8th annual Women of Impact Awards honors 20 leaders, surprises Allison Ross with Founder’s Award

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August 28, 2026

The Florentine Ballroom buzzed with conservation and clinking glasses Thursday evening as Alabama’s 20 most influential women — and the people who loved them most — arrived for the 2026 Women of Impact Awards.

The crowd was composed of the highest echelon of state leaders: U.S. Senator Katie Britt, there to celebrate her sister, Jackson Boyd Rumsey. Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, on hand for honoree Jade Scofield. Alabama’s next Secretary of State, Caroleene Dobson. Alabama’s next Attorney General, Katherine Robertson. As well as State Reps. Cindy Myrex, Susan DuBose, PSC President Cynthia Lee Almond and Madison Mayor Ranae Bartlett.

It was a room full of women who lead — and the people proud to stand behind them.

But the night wasn’t about titles. It was about the throughline connecting all 20 honorees: women from vastly different careers and callings who show up, again and again, for their communities and for Alabama itself.

Traditionally, YHN Media Group dedicates the “Momma B Award” — named in memory of a true Woman of Impact, Joann Bashinsky — to a woman whose life’s work has touched countless others. This year, though, marking 15 years of Yellowhammer News, the media group did something different.

Near the end of the evening, the room quieted for a new honor: the Founder’s Award, dedicated to the woman who created Women of Impact in the first place, Allison Ross.

Ross, who serves as Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Huntsville Hospital Health System and once helped build Yellowhammer Multimedia — launching both 256 Today and SoulGrown Alabama along the way — was visibly moved as she accepted it.

“We’re not very good at sharing our own stories,” Ross told the room, “so just keep sharing theirs.”

It was a fitting close to a night built entirely around that idea.

“Each honoree has taken a different path to get here, and each represents her own unique version of what it means to be a woman in leadership. That’s part of what makes this recognition so special,” said Courtney Hancock, Vice President of Brand Strategy for YHN Media Group.

“There is no single formula for leadership, and there certainly isn’t one way to make an impact, but each of our 20 honorees tonight has done so significantly.”

To submit an impactful woman for the 2027 Women of Impact Awards, please email [email protected].

Evy Gallagher is the managing editor of Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].