AWC-SB Women of Achievement Awards
The Association for Women in Communications Santa Barbara annually honors exceptional women who use their talents as communicators to improve our community. The first Women of Achievement took place in 2008 honoring the courageous women journalists who stood up for the integrity of journalism in our community and the nation as a whole.
Please check back for more details on the announcement for the honorees of the 2024 Women of Achievement Awards.
SAVE The Date for the Next Women of Achievement
April of 2024
Sponsorship Opportunities will be Available Soon
#WomenOfAchievement

(Back L-R): Monica Kunz, Lysa Urban, Hillary Blackerby, Geordie Scully, Lily Dallow, Brooke Holland, Kacey Drescher
(Front L-R): Samantha Scroggin, Lauren Bianchi Klemann, Christina Favuzzi
Additional committee members include: Shelly Cone, Jennifer LeMay, Jade Martinez-Pogue, and Hannah Sullivan
“Personal and organizational resiliency lies within our ability to connect and communicate in an open way that reveals our whole selves — be it about race, gender or other challenging topics,
Women of Achievement Past Recipients
~ 2023 ~
“Climate Champions: Bold Communication for a Sustainable Future”
Hillary Hauser, Executive Director of Heal the Ocean and author
Dr. Leah Stokes, Assoc. Professor of Environmental Politics UCSB
~ 2022~
“Navigating Uncharted Waters”
Santa Barbara Public Health, Van Do-Reynoso
Santa Barbara County Public Health, Jackie Ruiz
Santa Barbara Public Health, Van Do-Reynoso
Santa Barbara County Executive Office, Mona Miyasato
Santa Barbara County Executive Office, Terri Nisich
Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness, Suzanne Grimmessey
Former Santa Barbara Communications Manager, Gina DePinto
~ 2020/21 ~
“Vision, Voice, and Advocacy for a New Generation”
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara Barbara Ben-Horin
Santa Barbara City College & Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee Luz Reyes-Martin
~ 2019 ~
“Making a Difference With Stories that Matter”
KEYT Journalist and Anchor Beth Farnsworth
Strategic Samurai Kymberlee Weil
~ 2018 ~
“Courageous Communicators”
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Dr. Carrie Hutchinson, Chair of the Communication Department SBCC
~ 2017 ~
“Inspirational Women Leaders: Communication, Empowerment, Outcomes”
Helene Schneider, Former Mayor, Santa Barbara
Patty DeDominic, Founder, International Women’s Festival
~ 2016 ~
“Women Stand Up, Speak Out”
Lois Capps, Former Congresswoman
Dr. Lois Phillips, Communications Consultant and Founder AWC-SB
~ 2015 ~
“Pioneers for Change: Communication, Community, Choice”
Sigrid Wright, Director, Earth Day Festival
Marilyn Tam, Author, The Happiness Choice
~ 2014 ~
“Giving Voice: Leadership, Education, Community”
Nancy Leffert, President. Antioch University
Marianne Partridge, Editor in Chief, Santa Barbara Independent
~ 2013 ~
“Money Matters: Journalism, Justice, and Empowerment”
Kathleen Sharp, Author, Blood Medicine
Marsha Bailey, Founder and CEO, Women’s Economic Ventures
~ 2012 ~
“From Breaking News to Awakening the Muse” Perie Longo, SB Poet Laureate Emerita
Paula Lopez, Television journalist
~ 2011 ~
“From Ink to Internet: Honoring Visionaries in Communication”
Lynda Weinman, Founder, Lynda.com
Starshine Roshell, Syndicated columnist
~ 2010 ~
“Writing Truth, Empowering Women”
Sara Miller McCune, Publisher, Sage Communications
Marcia Meier, Author and Director, SB Writers Conference
~ 2009 ~
“Championing Leaders, Building Relationships, Recognizing Excellence”
Catherine Remak, Radio host
Ann Louise Bardach, Journalist
~ 2008 ~
Producer Deborah Hutchinson
and reporters at the Santa Barbara News Press including Jane Hulse, Melinda Burns,
Dawn Hobbs, Melissa Evans, and Anna Davison
In the News
- “6 Honored with Women of Achievement Award” – Santa Barbara News-Press
- “AWC-SB 14th Annual Women Achievement Awards Luncheon” – Edhat
- “Women of Achievement Awards to honor six resilient communicators” – Coastal View News
- 12th Annual Women of Achievement Awards in the Montecito Journal (page 28)
- “Carpinteria represents at the 12th Annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon”
- Santa Barbara Applauds Women’s History Month Celebrate with the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications