On Thursday, September 26, Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA) hosted its 13th annual Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet at the Avalon Manor Banquet Hall in Merrillville. Over 900 guests from across the Region came to show their support.
The awards banquet recognizes women from a variety of fields who have had a significant impact on their community. This year, 24 winners were selected from a group of 226 finalists by previous years’ winners. Attendees had professional photos taken in the designated photo room and chatted amicably among themselves. They enjoyed free drinks at the bar and a delicious multi-course meal prepared by the Avalon Manor staff as they watched the ceremony,
Representatives from the banquet’s presenting sponsors ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development Center, Franciscan Health, and UChicago Medicine were in attendance. Employees of Horseshoe Hammond Casino and NIPSCO, the event’s platinum sponsors, were also present along with representatives from such gold sponsor organizations as BP, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing, and Horizon Bank.
Andrea Pearman, executive director of NWIIWA, and Mary Wright, NWIIWA board of directors chair, opened the banquet by reviewing NWIIWA’s accomplishments over the past year and announcing some exciting new programs. One example is Girls Reimagining Our World (GROW), a program for sixth and seventh graders that boosts self-confidence and equips them with the skills they need to develop into effective leaders in their communities. Winners from last year’s banquet were then called to the stage to receive a medallion that officially identifies them as alumni.
Jenny Craig-Brown, executive director at GreatNews.Life and a finalist in the Marketing & Media Influential Women category this year, won the Up & Coming Women Award for Marketing and Media in 2018. She is deeply honored to return as an Influential Women finalist.
“This incredible event is important because it gives us all a chance to be in the limelight,” Craig-Brown said. “I've watched the awards develop over the last eight years or so, and it's been really amazing to watch. This event gives people an outlet to shout out women who are incredible in their field, and we don't have enough of that. I look up to the other women in my category as mentors, so to be nominated alongside them is a huge honor. We should all remember and appreciate the women in our lives who have a big impact on the world around them. Hopefully, everyone leaves here tonight thinking about the women that they appreciate with plans to nominate them for next year’s awards.”
Aida Haigh, manager of strategy and risk at NiSource and one of the presenters at the awards banquet, received the Supporter of the Year Award. Haigh’s win came as a complete surprise to her as this particular prize does not have nominees and the winner is announced on the spot. Haigh appreciates the opportunities she has had to work with NWIIWA and believes that the organization has a very positive impact on the community.
“NWIIWA is near and dear to my heart,” Haigh said. “Before NWIIWA existed, we didn’t have an organization that put on events that celebrated women. As women, we feel that we aren’t worthy of acknowledging our accomplishments; it’s something we struggle with. NWIIWA gives women a reason to write down their accomplishments and recognize all of the amazing work that they have done in their community in all aspects of their lives. I look forward to working with NWIIWA to build programs that will continue to grow our community of both women and the girls who will be our future leaders.”
Mother and daughter Shaya Wimple and Madisyn Wimple were among the night’s winners. Shaya Wimple, owner of Marlyngrace Boutique, won the Business Up & Coming Woman Award while Madisyn Wimple, founder of Madisyn’s Spread the Love Project, won the Influential Youth Non-Profit Award. Madisyn Wimple feels that the awards banquet lends insight into the activities of the women who have left their mark on Northwest Indiana.
“This event shows everybody what’s going on in their community,” Madisyn Wimple said. “It’s beneficial because it shows people what these women are doing and highlights all of the different ways they contribute to the community. I hope all of the finalists understand that what they're doing is positive and that they are motivated to continue to make a difference. Hopefully, their example will inspire others to go out and make a difference.”
To learn more about the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, please visit nwiiwa.org.