LOGAN – Mayor Holly Daines is slated to receive the Martha Hughes Cannon Lifetime Achievement Award from the “Utah Women Run” group at a luncheon in Salt Lake City on Dec. 1.
Since 2023, that organization, which is affiliated with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, has honored trailblazing Utah women who are following in the footsteps of Martha Hughes Cannon.
Daines is being recognized for her years of public service and visionary leadership as mayor of Logan.
The future mayor grew up in Cache Valley, attended Logan High School, graduated from Utah State University and received a master’s degree in Arts Administration from the University of Utah. Prior to returning to Logan with her husband Peter in 1989, she worked for arts organizations in Salt Lake City and New York City.
Over the years, Daines volunteered extensively with local schools while she raised three children, also serving on the Cliffside Parks Committee; the Dean’s Advancement Council for USU’s College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (now CHaSS); and was a Founding Trustee of the Eccles Theatre/Capitol Arts Alliance (now CacheARTS).
She has served as Logan’s mayor since 2017 and previously served on the Logan City council for eight years.
Daines’ achievements as mayor have included revitalizing Center Street; the approval, funding and construction of the Carol and Jim Laub Plaza in downtown Logan; the beautification of the city’s South Main gateway; the funding, design and construction of the new Logan Library; among others.
Other recipients of the Martha Hughes Cannon Awards at the Dec. 1 gathering will be Rep. Angela Romero as outstanding Democrat; Rep. Candice Pierucci as outstanding Republican; former Board Member Kristi Swett for outstanding impact in local government; and Board Member LeAnn Wood for outstanding work in policy and advocacy.
The Martha Hughes Cannon Legacy Award will also honor the late Mia Love.
Love is noted for serving as a Saratoga Springs council member and mayor, as well as being the first Black female Republican elected to Congress from Utah. She has had a profound impact on local politics, national policy and continues to inspire generations of women to run for office, according to the legacy award citation.
The Martha Hughes Cannon Award is named after the first woman elected to a state senate in the United States in 1887.
Martha Hughes Cannon was an immigrant, a physician and a suffragist who championed public health. She famously ran against and defeated her husband to win her seat in the Utah Legislature.
The award honors women who continue this legacy by striving to do good in their communities and going above and beyond to make an impact on Utah’s political landscape.