WHW honors founder, opens nominations for 2026

In Bonner County, a unique tradition continues to celebrate the lives, leadership, and lasting contributions of remarkable women. 

Through its annual Women of Wisdom Lifetime Achievement Award, Women Honoring Women recognizes women whose dedication, compassion, and leadership have helped shape the community for generations.

The organization and its signature award were founded by the late Marsha Ogilvie, whose vision created a lasting sisterhood that continues to inspire today.

Simply put, Women Honoring Women would not exist without Ogilvie. The 142 women who have been honored since 1999 might never have experienced the joy of this recognition — the moment when a lifetime of service is celebrated not only by family and friends, but by an entire community. The award offers something deeper than a ceremony. It offers belonging: an empowering sisterhood of wisdom that acknowledges and celebrates the power of women’s contributions.

Since its founding, the Women of Wisdom recognition has honored women who embody leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to Bonner County. Ogilvie herself lived those values.

She and her husband, Francis, moved to Sandpoint in 1994, quickly becoming an integral part of the community. The couple owned two downtown shops, The Candy Cottage and All Smiles, where Ogilvie became known for her warm conversations with customers — especially the many children who loved stopping by to visit.

Those simple connections reflected her larger calling: caring deeply about people, particularly the most vulnerable.

Ogilvie’s passion for helping children led her to found Kinderhaven, North Idaho’s only privately funded group home and emergency shelter for abused and neglected children. Through her vision, determination, and advocacy, more than a thousand children found safety and hope.

Her commitment to community service did not stop there. She founded Women Honoring Women to celebrate the women whose quiet dedication often goes unnoticed — volunteers, leaders, artists, educators, and mentors who enrich the Sandpoint area through their lives and work.

Once Ogilvie had established strong leadership to continue the organizations she helped create, she turned her attention to public service. In 2009 she was elected to the Sandpoint City Council, and in 2011 she became mayor of the city she loved so deeply.

Even later in life, her creativity and curiosity continued. In 2013 she co-authored a children’s book, Gigi’s Enchanted Forest, inspired in part by the late local storyteller Hazel Hall.

Those who knew Ogilvie remember her as a woman of deep integrity, tireless energy, and unwavering compassion. The organizations she founded — and the lives they have touched — continue to reflect her enduring legacy.

Today, Women Honoring Women carries that vision forward through the Women of Wisdom Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominees must be 65 years of age or older and demonstrate qualities that reflect the spirit of the award, including:

• Vision and collaboration: Bringing people together to achieve meaningful goals

• Love of learning: A lifelong curiosity and commitment to growth

• Community Commitment: Years of dedicated service benefiting Bonner County

• Leadership: Leading with purpose and responsibility

• Inspiration: Serving as a role model for future generations

• Grace, courage and integrity: Facing life’s challenges with strength, dignity, and compassion

Posthumous nominations are also accepted.

The 2026 Women of Wisdom Gala Luncheon will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Marigold Bistro in Sandpoint, where the next class of Women of Wisdom will be honored and welcomed into this growing sisterhood of community leaders.

The nomination deadline is April 20, 2026.

Community members are encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation that includes the nominator’s name and contact information, along with the nominee’s full contact details. Letters should describe how the nominee fulfills each of the Women of Wisdom criteria.

Nominations may be submitted by email to [email protected] or mailed to Women Honoring Women, 419 Upper Humbird Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. The strongest nominations clearly address each of the Women of Wisdom criteria and provide specific examples of how the nominee embodies them.

Through each new class of honorees, the organization continues to fulfill Ogilvie’s original vision: recognizing women whose lives reflect wisdom, generosity, and a lasting commitment to Bonner County — and ensuring their stories inspire generations to come.

    Women Honoring Women was founded by the late Marsha Ogilvie, whose vision led to the founding of the Women of Wisdom Lifetime Achievement Award. Through the award, Women Honoring Women recognizes women whose dedication, compassion, and leadership have helped shape the community for generations.