The Minerva Award, named after the Roman Goddess, Minerva, who graces the California State Seal, honors remarkable women who have stepped forward in the spirit of Minerva and changed our communities, cities, state and our world. A Minerva Award celebrates a living woman who through her courage, strength and wisdom is making our world a better, more compassionate and just place.

Created in 2004 by California’s First Lady Maria Shriver, the Minerva Awards annually recognize 5 remarkable women who have made a positive difference in the lives of others and who are passing on their legacies of humanity.

Some winners are famous, some not. While most of the awards are presented to women from California, one or two may be given to women from outside California whose work and leadership have impacted the people of our state.

She may be any remarkable woman who has committed herself to creating a legacy of humanity and helping others.

She must have recognized a problem or injustice, stepped outside her comfort zone to address it and helped create a solution.

She must be a living woman dedicated to improving the lives of others.

She may come from California, live in California or her work has made a major impact on the people of this state.

She must have exhibited creativity, compassion, leadership, consistent commitment to a cause or contributed to a ground-breaking accomplishment.

Her legacy may represent a lifetime of service and achievement, or her impact may be the result of one event, a turning point in her life, that inspired her to serve others.

Her story should be one of inspiration, courage and a struggle of triumph over hardship.

She must attend the presentation of the awards in person at the California Women’s Conference in Long Beach, California, held on October 27, 2009.

Deadline is March 15, 2009. Here's is the form to use.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen.com