Staff Report
DRIPPING SPRINGS — From more than 85 nominations celebrating women throughout the Dripping Springs community, an independent panel of judges has selected 24 finalists for the inaugural Women of Worth (WOW) Celebration, taking place Thursday, Aug. 27, at Canyonwood Ridge.
Three finalists were selected in each of eight award categories, with winners to be announced during the celebration.
According to a news release, unlike many award programs, the WOW Celebration was created with one guiding belief: every woman is already worthy. While awards will recognize a few outstanding women, the heart of the event is celebrating the countless women who strengthen the community every day through their leadership, compassion, courage, generosity and service.
To ensure an impartial selection process, finalists were chosen by an independent committee of women from outside Texas. Each judge has navigated significant life transitions, discovered her own strength through personal growth and understands firsthand what it means to be a Woman of Worth, the release explained.
Their reactions to the nominations reflected both the quality of the nominees and the spirit of the Dripping Springs community.
"Scoring these nominations was one of the most difficult and most rewarding things I've had the opportunity to do."
"The stories of all these incredible women were absolutely wonderful to read. Everyone is an inspiration. I just want to wrap each and every one of them up in a hug and tell them how amazing they all are."
"There are a lot of amazing women in Dripping Springs."
"Wow, that was tough. Lots of wonderful, deserving women. It really sounds like a great place to live and work with all this entrepreneurial spirit and wonderful causes."
One judge perhaps summed it up best:
"The women of Dripping Springs are truly Women of Worth. They are also Women Quite Wonderful. From the many, many nominees to the women who nominated them, this endeavor shines a light so bright that it illuminates not only the present of Dripping Springs, but the history and future, as well. What tremendous role models. What tremendous champions. What tremendous movers and shakers and difference-makers."
The judges also expressed gratitude to every woman whose story was shared.
"Thank you to each and every nominee for all that you bring to your community and beyond through your action, compassion and grace. Thank you to every single nominator for shining the light on so many tremendous women in your community."
The WOW Celebration is more than an awards luncheon, the release stated. It is a community-wide celebration of the women who lead, serve, create, mentor, encourage and quietly make a difference every day. Set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, the WOW Celebration will take the stage at the Canyonwood Ridge event venue, honoring the women who lead, lift and shape this community in ways both visible and unseen. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of inspiration, connection, music and celebration before the winners are announced.
The community is invited to attend, cheer on the finalists and celebrate the women who make Dripping Springs such an extraordinary place to live, according to the release. Whether they are nominated or not, the entire event is centered upon the premise that all women are worthy and the awards are just one small part of the entire celebration, designed to celebrate all who attend.
"The judges didn't just choose 24 finalists. They discovered what many of us already know, that Dripping Springs is filled with extraordinary women who lift others, lead with heart and make this community stronger every single day. I hope everyone who attends leaves inspired, not just by the women on stage, but by the reminder that we all have the power to make a difference," said Lisa Sullivan, Women of Worth founder. “"My greatest hope is that every woman who walks through the doors, whether she's a finalist, a nominee or a guest, leaves believing one simple truth: I am a Woman of Worth."
Tickets are available at www.happinesselement.com/event-details/wow-tickets
For questions or more information, contact The Happiness Element, at [email protected].
2026 Women of Worth (WOW) Celebration Finalists
Community Impact Award
• Kerri Register
• Nel Rossouw – The Rescue House
• Chrystal Smith – Foster Village
Connector Award
• Lynn Bridge – Glenncliff Art Studio, Keller Williams Realtor, President of Dripping Area Democrats
• Susan Kimball – DS Chamber of Commerce
• Dana Mihaly – Marsh & Mihaly Marketing Group LLC
Girl Boss Energy Award
• Brianna Leake – Premiere Dance Center
• Kathy Rapp – Home by Red Door
• Meredith Kapchinski – Fortis Therapy Center
Heart of Dripping Springs Award
• Hope Boatright – Lupine Land Services, Pure Luck Farms
• Jennifer Neill – Hill Country Rescue & Recovery
• Liz Kryznefski – Springs Family YMCA
Leadership Legacy Award
• Catherine Flores – Wildwood Springs Elementary PTA
• Michelle Fischer – City of Dripping Springs
• Michelle Wendt – Indigo Healing Acupuncture & Massage
Rising Star Award
• Ana Husted – Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas
• Leslie Walter
• Valerie Hemming – Salt & Light
Trailblazer Award
• Marianne Simmons – Onion Creek Farm
• Michelle Lewis – Mallett and Michelle Podcast, Mallett Integrity Team
• Silvana Pimentel – AI Your Superpower
Adorable Badass Award
• Andria Brannon
• Anne Brown – Head to Toe Dance
• Lisa Hargraves – The Clean Home Crew & Project Connect
For descriptions of each category, go to www.happinesselement.com/about-wow-awards.
