Each year the Section for Women in Public Administration presents four National Awards recognizing outstanding contributions of women leaders. Recipients of the Awards were honored at the SWPA National Awards Breakfast held at the 70th Annual ASPA Conference in Miami, 2009.

Click here for a list of past Award Honorees.

There is no formal "nomination form" as such; however, nominators should submit a cover letter addressing how and why the candidate should be considered for the award and a vita of the nominee with current contact information. The National Awards Chair will then direct the nomination material to the Chair of the appropriate award subcommittee, who will make recommendations to the SWPA Board of Directors. The criteria for each Award are listed below:

Joan Fiss Bishop Award
This is awarded to a woman who, by example and action, has promoted increased participation of women in the public service profession, exhibits a defined contribution to increased involvement in the public sector, innovative leadership and accomplished professionalism in the individual's own public service career, and commitment to the public administration profession through membership in the American Society for Public Administration.

Marcia P. Crowley Award
This Award recognizes outstanding service to the Section for Women in Public Administration. The Nominee must have served the Section for several years, have made a demonstrated impact on the work of the Section, and is a current member in good standing.

Rita Mae Kelly Award
This Award recognizes outstanding research contributions to gender-related issues. It is not a requisite that the nominee be a member of the Section or the Association, but shall have performed research on an issue significant to the role of women in public administration and made an impact through that research on women's lives.

Julia B. Henderson Award
This Award honors a woman who has demonstrated her commitment to international public administration in particular or to international public service in general by a lifetime of public service, to careers in international public administration and public service.