OIWC Seeks Nominations for the First Ascent Award

The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) is accepting nominations for the First Ascent Award, which is generously underwritten by Timberland. This award recognizes a woman new to the industry who demonstrates strong potential for leadership. This award furthers the vision of OIWC by increasing visibility of talented young women at lower levels in an organization, thereby facilitating and nurturing their leadership skills.

The winner of the First Ascent Award will be announced at an OIWC Gathering on August 10th from 6 – 9pm at Abravanel Hall (next to Salt Palace). The winner of the First Ascent Award receives a scholarship to a Strozzi Institute for Leadership workshop in Petaluma, CA. The popular four-day workshop, “Leadership in Action 1: Principles and Practices,” is valued at $2500. The OIWC provides round-trip airfare to Petaluma. The recipient is responsible for food and accommodations.

Timberland supported the award in 2006, and stepped up again in 2007 to help honor these outstanding young women in the outdoor industry. “It is imperative for the health and vitality of our Outdoor Industry that we recognize and promote individuals who possess a passion for the outdoors and potential for career advancement, especially with programs which nurture and promote leadership paths for women. Timberland is proud to partner with the OIWC by supporting the First Ascent Award,” said Jay Steere, Global VP, Timberland Outdoor Performance.

The inaugural First Ascent Award for the Outdoor Industry was won in 2005 by Jennifer Wittman of Outside Magazine. Jordan Jiskra of Burton Snowboards won in 2006.

The deadline to submit nominations is July 15, 2007. Nominations can be submitted online at www.oiwc.org.

OIWC is a non-profit corporation focused on the mission of equipping women to achieve their success. OIWC is sponsored at the Gold Plus level by EMS, Fox River, REI, and W.L. Gore & Associates. At the Gold level, sponsors are Jansport, Mountain Hardwear, Yakima, CGPR, and Womenspecific.com. Silver sponsors are Backpacker Magazine, Burton, GearTrends/SNEWS, Hi-Tec, Interbike, Marmot, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Retailer, Outdoor Wares, Timberland, Tubbs Snowshoes, and SIA. Bronze sponsors are Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Black Diamond, Camelbak, Cascade Designs, Chaco, Columbia, Contourwear, Fuji Bicycles, GoLite, Guyot Designs, Kokatat, Manzella, The North Face, Nuun Active Hydration , Outdoor Research, OutdoorMind, Primaloft, Quality Bicycle Products, Shimano, Sierra Magazine, Specialized, and Thule. Friends of OIWC include Chaos, Kiss My Face, EarMitts, Wallaroo Hat Company, Trade Association of Paddlesports.
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