In Her Honor: A Legacy in Lavender Awards Gala | January 8, 2027
Five awards. Five ways our community shows up for women.
Nominations open October 5.
For a leader whose work represents the highest standard of excellence in women's health, well-being, and dignity.
This award recognizes an individual who has set an extraordinary standard in women's health. Whether through clinical excellence, research, education, or community practice, they have shaped what it looks like to truly center women's well-being and dignity in every aspect of their work.
Criteria:
For a visionary who creates pathways of empowerment and opportunity to uplift women.
This award honors a person who builds the scaffolding that allows women to rise: programs, training, mentorship, access, and opportunity. Their work opens doors that were closed and creates new ones where none existed.
Criteria:
For a champion whose advocacy advances justice, equity, and women's rights.
This award goes to the person who fights for women when the systems and structures will not. They speak loudly when it is uncomfortable, stand in rooms where women have historically not been heard, and push for change at every level from the bedside to the legislature.
Criteria:
For an organization or leader whose long-standing service has shaped generations of support for women.
This award honors the long game. It belongs to an organization or individual who has been showing up for women for years, whose service has become part of the fabric of this community, and whose impact can be measured in generations. The Legacy of Care is the only In Her Honor Award that may be given to an organization.
Criteria:
For an emerging leader whose early contributions already demonstrate extraordinary promise.
This award belongs to the person who is just getting started and is already impossible to ignore. They are building something, changing something, and making the kind of impact that most people take decades to achieve. We honor them now because the work cannot wait.
Criteria:
Nominations open Monday, October 5, 2026 and close Friday, October 30, 2026. Each nomination is reviewed by our selection committee and awarded at the January 8, 2027 gala.
Anyone may nominate. You may nominate yourself. Organizations may be nominated for the Legacy of Care Award only. You may submit separate nominations for multiple awards. Tell us the story; we want to hear it.
Questions? Email info@mhndoula.com or call (225) 892-4906.
Back to the gala pageAnyone. You do not have to be affiliated with Mary's Hands Network. If you know someone doing extraordinary work for women in this community, we want to hear about it.
Yes. Self-nominations are welcome and reviewed with the same care as any other submission.
Yes, for the Legacy of Care Award only. All other awards are given to individuals.
An independent selection committee reviews all nominations. Committee members are announced before the gala.
Yes. If someone meets the criteria for more than one award, submit a separate nomination for each. The selection committee considers each nomination independently.
Recipients are notified privately before the gala so they can make arrangements to attend. All awards are presented at the In Her Honor Awards Gala on January 8, 2027 at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge.
Reserve your seat at the table. Every ticket supports our work to put a doula in the room for every Louisiana family who needs one.