Photographer Ann Marsden creates beautiful portraits of our Dream Maker Award Winners.
Dream Maker Awards
This awards program was created in 1996 to celebrate four Minnesotans who encourage and support the achievements of girls and women. The Awards reflect the mission and spirit of the first all-woman expedition to ski across Antarctica, the American Women's Expedition (AWE). Its mission: "to focus our attention on existing and potential achievements of girls and women--in broad areas of life and work, while encouraging all people to take on new challenges."
Each year, the awards will be given to a girl, a woman, an organization or company, and an individual from within an organization or company whose spirit and accomplishments deserve recognition. The recipients of the Ann Bancroft Awards will be selected by a blue ribbon panel of judges, representative of many professional areas.
The Awards have been named for Ann Bancroft, a native Minnesotan, who is the first and only woman to reach both the North and South Poles, across ice and land, by dog sled and ski. On Antarctica, she led the first all-woman team from the edge of the continent to the South Pole.
In, 2000-2001, Ann and Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen become the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica's landmass - completing a 94 -day, 1,717-mile (2,747 trek).
The awards are presented to our four winners at a gala banquet in the Spring of each year. Over 800 individuals representing business leadership, education, health and the arts, as well as many young girls from organizations and schools from around the state, are in attendance. Each year, the awards banquet has raised in excess of $100,000. The money raised at each Award’s benefit goes toward the support of programs of the Ann Bancroft Foundation.
Each winner receives $1,000. The Ann Bancroft Awards are given in two award categories, each honoring two award recipients for a total of four awards.
Achievement and Leadership
"Girl" and "Woman" categories To a Minnesota girl and woman who demonstrate leadership and accomplishment in their areas of interest or work, inspiring and encouraging others while defining and pursuing their own goals. Each works for accomplishment, and self-actualization and in the finding of herself energizes others to do the same. The scope of her impact reaches beyond the defined area of her interests and endeavors.
Support and Leadership "Individual" and "Organization" categories
To a Minnesota organization or corporation and an individual within an organization or corporation who encourage and support the achievements of girls and women. Their work and activities set an inspiring standard for others to follow and by example raise our estimation of those they support and encourage.
about our founder…
Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams.
keep in touch…
Ann Bancroft Foundation
808 14th Avenue SE
Minneapolis, 55414
612-676-9484
email us
support the dream…
The Ann Bancroft foundation could not fulfill its mission without the generous support of our volunteers and donors.