The Fund for Women and Girls is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Gladys Black Woman of Distinction Award and the 2021 Corporate Champion of Change Award.

Named in memory of the fund's late board member, the Woman of Distinction Award recognizes a Chester County woman who has "contributed to the advancement of other women in professional and leadership roles."

Nominees may include a female business owner who has promoted women or has a company run by women.

"Past events have honored Patricia Miller, former CEO of Nobel Learning Communities, for her role in advancing and encouraging female employees at her organization," said Maeve Kelly, the Fund's communications and program associate. "Last year's honoree was Charmaine Spence Rochester, CFO at Chester County Hospital, for her mentorship and support of women of color in the financial and healthcare professions."

Community members are invited to nominate a woman they feel is deserving of the honor by completing an online application. "The nominator does not have to work with the nominee, but must know enough about them and their work to complete the application," Kelly noted.

The Corporate Champion of Change Award will be given to "a local business or company that exemplifies a commitment to increasing economic opportunities and advancement for women through their business practices and workplace culture."

Both award honorees will be recognized during the Fund's fifth annual Champions of Change Event on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at The Farmhouse Bistro at People's Light and Theater, Malvern.

All nominations must be received by Friday, July 16, at 5 p.m. To learn more about the awards and access the nomination forms, visit http://www.thefundcc.org/champions-of-change.

The Fund's primary program is the Girls Advisory Board (GAB). Each year, GAB, a group of young women from Chester County high schools, is tasked with awarding grants to nonprofit organizations and agencies that target the needs of women and girls. Over the past 25 years, the fund has awarded over $3.5 million to 80 local nonprofit organizations.

To reflect the agency's mission, the Fund has a new name, the Fund for Women and Girls: Igniting Change in Chester County. "As our work and impact have grown over the past 25 years, so has our need to convey a stronger, bolder visual representation of that impact - one that weaves together our past, present and hopes for the future and the fabric of the community to make it stronger," Kelly said. "We embarked on a yearlong process with a marketing firm to rebrand and land on our new, bold name."

To view a video about the name change, visit http://www.youtube.com and search for "The Fund for Women and Girls - Logo Reveal - Full."