YWCA Mohawk Valley (YWCA MV) is seeking nominations for the 36th annual Salute to Outstanding Women, an awards ceremony honoring women from the Mohawk Valley who uplift and empower their community.
To nominate the Outstanding Woman in your life, visit ywcamv.org/Salute. Nominations for this year’s celebration must be submitted by Dec. 6, 2024.
Salute to Outstanding Women honors eight women, one for each of as many categories:
- Business & Industry: Employees of all levels in any profession, business or industry; examples include accounting, construction, law, marketing, trade skills, etc.
- Education: Teachers, administrators, community educators, coaches, mentors, professors, librarians, tutors, etc.
- Entrepreneur: Someone who has started their own business, large or small, storefront or online.
- Healthcare: Physicians, nurses, opticians, dentists, therapists in any specialty, pharmacists, healthcare professional and aides, etc.
- Human & Public Service: Law enforcement, EMT, fire department, armed forces, social workers, nonprofit employees, etc.
- Outstanding Youth: Young women age 17 and under who deserve recognition for their volunteer work, school-related involvement and/or academic achievements
- Social Justice: An unsung heroine in the community whose efforts truly embody YWCA MV’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all
- STEAM: Someone who works to promote science, technology, engineering, art and/or math in any field
Nominations can be made for multiple categories; however, each nominee can only be selected as the honoree for one category. Nominators who submitted their Outstanding Woman for Salute 2024 can easily re-nominate by notifying YWCA MV at events@ywcamv.org.
“This is our favorite time of year,” said YWCA MV CEO Dianne Stancato. “After more than three decades of Salute, we are as delighted as ever to meet and honor the inspiring, empowering, outstanding women right here in our community.”
Nominations are made by the public and reviewed for selection by a panel of independent judges.
The selected honorees will be recognized during the Salute to Outstanding Women luncheon, taking place March 27, 2025 at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro, NY.
Nominees must be 18 years of age, live and/or work in Oneida or Herkimer counties and must have demonstrated excellence and leadership in the community and/or workplace. Youth nominees must be 17 or younger and live, work or attend school in Oneida or Herkimer counties. Nominees cannot be past Salute honorees, current YWCA MV board members or current YWCA MV staff.
Nominate your Outstanding Woman today at ywcamv.org/Salute.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are now available for Salute to Outstanding Women 2025. For more information, contact Kayla Hartman, development director, by Feb. 21 at events@ywcamv.org or 315.732.2159 ext. 235.
All proceeds from Salute to Outstanding Women directly benefit YWCA MV’s 24-hour free and confidential domestic violence services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, crisis hotlines, advocacy and accompaniment and more.
YWCA MV is available for anyone experiencing domestic and/or sexual violence via our free and confidential 24-hour hotline services. Visit ywcamv.org/Chat to reach an advocate directly through our private, secure server. In Oneida County, call or text 315.797.7740 for domestic and sexual violence crisis services. In Herkimer County, call 315.866.4120 for child advocacy and adult sexual violence crisis services. For more information about YWCA MV, visit ywcamv.org.
