The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Women’s Initiative is now accepting nominations for the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards, but time is running out.
The awards honor women who exemplify notable achievement, outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community, and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance and leadership.
The nomination deadline is January 31.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber Women’s Initiative started in 2008 and is the leading organization for women of all career stages to connect, grow and achieve for business and professional success. The Women’s Initiative offers a continuum of growth for women of all ages and stages of their careers.
“There are so many amazing women in the Northern Kentucky community who are changing lives every day,” said Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Chairwoman Caroline Weltzer. “The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards provide an opportunity for these women to be honored and recognized for their selfless contributions. We hope that through this process, some of these outstanding women can receive the recognition they most certainly deserve.”
The Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards were established in the fall of 1984, when the late Nancy Boothe, wife of then-NKU President Leon E. Boothe, invited several faculty and staff members to a luncheon for a discussion of ways to involve more women from the NorthernKentucky area in the University community.
By the end of that meeting, a preliminary plan had been devised to establish the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards, which would be presented during the annual Northern Kentucky University Women’s Week celebration.
In the spring of the following year, the first Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards luncheon was held with The Kentucky Post acting as a co-sponsor. Thomas More College later joined as an additional sponsor.
After the Post closed, Toyota became the major sponsor, assumed responsibility for event production, and supported the scholarship program. With the 2014 announcement of Toyota’s headquarters consolidation and eventual relocation to Texas, the program was again in need of a champion to carry the torch. The Women’s Initiative of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has adopted this program and will continue its remarkable legacy.
At the first celebration, five women were honored. Since that time, more than 140 women have been recognized for blazing trails, opening doors or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities or their state.
Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:
*The Outstanding Women of NKY Award
*Emerging Leader Award
*Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement
*Helen Carroll Champion of Education
*The Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Award
Honorees will be announced in March, and the awards will be presented at the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards Luncheon, presented by St. Elizabeth Healthcare on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
More information about the awards, past honorees, and the nomination form can be found online at www.OWNK.org.
The Title Sponsor is St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Education Partners include Toyota, Gateway Community and Technical College, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More College.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is the leading business organization in Northern Kentucky. It is a Five-Star Accredited Chamber with nearly 1,500 member companies representing approximately 175,000 employees. The Chamber focuses its efforts on education, workforce development, international trade, leadership development, and government relations at the federal, state and local level.
*Note: Feature photo depicts 2017 honorees
Northern Kentucky Chamber Women’s Initiative