The Trailblazer Award was created in 1994 to recognize a woman who is/was an influential community leader, is/was “the first” in her field, or made/is making a significant contribution toward elevating the image of women in business.
 
This is a wonderful opportunity for you to nominate an outstanding woman who not only represents great accomplishments in her field but furthers the reputation of St. Louis Forum as a remarkable organization.
 
The Trailblazer Award Committee and the St. Louis Forum Board of Directors invite you to submit a candidate who you feel deserves this special recognition and award. While there are certainly many deserving candidates outside the membership, consideration is given to current St. Louis Forum members. Nominations are accepted only from St. Louis Forum members and should be submitted by February 15, 2026. The recipient will be recognized at the Trailblazer Award Celebration in May 2026.
 
Nominations will be considered for the annual St. Louis Forum Trailblazer Award based on the criteria listed below. Nominations should be thorough and complete, reflecting the candidate's record of achievements throughout her lifetime. A committee consisting of previous Trailblazer recipients will review nominees and recommend a winner to the Board of Directors.
 

NOMINATING CRITERIA

• The candidate has a distinguished career and/or is/was a pioneer in her field, e.g., the first female executive at a high (or the highest) level within her industry, corporation, organization or in a significant governmental role.
• Through the business and broader community, the candidate has achieved recognition for accomplishments that would have a connection to the goals of the St. Louis Forum.
• The candidate has made a significant contribution towards elevating the image of women’s roles in the community and/or in business.
• The candidate shows a consistent pattern of multi-year achievement.
• Current board members may not be considered for this award.

The following women are past recipients of the Trailblazer Award:
 

Nicole Adewale  Jo Ann Arnold (Harmon) Susan E. Block Joan Briccetti Marie Casey Sue Clancy Maxine Clark Karen Levin Coburn Betsy Cohen Anna Crosslin Margaret Donnelly Vivian Eveloff Paula Gianino Laurna Godwin Linda Goldstein Schuyler Gott Andrews

Jean C. Hamilton Lesley Hoffarth Gayle Jackson Ruth Krausé Jacobson Dee Joyner Lyda Krewson Toni Kutchan, PhD Frances Levine, PhD Carolyn Losos Theresa Loveless Rosalyn Lowenhaupt Marylen Mann Janet McAfee Weakley Judy Meador Marcia Mellitz Pam Miller

Brenda Newberry Joan Newman Juliann Niemann Patricia Rice Pat Rich Martha Rounds Mary Alice Ryan Dora B. Schriro Ellen Sherberg Betty Sims Kristen Sorth Blanche Touhill Susan Uchitelle Martha Uhlhorn Betty Van Uum Patricia Whitaker

 

 
 

 











Click here to download a Word nomination form.
Click here to download a PDF nomination form.