Reach, lift, soar theme of 26th Annual Woman of Achievement Awards

Lakeland Community College is taking nominees for its 26th Annual Woman of Achievement Awards.

The school has been presenting its Woman of Achievement awards each March since 1993 to help mark Women’s History Month, the school said in a Jan. 5 news release.

“The award recognizes women whose lives personify a spirit of generosity, dedication and caring within the context of a specific theme,” the release reads.

This year’s theme is “Reach, Lift, Soar,” the college reports.

“Nominees might embody the theme of ‘Reach, Lift, Soar’ personally or may have helped another woman achieve her goals,” the release states. “An ideal nominee could have accomplished something that has benefited women; created something that supports women; has personally helped others rise above difficulties; or used their time, talent or position to help others succeed.”

The school also reports that, instead of presenting the winners with plaques or certificates, Lakeland commissions a local female artist to “create a representative and unique piece of artwork,” which is then presented to each woman during a public ceremony.

This year’s ceremony is 2 p.m. March 25 in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center at the school’s main campus, 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland.

Anyone interested in submitting a nomination should write a letter, about a page long, telling her story, describing how she embodies the “Reach, Lift, Soar” theme and how she has a positive impact on others in the community at large.

Those submitting nominations should include the full name and contact information of the nominee, along with the submitter’s contact information.

“Nominees do not need to be well-known,” the release reads. “They simply need to be known to you and should live or work in Lake County.”

Submit nomination letters to Gloria Lane, manager of the Women’s Center at Lakeland. Nominations may be submitted via email to glane@lakelandcc.edu. Submissions may also be made through the U.S. Postal Service to: Gloria Lane, c/o the Women’s Center at Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Room C-1076, Kirtland, OH 44094.

Nominations are being accepted through Jan. 29.