In 2019, our 40th year, we introduced a scholarship award to honor the memory of Jan Brown. Jan was one of our beloved founding mothers. She was an historian and office manager whose contributions to Women Outdoors were vast: Jan tracked our organization's history and publications, as well as kept a comprehensive bibliography of books written by and about women's voyages and adventures in the outdoors that has now been donated to Mount Holyoke College, along with our Women Outdoors archives. She was a world traveler who visited far-flung lands and regaled us all with her marvelous photos and stories. To pay tribute to Jan's countless contributions and her inspiring life, we will be awarding a full scholarship to attend the National Gathering. Future winners will be announced at the Gathering. Don't miss the announcement, timing to be determined—the recipient won't know until you ALL know!

RIP, Jan, we love you, and we miss you.  Read More about Jan

Kathleen Long  Presented September 7, 2024

Awarded in honor of Kathleen's numerous contributions to Women Outdoors. In addition to serving on the board, Kathleen helped to develop our current website during its infancy, supporting the creation of the overall design and functionality, as well as organizing our files and creating our Women Outdoors Policy Handbook. To this day Kathleen continues to support our online presence, monitoring our Info@WomenOutdoors.org email.

In 2009, Kathleen started a new region, Mid-Atlantic, serving as Regional Contact. Working with her Co-RC Becky Foreman, they actively promote our organization, expanding the Mid-Atlantic Region by over 150% in the last 2 years alone.

Women Outdoors would not be where it is today without the invaluable contributions of Kathleen Long!

Bonna Wieler  Presented August 26, 2023

Granted in recognition of her many contributions to Women Outdoors over a number of years. Repeatedly, Bonna generously gives her time and is willing to go above and beyond in helping others gain skills and confidence in outdoor pursuits.

These include fun trips in her region, often combining paddling and back country camping, as well as teaching paddling skills, to both beginners and the experienced at our National Gathering. 

In addition, for the past several years Bonna has served on the board of directors for Women Outdoors as secretary and record keeper.

Lisa Vaas  Presented August 27, 2022

In honor of outstanding leadership and service, the Women Outdoors Board of Directors gratefully award Lisa Vaas, in recognition and appreciation of your exemplary leadership and long-standing dedication to Women Outdoors, the 2022 Jan Brown Memorial Scholarship. Image is of Lisa (on the left) with Mary presenting the award.

Mary Charney Presented September 11, 2021

Granted in recognition of meticulously reasoned & researched communications on issues facing the Board, problem-solving of leadership issues at the organizational/procedural & personal leader level, and devising a procedure to vet & recruit board members. Image below Anna & Mary

Mary has requested that the award monies – full cost of tuition to the Gathering – be redirected to the regional funds of her Finger Lakes chapter, to be used towards funding The 2022 Anna M. DeSousa Memorial Spring Service Project.

Sandy Zohari   Presented September 7, 2019

For excellence in web design and support of our online presence.

Together with Kathleen Long, Sandy was instrumental in the search for and upgrade of our online presence to our current host, Wild Apricot. Sandy was involved with all aspects and functionality, including the event calendar, membership levels and profiles, communication (newsletters and emails), etc. Sandy also managed our @womenoutdoors email addresses. In 2019, Sandy totally revamped our web site to the modern interface we have now, including mobile friendly page design.