The Barnard Bold Award was established in 1979 under the auspices of the Alumnae Reunion Committee. It is given to honor and acknowledge the recipient’s excellence and achievement in their career and their dedication and contribution to the quality of life and the improvement of society. It is the highest honor the Alumnae Association bestows. One award may be given per year. ​Formerly called the Woman of Achievement Award.

Following is a list of past recipients of this award:

2023 - Jamie Babbit ’93
2022 - Nancy Gertner '67
2021 - Polly Trottenberg ’86
2020 - Margarida Pyles West ’50
2019 - Linda Yellen ’69
2018 - Lauren Graham ’88
2017 - Sesae Felicity Mpuchane ’72
2016 - Delia Ephron ’66
2015 - Alice Honig ’50
2014 - Laurie Anderson ’69
2013 - Cyndi Stivers ’78
2012 - Liz Neumark ’77
2011 - Beryl Benacerraf ’71
2010 - Sheila Nevins ’60
2009 - Alison Estabrook ’74
2008 - Constance Benjamin Clery ’53
2007 - Susan Krown ’67
2006 - Martha Nelson ’76
2005 - Robin Wagner ’80
2004 - Joan Rivers ’54
2003 - Judith Smith Kaye ’58
2002 - Fran Sussner Rodgers ’67
2001 - Dr. Helene Gayle ’76
2000 - Ntozake Shange ‘70
1999 - Marilyn Gold Laurie ’59
1998 - Martha Kostyra Stewart ’63
1997 - Susan Weber Soros ’77
1996 - not awarded
1995 - Edwidge Danticat ’90
1994 - not awarded
1993 - Twyla Tharp ’63
1992 - Jane Wyatt Ward ’32
1991 - Suzanne Vega ’81
1990 - Mary Gordon ’71
1989 - not awarded
1988 - Maxine Meyer Greene ’38
1987 - Belva Plain ’37
1986 - Francine du Plessix Gray ’52
1985 - Barbara Novak ’50
1984 - Susan Levitt Stamberg ’59
1983 - Erica Mann Jong ’63
1982 - not awarded
1981 - Ada Louise Huxtable
1980 - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1979 - Phyllis Hagmoe Lamphere ’43