To formally suggest someone for a job, role, prize, or position. It means putting a person’s name forward for others to consider.
From Latin “nominare,” meaning “to name,” from “nomen,” meaning “name.” It came into English through Latin and French in political and legal contexts.
The “nom-” part is the same as in “nominal” and “denomination,” all tied to the idea of “name.” When you nominate someone, you’re literally turning them into a ‘name on the list’ instead of just another face.
'Nominate' appears in contexts where women and gender minorities have historically been under-nominated for awards, leadership, and office due to bias and exclusion. This has shaped who is seen as 'nomination-worthy' in many fields.
Encourage nomination processes that actively consider qualified candidates of all genders and avoid informal networks that systematically overlook women and gender-diverse people.
Women organizers have often built alternative nomination and recognition structures (e.g., women’s awards, caucuses) to counter exclusion from mainstream nominations.
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