Remarkable Women
A nationwide initiative that celebrates local women who inspire, lead, and pave the way for other women to succeed.
Nexstar’s annual Remarkable Women initiative spotlights the women who lift their communities, lead with purpose, and clear a path for others. Across 116 markets, thousands are nominated for the impact they make every day—and from those stories, local finalists rise.
Now in its seventh year, the program has inspired more than 70,000 nominations nationwide—70% submitted by other women—proof that greatness grows in community. Nearly 12,000 nominations came in for 2026 alone.
Finalists and nominees are featured on Nexstar’s local stations and on NewsNation, amplifying their stories nationwide. And through the initiative, Nexstar has contributed more than $1.6 million in cash and in‑kind media support to nonprofits across the country.
Nexstar’s 2026 Remarkable Woman of the Year was awarded $25,000 to donate to the non-profit charitable organization of her choice. Nexstar has also committed to airing public service announcements in support of her chosen charity.
Nexstar's 2026 Remarkable Woman of the Year
WKRN and Nashville’s very own Becca Stevens was honored not only for her transformational advocacy, but for turning personal adversity into a global mission of healing and empowerment. A survivor of childhood trauma, Ms. Stevens transformed her experience into a lifelong commitment to create safe, loving, and economically empowering pathways for women recovering from trafficking, addiction, and exploitation.
As the founder of Thistle Farms, a $13 million global movement, Ms. Stevens has spent nearly three decades dedicated to women’s freedom from trafficking and exploitation. Since 1997, working alongside survivors, she has built nationally recognized residential recovery communities and thriving justice enterprises providing meaningful employment to women. Her vision helped Thistle Farms expand far beyond its Nashville-based home: Ms. Stevens has founded 13 nonprofits, mentored more than 70 organizations, and raised $90 million to advance mission‑driven work around the world. Through the Thistle National Network and Global Shared Trade, she helps support 92 organizations and 1,400 artisan survivors across 21 countries amplifying a message rooted in dignity, community, and economic freedom.
A celebrated author and speaker, Ms. Stevens continues to inspire audiences globally with her unwavering belief that love is the most powerful force for change.
Regional Winners
This year’s four other regional finalists stand as living legacies of service and inspiration:
Cass Forkin from Philadelphia, PA (WPHL)
Founder of the Twilight Wish Foundation, granting more than 7,200 wishes that restore dignity and joy to seniors nationwide.
Elizabeth Dry from Tyler, TX (KETK)
Launched Promise of Peace Gardens, building 19 community farms and programs designed to strengthen food security and sustainability across East Texas.
Katie Stagliano from Charleston, SC (WCBD)
Founded Katie’s Krops, a youth-powered hunger relief movement that has grown over 800,000 pounds of produce to feed communities.
Tara Williamson from Raleigh, NC (WNCN)
Pioneered restorative medical tattooing through Pink Ink Tattoo, transforming breast cancer recovery worldwide while advocating for federal legislation that would ensure fair insurance reimbursement for medically necessary areola tattooing.
Additional Awards
New for 2026, additional awards were presented in the categories of education, healthcare, business and entrepreneurship, public safety/public service, and leadership. The following women were announced as winners:
EDUCATION
Sherita Harmon from Houston, TX (KIAH)
Empowers students through innovative teaching, real-world health science training, and nonprofits that provide mentorship and essential resources, removing barriers to opportunity and success.
HEALTHCARE
Martha Kaley from Greensboro, NC (WGHP)
Turned her own accidental breast cancer discovery into a national movement for earlier detection, founding the only U.S. nonprofit dedicated to developing a biological test for early identification and helping fund 138 research grants and nearly $5.5 million in scientific breakthroughs through earlier.org.
BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Shelley Wilson from Honolulu, HI (KHON/KHII)
Turned personal adversity into Wilson Care Group, a purpose-driven healthcare enterprise generating over $50M annually while creating hundreds of local jobs and delivering innovative, aloha-centered senior care across Hawaiʻi.
PUBLIC SAFETY/PUBLIC SERVICE
Joell McNew from Austin, TX (KXAN/KNVA/KBVO)
Pioneered restorative medical tattooing through Pink Ink Tattoo, transforming breast cancer recovery worldwide while advocating for federal legislation that would ensure fair insurance reimbursement for medically necessary areola tattooing.
LEADERSHIP
Margie Singleton from Savannah, GA (WSAV)
After her breast cancer diagnosis, she championed “Margie’s Law,” requiring healthcare providers to notify roughly 800,000 Georgia women each year about dense breast tissue risks while mentoring patients and advancing advocacy for earlier breast cancer detection.
Watch “Remarkable Women Across America”
The “Remarkable Women Across America” telecast was hosted by Leeza Gibbons, former longtime host of Entertainment Tonight, and featured musical performances by Morgan Myles, a past finalist for NBC’s “The Voice,” known for the fastest four-chair turn in the show’s history, and Blanco Brown, an American country-rap artist best known for his viral multi-platform hit, “The Git Up.”
Local market finalists and nominees were profiled on Nexstar’s local stations and on the company’s national cable news network, NewsNation on Sunday, March 22, and local broadcasts in Nexstar television markets across the country will follow.
