Delaware Women's Hall of Fame
The Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to recognize the achievements of outstanding Delaware women and their contributions to communities across the state and beyond. The induction ceremony is the oldest annual celebration of its kind commemorating Delaware women. Women inducted into the Hall of Fame represent a variety of professional fields and backgrounds, including artists, athletes, community advocates, military personnel, public servants, and scientists. Nominees are eligible if they have built a sustainable legacy that continues to create meaningful impact at the local, state, or national level, their leadership has inspired others, and they are a Delaware native or have resided in the state for at least 10 years during their lifetime.
To see who has already been inducted, check out the full list of the incredible women in the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame.
Each year, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee carries out one of the most meaningful and challenging responsibilities in our state, selecting the next class of honorees. After applications are submitted by the public, the committee embarks on an in-depth review process that involves reading over 50 submissions and carefully evaluating hundreds of pages of supporting materials.
Using a detailed scoring rubric, committee members thoughtfully assess each nominee’s achievements, impact, leadership, and contributions to Delaware. Their work requires time, expertise, and discernment, as they make the very difficult decision of choosing which extraordinary women will be inducted each year.
Once the committee completes its rigorous deliberation, the honorees are publicly announced in July. The induction ceremony that is held each fall celebrates these remarkable women with a formal dinner reception and awards program. It is a special night honoring the individuals whose leadership, service, and accomplishments have shaped Delaware’s history and its future.
2026 Delaware Women's Hall of Fame
The application cycle for the 2026 Delaware Women's Hall of Fame is now open. Please review all questions in advance and do not provide repetitive information.
The online application form can be saved and worked on for 30 days. If you choose to save your progress, you will be provided with a link to access your application. Be sure to copy the link and save it in a safe place as OWAA does not have access to your unique link and cannot provide it to you. You will have the option for the link to be emailed to you. You can use this link any time within the next 30 days to resume answering questions on the form. Upon visiting this save and resume link, file uploads will need to be resubmitted. Without the link, the data you have entered cannot be retrieved, and you will have to start filling out the form at the beginning. Be sure to complete and submit the application within 30 days. We suggest writing your answers in a Word document and saving them as you go. Once you are happy with your answers, copy and paste them into the form to submit the application. The committee evaluates nominations based solely on the information provided, so please ensure that all information is accurate and thorough.
Applications are due by midnight EST April 2, 2026. Incomplete applications may not be accepted. If you have questions about the application process, please read through the FAQs. If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the form, please contact the Office of Women's Advancement & Advocacy.