The past and future harmoniously collided Thursday evening at the YWCA 2000 Woman of Distinction Award Dinner at Riverside Golf Club.

The audience viewed blueprints of the new YWCA building while speakers such as Marval Hornady and Jan Thayer reflected on the past.

Hornady went as far back as the organization's beginning in 1912, when it struggled to find 100 charter members. Fast-forwarding to the year 2000, she called it "the most exciting of any year ever known at the YWCA."

She credited that to its new building, with remodeling expected to begin in October. With 25,000 square feet, it will double the YWCA's space and serve more than 100 women and children every day.

When speaking of the fund raising for the building, Hornady was matter-of-fact, however:

"We've bought a building, and we have to pay for it," she said. "It's as simple as that."

Keynote speaker Jan Thayer continued the presentation with a talk about the human condition and the reoccurring theme: "Where have all the heroes gone?"

"Think about the truly memorable women," she told the audience. "Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks -- one person with a belief is worth more than 99 with an opinion."

She contrasted ideas presented in old TV shows and movies with those of today.

"I fear that we're losing the hearts, minds and souls of young people," she said.

Her suggestion was to bring back the values of responsibility, respect, religion and doing what's right.

"We must teach and live by our principles," she said. "It's not what you say. It's what you do."

She closed her speech by repeating what she had said in the beginning:

"The purpose of life is to matter, to count -- to make a difference that you ever lived at all."

The evening's honoree, Dr. Aileen Gruendel, received a standing ovation upon her acceptance of the 2000 Woman of Distinction Award.

Gruendel is a local psychologist who, in partnership with her husband, David, opened Nebraska's first private practice in clinical psychology in 1975 in Grand Island. She is a member of several professional and community organizations and was the first woman president of the Goodwill board of directors in 1985.

In her speech, she counted her blessings such as her family and friends and especially women, "for their courage and willingness to do the hard but right thing," Gruendel said.

She closed with compliments to the YWCA.

"I'm amazed and delighted with how far the YWCA has come since we moved to Grand Island," she said. "It will continue to meet the needs of hundreds of women and children, which will help us all move on."

Nominations for the Woman of Distinction award were sought from organizations, businesses and individuals, as well as from the candidates themselves. The qualifications included encouragement and support of other women, activities in support of racial justice, active participation in community affairs and/or professional organizations, leadership and personal and/or professional growth.