The Young Women’s Resource Center last week announced Dierdre DeJear is this year’s recipient of the 2019 Louise Noun Visionary Woman award. Named for the YWRC’s leading founder, the Louise Noun Visionary Woman Award honors advocates, activists, innovators and philanthropists who have made enduring contributions toward empowering girls and women throughout Greater Des Moines. Among her accomplishments, DeJear developed and implemented the Financial Empowerment Center to help low-income families get access to mainstream financial systems and products to increase financial management knowledge and skills. She also co-founded Back 2 School Iowa, was an active member of Mentor Iowa, and developed the Financial Capability Network with the United Way of Central Iowa. DeJear will be honored at the 20th annual YWRC Gala on April 13 at the Ron Pearson Center in West Des Moines. Tickets and information for the YWRC Gala can be found online.