Megan Navarro
DRIPPING SPRINGS — There is a long list of women who have stepped up to serve in leadership roles in Dripping Springs, inspiring Lisa Sullivan to create the Women of Worth (WOW) Awards to honor those who make the community what it is.
“You've got two women who are running the city. You've got a woman publisher of one of the local newspapers. You have a woman running the Dripping Springs school district,” she emphasized. “You have a woman who is overseeing the chamber of commerce. You have two women who … along with the Lions Club, oversee one of the city's most beloved events: Christmas on Mercer.”
Sullivan, who serves as the city’s People & Communications director, is also the face behind her company, The Happiness Element, which helps organizations and individuals find the joy in their life again. She also started a women’s retreat eight years ago, hosting them in Texas — with the first at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs — New Mexico, Massachusetts and Florida.
Through hosting the retreats, Sullivan found that she wanted to do something more and uplift the women who give the community their all, thus creating the not-so-typical WOW Awards.
“I wanted to make this more fun, whimsical [and about] what women are,” she said. “I wanted to make them different, that still celebrated the women, but did it in a fun and uplifting and inspirational way because that's what the women are doing.”
Currently, according to The Happiness Element website, the awards are categorized as:
• “The Pillar of Power Award” — for a woman whose leadership has created a lasting impact after she leaves the room and has lifted others as she rises
• “The Watch Her Soar Award” — celebrates an emerging leader who is just getting started, but is already making waves and lighting the way forward
• “The Ripple Effect Award” — recognizes a woman whose actions make a meaningful difference in the lives of others; she strengthens the heart of community through service, passion and purpose.
• “The Hometown Heroine Award” — embodies the spirit, warmth and soul of Dripping Springs and is considered to be the heartbeat of the community
• “The Fearless Founder Award” — forges her own path with courage and conviction, challenges the status quo, opens doors for others and shows what is possible
• “The She Brings Us Together Award” — brings people together and builds meaningful relationships
• “The Boss Lady Energy Award” — honors a woman business owner who leads with vision, resilience and heart
• “The Adorable Badass Award” — boldly shows up as her authentic self and unapologetically powerful, is the perfect blend of heart and hustle, dances to live amid challenges and advocates for women with kindness, grace and joy.
Sullivan concluded that she also wanted to give back to the city of Dripping Springs, where she has lived and poured into for nearly 20 years.
“I just adore this community and I love the women that I have met. They are so amazing — from women with health issues that are still inspiring people, to the women who are working full-time jobs yet raising kids,” she said. “I wanted to do something to give back to Dripping Springs because it has given so much to me.”
Nominations for the WOW Awards will open at the end of May or early June, with finalized categories and requirements also expected by that time. The awards will be judged by an independent panel of women from outside of Dripping Springs and from the six nominees, three finalists and one winner will be selected in each category.
The awards will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Canyonwood Ridge, located at 250 S. Canyonwood Drive, Dripping Springs, with lunch, a keynote speaker, artists showcase, marketplace and more in store.
Keep up-to-date on when the nominations are available and find more information at www.happinesselement.com/wow.
