This is a paid piece from EmBe.

Simplified: More than 50 years ago, when Sylvia Henkin wanted to start an event to recognize women in the Sioux Falls community, her male counterparts told her, "you'll run out of women." That hasn’t happened yet. In fact, every year there is more momentum for nominations than in the previous year. Today, The EMBES: A Tribute to Women is the longest-standing award ceremony in the area, and EmBe this week opened nominations for the 53rd annual premier fundraiser event.

Why it matters

• The EMBES is an opportunity not only to recognize the women who lead our community, but also to celebrate EmBe's work empowering women in all stages of life and business through a variety of programs. Funds raised from the event directly support EmBe's work helping women and families.
• Last year, the organization saw a record number of nominations with a total of 74 nominees. That included Marcela Salas, who was the winner of the "Young Women of Achievement" award in 2025. Salas is the co-owner of Salas Salsas and downtown restaurant BibiSol.
• For Salas, and echoed by other nominees, receiving the nomination made her feel seen for all of the hard work she's put into her business and into the broader community.

"Often it's hard for women to really receive their flowers," Salas said. "I've always struggled with imposter syndrome ... so community recognition was just so beautiful. It was healing for me to have that recognition and know there are people in the community who care about me and care about what I'm doing."

Tell me more

There are nine award categories for The EMBES, covering a variety of industries and stages of life. And, talking with past nominees, just being nominated is an honor in and of itself.

Local businesswoman Maddie Peschong was nominated in 2023 for business achievement. She said her first reaction to receiving the nomination was to think, "wait, this can't be right."

• But it was, and she said it was amazing to later find she had been nominated by a friend and mentor, someone she looks up to in the business community.

"It's just incredibly humbling," Peschong said. "To be recognized in this capacity by someone else in the community – it was just the coolest thing, and it really reinvigorated my love for what I do."

The EMBES is also more than an award show, it is also a fundraiser that directly supports helping more women and families through EmBe programs.

Here's a full breakdown of categories, followed by their descriptions:

• Banking & Finance
  • This award recognizes women for their remarkable achievements in the banking and finance sectors. It honors their dedication to fostering positive change, enhancing financial literacy, and making vital contributions to the growth and success of these industries.
• Business Achievement
  • This award recognizes a woman who demonstrates extraordinary leadership, innovation, and success across various business sectors, including sales, marketing, professional trades, and entrepreneurship. Recipients are industry pioneers who have left a significant mark, leading with vision, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
• Community & Public Service
  • This award honors women for their significant contributions to public service and community involvement. Individuals are acknowledged for their dedication to civic engagement, leadership in public service initiatives, and generosity of time and talent to create impactful change within their communities.
• EmBeliever Award
  • This is the only EMBE that can go to a man. It's for a man, woman or business that embodies the mission of EmBe by empowering children, women, and families through opportunities that uplift and enhance their potential.
• Healthcare & STEM
  • This award recognizes women for their excellence in the fields of healthcare and STEM, and highlights her commitment to pushing the boundaries in their disciplines and advancing the well-being of individuals and communities through their groundbreaking work.
• Outstanding Educator
  • This one is for any woman who is celebrated for her exceptional skill, dedication, and influence across all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education. This award honors those who showcase innovative teaching methods, demonstrate unwavering commitment to student success, and significantly impact the educational community and the lives of learners.
• Performing, Visual & Creative Arts
  • This award honors women who have made outstanding contributions across the performing, visual, or creative arts. It recognizes excellence in disciplines such as music, theater, dance, visual art, expressive writing, graphic and digital design, and other creative media. The award celebrates individuals whose artistic vision, innovation, and dedication enrich cultural experiences, advance creative expression, and inspire audiences and communities.
• Sylvia Henkin Mentoring Award
  • This award recognizes an individual’s commitment to mentoring women in their personal and professional lives. Eligible women have actively mentored for five or more years and are over the age of 40, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to supporting and guiding others.
• Young Woman of Achievement
  • A woman aged 21 to 39 recognized for exemplifying leadership and professional success. Recipients are honored for their ability to drive positive change and their potential for continued excellence in their careers and community contributions. The award acknowledges her current successes and her capacity to inspire and lead future progress.

How do I nominate someone?

The nomination form is available on the EmBe website. You can nominate more than one person, and it's worth taking a little time to be thoughtful in filling out the form.

Anna Wiederrich, donor engagement and events coordinator with EmBe, said she also encourages people wish to nominate someone to reach out to that person and talk to them before filling out the form. It's a great way to get more information to ensure you have a robust application rather than a couple of sentences.

When will the winners be notified?

Winners will be announced during the annual The EMBES: A Tribute to Women event on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Canopy by Hilton.

"It is such an uplifting night for not only the women who are nominated but also for the women and men who are there as supporters," Wiederrich said.

For tickets, sponsorship details and individual donations, please visit embe.org/tribute.