UTICA — The YWCA Mohawk Valley is seeking nominations for its 2023 Salute to Outstanding Women awards. Nominations for this year’s celebration must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 9.

To nominate an outstanding woman, go online to www.ywcamv.org/Salute.

The Salute to Outstanding Women honors eight women from the Mohawk Valley who uplift and empower their community. Nominations are made by the public and reviewed for selection by a panel of independent judges.

One honoree is selected in each of eight categories:

• Business and industry — Employees of all levels in any professional, business or industry; examples include accounting, construction, law, marketing and trade skills;
• Education — Teachers, administrators, community educators, coaches, mentors, professors, librarians, tutors and other similar occupations;
• Entrepreneur — Someone who has started her own business, large or small, storefront or online;
• Healthcare — Physicians, nurses, opticians, dentists and therapists in any specialty;
• Human and public service — Law enforcement, EMT, fire department, armed forces, social workers, non-profit employees and similar occupations;
• Outstanding youth — Open to girls age 17 and younger who deserve recognition for their volunteer work, school-related involvement and/or academic achievements;
• Social justice — An unsung heroine in the community whose efforts truly embody the YWCA MV’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all; and
• STEAM — Someone who works to promote science, technology, engineer, art and/or math in any field.

The selected honorees will be recognized during the Salute to Outstanding Women luncheon to take place on March 30, 2023, at Harts Hill Inn, 135 Clinton St., Whitesboro.

Nominees must be 18 years of age or older and live or work in Oneida and Herkimer counties. They must have demonstrated excellence and leadership in the workplace and/or community. Youth nominees must be 17 years old or younger and live, work or attend school in Oneida or Herkimer counties. Nominees cannot be past Salute to Outstanding Women honorees, current YWCA MV board members or staff.

The celebration of local leaders has brought together dedicated women from across the Mohawk Valley. Now numbering 273 members, the Salute Academy has served as a testament to the YWCA MV’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women and girls since the first Salute ceremony in 1989.

Proceeds from the Salute to Outstanding Women directly benefit the YWCA MV’s 24-hour free and confidential domestic violence services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, crisis hotlines, advocacy and accompaniment and other services.

The YWCA MV is available for anyone experiencing domestic and/or sexual violence via its free and confidential 24-hour hotline services. For help, go online to ywcamv.org/chat to reach an advocate directly through a private, secure server. In Oneida County, call or text 315-797-7740 for domestic and sexual violence crisis services. In Herkimer County, call 315-866-4120 for child advocacy and adult sexual violence crisis services.

For information about the YWCA MV, visit www.ywcamv.org.