Nominations are now open for the 26th Annual Heroines of Washington Awards, a
long-standing program benefiting the March of Dimes that celebrates professional
women across the Washington, D.C. region who demonstrate exceptional leadership
and a deep commitment to community service.
Presented by ASRC Federal, the awards honor women who not only excel in their
careers but also dedicate significant time and resources to volunteering and supporting
nonprofit and community organizations throughout the DMV region and beyond.
Nominees must reside in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., work within one of
the award categories, and demonstrate an exemplary commitment to volunteer service
outside of their professional roles. Self-nominations are welcome. All submissions must
be received by May 3, 2026.
Award categories include:
Finance + Banking
Health + Biotechnology
Professional Services + Consulting
Real Estate + Construction
Technology + Cybersecurity
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In addition to these categories, March of Dimes will recognize three special honorees,
selected through an internal review process.
This year, the organization is proud to honor Adaeze Enekwechi with the Maternal and
Infant Health Legacy Award in recognition of her visionary leadership as CEO of
Nadia Care and her unwavering commitment to improving maternal health outcomes for
vulnerable women and families. Through her work, she has expanded access to high-
quality care and strengthened support systems for expectant mothers — efforts that
closely align with the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of moms and
babies. She has been instrumental in advancing wraparound care models that
complement clinical services and help improve birth outcomes for underserved
communities.
Two additional special honorees will be announced at a later date.
“Over the years, the Heroines of Washington Awards have continued to evolve to
ensure we are recognizing the incredible women making a difference in our community,”
said Jennifer Felix, President and CEO of ASRC Federal and member of the 2026
Heroines of Washington Executive Committee. “We welcome nominations across
industries and hope that by elevating these stories, we can inspire even greater
community impact throughout the DMV region.”
All finalists and honorees will be celebrated at a black-tie optional gala on Thursday,
October 8, 2026. Proceeds from the event support March of Dimes programs,
research, community services, education, and advocacy focused on improving the
health of mothers and babies nationwide.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support
research, education, and advocacy to give every family the best possible start. Building
on a successful 85-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and
every family by fighting for their health, providing access to care, and advancing
solutions to address the maternal and infant health crisis. For more information, visit
marchofdimes.org.