2026 St. Louis Women of Achievement Announced

Women of Achievement has announced the 2026 Women of Achievement – a selection of 10 outstanding volunteers from across the St. Louis metropolitan region. The St. Louis Women of Achievement Award, which was founded in 1955 and celebrates its 71st anniversary this year, is the oldest, ongoing program in the area whose sole mission is to honor and recognize the volunteer service and volunteer leadership of women. The 10 honorees will be recognized and celebrated at the 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon on Tuesday, May 19 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

Across neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits and advocacy efforts throughout the region, these volunteers’ leadership has shaped lives and strengthened communities locally, regionally and even globally. The Class of 2026 represents a powerful cross-section of the metropolitan area—from St. Louis and St. Charles to St. Peters, Florissant and Washington, Missouri—with volunteer efforts that span family enrichment, veteran’s advocacy, neurodiverse advocacy, health, social justice, and creative community engagement.

The 2026 Women of Achievement and their designations:
Marcy Bursac — Family Enrichment
Karen Dawson — Community Betterment
Terrie Desloge — Neurodiverse Advocacy
Staycee Dixson — Fostering Support
Aleeza Granote — Family Support
Ivy Grant — Women’s Empowerment
Jeanne Savel — Veterans Advocacy
Pamela M. Stanfield, Ed.D. — Social Justice
Julie C. Treloar — Creative Comfort
Helen M. Wall — Health Advocacy

Each year, Women of Achievement selects 10 honorees from an extensive nomination and review process, beginning with nominations submitted by the public.The honorees are volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the betterment of the St. Louis metropolitan region through uncompensated voluntary contributions, volunteer leadership and a significant breadth of a volunteer career in areas such as, but not limited to, education, arts, health and human services, youth and family, philanthropy, social justice and advocacy. Collectively, they have devoted decades of service to causes that advocate for vulnerable populations, expand access to care, uplift families and build stronger civic foundations across the region.

The 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon is Tuesday, May 19 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. The luncheon ends at 1:30 p.m. This year’s luncheon chair is Bess Wilfong (Class of 2004) and the vice chair is Eleanor Higgins (Class of 2024). Cassie Strom (Class of 2021) is the president of Women of Achievement and Cynthia R. Bennett, DBA (Class of 2022) is the vice president. Presenting sponsors are Ladue News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOX Radio.

Luncheon reservations are $60 per person and can be made online beginning in March 2026 at woastl.org/event or by contacting Women of Achievement at 314.896.4962 or woastlouis@gmail.com.

For additional information about this year's honorees and luncheon, please visit woastl.org.