The annual Women Trailblazers award ceremony, an event recognizing females who act as leaders in their area of studies, will be held in the InfoCision Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The event will open with a word from the UA’s president, Scott L. Scarborough, where he will laud the women in the spotlight for their honors and recognitions.

Honorees a going to be acknowledged and celebrated for displaying prominent leadership qualities and dedication to their field of work. Sponsored by the Women’s & Gender Resource Center and Women’s Studies Program, awards are presented annually to showcase the talented women in the nation who have gone to great lengths within their area of studies.

Innovative women, showing strong pursuits of furthering their knowledge on their fields, while also demonstrating hard-work and commitment, and a handful of selected women leaders are to be honored at this assembly.

Julie Yuhua Zhao is one of the recognized honorees and Director of the Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics at UA. She explained her gratitude for the award. “The Women Trailblazers is a wonderful event celebrating diversity and achievement. I never thought I would win such an amazing honor. I feel I am very lucky, [as though] I am standing on the shoulders of people in my support group [getting] this award,” Zhao said.

The Women Trailblazers program stands to promote their message: “Women have inspired change throughout history, and are still making feminist movements today in all aspects of life and for all types of people regardless of class, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

This motto is a part of their general purpose. The country-wide group remembers past women in history who were great leaders, while also calling attention to women in today’s society.