Janice Fernheimer has received a WOW award for women who have contributed to the whiskey industry. Photo courtesy of Chris Joyce Photography.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2024) — Janice Fernheimer, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky, has received a 2024 Women of Whiskey Award, presented by the Bourbon Women Foundation.
Fernheimer, a professor in Jewish Studies and the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies, received the Mike Keyes Ally/Champion of the Year Award for her contributions to the bourbon industry through leadership. The award honors those who have supported and uplifted women in whiskey by fostering equality and inclusivity in the historically male-dominated field.
“I'm thrilled, humbled and honored to be recognized along with so many other impactful women,” Fernheimer said. “Raising the visibility of women is something I’m passionate about it. I hope by seeing the impact and power of other women who have come before them, young women can also see there is space for them in this $9 billion industry.”
“These awards are a celebration of the resilience, creativity and leadership that women bring to the whiskey industry,” said Heather Wibbels, managing director of Bourbon Women. “The honorees exemplify the very spirit of Bourbon Women — a community that empowers and uplifts each other in pursuit of excellence. We are proud to stand alongside these remarkable women as they continue to drive change and foster a more inclusive and vibrant future for all in the world of whiskey.”
The accolade recognizes Fernheimer’s contributions through her creation of the Women in Bourbon Oral History Project with UK’s Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, her pivotal role in leading the Black Women in Bourbon interviewing Initiative and her commitment to educating the next generation of distillers, brewers and wine professionals through the Certificate for Distillation, Wine, Brewing program in the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. Fernheimer is teaching WRD 225, "Craft Writing: Writing Bourbon.” The course introduces students to Kentucky’s iconic bourbon history and heritage and the many under-represented contributors.
Ultimately, Fernheimer’s recognition as the 2024 Bourbon Women Mike Keyes Ally/Champion of the Year Award recipient is a testament to her efforts to support women in the bourbon industry.
“Dr. Fernheimer’s work is especially impactful, because she is reaching students who may not have thought there is a place for them in the industry,” said Ilka Balk, associate director of the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky. “These could be students who do not often see people like themselves included in the oral and written history of distilling.”
The full list of WOW Award winners can be found here.
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