Bryant Receives Elected Woman of Excellence Award
State Sen. Terri Bryant was honored by the National Foundation for Women Legislators at its annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Women’s Issues
State Sen. Terri Bryant received the 2026 Elected Woman of Excellence Award from the National Foundation for Women Legislators. The award was presented during the organization's annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and recognizes women in elected office who have demonstrated leadership and dedication to public service.
Why it matters
The award highlights recognition of women serving in elected office across state legislatures, a group the nonpartisan National Foundation for Women Legislators works to connect nationwide. For Illinois residents, it marks a national honor for a lawmaker representing Southern Illinois.
The award is granted by the National Foundation for Women Legislators, which the stub describes as a nonpartisan organization. Bryant's record spans from her first General Assembly term in 2015 through her 2020 election to the Illinois Senate, though the extraction does not specify the number of other honorees.
The players
National Foundation for Women Legislators
A nonpartisan organization that brings together elected women from across the country and presents the Elected Woman of Excellence Award.
Terri Bryant
An Illinois state senator who has represented Southern Illinois in the General Assembly since 2015 and was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2020.
The details
The honor was presented during the National Foundation for Women Legislators annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The award recognizes women serving in elected office who have demonstrated leadership and dedication to public service, and the foundation brings together elected women from across the country.
Timeline
2015: Bryant began representing Southern Illinois in the General Assembly.
2020: Bryant was elected to the Illinois Senate.
November 10, 2026: Bryant was honored with the Elected Woman of Excellence Award this week.
Women in Office
The National Foundation for Women Legislators, a nonpartisan body that connects elected women nationwide, presents its Elected Woman of Excellence Award at its annual conference. Bryant's recognition extends that effort to a Southern Illinois state senator.
Illinois residents represented by Bryant see one of their state senators recognized nationally for public service. The award does not change how constituents access her office or legislative work.
The takeaway
Recognition from national organizations like the National Foundation for Women Legislators can spotlight women leaders who might otherwise receive less public attention for their work in state government.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Women’s Issues for related stories on women in public life.
