SPRINGFIELD -- From an Academy Award-nominated costume designer to the dean of education at Westfield State University and a lieutenant in the Springfield Police Department, the Urban League of Springfield, Inc. is honoring black women during its 105th anniversary celebration Tuesday.

"We have one of the oldest urban leagues in the country. In fact we are part of the original 13, and beyond celebrating our history, we wanted to honor black women who have achieved distinction in their careers," said Henry M. Thomas III, president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield.

The dinner and award ceremony at the MassMutual Center will highlight 16 women, with a focus on keynote speaker Ruth E. Carter, an Academy Award-nominated costume designer who has designed costumes for critically acclaimed films including Spike Lee's "Malcolm X," Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" and most recently "Black Panther," the latest in a series of Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

A Springfield native and graduate of Technical High School, Carter has ties to the Urban League of Springfield.

"In the 1970s, she was part of our drill team, a youth program called the Cadets and Leaderettes. She was also a camper at our summer camp," Thomas said. "She has the Urban League in her veins, and we are honored to have her participate in this event."

The event will also highlight many of the Urban League's initiatives, from the 150 volunteers in schools across Western Massachusetts to the 6,000 bags of groceries donated to senior citizens in need every year.

"We have a responsibility to our community, to our students in the public school system and to our indigent seniors," Thomas said.

The Urban League will also award $40,000 in scholarships to black seniors graduating from Springfield high schools this year.

Thomas said while the event will highlight many of the organization's achievements, it's ultimately a celebration of distinguished black women with ties to the organization and to Springfield.

"The women selected are women who thrive in the private and public sectors representing different disciplines from finance, banking, community engagement, education, health and wellness, arts and culture, law, city government and more," Thomas said. "It's important to note that there are so many other women we were not able to include this time, but we hope to do something like this again."

Other "Black Women of Excellence" awardees include:

* Dr. Shirley J. Whitaker, M.D.: Nephrology specialist, Baystate Health

* Pia Flanagan, J.D.: MassMutual Corporate Secretary, and Chief of Staff to president Roger W. Crandall

* Adrienne Smith, M.S., Ed.D.,: Dean of Engineering and Technologies, STCC

* Tania Barber, MBA: President and CEO, Caring Health Center

* Dr. Tashanna Myers M.D.: Gynecological oncologist, Baystate Health

* Enku Gelaye, J.D.: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UMass, Amherst

* Anika Gaskins: Vice President of Regional and National Marketing, MGM Springfield

* Sheila Goodwin, MBA: Senior Vice President, PeoplesBank

* Paulette Henderson, BA: Funeral director and owner, Henderson Funeral Home

* Cheryl Stanley, Ed.D.: Dean of Education, Westfield State University

* Jessica Henderson: Lieutenant, Springfield Police Department

* Denise Jordan, MA: Mayoral chief of staff, City of Springfield

* Yvette Frisby, MA: Senior vice president, Urban League of Springfield, Inc.

* Shadae Thomas-Harris, ED LD: Springfield Public Schools principal, Harvard University teaching fellow

* Helen Caulton-Harris, RN: Commissioner, Health and Human Services, City of Springfield