OUTSTANDING WOMEN AWARDS

YWCA Richmond Celebrates 44 Years of Women’s Leadership!

In 1980, YWCA Richmond launched the Outstanding Women Awards to recognize and celebrate women’s achievements in the Greater Richmond area.

Since then, we have recognized more than 300 leaders who have made significant contributions to our community through their exceptional leadership, sustained dedication, and inspiring achievements.

Our Outstanding Women Awards honorees encourage, promote, and create lasting changes in our region. They impact the lives of the people around them, empowering them to find their own path to lead.

Thank you for your support of and interest in Leadership Forum Breakfast. We are now sold out but look forward to seeing you at our 44^th Annual OWA Luncheon on May 8, 2024. Please use the link below to purchase tickets.

OWA 2024 - Sponsorship KitOWA 2024 - PRESS RELEASERewatch the OWA 2023 Celebration

2024 Class of Outstanding Women Award Honorees

Nominations

Thank you for your help in identifying women in the Greater Richmond area who have made significant contributions to our community through their exceptional leadership, sustained dedication, and inspiring achievements.

OWA 2025 Nominations Are Open!

2025 OWA Nominations Form

Criteria for an Outstanding Women Award Nominee

Resides in one of the following cities or counties: Charles City, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell, New Kent, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George, or Richmond.
Exhibits a high level of professional or volunteer achievement and leadership skills.
Generates significant impact on the Greater Richmond community through her endeavors.
Demonstrates passionate commitment to a cause through her activities.
Is highly respected by her peers and is a role model for other women in her field.

Before you Start:

The following are helpful hints to make your nomination strong and compelling:

The nomination pool historically includes nominations showcasing the talents and accomplishments of the most outstanding women in our community.
Nominations are valid for two years. If a woman is nominated and not selected, she is automatically considered the following year.
You may nominate a candidate in a maximum of two categories. The selection committee reserves the right to place nominees in an additional category deemed appropriate during the selection process.

How to complete the form:

We recommend that you work on and save your nomination content in a separate electronic Word document, and cut and paste your content into the form. For security reasons, the OWA Nomination Form is only saved once the form is submitted.
Make sure to keep your total application word count at 4,000.
You may collaborate with others to complete the nomination form.
Examples of impact for a nominee’s work make a strong case for review.

To review all the nomination questions in advance, please click here: YWCA 2025 OWA Nominations Form pdf.

You may contact Cynthia Coleman at ccoleman@ywcarichmond.org with any questions.