Tribute Awards

Tribute is a biennial community recognition event and fundraiser that supports vital services provided by Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Tribute celebrates extraordinary women, young women, and men in the community. Community nominations help recognize remarkable individuals making a positive difference in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties.

Individuals are recognized in the following categories:

• Advocacy
  A woman whose bold advocacy for a population or a cause has resulted in increased community awareness and action on issues of social concern.
• Business/Profession
  A woman who has exhibited superior ability/accomplishment in a company, business, organization or association.
• Community Service
  A woman who has shown outstanding achievement as a volunteer to better the community.
• Pinnacle
  A woman who has dedicated a lifetime of service and provided meaningful, influential contributions that have made a positive difference in her community.
• Man of Action
  A man whose service and actions have demonstrated his commitment toward the well-being of women.
• Youth
  A young woman, 21 or younger, who has demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments to better herself, school and the community.

Our 2024 Honorees

Kristin Jardine, Advocacy

Dr. Melanie Manary, Business/Profession

Carolyn Klender, Community Service

David “DJ” Jones, Man of Action

Mary Faculak, Pinnacle

Kira Miller, Youth

To learn more about tickets, nominations, or sponsorships, call WRCNM at (231) 347-0067 or email WRCNM at [email protected].

“What we love about this event is that it highlights local people who are working at the community level to share and spread kindness, compassion, dignity and generosity. No matter if their efforts are well-known or relatively unknown, they improve people’s lives and make this area a better place to live, work and play.”

~ Gail Kloss, WRCNM Executive Director

Tribute Committee Members

Annette Eustice
Beth Lohman
Claire Forster
Kayla Magee
Diane Raab
Toni Moriarty-Smith
Gail Kloss
Kari VandenBrink

Past Tribute Awardees

2022
Courtney Sumpter, Advocacy
Mary Martinchek, Business/Profession
Sharon Schappacher, Community Service
Scott Smith, Man of Action
Pat Fralick, Pinnacle
Robin Jordan, Pinnacle
Anna Haf, Youth

2019
Kathy Petersen, Advocacy
Rachel Smolinski, Business/Profession
Kathleen Reed, Community Service
Todd Troxel, Man of Action
Jennifer Eis, Pinnacle
Lily Kingma, Youth

2018
Cindy Okerlund, Advocacy
Ashley Brower-Whitney, Business/Profession
Kathy Biggs, Community Service
Dave Kring, Man of Action
Mary Biagini, Pinnacle
SASS Group Petoskey High School, Youth

2017
Stacey Ettawageshik, Advocacy
Denise Croake, Business/Profession
Jackie Burrell, Community Service
Kevin Burns, Man of Action
Jan Mancinelli, Pinnacle
Haylie Hasse, Youth

2016
Ginger Stevens, Advocacy
Paula Musilek, Business/Profession
Lisa Blanchard, Community Service
Steve Van Dam, Man of Action
Martha Lancaster, Pinnacle
Emily Kurburski, Youth

2015
Mary Peterson, Advocacy
Elisa Seltzer, Business/Profession
Penny Huber, Community Service
Bill Wilson, Man of Action
Ann Irish, Pinnacle

2014
Lisa Clavier, Advocacy
Gail Gruenwald, Business/Profession
Babs Kutcipal, Community Service
Mark Fralick, Man of Action
Nancy Stewart, Pinnacle
U15 Soccer Team Harbor Springs, Youth