Remarkable Women
A nationwide initiative that celebrates local women who inspire, lead, and pave the way for other women to succeed.
Nexstar’s “Remarkable Women” initiative celebrates local women who inspire, lead, and pave the way for other women to succeed.
Each year’s winner is selected from a pool of nominees from across Nexstar’s more than 200 owned or partner stations in 116 U.S. markets, The CW Network, NewsNation, and The Hill. It has generated more than 46,000 nominations and showcased more than 2,200 women since its inception in 2020.
The winner is announced during International Women’s Month with a special one-hour program airing on The CW Network, NewsNation, and on local broadcasts across Nexstar’s network of local television stations.
Nexstar has also further amplified the impact these changemakers create by donating more than $480,000 to the non-profits the Remarkable Women have chosen.
2025’s Remarkable Women
In April 2025, the 125 local market finalists, which included 11 local market finalists NewsNation chose from non-Nexstar markets, went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Los Angeles, CA.
There, they enjoyed a stay at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, a poolside reception catered by Wolfgang Puck, a tour of Hollywood, and a special “Remarkable Women” presentation at the historic TCL Chinese Theater. A major highlight was when our Remarkable Woman were brought to The Jennifer Hudson Show set and were given the star treatment as they walked through the Spirit Tunnel!
The award ceremony culminated in the selection of five regional finalists and a national “Remarkable Woman of the Year” winner. The regional finalists each receive a $5,000 donation to a charitable organization of their choosing. The Nexstar Charitable Foundation contributed $25,000 to a non-profit the national “Remarkable Woman of the Year” selects.
Who is the 2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year?
Dr. Kim Carter-Tillman, founder of the Time for Change Foundation, a non-profit organization she founded that has helped more than 4,800 women across the nation rebuild their lives with dignity and strength, has been named the “2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year.”
The prestigious honor was announced during an uplifting, star-studded event televised nationwide on The CW Network and hosted by media personality Brooke Burke.
Dr. Carter-Tillman was celebrated not only for her transformational advocacy, but for turning personal adversity into a mission of empowerment. Once incarcerated and struggling with addiction, Dr. Carter-Tillman emerged with a purpose—to ensure no woman walks alone on her path to self-sufficiency.
Regional Finalists and Local Winners
Congratulations to this year’s regional finalists who also stood as living legacies of service and inspiration:
- Brenda Robinson (Charlotte, NC) – The first African American female pilot in U.S. Navy history, now mentoring underrepresented youth through her Aviation Camps of the Carolinas.
- Inez Russell (Waco, TX) – Founder of Friends for Life, which for 35 years has uplifted seniors and adults with disabilities to live their fullest lives.
- Sandra Burgener (Champaign, IL) – Director of Minds in Motion, championing the cognitive and emotional well-being of older adults.
- Holly Schwab (Raleigh, NC) – Founder of Zach’s Toy Chest, inspired by her son’s cancer journey, which delivers over 10,000 toys annually to pediatric cancer patients.
Take a look at this interactive map and check out the local winners.