Nominations for the Pioneering Woman Award for both the outdoor and snowsports industry and the First Ascent Award for the snowsports industry are due on Friday December 15th. Time is running out to nominate your mentor or a young woman new to the industry for these awards.
PIONEERNG WOMAN AWARD
The Pioneering Woman Award honors women in these industries who have furthered the vision of the OIWC by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to mentoring female colleagues. The recipients each receive a check for $1,000 to be donated to a charity of her choice in her name.
OIWC introduced the Pioneering Woman Award to the outdoor industry in 2002. Previous winners for the outdoor industry include Kim Coupounas, Ann Krcik, Norma Hansen, Rachel Ligtenberg, and Kitty Bradley. Donna Carpenter received the first award in the snowsports industry in 2006, and Ashley Korenblat received the first in the bike industry, also in 2006.
The winner of the snowsports Pioneering Woman Award will be announced at an OIWC event at SIA, and the winner of the outdoor industry award at the popular OIWC Gathering during the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in January. The winners must be present to accept their awards; please take this into consideration when submitting a nomination. Travel stipends are available to winners who may not be planning on attending the show. Previous nominees may be nominated again.
FIRST ASCENT AWARD
Outdoor Industries Women's Coalition created the perfect complement to the Pioneering Woman Award with its First Ascent Award. This award recognizes a woman new to the industry who demonstrates strong potential for leadership, and 2007 is the first time this award will be presented in the snowsports industry.
The award furthers the vision of OIWC by increasing visibility of talented young women at lower levels in an organization, thereby facilitating their leadership development on their journey to future leadership.
The winner of the First Ascent Award receives a scholarship to a Strozzi Institute for Leadership workshop in Petaluma, California. The popular four-day course, “Leadership in Action 1: Principles and Practices,” is valued at $2,500. OIWC provides round-trip airfaire to Petaluma. The recipient is responsible for food and accommodations.
The winner of the inaugural First Ascent Award in 2005 was Jennifer Wittman of Outside Magazine. Jordan Jiskra of Burton Snowboards won in 2006.
