Nominations sought for 30th annual Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2024) — The UK Women’s Forum is excited to announce the opening of nominations for the 2024 Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards. As they mark the 30th anniversary, they eagerly anticipate commemorating the enduring legacy of Sarah Bennett Holmes by recognizing outstanding women from diverse backgrounds across the Commonwealth.
In addition to the usual four categories honoring staff, faculty, graduate students and teams, they're introducing a new category, "30 under 30," to celebrate the remarkable contributions of undergraduate students and recent alumni.
Awardees will be recognized at the Sarah Bennett Holmes Luncheon scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in the Gatton Student Center Ballrooms.
Details for each category are outlined below:
Faculty and Staff Awards
Nomination form
The Sarah Bennett Holmes Faculty and Staff Awards recognize two UK employees —one faculty member and one staff member — for their contributions to issues that affect women at the university and across the Commonwealth. These awards recognize efforts that would otherwise go unnoticed through typical channels.
Graduate Student Award
Nomination form
The Sarah Bennett Holmes Graduate Student Award recognizes a graduate student for their contributions to issues that affect women at the university and across the Commonwealth. This award recognizes efforts that would otherwise go unnoticed through typical channels.
Team Award
Nomination form
The Sarah Bennett Holmes Team Award recognizes a team of faculty, staff, students and/or external partners who have shown efforts to promote the well-being and growth of women at the university and throughout the Commonwealth.
30 Under 30 Award
Nomination Form
This year, the Women's Forum is excited to introduce the "30 under 30" category. This presents a chance to celebrate individuals under 30 who are current undergraduates or recent alumni, recognizing their significant contributions to the university and the Commonwealth.
Sarah Bennett Holmes was a distinguished dean of women at the University of Kentucky, who tirelessly championed the rights of women throughout her career. Widowed at a young age, Holmes raised four children while completing her education. She then began a successful career at UK where she inspired young women to persevere in the face of hardship and pursue their career goals. Among her accomplishments, Holmes developed work programs for women during the Depression.
Nominations for individuals or teams who exemplify the qualities and legacy of Sarah Bennett Holmes will be accepted through March 1, 2024.
Tickets for the Awards Luncheon will go on sale on Monday, Feb. 26. The price is $25 and tickets will be available at https://ukytickets.universitytickets.com/
Questions about these awards can be directed to UKWF@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.