Nominations open for women in business award

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on March 30, 2024.

Nominations have officially opened for the 2024 Inspire Award, meant for women in the business community who’ve made an impact.

The Women in Business Committee of Medicine Hat has been hosting this award for roughly 12 years, said Joleine Martineau, WIB vice chair and Inspire Award co-ordinator.

“It’s up to the public to nominate women that they feel are inspiring,” said Martineau. “Someone that inspires you. They are usually somebody that’s made an impact on the Medicine Hat business community. They inspire you to do more, give more, be more.”

These people do not have to be business owners themselves, said Martineau, but they would be involved within the sphere; examples of candidates from previous years included small business owners as well as an instructor at Medicine Hat College.

“The requirements are simple,” said Martineau. “They had to have some significant achievements. They need to be considered a mentor or a role model, a trendsetter, a risk taker and contribute to the business community. Sometimes they have philanthropic contributions. And they need to be living in Medicine Hat or the surrounding area.”

Nominations are already open, and while a woman cannot nominate herself, they are welcome to nominate others they feel inspired by.

“I actually just got our first nomination today. So I’m looking forward to seeing what else comes in,” said Martineau.

Information and nomination forms can be found on the committee’s website at wibmedicinehat.com. Nominations close April 15.