Nominations are CLOSED for the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Awards!
Help us honor the women who uplift, inspire, and make a lasting impact in our community.

Women’s Empowerment Awards

The Junior League of Pensacola Women’s Empowerment Awards formally recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women and young ladies in the Pensacola area. These awards honor exceptional women of all ages, of diverse cultures and roles, celebrating the power of individuals to spark change and improve their community and beyond. Whether your candidate is well known or an unsung heroine, we want you to tell us the inspirational stories of women whose extraordinary achievements empower others.

The purpose of these awards is to build up women in the community who display the traits of what it truly means to be a woman leader in the Pensacola community. We are currently accepting nominations for the following categories:

Woman in Business, Non-Profit 

Woman in Business, For-Profit 

Woman in Philanthropy 

Hometown Hero

Woman in Education

Youth Woman in Leadership (15-22)

Mary Raine Hill Award 

For more information or to secure your sponsorship, please email empowerment@juniorleagueofpensacola.org.

2026 Women’s Empowerment Award Winners;

Woman in Business, Non-Profit: Chuntell Patterson
Woman in Business, For Profit: MaryLou Donaldson
Woman in Education: Shenna Payne-Benjamin
Woman in Philanthropy: Kalli Donaway Clement
Hometown Hero: Dr. Michelle Grier-Hall
Youth Woman in Leadership: Jazmyn Bishop

Mary Raine Hill Award: Katherine Creel

2025 Women’s Empowerment Award Winners;

Woman in Business, Non-Profit: Kristy Craig
Woman in Business, For Profit: Lakesha Davis`
Woman in Education: Sherita Wiggins-Wynder
Woman in Philanthropy: Robin Zimmern
Hometown Hero: Sue Straughn
Youth Woman in Leadership: Tamia Wilkins

Mary Raine Hill Award: Theresa Cserep

2024 Women’s Empowerment Award Winners;

Woman in Business, Non-Profit: Missy Rogers
Woman in Business, For Profit: Reagan Pommier Nelson`
Woman in Education: Ruthie Noel
Woman in Philanthropy: Kristin Longley
Hometown Hero: Tara Spencer
Youth Woman in Leadership: Talia Soublet

Mary Raine Hill Award: Laura Griffin

2023 Women’s Empowerment Award Winners:

Woman in Business, Non-Profit: Rebecca McKeithen`
Woman in Business, For Profit: Christina Doss
Woman in Philanthropy: Madrina Ciano
Hometown Hero: Dr. Justine Roper
Youth Woman in Leadership: Kayla Harmon

Mary Raine Hill Award: Dannon Byrd

2022 Women’s Empowerment Award Winners:

Woman in Business, Non-Profit: Belle Bear
Woman in Business, For Profit: Jessica Rhodes
Woman in Philanthropy: Jan Miller
Hometown Hero: Dr. Kathleen Hudon
Youth Woman in Leadership: Dierre Johnson

Mary Raine Hill Award: Tori Woods