Information about WAVIT's Mary Cook Empowerment Award:
The Women in AV/IT organization has launched the Mary Cook Empowerment Award: Designing the Future, an annual scholarship honoring Mary Cook, a pioneer in the audiovisual industry who championed gender inclusion and professional development for women. Applications are currently open and will close on April 18, 2025, with the recipient to be announced on May 2, 2025, and the ceremony taking place at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Cook, who co-founded local AVIXA Women's Council groups in Atlanta and Michigan, made significant strides in advancing women's careers in the AV/IT sector. Her dedication culminated in her induction into the SCN Hall of Fame at InfoComm in 2017. The Mary Cook Empowerment Award is a testament to her impact and commitment to empowering women in the industry.
To support the scholarship program, AVIXA is offering a comprehensive InfoComm experience, enabling recipients to explore pro AV solutions, education, and networking opportunities at the U.S. trade show.
Sarah Joyce, AVIXA's chief global officer, expressed her admiration for Cook's contributions, stating, "Mary was devoted to making tangible and lasting contributions to the AV industry and supporting women to develop their careers. She brought her technical expertise to her service on AVIXA's Standards Steering Committee and was a very early driver of the AVIXA Women's Council, where she was a strong supporter and advocate for women to pursue their CTS certifications."
The Mary Cook Empowerment Award is designed to support women in the early stages of their careers in AV/IT, with a focus on AV system design and audio/visual environments. The scholarship package includes a full InfoComm tradeshow package, WAVIT and AVIXA memberships, access to WAVIT's Mentorship Program, and potential mentorship from NV5.
In 2021, the inaugural recipient of the Mary Cook Empowerment Award was Alexandra Garip of AVI-SPL. The award aims to provide early-career women in AV/IT with opportunities to be recognized, mentored, and supported as they advance in the industry. It serves as a platform to empower and celebrate their progress in the AV/IT sector.
This scholarship, the Mary Cook Empowerment Award, is designed to aid women in the early stages of their careers in the AV/IT sector, particularly focusing on AV system design and audio/visual environments. It offers opportunities for recognition, mentorship, and support, reflecting Mary Cook's dedication to career development and education-and-self development within the industry.
