The Marble Institute of America (MIA)+Building Stone Institute's(BSI) Women in Stone has unveiled two new opportunities to promote the program’s efforts to promote women in the stone industry.

The Women in Stone Pioneer Award will recognize an advocate within the stone industry for their role in recruiting, retain and advancing women. The winner’s performance in promoting women should be exemplary, honorable, and inspirational. Women in Stone co-chair, Allyson Humphries, stated, “The Pioneer Award recognizes an individual who has ventured into the unknown to educate and empower women in our industry.”

Co-chair, Kim Dumais, said, “There are many individuals within our industry who go above and beyond to educate and elevate women. This award has been established to acknowledge those individuals and recognize them publicly for their efforts.” 

The Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship will provide an MIA+BSI member with an all-expense paid trip to a 2017 industry event. The winner will also be able to shadow industry professionals during the event, in order to gain a better understanding of different sectors of the industry. Applicants should be a first-time attendee of the chosen event and should have between 2 to 5 years of stone industry experience.

“The Empowerment Scholarship is designed to provide an opportunity that otherwise may not be accessible to women in the industry,” said Dumajs. "The scholarship offers a unique opportunity to be personally guided, mentored and exposed to all aspects of our industry.”

For more information, visit naturalstoneinstitute.org/womeninstone.