Mobile, Ala. – April 27, 2026: Distinguished Young Women is set to celebrate the 69^th National Finals competition June 26, 27, and 28 at the Mobile Saenger Theater. To help support our initiatives, Distinguished Young Women hosted “Pickle for a Purpose” pickle ball charity tournament. The event took place on Friday, April 24 and hosted more than 40 players.

Thanks to the generous support of our players and sponsors, Distinguished Young Women was able to raise more than $16,000 for the National Finals and hosting the state winners in Mobile for the two weeks prior to the National Final with local cuisine, tourist attractions and Southern hospitality.

“Our organization hosts charity events like Pickle for a Purpose with the sole intention of helping us fund the National Finals and promote our mission to empower young women from all across the country,” said Carole Hegwood, Executive Director, Distinguished Young Women.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this charity tournament possible: presenting sponsor PL Russell, Canfor Southern Pine, Southeast Machine Works. Other sponsors included Crow Shields Bailey, Hall & Associates, Lemoine, Abby & Cliff Kennedy, Rayford & Associates, Clairemont Property Group, Medora, Bluewater Development, Cane Brew, Kathleen & Trey Collins, Grassy Roots, DGT Capital, Master Boat Builders, Fiber Transport Co., McGowin Tax, Momentum Properties, Prouty Family, Pink Zebra Moving, TSI Alarms & Audio, Wilkins Miller, United Rentals, University of South Alabama, Cutis & Lauren Wilson, and Volkert.

Since 1958, Distinguished Young Women is held annually in Mobile, Ala. The nonprofit organization has helped make available to its participants more than $1.4 billion in college-granted scholarships at the local, state and national levels to the class of 2026.

About Distinguished Young Women

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include City of Mobile, Mobile County, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Alabama Power Foundation, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens, John Cauley Jeweler, and Alabama Media Group.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Ashley Horn, national headquarters marketing and communications director, at (251) 438-3621.