Women Making History Awards
Nov. 6, 2026 · Chicago
WOMEN MAKING HISTORY.
An unforgettable evening honoring changemakers and the next generation rewriting what comes next.
About the Evening
An Evening of Impact
The 2026 Women Making History Awards, hosted by the National Women's History Museum, will take place on November 6, 2026, in Chicago, a city deeply woven into the fabric of American history. Chicago served as a vital testing ground for many of the nation's most transformative movements, including Progressive Era reforms, the struggle for civil rights, and the rise of organized labor. Against this powerful backdrop, the evening will celebrate extraordinary women whose leadership, innovation, and advocacy continues to shape history and inspire future generations.
Date
Friday, November 6, 2026
Venue
Aon Grand Ballroom
Navy Pier
City
Chicago, Illinois
Reception
6:00 PM
Program
7:00 PM Dinner & Awards Program
Attire
Black-Tie Optional
2026 Honorees
The Class of 2026.
Honorees will be announced on July 7, 2026.
Coming Soon
Honoree Name
Recognition Area
Coming Soon
Honoree Name
Recognition Area
Coming Soon
Honoree Name
Recognition Area
Become a Sponsor
Stand alongside a movement.
Your partnership supports stories, creates opportunities, and inspires the next generation of changemakers.
History Maker Limit 2 $100,000
- Title recognition: “Women Making History Awards, in partnership with [Sponsor]” lockup on event signage and step-and-repeat
- Name and/or logo at the Main Entrance and on the main stage screen
- 30th Anniversary Recognition: On stage recognition + feature article in commemorative magazine
- Two tables, 10 seats each VIP front-row placement
- Four reserved tickets to the VIP Honoree Reception, pre-event, alongside honorees
- Naming and branding of the Official After Party (“After Party hosted by [Sponsor]” actual cost of the after party offerings not included in cost of sponsor level and can be coordinated with the planning team)
- Custom Navy Pier brand activation in a premium location (cost of installation not included)
- Full-page color ad, inside front or back cover (print and digital program)
- EARLY SUPPORTER BENEFIT: Acknowledgement included on the printed gala invitation, mailed to the museum’s top supporters, if sponsorship commitment is confirmed by July 17, 2026
- Dedicated social media feature post on NWHM’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Logo on the event website
- Recognition in an official press release and Honorary Committee listing (deadlines will apply)
- Year-Round partnership: named presenting partner of a year-round digital asset, named sponsor of the Youth Advisory Council, a private virtual employee program, and first right of refusal to renew at locked pricing
Visionary $75,000
- Name or logo on the Reception Bars (“Cocktail Reception hosted by [Sponsor]”)
- One table, 10 seats — premium placement
- 30th Anniversary Recognition: On stage recognition + half-page feature article in commemorative magazine
- Two reserved tickets to the VIP Honoree Reception
- Navy Pier brand activation in a priority location (cost of installation not included)
- Full-page color ad, prominent early page or middle seam (print and digital program)
- EARLY SUPPORTER BENEFIT: Acknowledgement included on the printed gala invitation, mailed to the museum’s top supporters, if sponsorship commitment is confirmed by July 17, 2026
- Dedicated social media post on NWHM’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Logo on the event website
- Recognition in the official press release and Honorary Committee listing (deadlines will apply)
- Year-Round partnership: Year Round Recognition as Youth Advisory Council Sponsor, a Women's History Month co-branded feature, a private virtual employee program, and first right of refusal to renew at locked pricing.
Trailblazer $50,000
- Name or logo in a prominent area
- One table, 10 seats preferred seating
- 30th Anniversary Recognition: Half-page ad in commemorative magazine
- Navy Pier brand activation opportunity (cost of installation not included)
- Half-page color ad (print and digital program)
- EARLY SUPPORTER BENEFIT: Acknowledgement included on the printed gala invitation, mailed to the museum’s top supporters, if sponsorship commitment is confirmed by July 17, 2026
- Dedicated social media post on NWHM’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Logo on the event website
- Recognition in the official press release and Honorary Committee listing (deadlines will apply)
- Year-Round partnership: Women's History Month co-branded feature, 12-month logo on the Partner page, and first right of refusal to renew at locked pricing
Advocate $25,000
- Name or logo placement (select options)
- One table, 10 seats preferred seating
- 30th-Anniversary Recognition: Quarter-page ad in commemorative magazine
- On-site Navy Pier activation access (cost of installation not included)
- Quarter-page ad (print and digital program)
- EARLY SUPPORTER BENEFIT: Acknowledgement included on the printed gala invitation, mailed to the museum’s top supporters, if sponsorship commitment is confirmed by July 17, 2026
- Logo on the event website
- Group social media recognition on NWHM’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Recognition in the official press release
- Year-round partnership: 12-month logo on the Partner page and invitations to virtual programming
Benefactor $10,000
- One table, 10 seats
- EARLY SUPPORTER BENEFIT: Acknowledgement included on the printed gala invitation, mailed to the museum’s top supporters, if sponsorship commitment is confirmed by July 17, 2026
- Logo on the event website
- Group social media recognition on NWHM’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.
- Listing in the digital program
- Recognition in event materials - logo onscreen during event and logo in the event program
Patron $5,000
- 4 tickets
- Name listed on the event website
- Recognition (logo) in event materials / program
Supporter $2,500
- 2 tickets
- Recognition (listing) in event materials
- Available to individuals and nonprofit organizations
Advocate $25K and Above
Navy Pier Brand Activations
Sponsors at the Advocate level and above may extend their visibility beyond the ballroom through custom branding opportunities throughout Navy Pier, including:
- Entrance Displays
- Window Graphics
- Staircase Installations
- South Dock Totems
- Freestanding Signage
Activation placement is included with sponsorship. Design, production, and installation costs are the responsibility of the sponsor and subject to Navy Pier approval.
Explore the Archive
Fourteen years. Sixty-eight changemakers.
Explore past honorees, event highlights, and the growing legacy of the Women Making History Awards.
Explore the ArchiveFrequently Asked Questions
Event questions.
What is the dress code?
This event is black tie optional. As such, we ask that attendees wear formal evening wear such as tuxedos, floor-length gowns, dark suits, or cocktail dresses.
What ticket type should I purchase?
Individual tickets are available for sale on our website. In addition, we are offering a Young Professional Ticket at a 50% discount. These tickets are meant to be purchased and used by young professionals, age 30 and under.
This is different than the opportunity to donate a ticket, which can be done while purchasing any ticket type but also may be done as a standalone purchase on the website. Donated tickets cost $750 each and will be gifted to students and educators in the Chicagoland area.
Where can I stay?
Hotel room blocks have been reserved at three hotels. The discounted rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the cutoff date listed below, or until the room block fills, whichever comes first.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
505 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- NWHM Event Rate
- $259.00 plus tax. All rooms will be in the Grand Tower of the hotel.
- Reservation cut-off date
- October 15.
- Location
- This hotel is located 1.5 miles, a 10–15 minute drive, from the event venue.
Reservations are available online through the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile event booking page. You may also book by calling the hotel directly at (877) 424-2449 and mentioning National Women's History Museum.
Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
900 East Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
- NWHM Event Rates
- Range from $199 for King Rooms to $249 for Corner King Rooms, plus tax.
- Reservation cut-off date
- October 23.
- Location
- This hotel is connected to the event venue.
Reservations are available online through the Sable at Navy Pier Chicago event booking page.
The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611
- NWHM Event Rate
- $560.00 plus tax for Deluxe King Guestrooms.
- Reservation cut-off date
- October 5.
- Location
- This hotel is located 1.7 miles, a 10–15 minute drive, from the event venue.
Reservations are available online using the Peninsula Chicago event booking link. You may also book by calling the hotel directly at (866) 288-8889 and mentioning National Women's History Museum.
Host Committee
With gratitude.
The National Women's History Museum gratefully recognizes the 2026 Women Making History Awards Host Committee.
Co-Chairs
- Susan Whiting
- Singleton McAllister
- Mary Smith
- Joyce Winnecke
Host Committee
- Elise Awwad
- Deborah Brittain
- Caren Byrd
- Peixin Dallara
- Susan Danish
- Brie DeWind
- Dr. Beverly Guy Sheftall
- Scott Hefter
- Bryan Howard
- Lori Igleski
- Cheri Kaufman
- Stephanie Mineo
- Dr. Nancy O'Reilly
- Lucia Riddle
- Lisa Marsh Ryerson
- Julia Stewart
- Michelle Villemaire
- Eric Zuncic
- Grace Zuncic