Nominate an ExtraOrdinary Woman today!
Nominate an ExtraOrdinary Woman today!
We are accepting nominations for our Fourth Quarter 2024 EOW Honoree.
4th Quarter Nomination Period is Now - Nov. 15
All nominations submitted are considered for one full calendar year from time of nomination. Thank you for all of your extraordinary nominations so far!
Awards Ceremony 4th Quarter is Tues., Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Honoree Awards Ceremonies are at the Fort Jesse Imaging & Gale Keeran Center for Women’s Conference Room, 2200 Fort Jesse Rd, Normal. The public is invited to come celebrate.
How do I nominate an ExtraOrdinary Woman? Simply visit our Nominate Tab above to nominate online!
Congratulations to our Third Quarter 2024 Honoree Frances Maddox
By Sarah Lynn Burkhardt
“It's a journey, that’s what I like to call it,” shares Frances Maddox, as she describes her grief and growth after the passing of her stepson, Anthony Maddox, in 2013. A dedicated soldier who served bravely in the U.S. Army, whose life was tragically cut short due to injuries sustained in a petroleum incident while deployed in Afghanistan. For Frances, this loss signifies not just the end of a life but the beginning of a profound emotional journey marked by love, memory and a persistent sense of absence.
"Every holiday, there’s an empty seat," Frances shares. The acknowledgment of this vacancy at family gatherings serves as a stark reminder of what has been lost. She describes her grief as a series of "tidal waves." Initially, these waves crash continuously, overwhelming her with raw emotion. "At first, it feels like they’re flowing all the time," she explains. "But as you begin to heal, those tidal waves occur less frequently." Each wave carries the weight of memories, moments and the harsh reality of absence, but over time, Frances has found ways to navigate these surges.
Special thanks to our partners who help sponsor the ExtraOrdinary Women Project: The Pantagraph, EOW Board of Directors, Limited Magazine, That’s What She Said, Fr. Patrick, St. Bede Abbey, Blue Skies Counseling, LLC, Donny B's Popcorn, Rob Dob’s Restaurant, Brenda Baker, Ivy Lane Bakery, Norma Roberts, Renee Fehr and anonymous donors.
Let’s keep bringing out the hidden #GirlPower in Blo-No.
We are celebrating the ExtraOrdinary among us.
Calling everyday heroes.
We are accepting nominations on a continual basis. Deadlines for nominations are:
1st Quarter Nomination Period is Now - March 15
2nd Quarter Nomination Period is March 16 - June 15
3rd Quarter Nomination Period is June 16 -Sept. 15
4th Quarter Nomination Period is Sept. 16 - Nov. 15
Please note that all nominations will be considered for one full calendar year.
The ExtraOrdinary Women Project (EOW) recognizes the immense potential women have to take their ordinary lived experiences and create extraordinary legacies. The EOW Project’s Vision is to bring women together in celebration and in sisterhood through sharing stories, providing mentorship, and creating space for collective inspiration.
All submissions will be reviewed quarterly and one ExtraOrdinary Woman honoree will be featured on our website and by our local media partners. Submitted nominations not chosen to be featured will be considered for a full year. All submissions are reviewed blindly with identifying information removed to retain an unbiased review.
Celebrating women. Sharing stories. Inspiring others.
The Pantagraph, September 1, 2021
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions by filling out our form. We can also be reached by email or via Facebook.
Email
extraordinarywomenBN@gmail.com
@ExtraOrdinaryWomenProjectBN