AWHONN Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Award

The AWHONN DEI Leadership Award recognizes individuals that demonstrate outstanding commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in women’s health, obstetric, and neonatal nursing. This award honors meaningful and sustained efforts that reduce disparities, promote equitable care, and strengthen inclusive environments for patients, families, and the nursing workforce.

Nominations are invited for those whose work demonstrates a measurable and lasting impact in advancing equity in healthcare practice, education, leadership, research, or organizational systems. AWHONN members are encouraged to nominate colleagues whose achievements have made a meaningful impact on patients, the nursing profession, and the communities they serve. Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Selected nominees will then be invited to and have additional time to complete a full award application.

All DEI Leadership Award candidates should demonstrate:

  • Sustained commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare and nursing
  • Measurable impact on reducing disparities in maternal, newborn, or women’s health
  • Leadership in creating or supporting inclusive systems, programs, or practices
  • Promotion of culturally responsive, respectful, and equitable care
  • Contributions that extend beyond routine professional responsibilities

Eligibility

  • All applicants must be a registered nurse; current or retired.
  • All candidates must have been active voting members for at least five (5) consecutive years prior to the year of their nomination, and they must also maintain active voting membership in the year of nomination.

Components Necessary for Completion of Application

  •  Candidates can be nominated for multiple awards but will only be considered for one. They can either specify their chosen award when submitting materials or if they submit applications for multiple awards; they will be asked to choose one award for which they would like to be considered before judging commences.
  • Current AWHONN Board members, National Committee Chairs, Awards Committee members, and AWHONN staff are not eligible during their term of service and for two (2) years following the completion of their service.
  • Following selection as an honoree, an awardee is ineligible to receive any further awards for a minimum period of three (3) years.
  • Award recipients may be invited to serve on a future Award Workgroup.
  • The number of applicants in each category will not be disclosed to any candidate to maintain fairness.
  • AWHONN prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including text generators, paraphrasers, summarizers, and translators, in the preparation or submission of award applications. Applicants must submit original work and may be required to certify that AI tools were not used. AWHONN reserves the right to use appropriate review methods to verify compliance with this policy. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in disqualification of the application.

Award recipients are recognized during the AWHONN Convention

  • All travel-related expenses will be reimbursed to award honorees following the Convention in accordance with AWHONN reimbursement procedures. If an honoree requires advance arrangements for travel-related expenses, AWHONN will work with the individual to make appropriate accommodation whenever possible.

Nominating a nurse takes minutes! Use the button below to find out more and get started on this easy process. The deadline to submit your nomination is September 1. Those nominated will have additional time to complete their application. Submitted nominations are automatically sent to awards@awhonn.org.