News Release
August 15, 2024
Scottsdale Leadership Announces
the Frances Young Trailblazer Award
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – August 15, 2024 Scottsdale Leadership will be blazing a new and exciting trail at this year’s annual Spirit of Community Awards ceremony in December 2024.
Joining the prominent Scottsdale Leadership awards named after the established and influential Scottsdale leaders Mayor Herb Drinkwater, Mayor Bill Jenkins, Assistant Fire Chief, Frank Hodges, and former president of Scottsdale Community College, Dr. Art DeCabooter, is the new
Frances Young Trailblazer Award.
The Frances Young Trailblazer Award is named after Frances Young (1921 – 2009), a Scottsdale pioneer and tireless advocate for minority rights. As a trailblazer and co-founder of Scottsdale Community Partners, Frances Young championed numerous community initiatives, including the Vista del Camino Community Center. Her Scottsdale contributions spanned over four decades, establishing essential social services, educational programs, and health initiatives for underserved communities.
The new Trailblazer Award will recognize a leader who may be early in their leadership journey and may or may not hold a formal leadership title. The impacts of their work in the Scottsdale community are in progress as compared to tenured community leaders who have a long list of
Scottsdale achievements under their belts.
The Trailblazer Award, with nominations open to all genders, is named after a Scottsdale woman who was historically significant to our community’s development. The idea of the Frances Young Trailblazer Award was proposed to Scottsdale Leadership by The Woman’s Collective,(“The WC”), a non-profit organization in Scottsdale with the mission of inspiring and elevating women leaders. The Women’s Collective is proud to have a memorable female role model as the inspiration for this award.
Jona Davis, Chair of the Women’s Collective says, “By introducing The Frances Young Trailblazer Award, Scottsdale Leadership is demonstrating a formal recognition of hard work that women have contributed to the Scottsdale community. At the same time, they are highlighting a powerful, in progress, leadership stage of community building. The Women’s Collective is proud to sponsor the Scottsdale Leadership, Frances Young Trailblazer award.”
“Scottsdale Leadership is honored to announce this new opportunity for recognition in our community. The Francis Young Trailblazer Award empowers our next generation of leaders – the ones we need to watch for what’s yet to come.” said Joanna Peyton, current Scottsdale Leadership Board President.
Scottsdale Leadership offers a challenging nine-month experiential program providing powerful learning opportunities through expert-led learning days and high-impact community projects for gaining personal and professional growth. Graduates have gone on to serve on the Scottsdale City Council, boards and commissions and in leadership roles for many corporate and non-profit organizations. Scottsdale
Leadership also focuses heavily on giving back to the community through volunteering, and it’s “Project Lead It Forward” program which assists dozens of community and non-profit organizations in meeting unfulfilled needs. Scottsdale Leadership is a non-profit organization and has graduated over 1,400 individuals since 1986.
