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The Marion Martin Award, presented annually to outstanding safety professionals, celebrates the accomplishments of women in safety and others who have achieved professional excellence in their area of specialty and helped pave the way for other women in the profession. Recipients have distinguished themselves in a variety of professional settings and personify excellence on the local, regional, national or international level.
Nominations will be open Dec. 3, 2026, through March 26, 2027. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Karen LaRue’s 30-year career at Procter & Gamble has been marked by exceptional leadership, measurable safety achievements and a lasting commitment to advancing women in the safety profession. She led safety initiatives across 14 manufacturing sites, helping reduce employee injury rates by 50% and contractor injury rates by 33% while supporting the safe integration of automation and emerging technologies.
Beyond P&G, Karen has influenced national and international safety standards through her work with the National Safety Council and ISO and ANSI committees. A passionate advocate for women in safety, Karen has expanded opportunities through her leadership with ASSP’s Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) program, mentorship of emerging professionals, and efforts to increase female representation in Health, Safety and Environmental roles. She also contributed to industry guidance addressing personal protective equipment for women.
Her combination of technical expertise, industry impact, mentorship, and dedication to creating pathways for future leaders.
Marion Martin spent her life defying stereotypes and breaking down barriers for women. Her political career began in 1930, when she was elected to the Maine House of Representatives. She was re-elected to a second term, then won two terms in the State Senate, where she was the only woman and only non-lawyer on the Legal Affairs Committee.
Martin later became the first female head of a Maine state government agency. She served as secretary of labor and industry from 1947 to 1962 and found a special delight in championing programs that encouraged women in the workplace. During her tenure and on the strength of her support, legislation involving equal pay for equal work, strong industrial safety, child labor and collective bargaining was passed.
In 1971, Martin was the first female awardee of the NSC Distinguished Service to Safety Award. NSC is proud to name this award after her. We look forward to continuing a recognition program that celebrates the accomplishments – against many odds – of women in the safety field.
Marion Martin spent her life defying stereotypes and breaking down barriers for women.
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