The Stanislaus County Commission for Women is looking for a few outstanding women to honor.

Nominations are currently being accepted for Outstanding Women Awards, including the categories of Outstanding Woman, Outstanding Young Woman and Outstanding Trailblazer.

For the Outstanding Woman category, nominees should be a woman currently living and/or working in Stanislaus County who has demonstrated exemplary service to the community outside the scope of her professional life, particularly in an area that promotes issues concerning women of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, economic backgrounds and beliefs.

For the Outstanding Young Woman category, nominees should be a graduating high school senior or current post-secondary student, living or going to school in Stanislaus County, age 24 or younger who has demonstrated exemplary service to the community, particularly in an area that promotes issues concerning women or girls.

For Outstanding Trailblazer, nominees can be living or dead and have service or accomplishments that took place prior to 1980. These accomplishments should include exemplary service benefitting women and girls in Stanislaus County and outside the scope of her professional life.

To submit a nomination, fill out the form available at: https://www.stanislauswomen.net/outstanding-women-award and then email it to sccforwomen@gmail.com or mail it to: SCCW P.O. Box 4254 Modesto, CA 95352. All nominations are due by Dec. 23.

There is an additional award that is not available for nomination — the Bette Belle Smith Award. This special designation may only be awarded by the Board of the Stanislaus County Commission for Women. This awardee must have demonstrated extraordinary service, possibly beyond the county’s borders, but also within Stanislaus County. This may be awarded to men as well as women.

Last year, three Turlockers were among the inspiring local women who were honored by the Stanislaus County Commission for Women. The 2024 Turlock honorees included Dina Brambila, Maria Cortez and Jeani Ferrari. Two Turlock High students were also recognized as 2024 Outstanding Young Women — Hannah Sahota and Audrey Smallwood.