Red Wings Recognize Female ‘Game Changers’ Making a Difference in Detroit

This Women’s History Month, the Detroit Red Wings, in partnership with Comerica Bank, recognized and celebrated women in our community making a positive impact on the lives of young Detroiters in the areas of youth sports, education, and wellness.

Each honoree will be celebrated at Little Caesars Arena during the March 27 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets as well as having received a $1,000 grant dedicated to the charity of their choice from the Red Wings.

Manon Rhéaume — Little Caesars AAA Girls Program Coordinator

Manon is the Girls Program Coordinator for the Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club and an ambassador for growing the game and inspiring female athletes across the world.

In 1992, and as goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Manon made history as the first and only female to play in one of the four major North American sports. She was also the first female to sign a contract to play professional hockey and had a six-year professional career in the minor leagues.

As a member of Team Canada, Manon also helped lead her team to two gold medals at the World Championship and a Silver Medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano – the first year women’s hockey was an official Olympics sport.

Courtney Smith — Founder and CEO, Detroit Phoenix Center

Courtney is the founder & CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center, a high-impact nonprofit organization that provides critical resources, support, and a safe, nurturing environment for street connected children and youth. She was recently recognized by the Biden Administration for being a drum major for service and  has been dubbed a “modern-day history maker” by Essence Magazine.

An award-winning, social entrepreneur, Courtney has over a decade of experience as a social impact leader. Throughout her career in the nonprofit sector, she has served in numerous capacities, with a special emphasis on youth development. Courtney is a sought-after speaker who has traveled overseas to advocate for children’s and women’s rights. She is also a member of the Women’s Advisory Committee for Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th Congressional District, a board member for Hero Nation, was recently appointed to the Belle Isle Conservancy Community Engagement Committee and the THAW Power Forward Council.

Pamela Good — Co-Founder and CEO, Beyond Basics

Pamela is cofounder and CEO of Beyond Basics, a nonprofit dedicated to one-on-one reading intervention and holistic literacy enrichment programs for students and families in Metropolitan Detroit.

Beyond Basics is currently providing services to students attending 23 different school locations in Detroit, Taylor and Pontiac with the goal to bring the students they serve to grade level, proficient literacy.

Thus far, the organization has touched the lives of 90,000 children, published 75,000 student-written books, and was able to pivot to a virtual platform immediately after the on-set of COVID in March 2020.  

Amy Good — CEO, Alternatives For Girls

Amy has served as Alternatives For Girls’ CEO since 1988. Under her leadership, AFG has grown from a volunteer-led project to a full-service agency serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women, along with their families, through street outreach, emergency shelter, transition to independent living, and prevention services.

Because of her over 38 years in managing and directing human services programs for Detroit children and families, Amy has received numerous awards, including Oprah Winfrey’s “Use Your Life” award (accompanied by $100,000 for AFG’s capital campaign); the United Way Community Services “Executive Director of the Year” award; Leadership Detroit’s “Leadership Challenge” award; the National Council of Jewish Women Josephine S. Weiner Award for Community Service; and the University of Michigan School of Social Work Distinguished Alumni award in 2014.  In 2017, Alternatives For Girls was recognized by Crain’s as the “Best Managed Non-Profit.”

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