The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is calling for nominations for a prize encouraging women to become leaders in their church.

The Sylvia Michel Prize is awarded once every two years to a woman in the Reformed church movement who provides exceptional leadership in promoting opportunities for women to serve as leaders in their church and community.

A prize of $5,000 is awarded to an organization or individual working to encourage women to assume leadership positions in their church or investigating unequal opportunities for men and women to become leaders in WCRC member churches around the world.

The award is named for Europe’s first female church executive/president. In 1980, Sylvia Michel became the first woman to be elected as church council president of the Cantonal Church of Aargau, Switzerland.

A jury consisting of the women presidents of Reformed churches in Switzerland and the WCRC executive secretary for justice and partnership select the winner.

Applications should be submitted prior to August 31, 2014. The entry form and eligibility criteria are available here.