2026 EmpowHER Award
Nomination Form

Vogue Presence: Where your voice leads, change follows

The 2026 EmpowHER theme centers women as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers—encouraging them to take up space with confidence, claim their voice, and lead with purpose. Being seen, heard, and valued is essential to empowerment, and confidence and self-expression are powerful tools for change. Vogue Presence celebrates leadership on one’s own terms, honoring the strength, authenticity, and impact women bring when they step fully into their power—moving empowerment from belief to behavior by shifting from who we are and what we can become to how we show up, speak out, and lead in our communities.

Frequently Asked Questions
• Who is eligible to receive an award?
Any woman who lives and/or works in Knox County

• Do the award winner and her nominator need to purchase tickets?
No. Each award winner and her nominator may attend the event at no cost.
All award winners receive one complimentary guest ticket.
EmpowHER Award winners receive two complimentary guest tickets.

• If a ticket was already purchased for the winner or nominator, will it be refunded?
Yes. If a ticket has already been purchased for an award winner or her nominator, that ticket will be refunded.

• Can I nominate the same woman for more than one award?
No. Each woman may be nominated for only one award category.
For example, if you are nominating Linda, you must choose either the “Raising the Bar Award” or the “EmpowHER Award,” not both.
However, as a nominator, you may submit nominations for multiple different women.

• When do nominations close?
Nominations close Friday, February 6, 2026.

• When will we be notified if our nomination is selected?
Nominators will be notified via email by Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

• Can a man nominate a woman for an award?
Yes — men are welcome to nominate a woman for any award.
If the nominee is selected as a winner, he will identify another person to attend in his place and participate in presenting the award to the winner.

• Do nominees need to be present at the event?
Nominees are encouraged to attend the event and, if selected as a winner, will participate in the award presentation, unless they let us know otherwise.
If a nominee is unable to attend, they may identify another person to accept the award on their behalf.

• Will winners be announced before the event?
Winners will remain confidential until the event.
However, their names will appear on printed materials placed on the event tables the evening of the ceremony.

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* What is your name? (nominator)

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* Contact information of nominator:

Email Address

Phone Number

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* Who would you like to nominate? (nominee)

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* What is your relationship to the nominee?

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* What is the business or organization name of the nominee? (if applicable)

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* Contact information of nominee:

Email Address

Phone Number

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* Please select which award you are nominating your nominee for

EmpowHER Award
Belief is a powerful engine. This woman believes so strongly in the outcomes she seeks that her beliefs mold the path she is taking to get there. The recipient of this award champions for women in her network, workplace, and community. She is a team player and active mentor who paves the road to empower women in leadership roles. She is a woman of inspiration that is true to herself, and her example is so noteworthy as to spontaneously inspire others. Her passion channels her actions and her voice as she strives to empower the women and girls of Knox County.

Grit & Grace Award
The recipient of this award is a single-parent mom who has overcome adversity and demonstrates resilience. She has transformed her life and the lives of her children with dignity and grace. She leads by example and is a picture of selflessness and courage to all who encounter her.

The Vision Builder Award
Vision shapes our future. The recipient of this award is a woman with less than 10 years of experience in her field who has wasted no time making an impact and breaking down barriers. She emphasizes building honest relationships, values input, has the mindset of a leader, and leads by example with an immense amount of courage. She has valued what she’s learned from her mentors and wants to pay it forward as a mentor to others. She is changing the landscape in which women serve.

The Heart Award
The Heart Award was born out of COVID19 and the need to acknowledge greater endeavors in support of our humanity with a focus on others over self. She is a woman with commitment and passion for service while making an impact and leading with purpose. This recipient is a woman who dedicates her life as a successful, front-line worker and has proven her endless dedication to her field. (healthcare worker, educator, etc.)

Raising the Bar Award
The recipient of this award is an extraordinary woman who has manifested a legacy that continues to inspire others. She has dedicated her life to the advancement of those around her and paved the way for the leaders of tomorrow. She is recognized as an ambassador for women through her extraordinary dedication, personal achievements, and service to others through mentorship, philanthropy, and business. This award recognizes a woman who has spent more than 20 years in her field.

Nomination Narratives:
Strong nominations include clear examples, connections to the award description, and meaningful descriptions of impact.

Question Title

* How does this woman embody the characteristics outlined in the award description?

Tips:
Reference the Award Description
Describe what she does — not just who she is
Share at least one real-life example

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* Briefly describe the impact this woman has had on you, other women or our community.

Tips:
Consider how her actions, encouragement, leadership, or advocacy created change, growth, confidence, or opportunities for others.

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* Share a quote that best reflects who this nominee is or how she shows up in the world.

Tips:
This may be a quote from you, a meaningful saying she lives by, or a quote that captures her character, leadership, or impact.
You may add a brief sentence explaining why you chose this quote.

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* Share a specific story or example of a time this nominee empowered another woman or girl — or helped create a space where women could lead, grow, or be heard.

Tips:
Describe what happened, what she did, and why it mattered.

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* Share a song by a female artist that best represents this nominee and the spirit of the Award.
This song may reflect her strength, resilience, leadership, authenticity, confidence, or the impact she has on others.

(This song will be used as her walk-up song if she is selected as the award recipient.)

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* The person I am nominating lives in Knox County.

Yes

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* The person I am nominating works in Knox County.

Yes

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* I am willing to present this award to my nominee at the event being held on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Yes

2026 EmpowHER AwardNomination Form

Vogue Presence: Where your voice leads, change follows

Question Title

* What is your name? (nominator)

Question Title

* Contact information of nominator:

Question Title

* Who would you like to nominate? (nominee)

Question Title

* What is your relationship to the nominee?

Question Title

* What is the business or organization name of the nominee? (if applicable)

Question Title

* Contact information of nominee:

Question Title

* Please select which award you are nominating your nominee for

Question Title

* How does this woman embody the characteristics outlined in the award description?Tips:Reference the Award DescriptionDescribe what she does — not just who she isShare at least one real-life example

Question Title

* Briefly describe the impact this woman has had on you, other women or our community.Tips:Consider how her actions, encouragement, leadership, or advocacy created change, growth, confidence, or opportunities for others.

Question Title

* Share a quote that best reflects who this nominee is or how she shows up in the world. Tips:This may be a quote from you, a meaningful saying she lives by, or a quote that captures her character, leadership, or impact.You may add a brief sentence explaining why you chose this quote.

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* Share a specific story or example of a time this nominee empowered another woman or girl — or helped create a space where women could lead, grow, or be heard.Tips:Describe what happened, what she did, and why it mattered.

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* The person I am nominating lives in Knox County.

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* The person I am nominating works in Knox County.

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* I am willing to present this award to my nominee at the event being held on Friday, March 13, 2026.

2026 EmpowHER Award
Nomination Form

* How does this woman embody the characteristics outlined in the award description?

Tips:
Reference the Award Description
Describe what she does — not just who she is
Share at least one real-life example

* Briefly describe the impact this woman has had on you, other women or our community.

Tips:
Consider how her actions, encouragement, leadership, or advocacy created change, growth, confidence, or opportunities for others.

* Share a quote that best reflects who this nominee is or how she shows up in the world.

Tips:
This may be a quote from you, a meaningful saying she lives by, or a quote that captures her character, leadership, or impact.
You may add a brief sentence explaining why you chose this quote.

* Share a specific story or example of a time this nominee empowered another woman or girl — or helped create a space where women could lead, grow, or be heard.

Tips:
Describe what happened, what she did, and why it mattered.