Awards

Awards

Recognized the world over.

Fort Worth is home to one of the country’s leading Sister Cities programs – and we have the awards to prove it. From exceptional volunteers to innovative programs, we’re showing the world how powerful citizen diplomacy can be.

International and National Awards

  • Sister Cities Award for Innovation in Youth & Education (2023, 2021, 2010, 2003, 2002)
  • Bridges-to-Friendship Award (2023)
  • Sister Cities Award for Best Overall Program (2022, 2019, 2017, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2003, 2001, 1998, 1992, 1990)
  • Sister Cities Award for Innovation in Business and Trade (2022, 2018)
  • Sister Cities Ruth Hashimoto Award: Mae Ferguson (2023)
  • Sister Cities Award for Innovation in Arts & Culture (2020, 2010)
  • Sister Cities Ruth Hashimoto Award: Mary Palko (2019)
  • Sister Cities Chairman’s Award: Mary Palko and Carlo Capua (2018)
  • Sister Cities Chairman’s Award: Mae Ferguson (2017, 2008)
  • Sister Cities President’s Award: Mary Palko (2017, 2006)
  • Sister Cities Award for Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance (2016, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2004)
  • Sister Cities Ruth Hashimoto Award: Michael Hyatt (2017)
  • Sister Cities Youth Leadership Award: Kalkidan Alemu (2016)
  • Sister Cities Youth Leadership Award: Bogdana Oliynyk (2014)
  • US/China Sister Cities Award for Youth Programs (2014)
  • Sister Cities Chairman’s Award: Michael Hyatt (2013)
  • China International Friendship Cities Association Award for International Friendly City (2012)
  • United Nations Positive Peace Award for Most Positive City Top 5 Finalist (2010)
  • Sister Cities Volunteer of the Year: Shinichi Hara (2007)
  • Sister Cities Volunteer of the Year: Elaine Yamagata (2005)
  • Sister Cities 50th Anniversary Award (2005)
  • Sister Cities Award for Innovation in Public Safety (2003)
  • Sister Cities Volunteer of the Year: Mary Palko (1999)
  • Sister Cities Special Achievement Award in Education (1996)
  • Reader’s Digest Award for Best Overall Youth Program (1991)
  • Sales and Marketing Executive Award (1990)
  • Neighborhood USA Award (1989)
  • Reader’s Digest Award for Best New Program and Most Community Involvement (1988 and 1986)

Fort Worth Sister Cities International Awards

Global Impact Award

  • 2023 Dr. Paul Stephen Thornton
  • 2022 Jacques Marquis
  • 2021 Miguel Harth-Bedoya
  • 2019 Ross Perot, Jr.
  • 2017 Bob Jameson
  • 2015 US Congresswoman Kay Granger

Global Nexus Award

  • 2023 American Airlines
  • 2022 Mrs. Renfro’s
  • 2021 The University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth
  • 2019 Cook Children’s Health Care Company
  • 2018 Bell
  • 2017 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
  • 2016 Alcon
  • 2015 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Global Citizens Award

  • 2023 The Herd
  • 2022 Fort Worth Zoo
  • 2021 Kimbell Art Museum
  • 2019 The Links, Incorporated
  • 2018 Rotary International
  • 2017 Catholic Charities
  • 2016 The Cliburn
  • 2015 Black Ecumenical Leadership Alliance

Youth Volunteer of the Year

  • 2023 Delia Sanchez Juarez
  • 2022 Leah Peterson
  • 2021 Reshma Niraula
  • 2019 DJ Carter
  • 2017 Alexandra Galloway
  • 2016 Lauren Titsworth
  • 2015 Bogdana Oliynyk
  • 2014 Kalkidan Alemu
  • 2013 Sarika Sabnis
  • 2012 Zackary Kurima
  • 2011 Morgan Killian
  • 2010 Daniel Watson
  • 2009 Treasure Tinsley
  • 2008 Mary Robinson
  • 2007 Jamie Drillette
  • 2006 Diana Alexander-Oates
  • 2005 Chelsea Marshall
  • 2004 Jamarcus Perdue
  • 2003 Callie Baker
  • 2002 Elizabeth Jane McCune
  • 2001 Lindsay Wilson

Volunteer of The Year

  • 2023 Susan Turner
  • 2022 Kimberly Kowalski
  • 2021 Milena Razack
  • 2020 Terri West
  • 2019 Andréanne Annis
  • 2018 Matt Graves
  • 2017 Sherri Whiting
  • 2016 Heather Kurima
  • 2015 Tara Forrest
  • 2014 Manny Reyes & Daniel Segura
  • 2013 Roswitha Knoop
  • 2012 Cody Cox
  • 2011 Eva Bonilla
  • 2010 Jay Kurima
  • 2009 Dave & Jean Frick
  • 2008 Marsha Rapfogel
  • 2007 Carlo Capua
  • 2006 Rachel Bounds
  • 2005 Becky Haskin
  • 2004 Neil & Eva Isbell
  • 2003 Winston & Dorothy Measures
  • 2002 David & Claudine Marion
  • 2001 Mary Lou Patterson
  • 2000 Winston & Cindy Fuller
  • 1999 Asako Cosby
  • 1998 Barbara Sides

The Bob Bolen Award for Outstanding Board Leadership

  • 2023 Shanna Granger
  • 2022 Jan Titsworth
  • 2021 Cindy Johnson
  • 2020 Libby Watson
  • 2019 Carlo Capua
  • 2018 Michael Roemer, PhD
  • 2017 Greg Irwin
  • 2016 Julie Johncox
  • 2015 Ann Rice
  • 2014 Phil Moroneso
  • 2013 Staussa Ervin, EdD
  • 2012 Paul Geisel, PhD
  • 2011 Doug Harman
  • 2010 Kathryn Bryan
  • 2009 Becky Renfro Borbolla
  • 2008 Hilde Horchler
  • 2007 Jane Schlansker
  • 2006 Karen Anisman
  • 2005 Steve Roth
  • 2004 Nancy Marchant
  • 2003 Bob Jameson
  • 2002 Mary Palko
  • 2001 Elaine Yamagata
  • 2000 Mike Hyatt

The Yamagata Emerging Leaders Scholarship

  • 2024 Yaretzi Navarro
  • 2023 Delia Sanchez Juarez
  • 2019 Will Lourcey
  • 2018 Melany Rodriguez
  • 2017 Mario Terrell, II
  • 2016 Madeline Hale
  • 2015 Selin Karsi
  • 2013 Janet Diaz
  • 2012 Megan Eckelbarger
  • 2011 Gladys Guevara
  • 2010 Ilsa Gehman
  • 2009 Lauren Eller
  • 2008 Mallory Moore
  • 2007 Taylor Breen

The Eisenhower Award for Organizational Involvement

This award is presented annually to an organization that consistently supports Sister Cities’ activities both financially and with involvement.

  • 2023 Hao’s Grocery & Cafe
  • 2022 Botanical Research Institute of Texas
  • 2021 MedStar Mobile Healthcare
  • 2020 Junior League of Fort Worth
  • 2019 Fort Worth Country Day School
  • 2018 Rotary Club of Fort Worth
  • 2017 Women’s Policy Forum and Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas
  • 2016 Kids Who Care
  • 2015 Bank of Texas
  • 2014 Visit Fort Worth
  • 2013 Japanese Society of Fort Worth
  • 2012 Fort Worth Independent School District
  • 2011 UNT Health Science Center
  • 2010 The Renaissance Worthington Hotel FW
  • 2009 Black Ecumenical Leadership Alliance
  • 2008 Sundance Square
  • 2007 Texas Christian University
  • 2006 American Airlines
  • 2005 Texas Health Resources
  • 2004 InterStar Marketing & Public Relations
  • 2003 JPMorgan Chase Bank
  • 2002 Bell
  • 2001 Alcon