�Yes, give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.�
--President Ezra Taft Benson
Young Womanhood Recognition
The Young Womanhood Recognition is the highest honor given in the Young Women organization. A young woman may receive this honor by completing all the requirements as outlined in the Personal Progress handbook. She may receive it anytime before she turns 19 (Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth, p. 18). Qualifying for this honor entitles her to receive the Young Womanhood Recognition certificate and to wear the Young Womanhood medallion (available in gold or silver). Young Women leaders arrange for this recognition to be presented in an appropriate way. A member of the bishopric may present it in sacrament meeting (Handbook of Instructions, p 227) or in a special meeting as outlined below.
As it takes six years to earn this recognition and the General YW Presidency has likened it to earning the Eagle Scout Award, we would encourage you to arrange for this recognition to be presented in a similar way the Eagle is presented in you ward.
This is a great opportunity to focus on the Individual Worth of each YW being presented the award�let�s make it special! Parents can help leaders or leaders can help parents in preparing this award presentation. If parents are unavailable, the Laurel class could help plan it. It is really nice to hold it during a midweek activity night so all YW may see the results of Personal Progress and it may inspire others to complete their Personal Progress goals. You may also have it on Sunday evening. Please be sure to notify the Stake YW Presidency of your recognition night, as they have a gift to present to each YW.
Please contact the General Young Women�s Presidency for a letter of congratulations for each YW. Their address is:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Young Women Office
50 E. North Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84601
A suggested program format might be: (this is only a suggested program, please have those planning the evening to personalize it according to the YW needs and desires)
Welcome YW President/Laurel President
Opening Song
Opening Prayer
Young Women�s Theme
Remarks YW President
�The Joy of working with the YW�
Special Musical Number
Remarks YW
�How the Personal Progress program and earning
the medallion has brought me closer to the Savior�
OR
Spotlight of YW by mothers or fathers
Video Presentation of YW
Presentation by Stake YW Presidency
Presentation of Medallion: Bishop or Bishopric member (Note: It's nice to have the parents come up with the YW for the presentation of their medallions.)
Closing Song
Closing Prayer
Refreshments (something the YW really likes!)
Decorations: Have a table display spotlighting the YW, may include Personal Progress projects, camp stuff, certificates, photos, scrapbooks, etc.
This program should not last more than 40-60 minutes depending on the number of girls being presented the medallion. Be sure that grandparents and people who are special to the YW are invited.
Leaders may also earn the YW Recognition (See page 19 of the Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth).