Introducing the 2026 Girl of the Year Award
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The 2026 WIT Awards are coming, and one of the most meaningful recognitions we give belongs to a high school girl who is just getting started.
Every year, we host our WIT Awards to celebrate women and girls across the tech community who are doing remarkable things. The Girl of the Year Award is one of the most personal recognitions of the evening.
This award exists because we believe that recognition matters early. When a young woman is seen and celebrated for what she is already doing, it changes how she sees herself and what she believes is possible.
Who Should Apply
The Girl of the Year Award is open to high school juniors and seniors who have participated in a WIT Girls program and are pursuing technology with purpose, curiosity, and drive. If that is you, or if you know a girl who fits that description, we want to hear from you. Self-applications are encouraged. Sometimes the most deserving person is the one who would never think to put herself forward.
What the Process Looks Like
Applications are reviewed by the WIT Awards committee, who select the top three finalists. From there, finalists submit video responses to award-related questions and a recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor. Each finalist then participates in a virtual interview with our judging panel.
All three finalists are invited to attend the 2026 WIT Awards ceremony on October 22 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, where the Girl of the Year winner is announced live.
Why This Recognition Matters
The WIT Girls program introduces young women to technology careers at a critical moment in their lives. The Girl of the Year Award is a continuation of that work. It says to a young woman: what you are doing matters, your community sees you, and you belong in this industry.
Last year’s winner, Dyuthi Gurijala, captured it well: “It’s taught me that my work in STEM education is making an impact, and it will continue to make an impact in the future.”
Apply by August 24, 2026
Applications for the 2026 Girl of the Year Award are open now through August 24, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.
If you are a WIT Girls program participant in high school, this award was made for you. Apply today or share this with a girl in your community who should be recognized.
Women in Technology (WIT) creates possibilities for more women to explore, pursue, persist, and lead in technology. Learn more at mywit.org.