Central Valley Nominations Open for 2026 Remarkable Women Awards

KSEE24 CBS47 and Nexstar Media Group opened nominations on December 4 for the 2026 Remarkable Women program, asking Central Valley residents to nominate women whose leadership and service have made a measurable difference in local communities. Nominations are open through December 19. Local finalists will be selected by a panel of judges, local honorees will be recognized on air in March, and regional finalists will be honored later that month during a national celebration. One woman will represent Fresno among 125 national finalists.

The awards combine public recognition with tangible financial support. Honorees receive donations designated for a nonprofit organization of their choice, and local media exposure is part of the prize package. For Fresno County this means recognition can directly translate into funding and visibility for local service providers that operate on tight budgets and rely on community awareness to attract volunteers and donors.

The program timing matters for nonprofit planning and local civic calendars. Recognition and donations in March arrive ahead of spring fundraising campaigns and tax filing season, a period when many local charities intensify outreach. Media attention from a local broadcaster can increase online traffic to a nonprofit and boost short term donation flows. For organizations that compete for limited philanthropic dollars the combination of a designated donation and sustained storytelling can improve fundraising efficiency and create new partnership opportunities with businesses and local government.

There are broader implications for Fresno County economic resilience and civic capacity. Highlighting women leaders from sectors such as health care, education, small business, and community organizing builds social capital that underpins local economic activity. Elected officials and nonprofit leaders can use the program to elevate policy issues around workforce development childcare and community health by aligning honoree stories with funding priorities.

Residents who want to nominate a candidate have until December 19 to submit names through KSEE24 and CBS47 channels. The short nomination window places a premium on rapid outreach by community groups and civic networks that want their leaders considered for this regional and national recognition.