and—as in so many other areas around the country—easily overlooked.”
For Hafeez, working with deaf children is profoundly personal because her own son is deaf. When she first learned of this, her priorities shifted as she immersed herself in Purdue’s Speech, Language, and Audiology program, where her son received vital support. Hafeez collaborated with university faculty to better understand and navigate this new reality.
That experience led her to found Deaf Kids Code, a national nonprofit that advocates for deaf children by using computer science, AI, engineering, technology, and design thinking to advance economic and authentic equity. She has collaborated with several departments at Purdue, including the College of Engineering, to bring learning experiences to her students.
“I had worked in a grassroots parent-led advocacy group and saw so many high-potential children falling through the gaps,” Hafeez says. “I wanted to challenge that.”
What began as a local initiative quickly grew, reflecting a widespread need for accessible opportunities. Deaf Kids Code, which has worked with over 18,000 individuals in more than 65 locations, has always offered these immersive learning experiences at no cost and remains a strong and enduring part of the EPICS community.
Over the years, Deaf Kids Code has hosted free STEM fairs for families, partnered with the National Deaf Swimming Association to build a tempo trainer for deaf swimmers, and developed technology to support a deaf community in Jamaica. The organization also built an initiative for American Sign Language in Khan Academy, a free online learning platform.
Looking ahead, Deaf Kids Code is expanding its focus on engineering and AI literacy, with a continued commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
“Anyone—at any age and at any stage in life—can contribute something to our world,” Hafeez says. “You are the best problem-solver for the challenges you or a loved one is facing. Be courageous—don’t wait for others to do the work.”
Like Hafeez, Richards has built her career around creating meaningful, lasting impact.
As a professor and interim head of Purdue’s School of Nursing, Richards focuses on health promotion and disease prevention, with particular expertise in physical activity and behavior change. Her work bridges the gap between research and real-world application, translating evidence into practical, scalable strategies that improve health across clinical, community, and public-health settings. Whether developing health promotion programs or mentoring future nurses, her approach is grounded in the belief that small, consistent changes can lead to transformative outcomes.
For Richards, being honored by the YWCA represented both a personal highlight and a reflection of the people who have shaped her path.
“The award was not only a celebration of individual achievements but also a reminder of the power of collective and collaborative engagement,” she says. “It is both an honor and a call to continue leading with purpose.”
That sense of purpose has been a guiding force since the beginning of her career.
Initially drawn to nursing by a desire to help others, Richards found that Purdue nurtured her curiosity and commitment to innovation. Over time, she discovered that academia offered a unique opportunity to multiply her impact—preparing future nurses while advancing research that improves population health outcomes.
“Academia allows for the preparation of future nurses while also advancing knowledge that improves care,” Richards says. “It creates space to mentor, innovate, and contribute to solutions that address complex health challenges at a broader level.”
Even as her career has evolved, Richards has remained grounded in a simple but powerful philosophy: “Meaningful change doesn’t always come from sweeping gestures, but from steady, intentional effort. Leading with empathy, integrity, and a commitment to others will create opportunities to make a difference in ways that extend far beyond any single role.”
—Nicolle DeWitt
“Victories & Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue” is inspired by the powerful words of Purdue’s fight song, recognizing those who came before. If you have a Purdue hero in your life, we want to hear from you—share your story for an opportunity to be featured.
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