Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WWN Recognition Award?
The WWN Recognition Award is an annual award that recognizes up to six women currently employed at Yale who have been exemplary members of the community at Yale. The individuals receiving this honor may be selected for a wide range of achievements, but overall, will have distinguished themselves through a commitment to changing the University through their personal efforts. For example, an awardee could have had an impact on a project or team by demonstrating a positive attitude, gone beyond the call of duty to get the job done, or demonstrated a love for learning new skills.
The nomination process is open to women Yale employees in the following job categories: Service and Maintenance (S&M), Clerical and Technical (C&T), and Managerial and Professional (M&P).
Who can be nominated for the WWN Recognition Award?
The nomination process will be open (November 5 - December 20) to women Yale employees under the following job categories: Service and Maintenance (S&M), Clerical and Technical (C&T), and Managerial and Professional (M&P). Consultants, temporary/casual employees, retirees, and members of the Recognition Award Committee cannot be nominated. Nominees must be currently employed and not planning to retire before the event ceremony takes place on April 2025.
Who can nominate?
Nominations can be received from all University employees, including faculty members. Nominations must include a paragraph about why the person nominated made a difference during the period of time cited. Self-nominations are not allowed.
Is there any guidance for the nominators to use?
Yes, nominators are asked to submit their nominations in one of the following six categories:
- A Trailblazer: a woman who utilizes opportunities to customize a new career path at Yale.
- A Heroine: a woman who advocates, mentors, or nurtures others at Yale.
- A Visionary: a woman who has been a champion for change at the University.
- A Community Catalyst: a woman who leads in a volunteer capacity at Yale or through a Yale initiative.
- A Work Life Champion: a woman who takes unusual or extraordinary measures to help others within the Yale community to balance their work and family lives.
- An Innovator/Creator: a woman who brings innovation and creativity to the workplace via a new idea, perspective, or initiative within the Yale Community.
Up to six award recipients will be chosen; one for each category.
What happens after my nomination form has been submitted?
Because this is a confidential process, you will only be contacted if your nominee is chosen as a recipient.
What does the selection process entail?
The WWN Recognition Award Review Committee will review all nomination forms and select the top submissions. A second and final review will be conducted by the WWN Recognition Award Advisory Team, who will determine the award recipients.
Is the Recognition Award for an individual or a team of women?
This recognition award is for individuals only and will be awarded to up to six women in 2025!
What timeframe should the nominee’s achievements have been accomplished in?
The nominee’s achievements must have been accomplished within the past year.
What is the prize for the WWN Recognition Award recipient?
The award recipients will each receive a WWN Recognition Award crystal keepsake during a ceremony in April 2025. The news will be shared via the WWN newsletter, website, and social media.
2025 Awardees: Paula Maguina, Cayetana Navarro, Kate Botelho, Katherine Viera, and Erin Ethier.
2024 Awardees: Aley Menon, Mya Fisher, Victoria D’Agostino, Lori Rasile, and Mckenzie Granata.
2023 Awardees: Yasmine Ali, Stephanie Gosteli, Chris Seager, Shawana Snell, and Melissa Gold Fournier
2022 Awardees: Melanie Elliot, Sara Azam, GoEun Lee, Limor Peer, Joanna Carmona, & Nikki Mills
2021 Awardees: Chevelle Irvin, Pilar Abuin, Morag Grassie, Diane Frankel-Gramelis, Kathleen Castellon, & Danielle Shapiro
The Zoom recording can be found here.
2020 Awardees: Nikitia Tillman, Asia Neupane, & Ann DeLauro
The Zoom recording can be found here.
2019 Awardees: Linda Jackson, Rebecca Cramer, Anjuli Bodyk, & Allyssa Antunes
2018 Awardees: Mela Waters, Rebecca Udler, Diane Chandler, & Nandi Cummings
2017 Awardee: Linda Caruso