2026 Women of Achievement Honoree: Karen Dawson
Women of Achievement's Class of 2026 was recognized at the 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. This short video about Karen Dawson and her volunteer service in the St. Louis region was shown during the Award Luncheon. The 2026 Women of Achievement are a selection of 10 outstanding volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the betterment of the metropolitan St. Louis region through voluntary contributions, volunteer leadership and a significant breadth of a volunteer career. The 2026 Women of Achievement and their designations are listed below. 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 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. Each year, Women of Achievement selects 10 honorees from an extensive nomination and review process, beginning with nominations submitted by the public. Bess Wilfong (Class of 2004) was the chair of the 2026 Women of Achievement Award Luncheon. Eleanor Higgins (Class of 2024) was vice chair. Cassie Strom (Class of 2021) is the president of Women of Achievement and Cynthia R. Bennett, DBA (Class of 2022) is the vice president. Women of Achievement's presenting sponsors are Ladue News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOX Radio. For more information, please visit https://woastl.org or call 314.896.4962. -- Video produced by StoryPoint Films
