2026 Women of Achievement Nominees

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Throughout history, women have contributed in many unsung roles that have made our world a better place to live. 

A luncheon was held at the Zanesville Country Club to recognize eight local women who are actively making a difference in our community.

“Ruthie Ware gave me a call one evening and said it was very urgent to call her back. And so I got to hear from Ruthie Ware that I was winning this wonderful award,” Zanesville City Schools Superintendent Laura Tompkins said. “I have won the Winifred Vogt Education Award. So I have spent many many years in education and I am lucky enough to be honored by all the women in my life that feel I have supported them.” 

Today’s luncheon was a formal introduction to the 2026 Women of Achievement award winners that introduces them to the public and highlights their individual efforts they are making to improve the environment around them. 

“I was thrilled to be nominated for the Ethel Granger Schultz Young Adult Award. And this award is nominated to a young professional between the ages of 25 and 35 I believe, for just demonstrating an outstanding civic duty in the community,” Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Lydia Tom said.

The 38th Annual Muskingum County Women of Achievement Award Presentation will take place 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22nd, at the Zane State College Campus Center, located at 1425 Newark Road in Zanesville. All proceeds from the event will help support Live Strong,  a nonprofit that advocates for cancer patients and survivors. For more information about the award program, you can visit muskingumwoa.org.

The eight 2026 Muskingum Women of Achievement award winners are:

Dianna LeVek, – Mary Vashti Jones Funk Business Award

Jennifer Martin, – Josephine Phillips Health Care Award

Allison Weeks, – Mary Townsend Professions Award

Dr. Amanda Williams, – Aldine Roach Flegal Special Recognition Award

Bailey Silver, – Muskingum Youth Community Foundation Bright Futures Award

Linda Hollingsworth, – Muskingum Family Y Lifetime Service Award

Laura Tompkins, – Winifred K. Vogt Education Award

Lydia Tom, – Ethel Granger Schultz Young Adult Award