We recognize leadership and impact in community can look very different! Their involvement could be encompassed by gifting a combination of talent, treasure, and time. Here are some examples of the type of actions women could be doing that aligns with this award:

• Organizing collection drives or activities in their community
• Sitting on a board for an organization or group
• Mentoring
• Organizing or covering the cost of fundraising events
• Volunteering
• Advocating for systems change, supports, or awareness to issues
• Identifying a need in the community and creating a program or group to help
• Coordinating a workplace campaign to raise awareness and funds
• Monetarily supporting a charity or peer-to-peer fundraising activities
• Leading or supporting groups

We want to encourage women to be bold and proud of their own accomplishments. If you see alignment with yourself for this award, please complete the self-application.

Yes, but she would need to be making an impact in ways that aren’t part of her job.

Find out more about Women United here.

The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual. Although great change can happen when a group of women get together to make a difference, the individual could be a part of a group or organization, but the nomination should be based on that individual’s impact and efforts.

Oct. 11, 2026 – Nominations/applications open.
Dec. 3, 2026 – Nomination deadline (peer nominations)
Dec. 10, 2026 – Self nominations close

Mid-Feb. 2027 – The top five women are notified. If they were nominated, their nominator will also be notified.
March 2027 – The top five are announced with profiles about their involvement in the community.
April 2027 – United She Can event, where the top five will need to attend and the winner will be announced.

Cochrane, Strathmore, Okotoks, Airdrie, High River and Chestermere.

If there are multiple nominations for one person, the details provided by the various nominators would be used as supplementary information for the adjudicators as they make their decision.

18+

No! We want to celebrate the difference women are making with any focus area in the community sector.

Please email womenunited@calgaryunitedway.org.

Yes! Please submit multiple nominations if there is more than one woman in your life that has made an impact in their community.

Click here for a PDF with all the information you will need. Please note that United Way does not contact nominees about their nomination. Once you submit your nomination, you will need to send the application to your nominee yourself.

Yes, we will notify you along with the nominee if they place in the top five by Feb. 26, 2027. Nominees who do not place in the top five will not be contacted.

Your nominator will automatically count as your first reference, and you will only need one additional reference.

If nominated: The nominator form, general application and 1 reference letter will be needed.

If a self applicant: The general application and 2 reference letters will be needed.

Click here for a PDF with everything you will need to provide.

Click here for a PDF with everything you will need to provide.