Herstory

How It All Began...

The National Institute for Women of Color (NIWC) proclaimed March 1, 1988 as the first National Women of Color Day. NIWC called upon all women and men to remember the legions of women of color, both those whose names and contributions spring readily to mind, and those ordinary women who made extraordinary contributions to their families, communities and the world.

In mid-February of 1988, Ms. Suzanne Brooks, then Director of Affirmative Action at the Penn State University and a member of NIWC's Board of Directors, wrote several women at Penn to urge that we join this national day of celebration, commemoration and affirmation of women of color. In the ensuing two weeks, a small group of women organized Penn's first annual celebration which was held at Penn Tower Hotel on March 1, 1988. The sixty-five women in attendance were treated to a spiritual and intellectual feast so profound , enlightening and empowering that they decided to institutionalize the celebration and invite students, faculty and staff members of the community to attend.

Since its inception, Penn's Women of Color Day Celebration has included the conferral of awards on deserving members of the Penn community who have made a difference in the lives of Women of Color. Marcia Rafig, former General Manager of the Penn Tower Hotel, was the first honoree. In 1990, a special category was established for student honorees. The first Certificates of Merit for students, faculty, and staff were awarded in 1991. In 1991, Dr. Helen O. Dickens was nominated for the faculty/staff award, however, it was clear that her lifetime of achievement set a standard to which most of us could only hope to aspire. Therefore, it was with great pride that the Dr. Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award was established presented to its namesake at the luncheon in 1991. Subsequently, the Dr. Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award has only been given to exemplary candidates whose long history of service to women of color in the Penn and Delaware Valley communities merited such an honor.

As word spread about Penn's Women of Color celebration, attendance grew. By 1991 attendance had reached 350. In 1993, attendance grew to 500 people (the maximum capacity for the Penn Tower Ballroom.)

In 2001, Women of Color had the opportunity to provide to undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional evening school student scholars with awards. This award was designated to encourage highly motivated and achieving students to continue their pursuit for their degree. They each received a $1000 award to support their efforts in higher education.

In 2002, we expanded to a full day of activities. We will now be calling this series of activities Women of Color Day and in the future will continue celebrating the entire day in honor of women of color.

In 2003, a year-long lecture series was included and the program was simulcast to once again accommodate growing numbers. We were also successful in securing a grant from the Provost Diversity Fund.

As of 2004, the lecture series and simulcast continued and we were once again successful in securing a grant from the Provost Diversity Fund. Work intensified to explore funding sources for Women Of Color At Penn celebration.

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