On June 19, 2023 at the When Women Lead education summit, eleven outstanding women executive leaders will be recognized from across nine states: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wyoming.
These women boldly lead with a focus on equity, which means they honor their students’ and community’s history and stories. Their leadership is a non-negotiable stance on justice for children. Furthermore, these leaders are nationally respected because they are active contributors to the important policy conversations of our time, while bringing deep love and respect for all children and their families.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
- Dr. Carmen Ayala, Former Secretary of Education for the State of Illinois, featured in our blog on March 6, 2023.
Equity Warrior Award Winners
- Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez – Superintendent, DeKalb CUSD 428 in Illinois, featured in the October 2021 newsletter
- Dr. Avis Williams – Superintendent, NOLA Public Schools in Louisiana, featured in the November 2021 newsletter
- Dr. Melissa Sadorf – Superintendent, Stansfield Elementary School District in Arizona, featured in the December 2021 newsletter
- Dr. Tawana Grover – Superintendent, Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska, featured in the January 2022 newsletter
- Dr. Margaret Crespo – Superintendent, Laramie Public School District #1 in Wyoming, featured in the March 2022 newsletter
- Dr. Aleesia Johnson – Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools in Indiana, featured in the the April 2022 newsletter
- Shelly Vaughn – Superintendent, Mercer County Education Service Center in Ohio, featured in the May 2020 newsletter
- Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez – Superintendent, Hartford Public Schools in Connecticutt, featured in the June 2022 newsletter
- Dr. Barbara Cooper – Former Secretary, Early Childhood Education, State of Alabama, featured in the July 2022 newsletter
- Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez – Superintendent, Forest Park School District 91 in Illinois, featured in the August 2022 newsletter
We are honored to bring attention to their leadership and accomplishments. They serve as role models to others who may think that because of their upbringing, accent, skin color, and humble beginning they are limited. These leaders are living proof of how ceilings are shattered, biases are overcome, and disempowering norms are replaced.
Our honorees are all Equity Warriors!
