The Women of Spirit® Award was established in 1993 by former Carlow President Sister Grace Ann Geibel RSM, to recognize outstanding women, who, as leaders in the community, exemplify the Carlow University mission. The awardees in turn share their expertise with the Carlow community by actively participating in the life of the University and in the development of its students. Awardees are nominated and considered by a Women of  Spirit® selection committee made up of former awardees and University officials.

Four women relax at the Women of Spirit awards celebration with two of them embracing.

Selection criteria includes:

  • Strong commitment to values
  • Accomplishments that have led to new knowledge or discoveries
  • Innovation or leadership that has brought about change for the good of humankind

Awards ceremony

The 15th annual Women of Spirit® Awards program honoring the 2020 awardees was held virtually on April 21, 2021 at 7 p.m.

Award title

The title was chosen to honor the first real “women of spirit” — the University’s founders, the Sisters of Mercy. Women of Spirit® have had a profound influence over Carlow University since its founding nine decades ago.

2020 Awardees are:

  • The Honorable Kim Berkeley Clark
  • Cynthia D. Hundorfean
  • Kristen S. Kurland
  • Karen L. Larrimer
  • Anne V. Lewis
  • Nancy D. Washington, PhD
  • Sister Susan Welsh, RSM

View Past Women of Spirit® Recipients

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