Maine Women's Fund has been highlighting the work of women and girls in Maine for 18 years
through the
awards it gives at the
Evening to Honor Maine Women & Girls, its signature awards and fundraising
event.
We need your help to surface the stories and names
of women and girls who are supporting social change in their Maine communities. Please
take a moment to nominate a woman or girl for one of the following awards. Each
award comes with a $1000 grant that the winner can give to the nonprofit of
their choice. Awards will be given on
October 6, 2008 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland.
SARAH
ORNE JEWETT AWARD
Sarah Orne Jewett award is given to a Maine woman who exhibits
the attributes of the women in Jewett's works of fiction: true grit,
independence, courage, humor and discipline.
- It is given to a woman
who is working directly with women and girls (in the women's
community.)
- Nominees should support
the core values of the Fund:
We believe that helping girls will make for strong
women.
We believe that when women thrive, communities
prosper.
We believe that women can do anything they want to
do.
We believe that the world would be a better place
if there were more women leaders.
We believe in investing in the power of women and
the dreams of girls.
- Nominee are commitment
to bold, creative, and strategic action that empowers Maine women and girls,
promotion of systemic change that establishes women and girls as full
participants in every area of society; and recognition of the power of women and
girls as philanthropists.
SAMANTHA SMITH AWARD
Goes to a Maine girl,
who:
- Is high school age or
younger.
- Works to promote social
change in her schools and/or community.
- Inspires other girls to
become active in supporting long-lasting changes in Maine.
- Uses her voice boldly,
the influence others.
-
Understands the power of
philanthropy to make a difference
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN IN INDUSTRY (TWIN Award)
The Board of Directors of the former Greater Portland YWCA has asked the Maine Women's Fund to continue their
annual Tribute to Women in Industry
(TWIN) Award. We
are delighted to be able to carry forward this tradition as part of our October
event, particularly as we roll out our Women's Economic Security Initiative.
Women in business are key to building women's economic security across
Maine through
their efforts to create better jobs for the state and as
role models for all women and girls.
We are looking to honor a woman
who has made significant accomplishments as a business owner, business executive, or nonprofit
organizational leader. Our ideal candidate will be honored for her work
as a leader in her field, not simply because she is a woman. Past
recipients have included
Meredith Burgess, Elaine Rosen, and Mary Ellen Fitzgerald.
Nominations should include a short summary of the candidate's
qualifications (no more than 300 words please), and submitted to Elizabeth via email (elizabeth@mainewomensfund.org) by June 1, 2008.
PURPLE STARFISH AWARD
The Perdita Huston Purple Starfish
Award is given annually to an emerging young (under 30) Maine woman leader who inspires others with
her transforming vision and action to create a vibrant, culturally
pluralistic society, embracing equal rights and a healthful environment for all. The purpose of
the award is to validate the vision embodied in the recipient's work, celebrate her
emerging leadership, develop her skills--especially in empowering others, and make her life
and work more broadly visible.
A candidate eligible for
the Purple Starfish Award is a young women, 30 or under, residing in Maine, who as a
community activist:
- works outside the usual organizations or channels to challenge the
status quo,
- demonstrates a spirited commitment to intergenerational and
multi-ethnic values by embracing the courage,
nobility, and intelligence of all the world's people,
- shows openness of heart in her work, thought beyond stereotypes,
and resilience in civic participation,
- demonstrates strategic thinking for social change by encouraging
advocacy and resourcefulness in
others.
Nominees may be engaged
in journalism or other writing or research, but must demonstrate
community-based vision, advocacy, and leadership.
Please submit your Sarah Orne Jewett, Samantha Smith and Purple Starfish Award nomination by June 1,
2008 to
Shannon@mainewomensfund.org, with the subject line: Award
Nomination. In
your nomination, please include:
- Your name and contact information.
- The name and contact information for the woman or
girl you are nominating.
- The name of the award you are nominating her
for.
- Why you feel she meets the criteria of the award.
- Examples of how she exhibits the award
criteria.
A short story (no more than three paragraphs,
please) about how her leadership has/is impacting others in her
community.
