This annual award (previously known as the Women's Impact Award and then the Women's Commission Women's Impact Award) has been established by the Women’s Commission to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women at GVSU and in the community.

In 2024, the award was renamed to The Jennifer Palm Community Impact Award to honor a long-time Women's Commission member. Jenn made us better, individually and collectively - leading by example and with respectful assertiveness - always calling in instead of calling out. She was a true, tested, and tireless advocate for social justice and made that known not through self-labeling, but through her actions and example. She was an enthusiastic supporter of women and gender equity and that manifested in many different ways. From writing nominations for awards, to coordinating campus-wide tampon drives, to serving on the Family Leave Task Force, to engaging and encouraging engagement in difficult but necessary conversations within the Women’s Commission and also via Teach-In presentations. Communication found from 2016 shares where she describes the “current bee in her bonnet”. It was “student and staff access to feminine hygiene products, the pink tax, and the crappy supplies in the university vending machines” at the time.  Jenn was able to share authentically and vulnerably and encourage others to do the same - without any loss of strength or mutual respect.

To commemorate Jenn's long-time dedication toward gender equity, this award will honor other individuals for their contributions as professionals, volunteers, or agents of change. The Jennifer Palm Community Impact Award will be presented at the annual Celebrating Women Awards Ceremony.

Nominations are encouraged from all employment groups at the University. The nomination and selection process is confidential. Please do not notify the candidate of your decision to nominate them. Those chosen for the award will be notified prior to the event. Any member of the Grand Valley community may be nominated for this award. Nominees will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Advocacy, beyond one’s job responsibilities, for gender equity in alignment with the mission of the Women’s Commission
• Commitment to improving the lives of women at Grand Valley and/or women and girls in the broader community
• Empowerment and inspiration of other women as a mentor, role model, and/or friend
• Commitment to community service
• Embodiment of the mission, vision, values, and core competencies of Grand Valley State University

2024 - Michelle McCloud

2023 - Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury

2022 - [Shift from Winter to Fall]

2021 - [COVID Pause]

2020 - [COVID Pause]

2019 - Susan Howard

2018 - Casey Thelenwood

2017 - Allison Ford

2016 - Cara Obobock

2015 - Shorouq Almallah

2014 - Diane Rayor

2013- Mitzi Loving Johnson

2012 - Debra Ross & Pat Smith

2011 - Lois Smith Owens & Dana Munk

2010 - Ramya Ramanath & Barbara Bivens

2009 - Laurie Witucki

2008 - Karen Gipson & Carol Sanchez

2007 - Shelley Irwin & Coreen Pelton

2006 - Star Swift & Elizabeth Eubanks