Engage Announces Engage Woman Award Recipients

For Immediate Release
May 8,2024
Contact: Jackie Gulley

WASHINGTON – Engage Founder and CEO Rachel Pearson announced the slate of women selected for the 2024 Engage Woman Awards. When selecting honorees, the Engage team and a bench of informed and insightful allies selected women who are advancing women’s economic security through innovative solutions in the public and private sectors. The Engage Woman Awards for Public Service Awards and Congressional Staffer Award will be presented at the 2nd annual Engage Awards Reception in Washington, D.C., on May 14, 2024.

2024 Engage Woman Award Recipients

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Engage Woman Award for Public Service

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), the Engage Woman Award for Public Service recipient, will be presented with the award by colleague Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).

This recognition is for her commitment to advancing bipartisan policy solutions and championing women and families. This award and recognition is dedicated to honoring your exemplary leadership in advancing disability employment legislation, particularly through the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act.

Cathy has represented Washington’s 5th Congressional District since 2004 and has earned trust and praise for her hard work, conservative principles, bipartisan outreach, and leadership. As Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy focuses on delivering results on issues like rural broadband access, healthcare improvement, climate change, and energy independence. Previously, she served as Chair of the House Republican Conference from 2012 to 2018, becoming the 200th woman elected to the U.S. House and the first to give birth three times while in office. Cathy’s mission is to restore trust in government and be a unifying force for the people of Eastern Washington.

Senator Maggie Hassan
Engage Woman Award for Public Service

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), the Engage Woman Award for Public Service recipient, will be introduced by her colleague, Senator Todd Young (R-IN).

This recognition is for her sustained commitment to advancing bipartisan policy solutions championing women and families. Her influential role in the paid family leave Senate Working Group, her passionate advocacy for disability rights, and her steadfast alignment with Engage’s core issues surrounding economic security and empowerment for women have set her apart.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, Senator Hassan has worked across the aisle to get results for Granite Staters. She is the second woman in American history to be elected both Governor and United States Senator, along with fellow New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Senator Hassan is working to build a more inclusive economic future where all people who work hard to get ahead can stay ahead. She helped author and negotiate the bipartisan infrastructure package that is now law, which will repair New Hampshire roads and bridges, get affordable high-speed internet to communities, and get clean water into people’s homes.

Katie Hadji, Legislative Director & General Counsel
Engage Woman Award for an Exceptional Congressional Staffer

Katie Rudis Hadji, the Engage Woman Award for an Exceptional Congressional Staffer recipient, will be introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

This recognition is awarded for her outstanding leadership as Legislative Director and General Counsel to Senator Cassidy. It particularly highlights her significant contributions to the Senate Paid Family Leave Working Group, of which Senator Cassidy is the Republican co-chair. Her efforts have been instrumental in advancing policies that resonate deeply with Engage’s mission to champion women and families.

Katie currently serves as the Legislative Director and General Counsel to U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., working with the Senate Finance, HELP, and ENR Committees. With extensive public and private experience, Katie has been a dedicated Tax Counsel to Tax Writing Legislators in the U.S. Congress since 2017.

Background on the Engage Woman Awards

The Engage Woman Awards seek to recognize the extraordinary contributions of female leaders who have demonstrated excellence and commitment to creating positive change in the following categories:

• Public Service: Honoring public servants who have shown consistent commitment to public service, dedication to pursuing bipartisan solutions, and outstanding achievements in improving the lives of women nationwide.
• Exceptional Congressional Staffer: Acknowledging the critical role congressional staff plays in supporting legislators’ efforts to create positive change, advocate for constituent needs, and make a significant contribution to bipartisanship in the legislative process.

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