The tradition of honoring women who have made significant contributions to the Greater Puget Sound community began in 2006 and was entitled “Inspiring Women Night.” Creating such an honor allowed the team and fans to recognize and thank the women who have made a difference in the community. To reflect the ever-changing roles and opportunities that women have in our community, the program will now be called “Believe in Women Night.” This year the program amplifies the contributions of Black women, leaders of color, and organizations serving Black communities during the 2020 WNBA season and beyond. This year’s Believe in Women honorees are Seattle-area businesswomen and civic leaders of color, driven by their shared philosophy that women and girls should have the chance to succeed at every level no matter their race, ethnicity, or gender.
2024 Honorees
Faisa Farole
Faisa Farole is the owner of Global Perinatal Services, a nonprofit that offers doula services free of charge to low-income, Black, refugee, and immigrant communities. She also runs Federal Way Birth Center, the state’s only Black-owned birth center. Faisa has her master’s degree in Maternal Child Health Systems and her licensure as a midwife in Washington State. She’s also a doula trainer and certified lactation counselor, where she supports mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
Ollie Garrett
Ollie Garrett is the President and CEO of PMT Solutions, a Bellevue-based collection company that provides comprehensive check collection and receivable management services for businesses. Garrett serves as the president for Tabor 100, an association that works to further economic power, educational excellence and social equity for African Americans and the community at large. She is also an appointee of the Washington State Liquor Cannabis Board, the Employment Security Advisory Board and the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority.
Virla Spencer
Virla Spencer is the co-founder and CEO of The Way to Justice, a community-centered nonprofit law firm dedicated to eliminating racism and removing barriers to justice within the legal system. She guides service delivery to the low-income and BIPOC communities, including post-conviction relief, re-entry support, driver’s relicensing, youth empowerment, and community outreach.
Kiti Ward
Kiti Ward is an ordained minister with Breakthrough Ministries. Her role as the Visionary, Founder, and Executive Director of the Agape House provides young women, ages 17 to 27 who have aged out of foster care or who are homeless or about to be homeless, opportunities for housing, education, employment, training, and social services. Reverend Ward’s was appointed as the first Black Area Board President of the Christian women’s group, Women’s Aglow, where she worked to promote diversity, inclusivity and the empowerment of women. She also served as a National Delegate for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. Reverend Ward’s dedication to education is reflected in her career as an elementary school teacher in Washington and Oregon.