Investing in EMERGING LEADERS

The Dottie Lamm Leadership Award

About Dottie Lamm

Former First Lady of Colorado Dottie Lamm is a legendary leader and activist. She served as Colorado’s first lady for 12 years when she emerged as a leading advocate for women’s health, quality child care, and gender equality. She was also a founding mother of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, making her mark as the first board chair.

In 1987, The Foundation created the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award to honor her commitment to advancing and accelerating opportunities for women and their families throughout the state of Colorado, by recognizing women and their resilience on the path to economic security. The first Dottie Lamm Leadership Award was granted in 1988 and has been awarded annually since. 

2022 Award Applications  

Applications for the 2022 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award are closed. Please check back here again for future updates on when they will open.

We encourage women who believe in the mission and vision of WFCO and draw inspiration from the tremendous leadership of our first board chair to apply for this one-time award of $1,500. The award can be used at the sole discretion of the selected recipient. 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be aged in their late-teens to mid-twenties
• Live in Colorado
• Identify as a woman
• Demonstrate that they have overcome challenges and are forging a path to economic security
• Identify a Colorado organization or community resource that made a significant difference in their journey
• Be available to record a short speech for our Annual Luncheon video (assistance with preparation will be provided by the WFCO team)
• Provide a valid social security number or taxpayer I.D. to accept the $1,500 award (if selected)

Questions?

If you have questions about applying for the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award or volunteering as an application reviewer, please contact Kaylyn Fern, development officer, at kaylynf@wfco.org. 

Meet Our 2021 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award Winner

Meet Natalie Guerra! 

Every year the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award honors a young woman’s commitment to advancing and accelerating opportunities for women across the state. We celebrate her resilience and leadership on her own path to economic security.

Our 2021 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner is Natalie Guerra of South High School in Denver. Congratulations, Natalie! You inspire everyone you meet and we couldn't be more excited for what's ahead for you. 

Read her inspiring speech from our 2021 Annual Luncheon!