To “imprint” is to make a lasting mark.

It also describes when one person comes to recognize another as a source of trust and support. An “imprint” is defined as a mark or depression made by pressure and an indelible distinguishing effect or influence.

Professional Dimensions’ Imprint award, formerly known as the Sacagawea Award, was originally established in 1982 to  honor career women for their accomplishments as business leaders and trailblazers within the Milwaukee region. Rebranded in 2021, we've expanded this vision to recognize two women who are making a lasting mark in their career, community and collaborations. Like the definitions of “imprint,” they are both successful and supportive. They truly embody the well-rounded character trait, and Professional Dimensions is honored to celebrate their lasting impacts.

NOW ACCEPTING ARTIST NOMINATIONS

Professional Dimensions is a leading women’s professional association in the Milwaukee area whose mission is to unite women leaders in the relentless pursuit of better. We create opportunities for our members to network, collaborate, learn, and lead, inspiring women to reach for more in all aspects of their lives. Our organization is intentionally inclusive across career experiences and personal identities, maximizing our ability to innovate and elevate those around us. Professional Dimensions challenges leaders to blaze trails in their companies and communities. Our driving ambition is to expand what is possible for women and the world they influence.

Each year, Professional Dimensions presents an Imprint Award to “Women Who Inspire.” This award recognizes two women who are making a lasting mark in their careers, community and collaborations. Like the definitions of “imprint,” they are both successful and supportive. They truly embody the well-rounded character trait, and Professional Dimensions is honored to celebrate their lasting impacts.

We are seeking to commission an artist to create this year’s Professional Dimensions Imprint Award. 

The commissioned artist will use their talents to help honor our two award recipients with the award itself as a symbol of impactful female leadership. This prestigious opportunity allows the selected artist to leave her owni mprint with the award honorees and her connections, the Professional Dimensions network of female professionals, the viewers of the Professional Dimensions Art Collection at Alverno College, and the greater Milwaukee community. 

The artist selection is open to any Wisconsin-based woman artist who consistently shows skill and originality in either metal, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, or fiber. 

The selected artist will receive a monetary honorarium of $6,000 for creating three art pieces, recognition as anhonored guest at the 2025 Artist Reception and the 2025 Imprint Awards Gala. Additionally, the artist will have a one-year honorary membership to Professional Dimensions. 

Art awards will be presented to each of the two honored Imprint Award recipients on March 13, 2025. This fundraising event, attended by more than 350 Milwaukee area business leaders, will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The selected artist will create one additional piece for the Professional Dimensions art collection, which will be on permanent display at AlvernoCollege. 

To be considered for selection as the Professional Dimensions Imprint Artist who will create these unique awards,please submit the items listed below to our nominations committee at imprint@professionaldimensions.org: 

• Artist Resume (detailing education, awards, and background in the arts); 

• Relationship of Artist with Professional Dimensions, if any; 

• Statement regarding how the Artist’s work honors the positive imprints made by women leaders and

• Selection of Artist’s visuals (please include 10-15 images if possible) in a jpeg format.

The Artist Selection Committee must receive all materials via email (imprint@professionaldimensions.org) by 11:59 PM (CST) on Monday, November 18, 2024. Submissions received after that time will not be considered.

Past Award Winners