PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2026) – The Portland Thorns and Portland Fire today announced that nominations are officially open for the 2026 EmpowHER Awards, presented by Kaiser Permanente. The awards are an annual initiative recognizing girls and women making a meaningful impact across the Portland community.
Rooted in the belief that “if you can see it, you can be it,” the EmpowHER Awards spotlight leaders, mentors, and changemakers across industries—elevating those driving progress and expanding opportunity for the next generation.
“When women and girls are empowered, entire communities thrive,” said Wendy Watson, president of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “The EmpowHER Awards celebrate the women and girls who are leading, mentoring, and inspiring others every day. Through our partnership with RAJ Sports, we’re proud to elevate their stories and invest in a future where the next generation can see what’s possible and pursue it with confidence.”
Starting May 1, community members can nominate individuals, teams, nonprofits, and small businesses across Oregon and Southwest Washington at the Thorns and Fire websites. Nominations close June 5, and winners will be celebrated at an event on August 21, with more details to be announced.
The EmpowHER Awards will recognize honorees across 8 categories, celebrating a wide range of impact—from emerging youth leaders and community connectors to athletes, mothers, and organizations advancing equity for girls and women in sport and beyond.
Award categories include:
All nominations follow a streamlined submission process designed to reduce barriers and encourage broad participation, including a short, written entry on why the nominee deserves recognition.
Following the submission period, nominees will be reviewed by an internal committee across community impact, communications, and partnerships, with final winners selected by the Her Voice Council.
Winners and their nominators will be invited to attend the EmpowHER Awards event, an evening designed to bring together community leaders, partners, and young girls for a night of recognition, connection, and storytelling.
The event will feature a mix of award presentations, networking opportunities, and programming aimed at building meaningful connections across generations.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.thorns.com/empowher-awards or http://fire.wnba.com/empowher-awards/
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About Portland Fire
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s newest franchises, making its official on-court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000-square-foot Kaiser Permanente Performance Center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (May 1, 2026) – The Portland Thorns and Portland Fire today announced that nominations are officially open for the 2026 EmpowHER Awards, presented by Kaiser Permanente. The awards are an annual initiative recognizing girls and women making a meaningful impact across the Portland community.
Rooted in the belief that “if you can see it, you can be it,” the EmpowHER Awards spotlight leaders, mentors, and changemakers across industries—elevating those driving progress and expanding opportunity for the next generation.
“When women and girls are empowered, entire communities thrive,” said Wendy Watson, president of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “The EmpowHER Awards celebrate the women and girls who are leading, mentoring, and inspiring others every day. Through our partnership with RAJ Sports, we’re proud to elevate their stories and invest in a future where the next generation can see what’s possible and pursue it with confidence.”
Starting May 1, community members can nominate individuals, teams, nonprofits, and small businesses across Oregon and Southwest Washington at the Thorns and Fire websites. Nominations close June 5, and winners will be celebrated at an event on August 21, with more details to be announced.
The EmpowHER Awards will recognize honorees across 8 categories, celebrating a wide range of impact—from emerging youth leaders and community connectors to athletes, mothers, and organizations advancing equity for girls and women in sport and beyond.
Award categories include:
All nominations follow a streamlined submission process designed to reduce barriers and encourage broad participation, including a short, written entry on why the nominee deserves recognition.
Following the submission period, nominees will be reviewed by an internal committee across community impact, communications, and partnerships, with final winners selected by the Her Voice Council.
Winners and their nominators will be invited to attend the EmpowHER Awards event, an evening designed to bring together community leaders, partners, and young girls for a night of recognition, connection, and storytelling.
The event will feature a mix of award presentations, networking opportunities, and programming aimed at building meaningful connections across generations.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.thorns.com/empowher-awards or http://fire.wnba.com/empowher-awards/
About Portland Thorns
Founded in 2012, the Portland Thorns are a global leader in women’s soccer, defined by unmatched fan support, championship success, and a longstanding commitment to excellence since their inaugural 2013 season. The Thorns have created one of the premier environments in women’s sports at Providence Park, leading the NWSL in average attendance for a league-record ninth time in 2025 and hosting four of the five largest-attended matches during the 2025 season. Portland is the winningest club in NWSL history, capturing a league-record three NWSL Championships (2013, 2017, 2022), two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021), and the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, while qualifying for the postseason a league-high 11 times. Looking ahead, the club’s investment in the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center, the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center, set to open in 2026, will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
About Portland Fire
Portland Fire is one of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s newest franchises, making its official on-court debut in 2026. Owned by RAJ Sports – led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage – the team is more than a franchise; it’s the revival of a movement, honoring the legacy of the original Portland Fire while blazing a bold new path forward. Based in Portland, Oregon, the global epicenter of women’s sports, Portland Fire is rooted in the Rose City’s enduring resilience, spirit, and passion for sport.
Looking ahead, RAJ Sports will open the world’s first dual-sport women’s performance center in 2026. The 100,000-square-foot Kaiser Permanente Performance Center will house both the Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns, and will foster an environment that champions innovation, elevates athlete development, and enhances elite performance.
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