In 2009, the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) unanimously decided to offer an annual award to honor University of Nebraska Omaha women alumni who have made lifelong contributions to UNO. In 2019, the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender Equity (CCSGE) renamed the annual award to the Legendary Leader of UNO Award to recognize alumni of all genders who have made lifelong contributions to UNO in the areas of gender equity and women’s advancements on campus.
The Legendary Leader of UNO Award was introduced during Women’s History Month at the March 2010 commission luncheon. Members of the Women’s Centennial Archive Project (WCAP) joined the commission in selecting the first award recipient.
UNO students from both groups will join faculty and staff members as they review nominations and recommendations for the annual award.
The Legendary Leaders
| Year | Person |
| 2025 | Mary Ann Lamanna |
| 2024 | Ethel Hill Williams |
| 2023 | Mary Mudd |
| 2022 | W. Meredith Bacon |
| 2021 | Jacqueline St John |
| 2020 | Mary Ellen Williamson |
| 2019 | Barbara Jean Coffey |
| 2018 | Elizabeth Hill |
| 2017 | Connie Claussen |
| 2016 | Virginia Lee Frank |
| 2015 | Marion Marsh Brown |
| 2014 | Thresa E. Clark |
| 2013 | Nell Marguerite Ward |
| 2012 | Ellen Hartman Pearey Gast |
| 2011 | Margaret R. Fischer |
| 2010 | Olga J. Strimple |
Sponsors
Women's Centennial Archive Project