Women of Distinction Awards
Honouring the Women and Gender-Diverse Leaders Who Drive Positive Change in Our Community
The Women of Distinction Awards celebrate women and gender-diverse individuals whose leadership, vision and dedication are shaping a stronger, more equitable Edmonton. Nominations are open to individuals whose contributions reflect YWCA Edmonton’s mission of equity, opportunity and choice for all. Please join us at our 2026 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.at the Royal Glenora Club.
A complete list of all historic YWCA Edmonton Women of Distinction Award recipients can be found here
Nominate a Woman of Distinction Today
Nominations are open until February 16. For more information, please see our complete Nomination Package.
For more information, please contact: c.mccourt-reid@ywcaedm.org
2026 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon
Thursday, May 7
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Royal Glenora Club
2026 Award Nominations
Nomination Deadline: February 16
What You’ll Need to Submit:
Completed nomination form
Nominee consent confirmation (not required for the Bellamy Award)
Nominee resume or CV, or approved alternative documentation for the Bellamy Award
Two letters of support (maximum one page each)
For more information, please see our complete Nomination Package.
Key Dates:
Nominations Close: February 16
Awards Luncheon: Thursday, May 7, 11:00 – 1:00 | Royal Glenora Club
Award Categories
Nominees may be submitted in one category only.
Trailblazer Award
Recognizing individuals who have broken barriers, led with courage and paved the way for others in their field.Arts & Culture Award
Celebrating individuals who enrich Edmonton through artistic, cultural, or creative leadership.Business & Entrepreneur Award
Honouring business leaders and entrepreneurs whose innovation, ethics, and leadership create positive economic and community impact.Community Changemaker Award
Recognizing grassroots leaders, advocates, and volunteers driving meaningful community and systems-level change.Emerging Leaders Award (Under Age 30)
Honouring young leaders demonstrating exceptional initiative, leadership and community impact.The Bellamy Award (Posthumous)
In honour of YWCA Edmonton’s first president, Lorinda Bellamy (1907–1911), this legacy award celebrates an extraordinary historic Edmonton woman whose contributions continue to shape our community
Who Can Be Nominated
Nominees must live or work in the Edmonton area.
Self-identified women and gender-diverse individuals are eligible.
Nominee consent is required for all categories except the Bellamy Award.
Self-nominations are not permitted.
YWCA Edmonton welcomes nominations that reflect the diversity of our community, including Indigenous women, racialized women, women with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ individuals and women of all ages and backgrounds.
Nominate a Woman of Distinction Today
Nominations are open until February 16. For more information, please see our complete Nomination Package.
Support Women of Distinction
The Women of Distinction Awards are more than a celebration; they are helping us drive positive change. Your support directly funds YWCA Edmonton’s essential programs, including the Welcome Home Project, which provides safe, affordable housing and critical wraparound support for women and families escaping violence. Every dollar raised helps us create stronger, safer communities with equity, opportunity, and choice for all.
Congratulations to our 2025 Women of Distinction Award recipients:
Jocelyn Verreault – Trailblazer
Dianne Meili – Arts & Culture
Bernie Kollman – Business & Entrepreneur
Dunia Nur – Community Changemaker
Alexandra Ages – Emerging Leader
Maud Bowman – The Bellamy Award
2025 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon
YWCA Edmonton’s 2025 Women of Distinction Luncheon was held on May 1 at the Royal Glenora Club. We were proud to bring back the Women of Distinction Awards this year, building on a legacy that began in Edmonton in 1982. These awards celebrate the courage, creativity and leadership of women, girls and gender-diverse individuals who are making an impact in our communities. From grassroots organizers to business leaders, artists to advocates, our Women of Distinction are shaping a more just and equitable future.
The event honours those who are breaking down barriers, championing equity, and opening doors for others to thrive. Women of Distinction is both a fundraiser and a community-building campaign that raises awareness of the remarkable work being done by women and gender-diverse individuals in our community, with all proceeds supporting YWCA Edmonton’s programs and services.