Women of Achievement Awards

Women of Achievement Awards

The Oregon Commission for Women is seeking nominations of trailblazers and emerging leaders who are working to establish economic, social, legal, political and/or health equity for women and girls in Oregon for the 2025 Women of Achievement Awards!

Download a PDF of the Info Packet Here:
Women of Achievement 2025 Information Packet.pdf

Nomination Period

Nominations are open from through January 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The Commission reserves the right to disqualify incomplete nominations or nominations received after the January 15, 2025, deadline.

History of Women of Achievement Awards

Since 1985 the Oregon Commission for Women has recognized and honored 113 women who, through their works and practices, have significantly improved the lives of women in Oregon.

This award demonstrates our state's appreciation for their endeavors and recognizes their accomplishments across Oregon. The statutory charter of the Oregon Commission for Women empowers the Commission to “promote the full recognition of the contributions of women.” Check out the complete list of piror Women of Achievment Award Recipients below.

Goal of the Women of Achievement Awards

• Recognize women in Oregon who have achieved leadership and success in their personal lives, professional endeavors, civic engagement, volunteer efforts, and activism.
  
• Promote equity and inclusion through the recognition of diverse Oregon women who are typically underrepresented in race, ethnicity, gender identity, occupation, income, and geography.
• Recognize the often unseen and thankless work that women are doing to promote equity for all.
• Increase knowledge of the mission and priorities of the Oregon Commission for Women among state and local agencies, elected officials, community and advocacy organizations, foundations, and other groups throughout the state.

Nomination Process

• Nominations must be submitted via our online form here Women of Achievement 2025 Nominate. This is a Google form and will require a Google account to upload attachments. If you do not currently have an account, you can create one.
• All nominations must include the nominee’s resume and one (1) letter of support. Two additional letters can be submitted but are entirely optional. Up to three (3) nomination letters in support of a given nominee will be considered – please coordinate with other nominators to submit.
  
• Any submission received via email or other platforms will be disqualified.
• All submission documents MUST include the nominee’s full name in the document title.
• Should nominators have issues, please email our Public Affairs Specialist, Saba Saleem at saba.saleem@oac.oregon.gov with the subject line “Women of Achievement Award Nomination”.
• Letters of support should be one page maximum and consider the selection criteria below.
• The Commission will not consider nominees who are incumbent elected officials or candidates during an election cycle.
• Nominations not selected for an award may be resubmitted again in a future year.

Nomination Categories

Women in every stage of their personal, political, and professional development deserve to be recognized for their growth and achievements.

1. Emerging Leader Award: Presented to an early career woman who has been working, volunteering and/or organizing for less than 5 years. They have displayed a commitment to their field, passion, or community.
   
2. Professional Achievement Award: Presented to a woman who has been active for the last 5-15 years in furthering a cause, policy or need in their personal, professional, volunteer, or activism work.
3. Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to a woman who has paved the way for other women in their 15+ years of service. Through their volunteer, personal, professional and/or activism work, they have inspired and supported the advancement of other women in their community and/or field.

Selection Criteria

• Exemplifies leadership and accomplishment in Oregon and has had an impact on the community they serve.
• Actively promotes the status of Oregon women through their work to advance women’s rights, status, or condition.
• Demonstrates special commitment to equity and diversity in Oregon, as evidenced by service for women historically underrepresented due to culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, occupation, income, religion, and geography.
• Is recognized as a leader by peers or organizations, as evidenced by at least one letter of support for their nomination from such individuals and/or groups.
• See Scoring Matrix below.

Highlighting Nominee’s Leadership and Accomplishments

• Demonstrates leadership and significant accomplishments in Oregon and how their achievement(s) influenced the local or statewide community. The Commission is seeking examples of successful, dynamic, and inclusive leadership.
• Promotes the status of women in Oregon by advancing women’s rights, status, or condition within the applicable strategic priority area. The Commission is looking for the identification of any special efforts or programs they have initiated or participated in, that fulfill this objective.
  
• Demonstrates a specific commitment to equity and diversity in Oregon. The Commission is looking for a demonstrated respect for cultural, religious, ethnic, and other types of diversity, especially regarding the candidate’s advocacy of, or participation in, programs and policies impacting women, their families, the community, and the workplace.
• See Scoring Matrix below.