Professional News

Nominees sought for UK Women’s Forum Sarah Bennett Holmes awards

photo of Sarah Bennett Holmes
Sarah Bennett Holmes, namesake of the award, served as UK's dean of women from 1942 until 1957.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 23, 2023)  The University of Kentucky Women’s Forum seeks nominees for the 2023 Sarah Bennett Holmes awards. The following four categories are open for self or peer nominations: UK full-time faculty member, UK full-time staff member, UK faculty and/or staff team, and UK full-time graduate student. Awardees will be recognized at the Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in the Gatton Student Center Ballrooms.

The Sarah Bennett Holmes awards recognize individuals and teams for their contributions to issues that affect women at the university and across the Commonwealth. These awards bring recognition for efforts that would otherwise go unnoticed through typical channels. All award winners will receive a plaque and recognition at the annual Sarah Bennett Holmes Awards event. In addition, the faculty, staff and graduate student award winners will each receive a monetary reward of $1,000 each.

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 own 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 Great Depression.

Nominations for individuals or teams who exemplify the qualities and legacy of Sarah Bennett Holmes will be accepted through Feb.19, 2023. For complete nomination information and eligibility requirements, please visit the UK Women’s Forum website. Submit nominations here: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_barTLGRcZy7ZeHc.

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.