The Niagara Awards was established by the Board of Directors of the YWCA of the Niagara in 1997 as a fundraiser to publicly recognize and honor women who make significant contributions to the Niagara and Erie communities specific to the YWCA’s mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
2024 Niagara Awards
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Event Begins at 11:30 a.m.
At Wurlitzer Events – 908 Niagara Falls Blvd, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Luncheon tickets are $75 or $550 for a table for 8 – Purchase tickets here, stop by 32 Cottage, or call 716-433-6714.
Besides our tribute to women at the luncheon, we are unveiling an extraordinary addition to our event lineup–a remarkable keynote speaker who truly personifies our mission and stands as a beacon of inspiration and mentorship: the first active-duty Miss America, Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh.
From Air Force pilot to public figure, read her amazing story here.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2024 NIAGARA AWARDS!
Award recipients will be selected in one of the award categories, will be recognized at the lunch, and their picture + bio will appear in local press articles and the event program. The award recipient(s) in each of the award categories will be notified by the YWCA Selection Committee prior to the lunch.
In addition, a pre-selected recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the Friend of the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier will be honored and presented with an award at the dinner.
What are the criteria for nominating women for the Niagara Awards?
Women nominated should be those who have consistently demonstrated through their employment, self employment, volunteer service, or lifestyle, an outstanding commitment to the mission of the YWCA – the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all – in one of the following categories:
- THE ARTS – Women who have excelled in any level of the arts, such as painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, vocalists, and conductors, arts educators, arts historians, museum and gallery staff, actresses etc. while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- EDUCATION – Women who have excelled at any level of education, including religious or community, in any position, including superintendent, principal, teacher, teacher’s aide, college dean, assistant dean, professor, assistant professor, instructor, teaching assistant, professional staff, etc. while supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- ENTREPRENEUR – Women who have excelled as owners of their own companies, businesses, or organizations while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- BEHIND THE SCENES – Women who have excelled as support personnel, such as receptionists, sales associates, clerical workers, secretaries, bookkeepers, administrative assistants, cashiers, bank tellers, customer service representatives, while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – Women who have excelled as health care providers, case managers, nurses, physicians, social workers, etc. while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- MANAGEMENT – Women who have excelled as top executives and/or officers of corporations, businesses, non-profit organizations, directors, supervisors, managers, etc. while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDER – Women who have gone above and beyond the call of duty as members of the military or first responders, showing their dedication, diligence, and caring to both their service and the people they serve while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- INSPIRATION – Women leaders who, through their words, actions and attitude, inspire those who work with and around them while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
- COMMUNITY PARTNER – Women who go beyond the call to devote time, energy and resources to assist and engage their community while also supporting the YWCA’s mission of the empowerment of women, the elimination of racism, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
Nominations must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2024. Download the nomination packet here.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in sponsoring this event? We have a variety of sponsorship opportunities available! For more informaton regarding sponsorship, click here.