AWARD WINNERS

Recognizing success and commitment throughout the years.

Award History & Winners

The NFDW Awards were first given in 1986 by President Caroline Wilkins at Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas. Special recognition was given to Federation Founder Rilla Moran Woods; Dorothy Bush, long-time Secretary of the DNC; Betty Bumpers, co-founder of Peace Links and Pamela Harriman, stellar Democratic fundraiser. All four were present to accept their Awards and conducted workshops or served on panels during Convention. Later that year, Caroline, Immediate-Past President Angie Elkins and her daughter Debbie Elkins met and drafted the criteria for three awards: Outstanding NFDW Member; Outstanding Democratic Woman Elected Official; and Humanitarian.

Outstanding NFDW Member

The Outstanding NFDW Member of the Year Award honors an individual who exemplifies exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to the goals of the National Federation of Democratic Women. This prestigious award recognizes the member whose impact has made a significant difference and contributed to the growth, development and promotion of the organization over the past year. Recipients of this award inspire others through their passion and unwavering support for Democratic principles and the advancement of women in politics.

  • 1987 - Jane Bullock, AZ

  • 1988 - Agnes Bird, TN

  • 1989 - Rae Small, FL

  • 1990 - Annette Jones, DC

  • 1991 - Angie Elkins, NC

  • 1992 - Caroline Wilkins, OR

  • 1993 - Gwen McFarland, TN

  • 1994 - Anne Mauzy, TX

  • 1995 - Pat Frank, OK

  • 1996 - Onita Hamilin, KS

  • 1997 - Charlotte Coker, WA

  • 1998 - Bernice Bowman, CT

  • 1999 - Laura Comini, OR

  • 2000 - Helen Knetzer, KS

  • 2001 - Corrine Anderson, MS

  • 2002 - Irene Younkman, KS

  • 2003 - Virgie Rollins, MI

  • 2004 - Ruth Rudy, PA

  • 2005 - Dot Mrowka, CT

  • 2006 - No Award

  • 2007 - Barbara Mansfield, LA

  • 2008 - Ardena Matlack, KS

  • 2009 - Joanne LeBeau, CT

  • 2010 - Pat Hobbs, CA

  • 2011 - Jan Paschal, AR

  • 2012 - Judy Baker, NM

  • 2013 - No Winner

  • 2014 - Janice Haynes-Davis, Washington, DC

  • 2015 - Susanna French, KY

  • 2016 - Mary “Cindy” Jenks, MO

  • 2017 - Estell Mathis-Lloyd, DC

  • 2018 - Dorothy Adams, MO

  • 2019 - Elizabeth Duarte, CT

  • 2020 - No Award

  • 2021 - Judy Villa, CT

  • 2022 - Jeanne Marszalek, MS

  • 2023 - Gail Buckner, GA

  • 2024 - No Award

  • 2025 - Lovie West, MS

Outstanding Democratic Woman Elected Office

The Outstanding Democratic Women Elected Office Award recognizes exceptional Democratic women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to public service. This prestigious honor celebrates those elected officials who have made significant contributions to their communities, advanced the principles of the Democratic Party, and inspired future generations of women to pursue public office. Recipients embody the values of equality, justice, and progressive change, serving as role models both locally and nationally.

  • 1987 - State Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow, OH

  • 1988 - State Sen. Frances Farley, UT

  • 1989 - State Sen. Helen Gordon Davis, FL

  • 1990 - Hon. Jolene Unsoeld, MC, WA

  • 1991 - Gov. Joan Finney, KS

  • 1992 - State Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher, AR

  • 1993 - Gov. Ann Richards, TX

  • 1994 - Treasurer Martha Whitehead, TX

  • 1995 - Treasurer Sally Thompson, KS

  • 1996 - Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, KS

  • 1997 - Sheila Jackson Lee, MC, TX

  • 1998 - Asst. Sec. of State Cathy Cox, GA

  • 1999 - State Board of Education Janet Waugh, KS

  • 2000 - State Treasurer Denise Nappier, CT

  • 2001 - Jean Carnahan, MC, MO

  • 2002 - Judge Cynthia Stephens, MI

  • 2003 - Comptroller Nancy Wyman, CT

  • 2004 - State Sec. of State Susan Bysiewicz, CT

  • 2005 - Councilperson Linda Cropp, DC

  • 2006 - No Award

  • 2007 - Nancy Pelosi, MC, CA

  • 2008 - Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, NM

  • 2009 - State Sec. of State Mary Herrera, NM

  • 2010 - State Sec. of State Elaine Marshall, NC

  • 2011 - Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC

  • 2012 - Claire McCaskill, MC, MO

  • 2013 - No Winner

  • 2014 - No Award

  • 2015 - Rosa DeLauro, MC, CT

  • 2016 - State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, FL

  • 2017 - Councilperson Anita Bonds, DC

  • 2018 - Sheriff Sally Hernadez, TX

  • 2019 - State Rep. Kathy Hinkle, KY

  • 2020 - No Award

  • 2021 - State Rep. Sally Toone, ID

  • 2022 - Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, NJ

  • 2023 - Jahana Hayes, MC, CT

  • 2024 - No Award

  • 2025 - State Rep. Melissa Wintrow, ID

Humanitarian

The Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to advancing human rights, social justice, and community well-being. The individual has made a significant contribution to the cause of human and/or civil rights over the past year. Honoring those whose compassion and leadership inspire positive change, this award highlights impactful efforts that improve lives and empower marginalized groups. Recipients exemplify the spirit of service and dedication to creating a more equitable society.

  • 1987 - No Award

  • 1988 - Rosetta Dawson, KS

  • 1989 - Evelyn Hibbs, OK

  • 1990 - Mary Ann Flunder, KS

  • 1991 - Hon. Ralph Yarbrough, former MC, TX

  • 1992 - Barbara Jordan, former MC, TX

  • 1993 - Tipper Gore, TN

  • 1994 - Alma Carter, KS

  • 1995 - Ruby Gilbert, KS

  • 1996 - Joan Wagnon, KS

  • 1997 - Dorothy Wallace, LA

  • 1998 - Julia Francisco, KS

  • 1999 - Martin Frost, MC, TX

  • 2000 - C. Delores Tucker, DC

  • 2001 - Rep. Barbara Ballard, KS

  • 2002 - Carolyn Campbell, KS

  • 2003 - Julia Clem, KS

  • 2004 - Thelma Adams, OH

  • 2005 - Marge Vaughn, KS

  • 2006 - Ruby Smith, KS

  • 2007 - Fran Lee, KS

  • 2008 - Pam Ray, AR

  • 2009 - Pauline Janes, KS

  • 2010 - Geraldine Flaharty, KS

  • 2011 - No Award

  • 2012 - Virginia C. Hesel, NJ

  • 2013 - Pat Lehman, KS

  • 2014 - Wanda McLane, MO

  • 2015 - Linda Holland Jefferson, DC

  • 2016 - Jasmina Forcan, FL

  • 2017 - Former First Lady Rosalynn Smith Carter, GA

  • 2018 - Sharon Pritchett, FL

  • 2019 - Silvia Kelly, KS

  • 2020 - No Award

  • 2021 - Nellie Duke, GA

  • 2022 - Britney Thornton, TN

  • 2023 - Rita Haggardt, ID

  • 2024 - No Award

  • 2025 - Margaret Weinberger, NJ