Save the Date

YWCA Tulsa and Tulsa Women’s Commission have been partnering since 2015, to recognize, celebrate and honor women who are exemplary leaders in the Tulsa community and demonstrate both professional success and commitment to service at the Pinnacle Awards. Save the date to celebrate next year’s honorees on Friday, April 2 at Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a cocktail hour, and the program begins at 6 p.m.

Purchase Tickets
Become a Sponsor

2027 Pinnacle Chair

Debbie Reynolds

It is a great honor to serve as this year’s Chair of Pinnacle Awards!

Established by the Tulsa Women's Commission in 1987, Pinnacle Awards has honored women in leadership and service for nearly 40 years. Today, YWCA Tulsa is proud to continue that tradition through our partnership with the Commission, celebrating women whose impact make Tulsa stronger for future generations.

Last year, the Anna C. Roth Legacy Award - the highest individual honor, was presented to Maybelle Wallace. As executive director of Theatre North since 1981, Maybelle has nurtured the organization into an award-winning institution that makes African American voices and perspectives visible in the local theatre landscape.

YWCA Tulsa in partnership with the Tulsa Women’s Commission will celebrate our 2027 Honorees on Friday April 2, 2027, at Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills.

This iconic Tulsa event continues to celebrate the investment that women make in our community while also supporting YWCA Tulsa, and our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. As a board member, I am proud that we have the opportunity to spotlight changemaking women and support YWCA’s mission.

What makes this event especially meaningful is the opportunity to recognize women whose leadership creates lasting change. Their impact extends far beyond a single achievement or moment in time. Their work is generational, planting seeds of opportunity, service, and progress that will continue to strengthen the Tulsa community for years to come.

This is your opportunity to honor them, share their successes, and visions for the future, and support YWCA. Will you join us as a sponsor for the Pinnacle Awards 2027?

Each year YWCA Tulsa creates real change in the lives of more than 10,000 individuals. YWCA is on a mission to stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. By harnessing the potential of every woman, YWCA will continue to lead in the fight for gender equality and racial justice, promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

These are the building blocks in a world where dignity exists for all.

Join me in honoring these amazing women and support YWCA Tulsa!

2026 Pinnacle Awards

Additional Information

  • 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

    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.

    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 13-30 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.

  • Nominations Open – September 1, 2026

    Nominations Close – October 1, 2026

    Winners Notified - November 2027

    Winners Announced – December 2026

    Winners Celebrated – April 2027

    Winners Celebrated - March 2026

    For date related questions, emailWendy Bishop.

  • 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.

    Can YWCA or Tulsa Women's Commission staff or board members be nominated?

    No, they cannot.

    How are award winners selected?

    Each year a selection panel comprised of members of the Tulsa Women's Commission, YWCA Board of Directors reads and scores each nominee. Nominee 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 2025. After the winners are announced, we will contact all nominees to let them know they were nominated.

    Any other questions?

    Contact Wendy Bishop, at wbishop@ywcatulsa.org.

  • View a sample individual nomination form here.

    View a sample corporate nomination form here.

  • For a full list of past honorees dating back to 1987, please view here.

    2026 Pinnacle Awards

    Maybelle Wallace, Anna C. Roth Award

    Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, Corporate Champion

    Amanda Swope,Community Service

    Kimberly Hill-Crowell,Health & Wellness

    Dr. Leigh Goodson, Education

    Lewana Dailey, Corporate Business

    Justice Jones, Rising Star

    2025 Pinnacle Awards

    Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, Anna C. Roth Legacy Award

    Luisa Krug, Arts and Humanities

    Sarah Gilpin, Community Service

    Jhoanna Astudillo, Corporate Business

    Dr. Delia Kimbrel, Education

    Stephanie Jackson, Entrepreneur

    Laura Bellis, Health & Wellness

    Whitney Cipolla, Rising Star

    Littleton Legal, Corporate Champion Award

    2024 Pinnacle Awards

    Gail Lapidus, Anna C. Roth Legacy Award

    Susan Neal, Arts and Humanities

    Dr. Martha Zapata, Community Service

    Molly Jarvis, Corporate Business

    Dr. Ebony Johnson, Education

    Lorena Rivas, Entrepreneur

    Anne Bogie, Health & Wellness

    Brandi Payton, Rising Star

    KKT Architects, Corporate Champion Award