ASHLAND – Two years ago, when Ashland High School student KayLee Swanger landed an opportunity to play cello at Carnegie Hall, Ashland County’s Women of Achievement group offered Swanger a monetary gift to help cover her travel expenses.
It was a gesture that would have made the group’s founder, Kay Conrad, proud.
“Kay was a full-out champion for women, especially for women who maybe needed a hand up in life,” said Jane Roland. “She knew there were women in Ashland County who were doing things, behind the scenes a lot of times, and needed to be recognized because they were making a difference.”
Now, with the new “Kay Conrad Young Women to Watch” annual award, the Women of Achievement are formalizing the process of recognizing young women’s accomplishments and supporting their aspirations.
“What we wanted to do is recognize a young woman who is excelling at whatever she’s doing,” Roland said.
The group is accepting nominations through July 3. Nominees must be young women between the ages 12-18 who live in Ashland County and have a GPA of at least 3.0. The young women may self-nominate or may be nominated by another individual.
Nominations should be a one page essay explaining why the nominee is a “Young Woman to Watch.”
The award recipient will be honored at the Women of Achievement’s annual induction ceremony Sept. 6.
As always, the organization is also accepting nominations for adult Women of Achievement who have reached beyond themselves to contribute substantially to the quality of life in Ashland.
“What I think is really cool about the organization is that it’s not just like a rah-rah kind of thing. It’s recognizing these things that are happening in Ashland County are happening because of women,” said Sandra Tunnell. “I think of that as an inspiration for other women, because it is really hard sometimes when you look around and say, ‘Why should I even try when I don’t see myself in this role because all I see are men.'”
Tunnell said she hopes the new “Kay Conrad Young Woman to Watch” award will help inspire young women just as the Women of Achievement honor has inspired adults.
“You don’t have to wait until you’re 25 or 30,” she said. “You can be inspirational and achieve now.”
To nominate someone for the “Kay Conrad Young Woman to Watch” award, email a one-page nomination essay to ashlandwomenofachievement@gmail.com by July 3. The group is also accepting donations to help support the annual award. More information about Women of Achievement can be found on Facebook here.
