Deadline for consideration for the 2018 induction cycle is May 15, 2018

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Delaware’s Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy, a division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources, and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee are now accepting nominations for induction into the 38th Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. An awards reception to honor the 2018 inductees will take place on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Dover Downs.

“Delaware women contribute significantly to our communities, our workforce, and our culture across the state,” said Governor Carney. “We look forward to receiving a diverse group of nominees who have made lasting impacts, and recognizing their achievements through this annual honor.”

“Delaware women do not neatly fit into one box; we represent all ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds, and I am excited to seek a pool of nominees that reflects the unique and vast diversity of women in the First State,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy.

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was first established in 1981 to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Delaware women. More than 100 women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.

“While the current members of the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women are all hardworking and inspiring women, I can’t help but wonder how many other impressive Delaware women there are who also deserve recognition for their contributions to our state,” said Kay Keenan, Chair of the 2018 Hall of Fame Committee. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to cast a wide net in our search for additional remarkable Delaware women, and shine a light on the many ways women have added to the legacy of the First State.”

Eligible nominees must have made an important and lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans and been born in Delaware or resided in the State for 10 years. Posthumous nominations are also accepted.

“We are fortunate that so many exemplary women call Delaware home,” said Saundra Ross Johnson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “Everyone is encouraged to nominate a woman who inspires and contributes to the welfare of our community.”

Application forms are available online at de.gov/women until midnight EST on May 15, 2018.

For additional information or inquiries about the Hall of Fame, please contact the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy at DelawareWomenHOF@delaware.gov or 302-577-8970.

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WILMINGTON – The Delaware Commission for Women added four outstanding female leaders to the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women at its annual induction ceremony Wednesday evening.

This year’s inductees have each made substantial and meaningful contributions throughout their careers to improve the lives of countless Delawareans. They are retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Carolyn Berger; State Representative Debra Heffernan; Dr. Janice Nevin, president and CEO of Christiana Care Health System; and the late Kendall M. Wilson, the first executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware.

Governor John Carney praised each of the inductees during the ceremony at the Christiana Hilton in Newark.

“This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are a diverse group of innovators, freedom fighters, caregivers and public servants, all of whom who made great sacrifices throughout their careers and triumphed through their perseverance,” Gov. Carney said. “Carolyn Berger, Deb Heffernan, Janice Nevin and Kendall Wilson are true role models, and it is our honor to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Chosen from a list of nominees submitted by individuals and organizations from across the state, the inductees were selected based on their remarkable careers and the significance of their work. To date, 142 women have been inducted to this prestigious group.

“It’s an honor to be included among the many outstanding Delaware women who’ve been inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Said Justice Berger, the first woman to sit on Delaware’s Court of Chancery and Supreme Court. “I hope my service will inspire young women to seek judicial careers, and I look forward to the day that one of those women becomes the first female Chief Justice.”

Joan Isken attended the ceremony on behalf of her late mother Kendall McDowell Wilson, who championed the poor, the incarcerated and those who could not afford legal representation as a founder of the Delaware chapter of the ACLU.

“My mother fought hard under great adversity to advocate for others. With her warrior spirit, she never wavered from her quest for justice,” Ms. Isken said. “We remain proud of her and are now thankful for her public recognition as she joins the ranks of Delaware’s significant women.”

Debra Heffernan began her career in public service after 25 years in the private sector as an environmental toxicologist. After serving on the Brandywine School Board, she was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives in 2010.

“It is an honor to be among women who have made such exceptional contributions to Delaware. It’s important that we stand together to support women and women’s rights,” said Rep. Heffernan, D-Brandywine Hundred. “I will continue to advocate for those rights in Legislative Hall, as well as in the community, and do not take this honor lightly.”

As the leader of Delaware’s largest health care system, Dr. Janice Nevin has overseen a campaign of innovation at Christiana Care.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the Commission for Women, with its legacy of making great strides for the women of Delaware. I’m proud to join past and present recipients whom I respect and admire,” said Dr. Nevin. “I’m grateful for the Commission’s focus on women’s health as part of its core mission. Women’s health is vital for success in our work, in our families and in our society.

WILMINGTON – The Delaware Commission for Women will add four outstanding female leaders to the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women at its annual induction ceremony on March 22.

They are retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice Carolyn Berger; State Representative Debra Heffernan; Dr. Janice Nevin, president and CEO of Christiana Care Health System; and the late Kendall M. Wilson, the first executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware.

“These women exemplify a spirit of leadership and service that serves as a model for their fellow Delawareans and women throughout the state,” said Romona Fullman, executive director of the Delaware Commission for Women. “By adding their names to the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, we continue to demonstrate the impact and influence of women leaders in the First State.”

Chosen from a list of nominees submitted by individuals and organizations from across the state, the inductees were selected based on their remarkable careers and the significance of their work. To date, 142 women have been inducted to this prestigious group.

The public is invited to join Gov. John Carney and the Commission for Women at a reception and award ceremony to celebrate their achievements and commemorate Women’s History Month in Delaware. This event will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at the Christiana Hilton in Newark.

The celebration will begin with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at 5:30 p.m. Presentation of awards will follow at 6:30 with remarks from the inductees. Previously inducted Hall of Fame members also will be in attendance. The cost is $50 per person.

For more information or to register, visit www.commissionforwomen.delaware.gov or call (302) 577-5287.

Click here for bios of each inductee.

The results are in and four phenomenal women were chosen as the 2016 inductees into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. From a pool of amazing women from throughout the State, an independent selection committee thoughtfully deliberated and ultimately selected the following nominees:

• Annie Norman, is a distinguished library professional. She established the statewide Delaware Library Catalog which provides seamless access to millions of items shared by more than 50 academic, special, and several public school libraries. She also led Delaware to the distinction of being the first state to implement an innovative statewide library technology platform.
• Chandra G. Pitts, a driven social entrepreneur and the founder & CEO of One Village Alliance. She is the creator of “Girls Can Do Anything!” that has engaged more than 1300 phenomenal females to redefine womanhood and what it means to be a girl! Chandra Pitts was named 2015 Hometown Hero by Glamour Magazine.
• Sonia S. Sloan, is an advocate and leader dedicated to strengthening the sustainability of organizations that serve an important public interest. She has worked with a number of organizations including the ACLU,Planned Parenthood, the YWCA, Public Allies Delaware, the Financial Literacy Institute, and the Wellness Community. She has raised over $100 million for Delaware non-profit agencies, and a reformation of program for youth released from Ferris School.
• Jamie L. Wolfe, is an effective and committed advocate for persons with disabilities. She is recognized as a pioneer in the disability movement at the University of Delaware where she worked tirelessly to ensure her success and the success of her peers with disabilities. When engaged in her advocacy she is equally at ease with a state senator, a college student with disabilities or a parent of a child with disabilities.

There is so much more to these movers and shakers who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women, March 24, 2016, at the Dover Downs Conference Center. The awards and recognition festivities will begin with a meet and greet and a cash bar at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and presentation of awards will follow at 6:30 p.m. The media is invited to cover.

To date 139 women have been inducted. The public is encouraged to continue to nominate women, even if in a given year they were not selected.

The cost is still only $40 per person to keep this event affordable. Credit card payments can be made online.

For more information, visit www.commissionforwomen.delaware.gov or contact the Delaware Commission for Women at (302) 577-5287.

The Delaware Commission for Women is Delaware’s lead government advocate for women and women’s issues.

The Delaware Commission for Women is seeking public nominations of women for induction into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. The Hall of Fame showcases women who have made significant contributions in their field of endeavor inclusive of professional and volunteer careers, and whose impact is made locally, nationally or internationally.

Nominees must be native-born Delawareans or have resided in the state for at least ten years and can be posthumously nominated. A selection committee receives and reviews all nominations then collaboratively and impartially determines the 2014 inductees.

The 2014 inductees will be honored at the 33rd Annual Hall of Fame of Delaware Women Award Ceremony and Reception during Women’s History Month in March of 2014, joining a prestigious group of 124 women from Sussex, Kent and New Castle Counties.

To ensure a fair process, the simple guidelines and instructions must be followed and submitted on the form provided. Nominations must be received by the Delaware Commission for Women by November 29, 2013. Copies of the nomination form can be obtained on Internet at: http://commissionforwomen.delaware.gov/pdfs/2014NominationForm.pdf. Questions regarding the nomination process can be forwarded to: carmen.gomez@delaware.gov.

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was established in 1981 by the Delaware Commission for Women. Since its inception, more than 120 women have been inducted and its distinguished list includes names of women from a variety of backgrounds such as sports, medicine, public service, and civil rights—all of which are commonly associated with acts of heroism, excellence and perseverance.

Among its members are Annie Jump Cannon, a Dover native who developed a system for classifying stars at Harvard University which is still in use today; Marry Ann Shadd Cary, who became the first African-American publisher in North America, second African-American female to earn a law degree, and the first to cast a vote in a general election; as well as Margaret Irving Handy, a Smyrna native, first native-born female Delawarean to become a doctor, Delaware’s first pediatrician, and who was one of the first doctors to specialize in pediatric medicine.

Contact: Romona S. Fullman at (302) 577-5287 or romona.fullman@delaware.gov, Delaware Commission for Women.

2014 Nomination Form