A Celebration of Trailblazing Women
The National Women's History Museum will host its 2026 Women Making History Awards Gala on November 6 in Chicago, Illinois, bringing together luminaries from entertainment, sports, business and education to honor those who have reshaped American society.
Meryl Streep, the three‑time Oscar‑winning actress, will serve as Honorary Chair for the evening, lending her voice to a program that spotlights women whose contributions span from the classroom to the boardroom and the playing field.
Among the honorees, Laura Ricketts, owner of the Chicago Stars FC, the Chicago Cubs and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, will be recognized for her pioneering work in women’s professional sports and her extensive philanthropic efforts that support community development.
Gregg Renfrew, founder of the clean‑beauty brands beecee and Counter, joins the roster for her leadership in advocating for safer cosmetics and for testifying before Congress on FDA regulations that protect consumers, especially women.
The U.S. Women's National Hockey Team will receive the award in acknowledgment of its Olympic and World Championship triumphs and its relentless push for equity in women’s sports, inspiring a new generation of athletes.
The gala also celebrates educators Ruby Bridges, Kristen Kelly and Serene Williams, alongside the law firm ArentFox Schiff, for their dedication to expanding women’s historical representation and for shaping policies that advance economic opportunity.
Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum continues to make women’s contributions visible through digital exhibitions, educational programming and public outreach, reinforcing the belief that women’s history is essential to America’s progress.
The event underscores the museum’s mission to educate the nation about equity, opportunity and the policies that shape women’s lives, reminding attendees that lasting change begins with awareness and advocacy.