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Woman of the Year &
Business of the Year Awards
Recognizing our accomplished members |
Each October, Upper Keys Business and Professional Women (BPW) celebrates National Business Women’s Week by naming a Woman of the Year and a Business of the Year. These awards recognize individual Upper Keys BPW members and member-run businesses that have positively impacted our organization, shown support for working women and made meaningful contributions to the broader community. Nominations may be submitted during the annual nomination period (in September) by any Upper Keys BPW member in good standing. Members may submit more than one nomination for each award. Once the nomination window closes, all members will be invited to vote on the nominees as part of the final selection process. Awards are announced at our annual "Celebration of Working Women" event in October. | About National National Business Women's Week was created in 1928 by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs to recognize the important contributions made by working women. In 1938, it became an officially recognized annual event. Today, National Business Women's Week is celebrated nationwide during the third week of October each year. |
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| 2024 Woman of the Year: Victoria Leonard Victoria Leonard inspires and empowers women both personally and professionally. As a working woman, wife and mother to two young children, she juggles it all with grace and humor, and still makes time to do great things. Victoria has served on the BPW Board of Directors for the past five years, providing continuity, institutional knowledge and perspective. As treasurer, she serves in one of the hardest Board roles and dedicates hours to ensuring the organization runs smoothly. She always has a smile, attends all of the events and makes sure the first experience at check-in is the smoothest it can be. She is quick to respond, has a wonderful personality and is so easy to work alongside. She is especially passionate about the BPW scholarship program that benefits adult working women. Victoria works at our local power company and remains engaged in the community and our organization. For example, despite the many demands on her time, she recently completed the MCSO Citizens Police Academy. Victoria epitomizes the characteristics of a BPW Woman of the Year through her passion for our mission and her selfless dedication to the organization and the community. |
2024 Business of the Year: Houston Insurance Agency |
Mary Houston, Owner Houston Insurance has an extremely positive impact on our community. Mary regularly sponsors and donates to BPW events and so many other local events. Whatever is needed – be it just enthusiastic support or monetary contributions – Houston insurance is there. You cannot host or attend an event that Houston Insurance is not somehow a part of! Houston Insurance also demonstrates a strong commitment to working women. Mary started the business on her own and worked her way up to create a successful business that is now one of the most supportive women-owned businesses in our community. She also hires and mentors women interested in learning the insurance business. It’s important that people understand how hard Mary Houston worked to build Houston Insurance and to demonstrate what a good businesswoman can achieve! |
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