Help Celebrate Trailblazing Women in Local Government Leadership!

by Nicole Molina on July 20, 2023

The Leadership Trailblazer Award honors an exceptional woman in government. Do you know someone who deserves the recognition?

The League of Women in Government (LWG / The League) and Polco are proud to announce nominations for the 2023 Leadership Trailblazer Award are now open. This award recognizes an accomplished woman who is an exceptional leader in local government.

“Our research shows women still experience barriers to leadership positions in the local government workplace,” said Polco Communications and Marketing Director Angelica Wedell. “Winning this award means you’ve made a big impact on your community, your organization, and other women whom you’ve helped succeed.”

Nominations are submitted by local government professionals who would like to see a deserving colleague recognized on a national scale. A panel of judges from the LWG and Polco will review each nomination and select the final winner.

“When I started working in government, the number of women who were city managers in the US, according to ICMA data, was 13%. Twenty years later, it was still 13%. That was in 2011. In Illinois, we were at 11%," said 2022 winner Anne Marie Gaura. "I'm proud to say that because of a collective of things happening in society, as of today, 28% of the managers in Illinois are women. So it’s very exciting to see that number."

The 2023 Leadership Trailblazer Award will be presented during the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference in Austin, TX on September 30th - October 4th.

Nominate an Outstanding Woman Here!

Find instructions on eligibility on the Nomination Form.