Flanked by Senate Republican Caucus Whip Ann Rivers (left) and Senate Republican Caucus Chair Linda Evans Parlette, Secretary of State Kim Wyman thanks the Senate Republican Caucus for giving her the Women in Leadership Award. (Photos courtesy of Legislative Support Services Photography Department)

Secretary of State Kim Wyman has received a new award from legislators for her work in helping make an information technology training program available, for free, to people throughout Washington.

Wyman is the first recipient of the Women in Leadership Award, presented by the Senate Republican Caucus. The award is given to a woman who has positioned herself as a leader in business and/or the community to expand opportunities and awareness for women in the workplace and society.

Senate Republican Caucus Chair Linda Evans Parlette of Wenatchee presented Wyman with an award plaque during a caucus meeting Saturday morning, moments after the Senate passed a resolution honoring Women’s History Month and Washington’s strong women leaders.

Secretary Wyman is recognized by the Senate after it passes a resolution honoring Women’s History Month. Seated next to Wyman is Women’s History Consortium Coordinator Shanna Stevenson.

Parlette cited Wyman’s successful efforts to help launch the Washington State Library Microsoft IT Academy, which is creating career opportunities for women by increasing their skills and expanding opportunities.

The IT Academy program, which began last November, is a partnership between the Washington State Library and Microsoft, bringing the software giant’s IT Academy online training to Washingtonians, for free, at around 400 libraries across the state.