The Outstanding Working Women of Illinois Award is sponsored by the Illinois Federation of Business Women's Clubs, Incorporated (IFBW).  This award is the most prestigious given by our Federation. It is one of the highest honors available to working women in Illinois. It is not only an honor to be chosen from among the outstanding women in Illinois, but also by IFBW, the state’s preeminent organization for working women, founded in 1919. 

With close to 125 members in 8 local organizations across the state, IFBW advocates professional and personal growth, leadership development and participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for working women through education, legislation and networking. IFBW includes among its members women and men of every age, religion, race, political party and socio-economic background. Member benefits include but are not limited to the following: networking opportunities, educational opportunities, legislative information, and legislative visibility. 

Any individual or organization in Illinois may submit a nomination for this award. One or more recipient(s) will be selected. The award will be presented at the annual IFBW State Convention. 

An impartial panel of qualified judges will select the recipients of the awards according to the criteria on the application. Winners will be notified no later than March 30, 2024.  Be sure to follow the nomination rules exactly. Any deviation from the rules will cause the nominee to become ineligible. You may prepare the biographical information on separate sheets of paper, but please include the information set forth in the guidelines in the order it is shown to aid the judges in comparing entries. 

The application may be mailed or emailed or both. Emailed forms requiring signatures must include those signatures. THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS February 15, 2024.  ANY APPLICATIONS POSTMARKED OR EMAILED AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED. (It is advisable to submit the application early in the event it is returned for being incomplete.)

OWWI 2024 Application - word format