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.
2027 Pinnacle Award Nominations are Open!
Nominate an Extraordinary Tulsa Woman or Corporate Champion
Every day, incredible women are shaping Tulsa — leading businesses, strengthening communities, advancing health and education, championing the arts and creating opportunities for those who come next. The Pinnacle Awards are our opportunity to make sure their leadership is seen and celebrated.
YWCA Tulsa is seeking nominations for outstanding women across Arts, Health & Wellness, Corporate Business, Community Service and Education, as well as a Rising Star recognizing an exceptional young woman who is already making her mark.
We’re also seeking nominations for the Corporate Champion Award, honoring a Tulsa business that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to developing women leaders and creating a safe, inclusive and equitable workplace.
You know the women and organizations making Tulsa stronger. Now is your chance to make sure Tulsa knows them, too.
Nominations for the 2027 Pinnacle Awards are open through Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
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
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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 workplace. 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.
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Nominations open Tuesday, Sept 1,2026
Nominations close Thursday, Oct 15, 2026
Winners notified November 2026
Winners announced December 2026
Winners celebrated at Pinnacle Awards Friday, April 2, 2027
For date related questions, email Wendy Bishop.
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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.
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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