Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson has received the 2025 Lottie H. Watkins Female First Award from the Atlanta Business League. The award is given to women who have made significant achievements in their professions and communities. Hendrickson was recognized for her efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and innovation in Gwinnett County, which is known as the most diverse county in the country.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful because it honors the women who came before me and the communities that continue to shape me,” said Hendrickson. “Gwinnett’s story is one of shared growth and progress. Every day, I’m reminded that leadership isn’t about being first, it’s about making sure no one is left behind.”
Hendrickson has previously been named among Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Women and the Power 100 Atlantan Leaders. The Lottie H. Watkins Female First Award honors women who set new standards in business and civic leadership.
Gwinnett County’s diversity is reflected in its school system. In the 2022-23 school year, enrollment at Gwinnett County schools increased by less than 0.1% compared to the previous year, with a total of 190,044 students enrolled (https://www.gadoe.org/). White students were the third most represented ethnic group, making up 18% of the student body during that period (https://www.gadoe.org/).
For more information about the Atlanta Business League and its Female First Award, visit the Atlanta Business League’s website.
