These awards honor people taking action to eliminate racism and empower women; who are breaking down systemic barriers and promoting opportunities for women and girls to thrive and lead, particularly in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. 

We're thrilled to announce the following honorees:

BUSINESS CHAMPION

THE SEATTLE STORM

As their nomination explained, “The Seattle Storm has been on the frontlines of the fight for equal opportunities in sports business and social change in the region.” The four-time WNBA champions created Force4Change, a WNBA platform focused on racial, gender, and civil rights. And over the past year, they’ve partnered with other groups to amplify and invest in women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities and businesses across the Puget Sound.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION

DEBBIE BIRD

As current board chair of the Northwest African American Museum, Debbie Bird works to challenge racial injustice and dismantle systemic barriers to equity, while also celebrating Black history. She’s also a dedicated mentor who sacrifices her time to support others, particularly BIPOC women. As her nominator stated, “With over 10 years advocating for equity, Debbie’s heart and soul are immersed in the fight for equity and justice.”

RISING CHAMPION

KAVYA VARKEY

As her nominator said, “Youth must see themselves in the movements that affect them.” Kavya Varkey was in high school when she co-founded International Peer Education on Climate Change to remove barriers for youth participation on this critical issue. Now an undergrad at Stanford University, she’s studying the impact of ecological restoration on marginalized communities and hopes to inspire other young women and BIPOC students to become leaders in the climate movement.