Gov. Mike Braun recognized five Hoosier women with 2025 Torchbearer Awards during a ceremony on Nov. 18 in the Governor’s Office at the Indiana Statehouse.
Braun presented four Torchbearer Awards and one lifetime achievement honor, commending recipients for their accomplishments across a range of fields and contributions to the state.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Betsy Wiley received the lifetime achievement award for her decades of public service on behalf of Indiana students, including her work supporting school choice and advocating for parents’ rights in education.
Torchbearer Award Recipients
Monica Kelsey was honored for her advocacy to prevent infant abandonment and her work with Safe Haven Baby Boxes, which helped make Indiana a national leader in Safe Haven initiatives. The state’s Safe Haven law marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Grace Estabrook, a former Penn State swimmer and diver, was recognized for raising concerns about competitive fairness, athlete safety, and privacy in women’s sports. Her advocacy contributed to policy changes addressing the participation of transgender athletes.
Kristian Stricklen, president of the Madame Walker Legacy Center since 2021, was recognized for leading the historic institution into a period of renewed financial stability and cultural impact.
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, who represents Indiana’s 9th District, was honored for her leadership in Congress. She was elected House Republican Conference secretary for the 119th Congress in 2024, making her the second-highest-ranking woman in the House GOP majority.
The awards were presented on behalf of the Indiana Commission for Women, which established the Torchbearer Awards in 2004 to highlight extraordinary contributions by women across the state.
