The Alexandria Commission for Women is accepting nominations for its 26th Annual Salute to Women Awards honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to women in the community. For most categories, those honored need not be residents of Alexandria; however, their efforts should be focused within the City of Alexandria. Awards may be given for the categories listed below.

The Marguerite Payez Leadership Award - This award is a lifetime achievement award named in honor of a woman who had been one of Alexandria' s prominent community leaders. The award will be given to a woman who, through volunteer work, has exhibited leadership qualities and has trained other women to assume leadership roles in the community. ~ nominee for this award must be a resident of Alexandria.

Women's Health and Safety Advocate Award - This award recognizes a woman who has made a significant contribution to the well-being of women by advocating for, teaching about or providing for women's health and safety in Alexandria. This award may be for work in such areas as breast cancer education, HIV/AIDS awareness, domestic violence or sexual assault.

Youth Community Services Award - This award recognizes an adult woman who has tapped the leadership capacities of young people in our city, and/or a young woman whose service activities provide a model for other young people of the community. Note: in any given year, two awards may be made, one to an adult and one to a young woman.

Career Development and Education/Training Award - This award recognizes a woman who has excelled in her field and who has dedicated her time and talents to augment training or educational opportunities in the City. This award may be for work in such areas as assisting women who seek business or professional careers by providing technical or networking assistance.

The Marian Van Landingham Legislation and Public Policy Award - This award recognizes a woman who has made a significant contribution to the status of women through advocating for issues of importance to women. This award may be for work in such areas as helping women to focus on and develop improvements of services or education offered by government or other agencies.

Cultural Affairs Award - This award recognizes a woman for artistic achievement, for facilitating the expression of artistic talent or for broadening the accessibility of cultural and artistic experiences in the City.

Making a Difference Award - This award honors a woman who serves as a change agent in her community and a role model for other women. This award may be for work in such areas as helping women understand how they may effectively organize to create positive change in their own lives and in their communities. This woman may be someone who works alone or as a member of a team or organization to better the Alexandria community.

The Vola Lawson Award - This award recognizes a City employee who, like the person this award is named to honor, has advanced, improved or otherwise contributed to the status of women in the City of Alexandria during the course of the job. This award may also be given to individuals who have left City employment for as long as two years after resignation or retirement.

Rising Star Award - This award recognizes an Alexandria woman with less than a total of 5 years of volunteer service in Alexandria who has made significant contributions to the well-being of the women in the Alexandria community, particularly through community service or other volunteer projects.

Women's Business Award - This award recognizes a woman business owner who, through her business, has used her time and talents to make significant contributions to women and girls in the City of Alexandria.