The Frances Young Trailblazer Award will recognize a rising leader who may or may not hold a formal leadership title, but who shows community driven leadership through hard work and collaboration while inspiring others.  The impact of their work in the Scottsdale community is in progress, while showing stewardship for community betterment.

The first Spirit of Community Award to be named after a woman historically significant to Scottsdale's community development, the 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.

We are proud to announce The Women's Collective as our sponsor for the new award. As the organization who proposed the idea for the Trailblazer Award to Scottsdale Leadership, The Women's Collective is a non-profit organization in Scottsdale whose mission is to inspire and elevate women leaders.  Jona Davis, Chair of the Women’s Collective says, “By introducing The Frances Young Trailblazer in the Spirit of Community Awards, 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 proud to announce this new opportunity for recognition in our community. The Frances 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.