Eligibility & Award Categories

Woman of Inspiration™ or SupportHER™

Women of Inspiration™ Awards

The Women of Inspiration™ Awards recognizes the achievements of women who lead, inspire and motivate. We celebrate women from diverse industries together with allies who SupportHER™.

Who Inspires You?

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.

Nominate or Apply: We recognize female leaders from diverse industries and sectors representing the diversity of female leadership.

A SupportHER™ is an individual (male allie) or company that champions women in their network, workplace, and community.

Women of Inspiration™ Awards 

Nomination Process

Step 1: Nominate or Apply

Step 2: Submit the Nomination Package – Application Fee $199 (Includes 2025 Nominee Logo, Name in UWomen Magazine™ Awards Issue)

Timeline

  • Nominations Open– January 31
  • Women of Inspiration™ Awards – Announced November 2026

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

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

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 with our SupportHER™ (male allies). Our awards highlight the valuable contributions women (and men) are making to inspire future generations of leaders while bringing awareness to underrepresented industries.

Women of Inspiration™ evolves each year to reflect where women are leading, influencing, and shaping the future — without silos and without barriers.

LEADERSHIP & IMPACT 

  • Advocate and Catalyst for Change Award – This award honors individuals who tirelessly champion progress and equality, breaking down barriers and igniting transformative societal shifts. Recognized advocates use their voice and influence to enact meaningful change, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
  • Authentic Leader Award – Recognizes a woman who demonstrates authentic leadership and integrity, making significant contributions to her industry. She inspires authenticity, earns respect, and promotes transparency while fostering inclusive and equitable work environments.
  • Game Changer Award – Celebrates female entrepreneurs with national or global vision. She is a thought leader who adapts to market changes, sets new standards for female entrepreneurs, owns at least 51% of her business, and generates over $2M in revenue.
  • Global Impact Award – Honors leaders whose efforts transcend borders, recognizing those making significant contributions to global challenges through sustainable solutions and international collaboration.
  • Icon Award – This prestigious award honors individuals whose enduring legacy and influence inspire generations. Icons are celebrated for their remarkable achievements and lasting contributions in their field of expertise.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognizes decades of dedication and enduring contributions that have significantly advanced a field, leaving a profound and lasting impact for generations to come.
  • Movement Maker Award – Celebrates a woman who uses her platform to effect positive change, engage audiences, and mobilize communities — moving women further, faster.
  • Women in Power Award- Celebrates women who hold influential leadership positions and drive meaningful change through vision, decisive action, and exemplary leadership.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMERGING

  • Dream Builder Award – Honours a woman who has excelled in a traditionally male-dominated industry, making significant impact through leadership and innovation while advocating for women in fields such as manufacturing, construction, aviation, and skilled trades.
  • Vision Builder Award- Recognizes entrepreneurs with proven success who demonstrate the foresight and tenacity to turn visionary ideas into impactful realities.
  • Women-Led Award – Celebrates enterprises led by women, acknowledging the vision, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit driving their success.
  • Creator Award – Honors visionary creators — including digital creators, producers, founders, and innovators — whose ideas shape culture and drive change.
  • Podcast Award – Recognizes women using audio platforms to inform, inspire, educate, and elevate voices — building global audiences through impactful storytelling.

INDUSTRY & SECTOR

  • Arts and Entertainment Award – Celebrates women whose creative contributions enrich culture through visual arts, performance, and creative expression.
  • Women in Film & TV Award – Honors women shaping the film and television industries through storytelling, production, directing, acting, and leadership — amplifying voices and influencing culture.
  • Women in Fashion Award – Recognizes women and women-led brands redefining fashion through design, sustainability, innovation, and influence.
  • Women in Beauty Award – Celebrates women and women-led brands advancing beauty through science, wellness, inclusivity, and empowerment.
  • Health and Wellness Award – Honors leaders dedicated to advancing physical, mental, and community well-being through transformative practices.
  • Women in Finance Award – Recognizes women driving change in finance, investment, fintech, and economic empowerment.
  • Women in Media Award – Celebrates women shaping narratives, influencing public discourse, and championing diverse voices across journalism, broadcasting, and digital media.
  • Literary Award – Honors women whose written work shapes culture, thought leadership, and storytelling across books, publishing, and editorial platforms.
  • Women in Sport Award – Celebrates outstanding accomplishments of women in sport, recognizing excellence, leadership, and barrier-breaking achievements across athletic disciplines.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  • Trailblazer (STEM) Award – Celebrates women leading innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, breaking new ground and inspiring future generations.
  • Women in Tech Award – Recognizes women shaping the future of technology through leadership, innovation, and impact across tech, AI, e-commerce, SaaS, and emerging platforms.

EMERGING & NEXT GENERATION

  • Rising Leader Award – Celebrates emerging talents who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, innovation, and commitment to growth.
  • Youth Excellence Award – Honors young leaders whose passion, creativity, and determination are shaping the future.

NEW – POWER ERA LEADERSHIP

  • Board & Governance Award (New) – Honors women serving on boards or in governance roles who shape strategy, ethics, accountability, and long-term impact across organizations and institutions.
  • Women in Investment & Capital Award (New) – Recognizes women influencing capital flow and economic systems — including investors, fund managers, family office leaders, and philanthropic stewards — who help shape what gets built and funded.
  • Strategic Advisor Award  (New) – Celebrates women whose behind-the-scenes leadership drives outcomes, growth, and influence through advisory, strategy, governance, and deal-making roles.

ALLYSHIP

  • SupportHER Award (Male Ally) – Celebrates visible and influential male allies who actively champion women, advocate for equity, and lead by example.

Note: We reserve the right to withhold an award category.

ELIGIBILITY

  • A Nomination Package must be completed by the nominee by the deadline. Application Fee must be paid when submitting Nomination Package online.
  • 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. Winners will be announced publically at the Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
  • Nomination Package – Application Fee and event tickets not included.
  • 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.
  • 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 however this 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

  • Application Fee of $199 submitted with Nomination Package (Includes Nominee Logo and the invitation to Virtual Networking Experiences).
  • Nominees must attend the Women of Inspiration™ Awards.
  • Nominees must complete and submit a Nomination Package online. Late entries will be subject to a late entry fee.
  • 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.

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? Yes. A non-refundable $ 199 application fee must be submitted with the 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 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.

 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 Social Media (LinkedIn, IG), 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

  • Women of Inspiration™  or SupportHER Award Certificate
  • Gift for the Awardee from our Partners at Dean Davidson. Awardees must be in attendance.
  • 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
  • Opportunity to leverage your credibility with local media.
  • Awards Announcement in UWomen Magazine™

 

Corporate Partners

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