Nominations for the 36th Maine Women’s Hall of Fame in 2026 are now being accepted to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to improving opportunities for all Maine women. Deadline for nomination submissions is Nov. 1.

An organization or individual can nominate an outstanding woman whose achievements have made a significant statewide impact and improved the lives of women in Maine, and whose contributions have enduring value for women. Nomination requirements and submission information are online.

An induction ceremony in the spring, typically held during Women’s History Month in March, will honor the woman or women of achievement selected by an independent panel of judges. 

Past inductees to the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame include authors, athletes, artists, activists, administrators, political and religious leaders, educators, doctors, lawyers, scientists and college presidents. Among the most recent honorees: physician Julia McDonald, community activist Nancy Fritz and astronaut Jessica Meir. A full list of inductees, starting with Sen. Margaret Chase Smith and women’s health advocate Mabel Wadsworth in 1990, is online.

Maine Business and Professional Women/Maine Futurama Foundation established the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame. The Bennett D. Katz Library at the University of Maine at Augusta has a collection of photographs, video recordings and other materials from the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, as well as a permanent public gallery of inductee portraits.

Maine BPW/Futurama Foundation, working with Maine Community Foundation, awards annual scholarships to outstanding and deserving Maine women to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.