Nominations Open for the 2025 Women In Optometry® Theia Awards of Excellence
The Theia Awards of Excellence are named for Theia, the Greek goddess of vision or sight. The final awards decision will be made by the Women In Optometry professional advisory board.
We will be presenting the Theia Awards during the American Academy of Optometry's annual meeting in October, immediately following the WO Women's Leadership Conference. More information will be coming shortly.
To celebrate 10 years of Theia Awards in 2025, we will also have Special 10th Anniversary Award: Lifetime of Leadership. This special 10th anniversary award will honor a female optometrist who has made a significant contribution to the optometric profession and the advancement of women in the profession.
Most of the award categories open for nominations are named for a trailblazing woman optometrist. Awards will be given in these eight categories:
- Lifetime of Leadership Award
- Leadership: organizational or community leadership or advocacy
- Mentoring: active role in guiding others in practice management and more beyond optometry school
- Innovation: outreach, marketing, practice models, inventions, etc.
- Education: inspirational, motivational educator
- Young OD: an OD within 10 years of graduation who shows any/all of the above qualities
- Industry Influencer: open to women ODs and non-ODs who are influencing the future of the profession in their industry roles or affiliations
- Business Insights: women ODs who have shown keen business skills and innovation in the promotion/growth of their practices or business
Nominations close on May 9, 2025