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