Dubuque Magazine Honors Local Women at Awards Ceremony
Five leaders were recognized for their community contributions during the annual Salute to Women event.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Awards
Live Poll
Do you believe local awards ceremonies encourage more positive community participation and involvement?
Five Dubuque women received honors at the ninth annual Salute to Women awards ceremony held this week. Recipients were recognized for their ongoing contributions to the local community after being nominated by their peers.
Why it matters
The ceremony serves as a platform to highlight female leadership and community engagement within Dubuque. The event recognizes individuals who have made measurable impacts on local progress and innovation.
A total of 5 women were honored during the ninth annual ceremony. The event was sponsored by HyVee and American Realty.
The players
Nancy VanMilligen
She was honored as the Woman of the Year and is currently preparing for her upcoming retirement.
Yvonne Zimmerman
She serves as the President of Clarke University and provided the keynote address for the event.
The details
Recipients included Nancy VanMilligen, Danielle Miller, Peggy Jackson, Nat Finley, and Adele Herman. The ceremony featured Clarke University President Yvonne Zimmerman as the keynote speaker.
Timeline
The awards ceremony took place on the morning of October 21, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event marks the ninth consecutive year of the program, extending its established precedent of recognizing local female leadership. It reflects a growing emphasis on celebrating community contributions within the nine-year history of the Salute to Women awards program.
The event highlights the influential figures active in Dubuque, shaping the community's leadership landscape. Residents may note the ongoing civic contributions of these honorees as they continue their work in local organizations.
The takeaway
Honoring local leaders provides a template for community engagement and showcases the diverse roles women play in Dubuque. Implementing similar peer-nomination processes can help organizations effectively surface and reward high-impact volunteer work.
Further reading
For more information on local recognition events, visit the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TelegraphHerald.
Live Poll
Do you believe local awards ceremonies encourage more positive community participation and involvement?
