Joyce Stein Memorial Award

Honoring those who make a positive impact on the growth and advancement of women

The Joyce Stein Memorial Award is given in memory of Boisean Joyce Ann Stein, a long-time supporter of the WCA (YWCA). Each year an individual who has made a positive impact on the growth and advancement of women is honored.

Back in 1973, Joyce Stein participated in a new women’s group that began as the result of a women’s conference held at Boise State College. The group wanted to continue discussions surrounding women’s issues and joined with the YWCA to open the Women’s Center in the basement of the YWCA. Joyce Stein, as a founding member and the first director of the Women’s Center, took on the issue of sexism in our community. As the group studied the prevalence of the issue, they came to the conclusion that domestic violence was a prevalent problem—which led to the YWCA’s involvement in the prevention of domestic violence. The elimination of sexism and domestic violence became the foundation for the organization’s work. After her untimely death in 1979, the YWCA named its highest award in her memory and has awarded this special recognition every year since 1980.

Nominations are welcomed from individuals, businesses and organizations. The nominee does not have to be distinguished by title or office, but rather by his or her efforts on behalf of women. The nomination window closed June 10, 2024.

This year’s awards ceremony will take place September 3, 2024. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Past Joyce Stein Award Recipients

1980 Judy Ripke, Beckie Hedrick, Doris Kaufman
1981 Phoebe Lundy
1982 Ruth Pauley
1983 Edith Miller Klein
1984 Jane Daly
1985 Jane Buser
1986 Julie Kilgrow
1987 Carol A. Martin
1988 Barbara Eisenbarth
1989 Robert E. Krueger
1990 Lorry Roberts
1991 Cathy Silak
1992 Betsy Dunklin
1993 Susan Hazelton, Sheila Robertson
1994 Janine Smith
1995 Eve Williamson
1996 Sherry Iverson
1997-1998    Sharon Bixby
1998-1999    Pam Parker
2000 Tony Chung
2001 Linda Anthony, Tina Balsley, Cynthia Cook, Cathy Mockli, Jana Perry, Debbie Servatius, Kris Wheeler
2002 Marian L. Pritchett, Susan P. Sherlock
2003 Judy E. Cross
2004 Carolyn Terteling-Payne
2005 Merrianne Cook Hunter
2006 Vera Fink
2007 Sandra Bruce
2008 Janice Johnson
2009 Doug & Serena McAlvain
2010 Karen & Mike Mooney
2011 Kaye Knight
2012 Marilyn Shuler
2013 Cherie Buckner-Webb
2014 Teri Stein
2015 Greg Bower
2016 The Ahlquist Family
2017 Luci McDonald
2018 Dee Gore
2019 Harry Bettis, Laura Bettis, Rydalch, Janelle Bettis Wise
2020 Jan Bennetts
2021  Nancy & Charley Jones
2022 Melissa Wintrow
2023 Yasmin Aguilar