INFORMATION
For more information or questions regarding sponsorship, please contact Rachel Fiegen at rfiegen@embe.org or 605-681-8341.
Presenting Sponsor
Achievement Sponsor
Star Sponsor
Event Production Sponsor
Tribute to Women: Celebrating the Extraordinary Contributions of Individuals in Our Community
Join us for a remarkable evening of recognition and appreciation as we host the longest-standing award ceremony in the Sioux Empire. Since 1974, this event has been shining a light on individuals who exemplify EmBe’s mission and have made outstanding contributions to our community.
This fundraiser pays tribute to these extraordinary women and community members and supports EmBe’s crucial mission. EmBe is committed to empowering and enriching women’s lives, ensuring their voices are heard, and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. By attending this event, you’ll be actively contributing to the advancement of our community and empowering more women to reach their full potential.
50th Annual Tribute to Women
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Washington Pavilion – 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Tickets: $50 General Admission (plus taxes and fees)
Timeline of Events
Doors Open at 5:30 PM for Social Hour with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar
Awards Ceremony begins at 7 PM in the Mary Sommervold Hall
Meet our Keynote Speaker
Melissa M. Johnson, a visionary in our Sioux Falls community, is the founder and CEO behind Oh My Cupcakes!, Sweet Cream Candle Co., and Melissa J. Creative. Her enterprises are purposefully crafted to bring happiness through beauty. At the heart of her mission lies the desire to kindle empowerment and growth through a positive mindset. At this year’s event, during her keynote, ‘Lifelong Learner: Words to My Younger Self’ she will share personal anecdotes and humor that will spark you with moments of insight.
Meet our Emcee
Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin serves as the 24th president of Augustana University and is the first woman to lead the university. Before becoming university president, Stephanie had a prominent career in politics and public service. Elected into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, she was the first woman elected from South Dakota, and the youngest woman serving in Congress during that time. She was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2017 for her leadership in the advancement of women and her policy work centered on agriculture, renewable energy, veterans’ education and tribal affairs. In August 2020, she was named to USA Today Network’s select list of “Women of the Century,” in recognition of her significant contributions to South Dakota and the country.
Tickets are now available for purchase.
BENEFITS
- Company logo featured prominently on event materials
- Opportunity to welcome guests from the stage
- 30 Event Tickets
- Company logo on EmBe website Tribute to Women page
- Company website link on EmBe website Tribute to Women page
- Social media recognition
Exclusive Opportunity
BENEFITS
- Company logo featured on select marketing materials
- Company logo on EmBe website Tribute to Women page
- Company recognition on stage
- 20 Event Tickets
- Social media recognition
BENEFITS
- Company logo featured on select marketing materials
- Company logo on EmBe website Tribute to Women page
- 20 Event Tickets
- Social media recognition
Up to Nine Opportunities
and Stem, Humanities and Education, Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award and Young Woman of Achievement.
BENEFITS
- Category options are based on availability
- Company logo on select event materials
- Opportunity to present the selected award
- 10 Event Tickets
- Social media recognition
- Company logo on select event materials
- Company logo on signage near the Ribbons of Resilience display
- 10 Event Tickets
- Social media recognition
BENEFITS
- 10 Event Tickets
- Company name listed in the program
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rachel Fiegen, Donor Engagement & Events Coordinator
605-681-8341 | rfiegen@embe.org
Nominations are now open and will close at midnight on September 1, 2023.
Help us find the best of Sioux Falls
Have someone in mind? Nominate them today.
The best nominations showcase the personal and professional side of the nominee, enhanced by accomplishments in every aspect of their lives. With community impact at the heart of every category, this can be reflected by dedication to others in volunteer work, mentoring, workplace, and community support of all kinds.
- Banking & Finance – Banking, accounting, financial planning, investors, other finance-related businesses and those who contribute to the success of the financial industry.
- Business Achievement – Business leader or leader in a professional trade – includes sales and marketing, entrepreneurs and leaders in innovative endeavors.
- Community Service – An outstanding individual who freely gives their time and talents to a nonprofit entity, human or social service.
- EmBeliever Award – A man, woman, or business that demonstrates the mission of EmBe to enrich our community by empowering women and families.
- Government & Law – Individuals serving local, state, or federal government, law, politics or military service.
- Healthcare & STEM – Leader in the fields of healthcare, science, technology, engineering or math.
- Humanities & Education – Leader in any level of education, culture, arts, music, literature, philosophy or religion.
- Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award – Dedicated to mentoring other women in their personal/professional lives. Women who have actively mentored for 5-plus years are eligible for the Sylvia Henkin Award.
- Young Woman of Achievement – Woman between the ages of 21 and 35 with community service and professional success to indicate both current leadership and her potential for extraordinary leadership and service
Your nomination is the most important part of Tribute to Women! Without you investing your time in the process, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations that make a difference in our community. Your nomination form is what nominees are judged on – nothing else.
Tribute to Women Nomination FAQs
- Who can submit a Tribute nomination?
- Any individual, corporation, agency, civic organization, school, or place of worship should lift up a deserving woman. In addition, the Embeliever award is open to ANY individual or organization that fits the Tribute criteria. EmBe staff and their families may not submit a nomination.
- Can multiple people nominate someone?
- Yes. We suggest you work together to submit a single nomination form rather than submit multiple nomination forms. If EmBe receives multiple nominations for the same individual, we will reach out and facilitate consolidation.
- Can I nominate someone outside of Sioux Falls?
- Tribute to Women is intended to highlight contributions to the Sioux Falls area. Most winners reside in Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and McCook counties.
- How long does it take to complete a nomination?
- Nominating is simple, and the online form can be completed in as little as 20-30 minutes. Preparing the best nomination may take more time. We suggest you review the nomination form and ask others for input, including the nominee if that is appropriate. You may find it helpful to create and edit your nomination in a word processing program, then cut and paste it into the online form.
- Can I nominate someone who has been nominated in the past?
- Yes, though no individual is eligible to win in the same category more than once.
- Who is ineligible for nomination?
- You cannot nominate a relative, EmBe staff member or their families, or a current EmBe board member. Previous winners may not be re-nominated in the same category.
- Do nominees pay for their ticket to Tribute?
- All nominees receive a complimentary ticket to the event.
- Where can I find a list of past winners?
- See the full listing of winners since Tribute’s inception in 1974 in the drop-down section below.
- When do you announce winners?
- Winners are announced live at the Tribute to Women event and are shared on social media and with local media outlets throughout the evening.
- When do you announce nominees?
- Nominees are announced in mid-September, following the conclusion of the judging process.
- How are nominations judged? What are the criteria?
- Nominations forms are reviewed to ensure anonymity by removing names and identifying references. Each category is judged by a group of volunteer judges using a 40-point scoring rubric with four categories: leadership, growth, achievement and contribution to the community. Each category has a maximum value of 10 points. Judges resolve tied scores before submitting their scores to EmBe. Then, scores are averaged to determine the category winner and scoring is audited.
- Leadership: What attributes does the nominee have that contribute to their effectiveness as a leader in their field?
- Growth: In what ways has the nominee showcased their progression and skill development in the specific category they have been nominated for?
- Achievement: What notable accomplishments, both personally and/or professionally, highlight the nominee’s eligibility for the EmBe Tribute to Women Award?
- Contribution to Community: How is the nominee actively contributing to the improvement of our community?
- Nominations forms are reviewed to ensure anonymity by removing names and identifying references. Each category is judged by a group of volunteer judges using a 40-point scoring rubric with four categories: leadership, growth, achievement and contribution to the community. Each category has a maximum value of 10 points. Judges resolve tied scores before submitting their scores to EmBe. Then, scores are averaged to determine the category winner and scoring is audited.
- How do you select judges?
- EmBe staff and volunteers nominate community leaders to serve as judges, and the roster is affirmed by the Tribute committee. Judges are then assigned categories with an eye to matching their expertise without assigning a category that would make impartiality difficult. For example, someone working in finance would review Healthcare & STEM nominations.
1974
Eugenia Hartig
Hazel O’Connor
Libby Rogers
Margaret Cashman
Melvina Newman
1975
Kathy Everist
Phyllis Montis
Sylvia Henkin
Val Beckman
Lauretta Mundt
1976
Inola Hill
Jerry Cunningham
Lolly Forseth
Mary Sommervold
Mary Turner
Signie Johnson
1977
Betty Cahill
Betty I. O’Donnell
Carol Twedt
Clara Chilson Lee
Jeanne Perry Farrell
Judy Regan
1978
Dawn Halvorson
Deloris Erickson
Doris Huseboe
Dorothy Kalns
Eileen Hanneman
Gloria Houle
Shirley Halleen
1979
Alice Penticoff
Bertie Vandemark
Jean Eidy
Judith Szakats
Leslee Garvey
Lorraine Smith
Peggy Kirby
1980
Catherine Piersol
Dorothy Shultz
Ethel Oyan
Judy Jasper
Judy Northrop
Loila Hunking
Rose Ryan
1981
Fayola Muchow
Lenore Haber
Linda Barker
Marjorie Richards
Mary Lynn Myers
Patricia Eggers
1982
Gertrude Dekker
Jan Nicolay
Lois Berry
Lynn Byrne
Marianne Larsen
Sandy Jerstad
1983
Colman Oakley
Doris Larson
Lenore Richards
Mary Ellen Dock
Mary Jo Wegner
Rae Unzicker
1984
Beverly J. Henning
Gloria Evans
Judy Rost
Dr. Maize Solem
Maurine Hult
Ruth Parry
1985
Anne Zabel
Debra Anderson
Diana Miller
Ella Reagan
Lee Burd
Virginia Dettman
1986
Ann Lewis
Joan Gross
Julie Haas Benz
Margot Hood-Rogers
Pat Pilcher
Trudy Peckham
1987
Candis Hanson
Judith Meierhenry
Kim Overby
Maureen Knight
Nancy Veglahn
Norma Doyle
1988
Carol Knudtson
Jocelyn Hanson
Kay Torney
Margaret Sumption
Mary Vanderlinde
Pamela Moser
Suzanne Knudson
1989
Carol Mashek
Elaine Dertien
Karen Pearson
Lorraine Norman
Marvelene Looby
Nancy White
Sarah Richardson Larson
1990
Bea Friesth
Dr. Beth Jernberg
Judy Hamilton
Laurie Knutson
Linda Stensland
Susan Wagner
1991
Carol Oakland
Cheryl Farmer
Cora Kalb
Lois Hoffman
Melanie Bliss
Ronelle Thompson
1992
Bette Day
Cathy Clark
Dawn Gunn
Diane Thompson
Joellen Koerner
Sue Brown
1993
Carol Greenfield
Charline Smith
Karen Kovar
Dr. Mary Jo Jaqua
Mary Tidwell
Susan Billings
1994
Carol Deschepper
Carolyn Downs
Clara Johnson
Doris Johnson
Eve Dooyema
Vicki Rowenhorst
1995
Carol Denotter
Jeanne Fullenkamp
Lucy Green
Dr. Patricia Peters
Sharon Busch
Sheryl Johnson
1996
Catherine Heinemann
Cheryl Pederson
Pam Sessier
Shawn DeGroot
Susan Scott
Val Putman
1997
Carol Brown
Diane Larsen
Edie Weiss-Holzbauer
Evie Meier
Heidi Wenande
Patricia Reipel
1998
Barbara Day
Barbara Stork
Betty Meyer
Grace Wellman
Katherine Schnabel
Shelly Gardner
1999
Anita Sekora Kealey
Ann Marie Rossing
Nancy Olson
Pam Bollinger
Tammy Otten
Trudee-Schur-Marsh
2000
Avera McKennan
Catherine Schiltz
Charisse Oland
June Thormodsgard
Linda Hallstrom
Monica Huber
2001
Citibank
Julie Doss
Lorrie Papka
Stephanie Becker
Sue Halbritter
Wells Fargo
2002
Argus Leader
Carla Middlen
Janice Alberg
Mary Beth Carrell
Roxie Loftesness
Tricia Halling
2003
Carol Kreager
Howalt-McDowell Insurance Inc.
Jean Reed
Jenny Pohlman
Karla Abbott
Ruth Christopherson
2004
Char Jensen
Diana Berkland
Jane Johnson
Nancy Olsen
Rhea Staniaszewski
2005
Deborah Ford
Eileen Van Soest
Francie Miller
Dr. Kaia Kloster
Meredith Wipf
Rebecka Hinker
Sue Christensen
2006
Cara Wynia
Doreen Miller
Kimberly Roe
Mila Surkalovic
Paula Eichman
Ruth Metcalf
Shannon Barnes
Yvonne Hawkins
2007
Clara Hart
Deb Fischer-Clemens
Harriet Scott
Judy Blauwet
Kristin Breitag
Kristina Schaap
Peg Lambert
Sarah Swenson
Sylvia Henkin
Teri Ellis-Schmidt
2008
Aida Karic Brasnic
Cathy Clark
Darcy Sherman-Justice
Dr. Maria Bell
Dr. Marice Highstreet
Joni Cutler
Keila Smith
Michelle Lavallee
Pamela Moser
Sharon Wartenbee
Sue Williams
2009
Amy Sumner
Becky Nelson
Carole Pagones
Deana Larson
Della Jeffries
Doreen Pospisil
Dr. Meena Jaggi
June Larson
Kristine O’Connell
Ruth Krystopolski
2010
Ann McKay Thompson
Carol Muller
Jamie Horter
Jean Healy
Kris Gross
Lindsey Meyers
Mary Leedom
Pat Nadolski
Sr. Lynn Marie Welbig
2011
Donna Magnuson
Elizabeth Augustine
Jacquie Kluck
Jan Feterl
Jolene Loetscher
Kris Gaster
Lisa Brouwer
Lynnda Schoen
Mary Oyos
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
2012
Anita Wetsch
Dr. Laurie Landeen
Jaciel Keltgen
Jennifer Sherman
Lesa Jarding
Mary Olinger
Mary Thoen
Mary Wolf
Susan Omanson
Terryl Cadwell
2013
Allene Flora
Anne Hajek
Brittany Montecuollo
Dr. Annette Bosworth
Julie Choudek
Kim Burma
Kim Hayes
Melissa Johnson
Nancy Geffre
Shelley Hanisch
2014
Arlene Horner
Betty Ordal
Cindy Walsh
Diana Berkland
Kathy Thorson
Megan Myers
Pam Tiede
Sharon Schueler
Stacey McMahan
Stacy Jones
2015
Barb Everist
Brandi Kowalczyk
Brooke Nicholson Grote
Erin Hayes
Erin Srstka
Julie Norton
Megan Landsverk
Pam Homan
Paul Ten Haken, Click Rain
2016
Bill Townsend, Howalt-McDowell Insurance Inc
Elizabeth Overmoe
Dr. Jill Weimer
Julie Nelson
Karla Santi
Kellen Boice
Polly Dean
Trish McCann
Twila Perkinson
2017
Amber Schwiesow
Carol Rogers
Cathy Kellogg
Dr. Ashley Podhradsky
Jim Woster, Avera Health
Laurie Fluit
Mary Howard
Suzy Collignon-Hodgen
Taneeza Islam
2018
Dr. Allison Suttle
Carrie Biondi
Jan Haugen-Rogers
Lori Murray
Marcy Crawford
Pat McAdaragh, Midco
Sandy Frentz
Sarah McGuire
Tina Lenz
2019
Amy Elliott
Beth Jensen
Carrie Wilson
Chelsea Tracy
Jess Jasso
Maggie Sweets
Michelle Boyd
Nancy Wahlstrom
Pam Hilber
2020
Ashley Briggs
Dawn Duerksen
Del’Inkka Beaudion
Jill Franken
Jyoti Angal
Kim Erickson
Mary Sand
Micki Lundin
Wendy Otheim
2021
Andrea Polkinghorn
Amy Moore
Cindy Heidelberger Larson
Erin Healy
Kira Kimball
Nikkee Rhody
Taneeza Islam
Valerie Hearns
2022
Angela Schoffelman
Dr. Nancy Free
Kristina Schaefer
Kristin Hoefert-Redlinger
Lora Black
Nancy Reynoza
Shannon Ausen
Shannon Huether
Wendy Mamer
