Academy for Women of Achievement Corporate Nomination Form

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has served women and families for more than 125 years and works to advance the quality of life for women of all ages, races, and faiths. Our programs and services help them move from safety to independence. YWCA exists to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Proceeds from the Academy for Women of Achievement ceremony directly fund YWCA programs.

The Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA) was launched locally in 1992 by YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee in an effort to honor women and corporations who, through excellence and leadership, serve as role models for other women, and make Nashville a more inclusive, just, and robust city in which to live.

AWA Corporate Nominees should have a history of demonstrated support for empowering women, promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. They make Nashville a more inclusive, informed, just, healthy, and robust city in which to live. This year’s recipient will join 35 other local companies who have been honored with this distinction.

The Academy’s independent selection committee will choose this year’s Corporate Honoree from an exceptional list of nominees. For event information and a complete list of previous AWA honorees, please visit: www.ywcanashville.com/awa2026

The 34th AWA Award Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Representatives from the Corporate Honoree must be available on this date to receive the award.

 AWA Corporate Nomination Process

Criteria for Corporate Nominees:

• Must be a Middle Tennessee company and/or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to assist the entry, career advancement and/or working conditions for female employees.
• Nominees will have programs or policies that have removed barriers which delay or diminish women’s opportunities with measurable results noted.
• Nominees will have demonstrated strategies that are fresh, creative or innovative. Consideration given to the size of the company in relation to the number or extent of its efforts.
• Preference given to nominees which support or provide such measures as recruitment or outreach efforts, upward mobility options, and action/policies on sexual harassment.
• The number of women in leadership and/or management positions, in relation to the size of the company, will be taken into consideration.
• Demonstrated a commitment to the values stated in YWCA's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
• Previous AWA Corporate Honoree winners and employers of AWA Nomination and Selection Committee Members are ineligible.

Nomination applications must strictly adhere to the requirements herein and be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Winners will be notified by phone call from YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee President & CEO Sharon K. Roberson by Friday, May 29, 2026.