CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Council for Women (WCW) is seeking nominations for outstanding female entrepreneurs across the Cowboy State for recognition with the annual Jan Torres Woman Entrepreneur Award.

“Wyoming’s women have accomplished incredible feats, and we want to encourage all women entrepreneurs to toot their own horns or recognize other great women,” said Natalia Duncan Macker, chair of the Wyoming Council for Women. “We need help finding these amazing women and telling their stories. We are asking everyone to nominate women business owners in their communities — or to nominate themselves. The WCW is excited to have the opportunity to share these stories.”

WCW Entrepreneur Award Committee chair Mary Ann Cummins said, “The last several years have been challenging for Wyoming entrepreneurs, yet many female business owners have overcome their obstacles and succeeded despite the odds. These community leaders have provided inspiration to countless others with their actions. Please help highlight these self-made businesses by nominating a personal hero.” 

Nomination forms are now available at wyomingwomenscouncil.org. Nominees must be women who own, co-own or operate a Wyoming-based business that has operated continuously for at least three years. Nominees may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual. Along with recognition on the WCW website and social media and statewide media outlets, the award will be presented at a recognition ceremony in the recipient’s business location city. The deadline for 2024 nominations is May 10.

This will be the seventh Woman Entrepreneur Award the WCW has given out. Previous recipients include Angela Hartley-Drube (2023), owner of Gillette’s Live 2 Dance; Katherine Bede (2022), owner and operator of Verdello Olive Oil and Fine Foods in Sheridan; Sara Flitner (2021) owner of Flitner Strategies and founder of Becoming Jackson Hole in Jackson; Alexis “Lexie” Garrett (2020) founder and owner of Alexis Drake Designs in Cheyenne; Ariane Jimison (2019) owner and operator of Pizza Carrello in Gillette; and Kylah Bowers (2018) owner of Altitude Drug in Pinedale. 

For questions about the award, contact Cummins at maryann.cummins@wyoboards.gov or WCW Chair Macker at natalia.macker@wyoboards.gov. 

 The Wyoming Council for Women is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine judicial districts, four at-large members, and an additional ex-officio member from the Department of Workforce Services. The Women’s Council focuses on issues that improve the status of women in Wyoming. Members are appointed by the governor and work is funded by the Wyoming State Legislature. For more information, visit wyomingwomenscouncil.org or facebook.com/WyoWomensCouncil.