Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.
We are no longer accepting applications for 2026.
Check back soon for the 2026 winners!
Women of Peace Corps Legacy gives 2 annual leadership awards that honor women leaders and the organizations they select.
The awards:
The Deborah Harding Women of Achievement Award that honors Peace Corps women whose contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of women and girls.
The Kate Raftery Emerging Leader Award that honors young professional woman (aged 40 years or younger) who demonstrate outstanding leadership and an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of women and girls.
Visit the award pages linked above to read more about our awardees from each year. Each winner is selected by a panel of judges and will receive $1,000 to make a preferred donation to a Peace Corps Project of their choice. Winners will be featured on the WPCL website, across social media, and on a podcast. They will also be recognized at the NPCA’s Peace Corps Connect Conference this summer.
Nomination Details
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
- Anyone may submit a nomination form; no connection to the Peace Corps is required.
Nomination Period
- Nominations are accepted February 15 – May 15 each year.
Nominee Eligibility
- Nominees must be women with a verified connection to the Peace Corps as Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and/or current or former Peace Corps staff (U.S. or host country staff).
- Nominees must have made, or be making, a significant and lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in areas such as health, education, environmental stewardship, mentoring, sports, or economic empowerment.
Nomination Requirements
- Nominations must include concrete examples demonstrating the scope and long-term impact of the nominee’s work to advance the well-being and opportunities of women and girls.
- The nomination statement must be 800 words or fewer.
Additional Information
- Posthumous nominations are not accepted.
- WPCL recommends keeping nominations confidential in case the nominee is not selected.
- Individuals may be nominated only once for a WPCL award, unless invited by the Awards Committee to resubmit their application.
Selection Process
Evaluation Committee
- The evaluation committee are volunteers chosen by the Women of Peace Corps Legacy Awards Committee Co-Chairs.
Review Process
- All nominations are reviewed and evaluated alongside other submitted candidates.
- Nominations are assessed based on the nominee’s unique and significant contributions, impact on women and girls, length of engagement, and demonstrated leadership.
Award Recognition
- One recipient is selected annually for the DHA Award and one recipient for the KRELA Award.
- The DHA and KRELA Award recipients will be recognized and celebrated at a special Women of Peace Corps Legacy awards event, typically during the NPCA’s Peace Corps Connect Conference.
- Each award recipient receives $1,000 to make a preferred donation to a Peace Corps project.
- Each award recipient will have the opportunity to do a podcast spotlight with our Extra-Ordinary Women Podcast team.