TULSA, Okla. – Mayor Monroe Nichols, alongside the Tulsa Women’s Commission and YWCA Tulsa, announced the winners of the 2025 Pinnacle Awards and the Anna C. Roth Legacy Award at a news conference this morning. The awards celebrate exceptional women whose contributions have made a profound impact on the Tulsa community.
Since 1987, the Pinnacle Awards have recognized trailblazing women leaders in Tulsa, celebrating their professional achievements and community service. This year’s honorees join a legacy of over 250 women who have shaped Tulsa’s landscape through empowerment and equity.
“I am honored to recognize these remarkable women for their hard work and dedication to enhancing the quality of life for every resident in our city,” said Mayor Nichols. “We are fortunate to have these incredible individuals in Tulsa, and I am grateful for their service to our community.”
YWCA Tulsa CEO Julie Davis echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying, “The women we are celebrating this year are leading on issues that impact our whole Tulsa community — health, education, business. We have so much to learn from their leadership and the challenges they address.”
The honorees will be celebrated at the Pinnacle Awards Celebration on April 4, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Cox Business Center. Tickets for the event are available at www.ywcatulsa.org/pinnacle-awards until March 15.
2025 Honorees:
- Anna C. Roth Legacy Award: Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, CEO of the Indian Health Care Resource Center, honored for her nearly 50 years of leadership and advocacy in urban Native American healthcare.
- Corporate Champion: Littleton Legal, recognized for its dedication to workplace inclusivity and support for women entrepreneurs.
- Arts & Humanities: Luisa Krug, for her revitalization efforts in East Tulsa through cultural and economic initiatives.
- Health & Wellness: Laura Bellis, for redefining reproductive healthcare and championing health equity in Tulsa.
- Entrepreneur: Stephanie Jackson, the first Black female president of the Tulsa Bar Association, for her advocacy and mentorship.
- Community Service: Sarah Gilpin, Chair of Tulsa’s Asian Affairs Commission, for her work fostering diversity and inclusion.
- Education: Dr. Delia Kimbrel, for her data-driven initiatives to bridge education inequities in Tulsa.
- Corporate Business: Jhoanna Astudillo, for her leadership at BOK Financial and her support for Hispanic/Latino communities.
- Rising Star: Whitney Cipolla, for her advocacy in education and equity through her roles in Teach For America and TYPROS.
The Pinnacle Awards, co-hosted by YWCA Tulsa since 2015, highlight the mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and advancing social justice. For more information, visit www.ywcatulsa.org.
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