The Pinnacle Awards recognizes women who are exemplary leaders in the Tulsa community, who have served as role models, and whose contributions have made a long-lasting impact.
Women can be nominated in one of the following categories:
Arts & Humanities
Recognizes the achievement and leadership of women whose contributions in arts, culture, and heritage inspire and benefit our community.
Health & Wellness
Recognizes successful and community-focused leadership in health and wellness fields. This award will honor those that improve community health outcomes, address health inequities, or lead in any major research field that connects community to better health habits.
Corporate Business
Recognizes leaders in the professional or business sector who are role models in their careers and community involvement. Also recognizes leaders in the skilled trades, industry, or service sector whose achievements have broken down barriers and inspired positive change.
Entrepreneur
Recognizes impactful and successful women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Leadership and impact are core tenants of this award. This award will honor those that innovate, create, and change our communities for the better.
Community Service
Recognizes influential community builders and leaders in the public sector whose professional or volunteer leadership and contributions help create a community in which everyone can thrive.
Education
Recognizes exceptional educators in schools, institutions, or community programs who are role models in their profession and community involvement, leading and inspiring positive change.
Rising Star
Recognizes a young woman under 40 who is making significant contributions to her school, community and/or work place. She demonstrates maturity, innovation, and leadership and inspires others to follow her example.
Corporate Champion
Recognizes a business in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is exemplary for developing women as leaders, creating an inclusive work environment, and has dedicated resources to ensure a safe and equitable workplace for all.
1. Contact Information Nominator/Advocate
Jane/Joe Doe
name@gmail.com
123 Main St.
Tulsa, OK 12345
(918) 123-4567
Employer: YWCA Tulsa
2. Contact Information Nominee
Vanessa Hall-Harper
name@gmail.com
123 Main St.
Tulsa, OK 12345
(918) 123-4567
Employer: Tulsa City Council
3. Please select Nomination Category
Community Service
4. Age Range of Nominee
35-49
5. Nominees Race/Ethnicity
African-American
6. Degrees Earned (College, Masters, Doctorate, Other)
Jackson State University in Jackson Mississippi- Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Pre-Law in 1993. The University of Tulsa-Certificate in Paralegal Studies from in 1995. Southern Nazarene University-Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree in 2013.
7. Work Experience (Include Current Title and Company and Past Positions)
Vanessa has worked over 25 years in the Tulsa County system. She has been employed with the Tulsa Health Department for almost 20 years. Today she is the Manager of the Tulsa Health Department’s Healthy Living Program. Prior to working in public health, Vanessa was an Intake Counselor at the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau for over 6 years. Vanessa is also current District One City Councilor.
8. Volunteer Experience (List all positions held and organizations served)
Vanessa is a community activist who is passionate about uplifting her community. She volunteers and serves on a plethora of boards and committees such as the: City of Tulsa’s Sales Tax Overview Committee (2014-2016), The Institute for Developing Communities (TIDC), Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (2016-2019), North Tulsa Clean-up Campaign, Theatre North, Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce, Power Group Community Development Corporation, Historic Greenwood District Main Street Board.
9. How has your nominee impacted the Tulsa Community?
She has also been involved in several community initiatives such as the creation of the African American Affairs Commission within the City of Tulsa infrastructure, the rebuilding B.C. Franklin Park, the creation of the Tulsa Expungement Expo, the District 1 Housing and Policy Committee, the Tulsa Black Contractor’s Association, Public Hearings on Tulsa’s Equality Indicators related to Policing and the need for an Independent Monitor Office to monitor the Tulsa Police Department. In addition, Vanessa led a successful campaign for a moratorium on discount dollar stores and the implementation of a Healthy Neighborhoods Overlay to address the proliferation of dollar stores in District 1. She further addressed the food security problem in District 1 by bringing a quality grocery to District 1 which broke ground in July 2020. Vanessa is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She does the necessary work to make sure that her community is not only informed but represented. During a period of possible imminent domain coming through and removing thousands from the historic Greenwood District perpetuating the injustices experienced by that community for decades.
10. Can you share an example of when the nominee has shown courage in the face of adversity? – Optional
Vanessa Hall Harper was the first in her family to attend and complete college. She has taken everything she’s learned and poured it directly into her community. In a time and space where women are still working to garner the respect deserved for their skills and contributions, compounded by her being a black women navigation spaces as the minority and still being brave enough to use her voice and take up the space necessary for make meaningful change for her community.
11. List any Press/Recognition/Articles/Awards received (add website link if available)? – Optional
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/new-grocery-store-in-north-tulsa-to-break-ground-friday https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/city-tulsa-reed-community-foundation-team-bring-back-ben-hill-community-center#stream/0
https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/post/city-track-approve-special-taxing-district-benefit-north-tulsa#stream/0
https://www.newson6.com/story/5f8824b529c6bb05231e6262/tulsa-parks-holding-virtual-lets-talk-parks-meeting
https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/editorials/tulsa-world-endorsement-vanessa-hall-harper-proven-powerful-advocate-for-tulsa-city-council-district-1/article_5c64b239-d585-58cd-a0ac-29f00080d6ed.html
https://ktul.com/news/local/councilors-lobby-for-tulsa-police-to-document-every-time-officers-pull-gun-on-citizens
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/tulsa-city-councilor-working-to-build-trust-between-tpd-and-the-community
https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/addressing-inequality-and-racial-disparities-in-tulsa-expected-to-start-this-week-at-city-council/article_3c2cb9e5-0aa1-5e8d-bb9a-dec5140445b3.html
2018 J’Parle’ Benefactor of the Year Terence Crutcher Foundation Community Service Award
Nominations Open – August 15, 2022
Nominations Close – September 23, 2022
Winners Notified – October 2022
Winners Announced – November 2022
What if I don’t know the answer to a question on the nomination form?
Ask the woman or company you are nominating. Most nominees are happy to hear you are thinking of them and won’t mind answering a question! A complete form with detailed answers will help our selection panel in making the best choice. The selection panel is only able to score a candidate based on what is included on the nomination form, so do your best to answer all questions fully.
Can I nominate someone for more than one category?
Yes, you may nominate a woman for more than one category, but you will have to submit a nomination form for each category you would like to nominate them for. We encourage you to consider where they are the best fit and will be the most competitive.
Can I edit or add to my nomination form once it has been submitted?
Unfortunately, once your nomination has been submitted you will not be able to access the nomination form again. We encourage you to draft your nomination in a word document and then copy and paste into our form so that you have the time to make changes before you submit.
Does nominating someone more than one time increase their chances of winning?
No, this will not influence a nominee’s chances of being selected.
Can I nominate someone who has won an award in a past year?
If a woman has already been recognized in a past year we will not consider them again, even if they are nominated in a different category. You can refer to our past winners list if you don’t know if they have received an award.
How are award winners selected?
Each year a selection panel comprised of members of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, YWCA Board of Directors, and past award winners reads and scores each nominee. Nominees applications are not discussed amongst the committee prior to or during scoring. The selection panel does not see who has made the nomination. They are asked not to do any additional research or use any prior knowledge of the applicant when scoring. They are only scoring based on what has been submitted in the nomination form.
When will I hear who has been selected?
Pinnacle Awards winners will be announced in a press release in November 2022. After the winners are announced we will contact all nominees to let them know they were nominated.
Any other questions?
Contact our Development Manager, Kyle Rutledge, at krutledge@ywcatulsa.org or (918) 858-2372.