Women of Color Awards: Call for Nominations February 21

To the University Community:

The Women of Color Awards are given in recognition of individuals who have conscientiously endeavored to increase respect for women of color at Penn, University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Presbyterian, Pennsylvania Hospitals and the Delaware Valley community. Annually, awards are given in three categories: faculty/staff, graduate and/or professional student, and undergraduate student.

Award Criteria: Nominees must be affiliated with Penn, University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Presbyterian or Pennsylvania Hospital and have demonstrated:

• Outstanding leadership
• Distinguished service
• Positive impact on the community
• Commitment to enhancing quality of life for and/or serving as a role model for women of color

1. How has the nominee contributed to the betterment of the community?

2. Identify nominee's involvement in activities that are beyond the scope of the individual's job or coursework.

3. Identify a problem within Penn, University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Presbyterian, Pennsylvania Hospital, or Delaware Valley community that has been effectively addressed by the nominee.

4. What are the distinguishing qualities or characteristics that make your nominee appropriate for the Women of Color Award?

5. Please add any additional information about your nominee, which you believe, would be helpful to the Awards Subcommittee's selection process.

The nomination form must be returned to the African-American Resource Center (AARC), 3537 Locust Walk/6225, no later than February 21, 2003.

Nominations are also being sought for The Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens, its first recipient. In 1991, Dr. Dickens was nominated for an award of merit, but it quickly became apparent that Dr. Dickens was no mere candidate. From her early childhood, Dr. Dickens was fascinated by the miracle of birth. She overcame racism, sexism and rejection to enter the field of gynecology and obstetrics back in the 1930s. She became one of the first African-American women to graduate medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Dickens headed the OB/GYN department at Mercy Douglas Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dickens pioneered the development of teen pregnancy and medical minority affairs programs. She maintained her practice, continued to teach, recruited students and worked tirelessly to increase the presence and permanence of women of color at Penn. Her contributions towards the enhancement of the Philadelphia community spanned a period of over 50 years (Almanac December 11, 2001).

Criteria for nominee:

• The nominee must currently be an employee of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Presbyterian or Pennsylvania Hospital.
• Have no less than 25 years of service with the above institutions or the community.
• Have worked to increase the presence and permanence of women of color at the above institutions or in her community.
• Candidate should stand out in the field in which she is employed.
• Have innovative approaches to service in the same field.
• Show community service activities; including but not limited to:
  -having a significant impact on her community
  -having a passion for sharing of self with others
• Include a paragraph of examples of the nominee's accomplishments that span 25 years.
• As supporting data, a resume or CV will be accepted.
• All data (not including resume or CV) should be in written form and should not be more than 3 pages.

Nomination forms may be obtained via the Web Site at: www.upenn.edu/ccp/WOCAP/.

--Pamela Robinson, Chair, Women of Color Planning Committee

  Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 20, February 4, 2003