Eligibility & Award Categories
Woman of Inspiration™ or SupportHER™
Women of Inspiration™ Awards
Women of Inspiration™ Awards recognizes the achievements of women who lead, inspire, and motivate. We celebrate women from diverse industries and stages of life along with the allies who SupportHER™.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Any individual or organization may nominate (or apply) as a Woman of Inspiration™. or SupportHER™ (male allie).
Women of Inspiration™
A Woman of Inspiration™ is a role model who inspires those around her to be more and do more. She uses her influence and position of power to inspire change in her network, workplace, or community. She is admired and respected for her resilience, leadership, and humility. She has grit and fights for what she believes in, regardless of the barriers. She isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves. She ignores the naysayers and fearlessly steps outside of her comfort zone to pave the road for others to follow.
- Women of Inspiration™ represents all levels of leadership from diverse industries and walks of life. Including C-Suite (CMO, CFO, COS, CDO, CXO, CHRO, COO, CTO, CIO), Senior Level Executive and Rising Leaders, Sports, Arts and Culture, Authors, Coaches, Musicians, Actors, Influencers and more!
SupportHER (Male Allie)
- A SupportHER™is an individual (male allies) or company that champions women in their network, workplace, and community. Including C-Suite (CMO, CFO, COS, CDO, CXO, CHRO, COO, CTO, CIO), Senior Level Executives, BOD, Philanthropists, and Business Leaders.
Top Company – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion SupportHER™ Champion
- Top Companies – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion SupportHER™ Champions are committed to the advancement of women and leading by example in their industry to inspire change for a more equitable world.
WHY NOMINATE?
By nominating a woman, you are telling her and the world that she is an extraordinary and courageous woman who is inspiring others and making an impact on the lives of others. A woman of inspiration is resilient, overcomes challenges with grace and lifts those around her. By nominating a woman, you are honoring her accomplishments, the opportunity to build a legacy, validating her hard work, dedication, and contribution in the workplace, elevating her personal and professional profile, an opportunity to be recognized locally, nationally, and globally.
Nominating a woman who inspires you shows her that she has made an impact. This recognition could make all the difference in her world to keep moving forward in her purpose. When we celebrate the achievements of one woman, we celebrate all women!
- Elevate her leadership confidence and visibility
- Provide her recognition on a local, national, and global level
- Validate her hard work, while affirming she’s on the right path
- Discover new opportunities to further her personally and professionally
- Increase her circle of influence with other like-minded women
- Attract and retain key talent and recognize your leaders
Timeline
Complete Nomination Package – Deadline – June 30
- Women of Inspiration Package
- SupportHER Package
Apply Top Company – Equity, Diversity, inclusion SupportHER Champion
ELIGIBILITY
- Nominees and nominators will receive a notification once a nomination has been received.
- A Nomination Package must be completed by the nominee by the deadline.
- All completed and eligible nomination packages will be forwarded to the Selection Committee for judging. Universal Womens Network™ Inc. reserves the right to withhold an award in any category.
- Nominees are eligible for re-nomination in subsequent years by submitting a new Nomination Package and meeting the requirements for nomination.
- Finalists will be notified before the event to attend the VIP Reception and Awards. Award winners will be announced at the Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
- Nominee Award tickets are not included. The nominee must be present to be eligible. No refunds.
- Nominee and finalist’s names, bio, and photos may be published for editorial, marketing, or promotional materials for Universal Womens Network™, Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
- The nominator provides consent on behalf of the nominee for submitting the Nomination Form. A Nominee may opt to decline the nomination by contacting Universal Womens Network™ Inc.
- Women of Inspiration™ Award encourages you to become an Ambassador and Member.
- Nominees will receive updates about our network, nomination deadlines and details about our awards. Nominees may opt out of receiving communications at any time however will be deemed ineligible for award consideration.
- Nominees are encouraged to lead by example and show support for fellow nominees.
- All programs and content are in English.
- Once the nomination package has been submitted, no edits to photos or additional content will be accepted.
- Nominees must not alter the logo or create any new deliverables other than the awards logos collateral provided.
- Universal Womens Network™ Inc. reserves the right to decline a nomination and rescind an award from the winner in cases of fraudulent or criminal allegations, accusations, investigations, or charges.
RULES AND GUIDELINES
- Nominees must attend the Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
- Nominees must complete and submit a Nomination Package. No late entries are accepted. Complete the Nomination Package.
- Nominees must be in attendance at the Awards to be eligible.
- Nominees are required to purchase tickets. Individual and Corporate Packages are available for your team, company, family and friends.
- If you are not already a member, you may choose to become a member of Universal Womens Network™.
- Nominees under the age of 18 must have a Letter of Consent from a legal guardian accompanying the nomination
- Universal Womens Network™ reserves the right to withhold an award in any category and holds final determination on all awards. Award categories may be subject to change.
- The selection committee reserves the right to move a nominee to a category more suited to their strengths and skill sets without notification. View Categories.
- Nominee’s and finalist’s names, bio, the photo will be published for editorial, marketing, or promotional materials for Universal Womens Network™ and Women of Inspiration™.
- Nominees are eligible for re-nomination in subsequent years. A new nomination and Nomination Package must be submitted by the deadline.
- Finalists will be announced publicly. Award winners will be announced at the Awards on November 3.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Who can be nominated? The Women of Inspiration Awards recognizes women from diverse sectors, industries, and backgrounds. Anyone may nominate a woman for the award, or she may self-nominate. Nominees will be notified via email and invited to submit the Nomination Package. Nominee Packages must be completed to be eligible.
- Who is responsible for completing the nomination package? Nominees are responsible for completing and submitting the Nominee Package online to be eligible. A completed nominee package consists of the Completion of questions, Two (2) Letters of Reference, Digital headshot (high resolution, color image, min 300 dpi (min 1MB, Max 5 MB JPEG or PNG).
- Letter of Reference – A minimum of two (2) Letters of Reference in support of the nominee must be included with the Nomination Package.
Anyone (other than the nominee) may submit a Letter of Reference on behalf of the Nominee that may speak to the nominee’s credibility, strengths, leadership and accomplishments.
Letters of Reference must be signed and dated and include a contact email. A letter on letterhead is preferred if applicable. Please upload one single PDF to include all documents. * Self-nominations must have Letters of Reference provided by someone other than the nominees. - Letter of Consent – A letter of consent must be provided by parents or legal guardians for women under the age of 18.
- Is there a fee to submit a nomination package? No. There is no fee to submit a Nomination Package. Tickets to the Awards are not included.
- Are nominees required to purchase event tickets? Yes, Nominees are required to purchase tickets to attend the Awards before the deadline. Nominees must be present at the Awards to be eligible.
- How is judging completed? Judging is based on the contents of the completed Nomination Package submitted to Universal Womens Network™. The Award winners will be announced at the Women of Inspiration™ Awards. Our Selection Committee Members have all signed a Confidentiality Agreement.
- How are the winners chosen? Nominee Packages are reviewed by our Selection Committee based on the information submitted. Please ensure packages are completed before submitting them. Incomplete packages will not be eligible. No late entries or changes to the nomination package will be accepted once submitted.
- Criteria: Completed Nomination Package includes Headshots, Letters of Reference, Awards and Recognition, Proven Personal and Business Success, Leadership, Mentorship, evidence of advocacy for the advancement of women and personal story of inspiration.
- Are past Women of Inspiration™ Nominees or Finalists eligible? Yes
- Women of Inspiration™ Alumni – Yes, Alumni would be eligible for the Legends Award
- Are there any industry, cultural, or religious restrictions? No
- Who is eligible? Nominations are open across Canada and USA.
- May I submit additional documents for the Selection Committee to review? Yes, there is an opportunity for the nominee to submit a video, website, or social media handle or upload one additional document such as a personal letter and resume.
- Can an organization of any size nominate an individual? Yes. Employees may be self-employed or employed by companies of any size.
- Who can nominate or apply for the Top Company – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) SupportHER Champion Award? Anyone may nominate a Top Company. The Nomination Package must be completed by a C-Suite (or designated key stakeholder) of the organization (CMO, CFO, COO, CEO, CTO, CIO, CHRO, CCO, CAO, CSO, CEO, or President).
NOMINATION BENEFIT
- Announcement as Woman of Inspiration™ or SupportHER™ Nominee on the Universal Womens Network™ website and featured in our newsletter. Watch for social media mentions leading up to the Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
- Nominee Badge to announce your nomination on LinkedIn, social media, Marketing and Website,
- Increase your circle of influence with like-minded leaders and key stakeholders.
- Invitation to attend our VIP Nominee Reception.
- Elevate your personal and professional profile locally, nationally, and globally.
- Increased credibility of your business profile or cause.
- Enhance your legacy.
- Be a part of the Women of Inspiration™ Awards and make valuable connections.
- The feeling of being acknowledged, PRICELESS!
AWARD RECIPIENTS
- Presented with a Women of Inspiration™ or SupportHER Award Certificate
- Opportunity to be interviewed by Universal Womens Network™
- Recognized on Universal Womens Network™ website, newsletter, social media
- Receive Women of Inspiration™ Awards logos and email signature, LinkedIn, social media, Website
- Elevate your leadership and build connections with leaders across Canada and USA
- Become a part of the Woman of Inspiration™ and SupportHER™ Alumni
- Recognized as Woman of Inspiration™ Award recipient locally, nationally, or globally
- Award Recipients Announced with Partners
- Awards Announcement in UWomen Magazine™
AWARD CATEGORIES
The Women of Inspiration™ Award categories recognize inspiring women from all industries, sectors, and stages of life. Women of Inspiration™ celebrate female entrepreneurs and leaders from across industries along with our SupportHER™ allies committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our awards recognize the valuable contribution women make to the workforce or economy, inspire future generations of leaders, bring awareness to industries underrepresented by women, and unite companies with the common goal of achieving gender equity. Award Categories
The Women of Inspiration™ Awards recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of women, SupportHER™s (male allies) and Top Companies – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion SupportHER™ Champions across North America. This is an opportunity to recognize women and men in your company by valuing their contributions. The Women of Inspiration™ Awards is North America’s largest women empowerment event celebrating the achievements of leaders from diverse industries. It is an opportunity to connect local, national, and global stakeholders, network, and build valuable relationships with other thought leaders, industry experts, and visionaries
- Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award
- Arts and Entertainment Award
- Authentic Leader Award
- BIPOC Leader Award
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion Award
- Dream Builder Award
- Game Changer Award
- Global Impact Award
- Icon Award
- Inspire Award
- Influencer Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award*
- Public Service Award
- Rising Leader Award
- SupportHER Award (Male Allie)
- Trailblazer (STEM) Award
- Women-Led Award
- Women in Media Award
- Vision Builder Award
- Youth Excellence Award
- Legend Award*
Company Recognition
- Top Companies – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) SupportHER™ Champions
Awards for Men
- SupportHER™ Awards
ELIGIBILITY
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION
The Women of Inspiration™ Award and SupportHER™ Award categories recognize inspiring women (and men) from all industries, sectors, and stages of life. Women of Inspiration™ celebrates entrepreneurs and leaders across industries along with our SupportHER™ (male allies). Our awards validate the valuable contribution women (and men) are making to the workforce or economy, inspire future generations of leaders, bring awareness to industries underrepresented by women, and unite companies with the common goal in achieving gender equity.
Advocate and Catalyst for Change
The Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award recognizes a woman committed to driving positive change in their community, sector, or industry. She is dedicated to serving others while making an impact and leading with a purpose. Through her work, she successfully demonstrates solutions for social, economic, cultural, or environmental issues. This award celebrates a woman with an entrepreneurial mindset with proven success as a respected leader whose actions and influence inspire change.
Authentic Leader Award
The Authentic Leader Award recognizes a woman who demonstrates exemplary leadership and has made significant contributions in her industry. She has demonstrated authenticity and integrity in her leadership style and has inspired and empowered others to be their authentic selves. This award honors a woman who is has earned the respect of her superiors to rise as a role model, but also earned the respect of her peers. She has built trust and credibility through her actions and has fostered a culture of openness, honesty, and transparency in her organization. This award celebrates a woman with an entrepreneurial mindset and has helped to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment for all. She empowers and supports other women in her workplace.
BIPOC Leader Award
The BIPOC Leader Award recognizes a Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC) female entrepreneur or business leader who has made a significant impact in their industry and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and resilience. The recipient of this award is a role model for other BIPOC leaders and is someone who has inspired and empowered others to pursue their career or entrepreneurial dreams. This award celebrates the unique contributions and perspectives of BIPOC leaders and recognizes the role representation makes in our workplaces, driving innovation and economic growth.
Diversity and Inclusiveness Award
This award recognizes an individual or a leader within the company, or organization with a commitment to developing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture or work environment. The recipient of this award may be an advocate for those without a voice, those who have experienced discrimination or have been challenged by human rights issues such as race, age, disability, gender, or sexuality.
Dream Builder Award
The Dream Builder Award recognizes a woman who has achieved success in an industry that is traditionally underrepresented by women and has made a significant impact through her leadership, advocacy, or innovation. This award honors a woman with proven success in her industry, overcoming barriers to achieve her goals and has inspired and empowered others to do the same. The recipient of this award is someone who has demonstrated resilience, determination, and a commitment to building a better future for herself and others. She is a cheerleader for women who seek employment in non-traditional areas including manufacturing, heavy equipment operation, construction, transportation, aviation, agriculture, oil and gas, mining, fisheries, forestry, and skilled trades.
Game Changer Entrepreneur Award
This Game Changer Award recognizes a woman who has set her goals as an entrepreneur with her vision for her company on a national or global platform. She is a thought leader and visionary with a disruptive mindset able to adapt to changing markets with proven success. She is an inspiring business leader who raises the bar for female entrepreneurs to do the same. She owns at least 51% of her business and generates over $ 1,000,000.00 in revenue annually with plans to scale her product or services to new levels.
Global Impact Award
The Global Impact Award recognizes an entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on a global scale. This award honors a woman who has demonstrated innovation, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. The recipient of this award is an entrepreneur who used her business to address global challenges and has made a positive impact on a wide range of issues, such as social justice, sustainability, ESG, economic development, and more.
Influencer Award
The Influencer Award recognizes content creators using their voices to inspire change, lead by example to create a community and encourage others through their actions. An influencer radiates passion fueled by a personal journey as she impacts her community. Influencers may be creators of a movement, speakers, authors, filmmakers, and recording artists.
Inspire Award
This award recognizes the achievements of a woman who has made a significant impact in her career, business, or field of interest through her work and achievements. She is a role model who has broken barriers and has overcome challenges. Her personal story of resilience motivates others to do the same. This award represents women of all industries and sectors. She may be an entrepreneur, business leader, movement creator, consultant, professor, speaker, author, artist, filmmaker or recording artists, coach, or athletes.
Public Service Award
The Public Service Award recognizes outstanding public service by a woman who is inspiring and helping to deliver an impact that is helping to improve our communities for everyone.
Rising Leader Award
The Rising Leader Award recognizes a female entrepreneur or business leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has made a significant impact community or industry. The recipient of this award is someone who has inspired and empowered others to follow their lead and has made a lasting impact through their work. This award recognizes a woman who is impact in the early stages of her business or career and is poised for continued success.
Trailblazer (STEM) Award
The Trailblazer Award recognizes an entrepreneur or business leader who has made a significant impact in the category of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, innovation, or research. This award honors a woman who has broken traditional barriers, demonstrates a commitment to innovation and has made a significant impact through creative thinking and problem-solving. The recipient of this award has embraced new ideas, and approaches, and pushes the boundaries of what is possible.
Vision Builder Award
The Vision Builder Award recognizes an entrepreneur with proven success who has demonstrated the ability to turn their vision into reality. This award honors a person who has set bold goals and has worked tirelessly to bring their vision to fruition. The recipient of this award is a woman who has inspired and empowered others to join them in their efforts and has made a lasting impact through their work. This award celebrates a woman who has the ability to see the bigger picture and the ability to bring her vision to life.
Women-Led Award
The Women-Led Award recognizes a female leader who provides the strategic direction for a private company or a publicly traded company. As the CEO or C-Suite executive leader she plays a role in the long-term growth and success of the organization. She leads with innovation and has earned the respect of her board or directors, and executive team and leads by example through her actions to empower advance women in business. She is actively involved in the day-to-day activities of the company including strategic direction and sets the foundation for the culture of the organization. She demonstrates empathy and credibility as brand ambassador and role model for the company.
Women in Media Award
The Women in Media Award recognizes the work of women in media who use their platform to amplify the voice of women in their industry via public forums such as print, digital, television, press or broadcasting.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is an award that recognizes a woman who has made significant contributions throughout her career and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, impact, and excellence in her field or industry. The recipient of this award is an extraordinary woman who has manifested a legacy that continues to inspire others. She is recognized as a role model through her extraordinary dedication, personal and professional achievements. *UWN may reserve the right to award an honorary award in this category.
SupportHER™ Award (Male Allie)
An individual who leads by example and champions the advancement for women personally and professionally. A SupportHER™ is a team player who champions for the inclusion of women in the goals and the vision of the enterprise who paves the road to empower women in their network, workplace or community. This award acknowledges influential leaders for their strong efforts and dedication to advancing women and gender equality.
Youth Excellence Award
The Youth Excellence Award is an award that recognizes an inspiring young woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has made a significant impact in her career or field of interest. This award is intended to inspire the future generation of women in leadership across industries. This award removes the barriers of age to recognize a young woman for her academic, entrepreneurial, or extracurricular achievements.
Legend Award *
The Legends Award recognizes an exemplary leader who makes a significant impact in her chosen field. She is a role model who consistently shows up, leans in, and inspires others to do the same. Her dedication and commitment to advancing women is extraordinary. She is passionate about inspiring change in her industry, community, or business network. Women of Inspiration™ Alumni are eligible for this award. Women of Inspiration™ Award winners who have been recognized as Top Women of Inspiration™ Awardee for a minimum of two years may be eligible for this award.