The YWCA at Illinois is seeking nominations for the 31st annual Women’s Leadership Awards.
Prospective nominees are exceptional women who display leadership, initiative, creativity and dedication, and go the extra mile to get involved in programs and activities that benefit the communities in which they live and work. The awards recognize the achievements and contributions of exceptional individuals, organizations and businesses in the greater Champaign-Urbana community who work to advance the mission of the YWCA.
Nominations may submitted online until Friday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. This year’s awards will be presented at the YWCA’s Women’s Achievement Celebration on March 16 at the I-Hotel.
Nominations may be submitted in the categories of advocacy, business, education, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and social justice. “So often, the contributions of women, especially women of color, go unrecognized. Being able to honor area women for their achievements has been one of our most joyful and long-standing programs,” said Andrea Rundell, the executive director of the YWCA.
Past recipients include Jean Driscoll, Paralympian gold medalist and eight-time winner of the Boston Marathon; state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson; and Dr. Rebecca Ginsburg, the director of the Education Justice Project. A more complete list of past awardees is online.
