We Recognize & Honor Your WERK

Women Who Werk, along with our nonprofit sister organization, the Women Without Limits Movement, is dedicated to empowering women leaders, mothers, and driven professionals on a journey to lead more grounded, confident, and impactful lives. This year, we’re thrilled to recognize extraordinary women who inspire, uplift, and drive change within our Central Texas community.

Our annual WerkIt Awards Ceremony will honor trailblazing women from all backgrounds, celebrating their influence, leadership, and invaluable contributions to their fields and beyond. Join us in spotlighting these remarkable women who make a lasting difference!

This year’s award ceremony will be on December 5, 2024.

The 2024 WerkIT Awards seek to celebrate achievements in the following categories:

Pioneer of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman founder who has demonstrated exceptional achievements and uses her success to support and uplift her community. This award honors those who act as powerful change-makers committed to excellence, diversity, equity, and positive community impact.

***Nominees in this category must: be the founder of an organization that demonstrates outstanding achievements while actively using their success to support and uplift their community.

Empowering Queen of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has made significant contributions through innovation, inspiring accomplishments, and fostering a culture of creativity and change in her profession, industry, or sector; honoring those who challenge the status quo, promote equity, and drive transformative shifts throughout her career.

***Nominees in this category must: have been driving transformative shifts in their sector for over a decade, challenging the status quo, promoting equity and inclusion, utilizing innovative thinking, and boldly taking risks to introduce new products, methods, or ideas that empower women and marginalized communities.

Emerging Leader of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has demonstrated exceptional achievements and impactful contributions in her chosen industry or profession; celebrates those who are not only excelling in their field but are also champions of equality and social change, particularly those with less than five years in their sector.

***Nominees in this category must: have less than five years of experience in their current career iteration or profession, demonstrate leadership, and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion within their community. Nominees inspire others through their commitment to empowerment and positive social impact.

Changemaker of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has actively raised her voice to challenge discriminatory policies/practices, advocate for systemic change, and utilizes her position, expertise, and influence to break down barriers to effect positive change in her profession, industry, and/or community.

***Nominees in this category must: be an advocate for and/or achiever of systemic change in their sector or the community, and have a track record of eliminating or overcoming obstacles to success, whether for themselves or for other members of their sector or community.

Ally of the Year ~ Recognizes a person who champions gender equality and social change. Through advocacy and mentorship, they empower women, foster inclusive environments, and exemplify the crucial role allies play in cultivating a more equitable society for all.

***Nominees in this category must: advocate and/or participate in initiatives that support women's progress and advancement in professional settings and beyond; must identify as male or non-binary.

SHERO of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who demonstrates a commitment to empowering and advocating for women in their profession, industry, or field, and who is a role model to other members of their community. The Women Who Werk team will select the SHERO of the Year.

***Nominees in this category must: advocate for women and/or other marginalized groups in their sector or community and be role models for other members of the community.

The nomination period for the 2024 WerkIt Awards is now closed.

The WerkIT Awards celebrate the ongoing work and achievements of women in the Central Texas community. Benefits for award recipients include:

• Framed award 

• An award digital badge

• Brand promotion (on our website and socials)

• Recognition as a female leader in the Central Texas community

• Two complimentary tickets to the next Women Without Limits Power Summit

• Mention in post-award press release

Judges will score each nominee’s three essays based on the following:

Essay 1 - 30 points possible

• Does the essay identify specific accomplishments? (10 points)

• Do the accomplishments indicated show a clear commitment to the progression of women? (10 points)

• Does the essay clearly and compellingly address how the nominee embodies the Women Without Limits Movement’s core values? (10 points)

Essay 2 - 30 points possible

• Does the response effectively outline a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for the future of women's empowerment, and does it demonstrate a clear alignment with the Women Without Limits Movement’s core values? (30 points)

Essay 3 - 40 points possible

• Does the essay identify specific accomplishments? (10 points)

• Does the essay clearly and compellingly address why the nominee is the best choice for this category? (30 points)

Award Categories:

The WerkIT Awards seek to celebrate achievements in the following categories:

Individual Awards ~

Influencer of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who leverages her knowledge, position, and/or experience to amass a following and inspire meaningful change in their profession, industry, or enterprise.

Gamechanger of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has made significant contributions in their profession, industry, or enterprise with a track record of change, innovation, inspiration, accomplishments and/or achievements.

Rising Woman of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman under 40 years of age who has significant accomplishments and/or success in their chosen industry or profession.

Emerging Lady Boss Of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman founder with less than 5 years in business who shows outstanding growth, success, and achievement in their enterprise.

Barrier Breaker of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has utilized her position, status, expertise, and influence to break down barriers and effect positive change in their profession, industry, or enterprise.

Lady Innovator of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who takes risks and introduces new products, methods, or ideas, and who fosters a culture of innovation in their profession, industry, or enterprise.

Creator of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who harnesses their original ideas to create new and exciting content, ideas, or opportunities in their profession, industry, or enterprise.

Nasty Woman of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who has raised their voice to challenge discriminatory policies or practices and advocate for systems change in their profession, industry, or enterprise.

SHERO of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman who demonstrates a continuing commitment to empowering and advocating for women in their profession, industry or enterprise, and who is a role model to other members of their community. The Women Who Werk team will select the SHERO of the Year.

Organizational Award ~

EntHERprise of the Year ~ Recognizes a woman-owned company that has acted as a powerful change-maker and demonstrated a commitment to excellence, growth, and the community.