Nominations Now Open for Tribute to Leadership 2023!

Award Categories

Tribute Leader Nominee Criteria

• Nominee works primarily in Arizona or Nominee work has primary impact in Arizona
• Leadership and Impact: Nominees will be evaluated on their leadership and impact within the community, their organization, or their industry.
• Exhibits and embodies the mission of YWCA: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Emerging Leader Nominee Criteria

• Less than five years in profession (early in career)
• Nominee works primarily in Arizona or nominee work has primary impact in Arizona
• Nominee shows leadership capabilities and/or innovation
• Exhibits and embodies the mission of YWCA: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

EXAMPLES: educators, advocates, artists, student leaders, athletes, activists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, public policy advocates, medical professionals (spiritual care and mental health), non-profit leaders, etc.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for a Tribute to Leadership Award, the nominee must:

• Have resided in the state of Arizona for at least two years
• Not be a current YWCA staff or board member
• Not currently be running for political/elected office

The Tribute to Leadership Awards are presented to women who…

• Exhibit leadership skills in their field of expertise
• Have been a role model and/or mentor to other women and girls
• Advocate for positive social change that helps close the leadership gap and create a more equitable society
• Demonstrate a commitment to the YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women
• Garnered respect within the community
• Are dedicated to helping women and girls achieve their goals
• Reinforce policies, practices, attitudes, and/or actions that are intended to produce equitable outcomes for all
• Give back to the community through their time, talent, and/or resources

Selection Process

Tribute to Leadership Honorees are selected by a committee of Legacy Tribute to Leadership Honorees (previous awardees).

All nominees and their nominators will be notified in December and invited to attend a private January reception for the official announcement of the final 2023 Honorees.

About the Awards

YWCA’s Tribute to Leadership Awards Program has been an annual celebration to recognize the accomplishments of leaders in our community who strive to improve the lives of women, girls, and people of color through leadership, advocacy, and community service. We have recognized 264 unstoppable honorees and we are just getting started!

Since 1994, YWCA has celebrated remarkable women for their commitment to justice and giving back to the community. We celebrate each year to increase awareness and appreciation for the diverse contributions of women leaders.

To be awarded a YWCA Tribute to Leadership Award, a woman must embody YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The selected honorees give generously of themselves, set the example of equity in leadership, and make Phoenix a better place for all to live.