2026 Women of Achievement Nominations Now Open: Help Honor the Women Strengthening Our Community

Women of Achievement, one of the region’s most enduring civic traditions, announces the call for nominations for the 2026 St. Louis Women of Achievement Award. Now in its 71st year, Women of Achievement remains the oldest and longest-running program in the St. Louis metropolitan area dedicated solely to honoring women for outstanding volunteer service and leadership.

For more than seven decades, Women of Achievement has celebrated the often unseen but transformative contributions of women who strengthen communities, uplift individuals and families, and make the St. Louis region a better place for all. The organization invites the public to nominate remarkable women from across the St. Louis metropolitan area and Metro East Illinois whose volunteer service has created lasting community impact.

Each year, Women of Achievement selects 10 honorees from nominations submitted by the public. The honorees are recognized at the Women of Achievement Award Luncheon in May. Nominations may be submitted online at woastl.org/nominate, where printable forms are also available. The deadline for all nominations is Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Honoring the Power of Volunteer Leadership
The purpose of the Women of Achievement Award is to recognize and honor women who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the betterment of the St. Louis metropolitan region through uncompensated voluntary contributions, volunteer leadership and a significant breadth of a volunteer career.

Women of Achievement seeks nominees whose volunteer work reflects exceptional dedication, breadth and longevity—whether through years of service, leadership within nonprofit and civic organizations or the creation of new organizations or programs that address community needs. Nominees may have contributed to a wide range of areas, including but not limited to:
• Advocacy
• Arts and culture
• Community development
• Education
• Health and human services
• Philanthropy
• Social justice
• Youth and family support

Eligible individuals are female volunteers from the St. Louis metropolitan area, including Metro East Illinois. Nominations of women representing diverse cultures, roles and accomplishments are encouraged. Multiple nominations of the same individual are accepted. Self-nominations are accepted.

2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon
The 10 honorees will be recognized at the 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon chair is Bess Wilfong, and the vice chair is Eleanor Higgins. Women of Achievement leadership includes President Cassie Strom and Vice President Cynthia R. Bennett, DBA. Presenting sponsors are KMOX Radio, Ladue News, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

For additional information about Women of Achievement or the nomination process, visit www.woastl.org or contact 314-896-4962 or woastlouis@gmail.com.

About Women of Achievement
In 1955, the St. Louis-Globe Democrat newspaper created an awards program that became known as the Women of Achievement Award, to recognize and honor the achievements of women who, through their volunteer efforts, have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life in the St. Louis community. The St. Louis Women of Achievement organization, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, was established in 1993 by former Women of Achievement who wanted to ensure the longevity of the award for future generations of St. Louis area women. The organization's Board of Directors, comprised of past recipients of the award, continue to plan and implement the nomination, selection and award presentation process ensuring that this award will continue to enhance and honor the women volunteers in the St. Louis metropolitan region who positively impact the community, for many years to come. For more information visit the Women of Achievement website at www.woastl.org.