The American Association of University Women of Port Townsend is looking for nominations for its annual Woman of Excellence award. The award recognizes an individual who has enriched the community through their work, either paid or volunteer, in Jefferson County. Nominees are evaluated based on four criteria: 1. Acting as a “role model” to inspire and energize others. 2. Acting as a “change agent” to remove barriers and increase opportunities for others. 3. Working as a teacher and/or mentor to instruct and support groups or individuals. 4. Acting as a community activist to contribute positively to the community. They also must be women who have resided or worked in Jefferson County for a minimum of three years. Last year, Key City Public Theatre Artistic Director Denise Winter was named the 2018 Woman of Excellence. “She has inspired the Port Townsend community with her artistic talents, her organizational skills and her dynamic approach to community theater,” AAUW member Michael Kubec said of Winter at the Port Townsend chapter’s annual Christmas luncheon last year. Under Winter’s leadership, Key City Public Theatre received multiple awards for artistic merit, including honors from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, and Humanities Washington. Winter had also served on the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, was the emcee of the Jefferson County Wearable Art Show and the 2018 keynote speaker for the Jefferson County Chamber’s leadership awards ceremony, and accepted the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s 2017 Collaborator of the Year award. To nominate someone you know, go to pt-wa.aauw.net and click on the “Honoring Women” link to fill out the nomination form. Submissions must also come with one to three letters of support. All nominations are due by Oct. 24, and must be sent either via email to womanofexcellence@aauwpt.org or by mail to: Michael Kubec 382 Windship Drive Port Townsend, WA 98368 The award will be presented at the AAUW Port Townsend Holiday Event in December. “AAUW Port Townsend is committed to making a significant impact on education and equity, through scholarships, elementary school projects in literacy and math, and other mission-related projects,” Kubec said. “Membership is open to those with an associate or high school degree from an accredited institution.” For information on AAUW activities and membership, visit pt-wa.aauw.net.