Women’s Studies Founders’ Award
Women’s Studies Founders’ Award for Academic Excellence and Social Activism
This is a monetary prize and special award for which Women’s Studies majors may apply in the senior year, by submitting a personal statement, along with two letters of reference; one from a professor familiar with the applicant’s academic work and one from someone with knowledge of her record of social activism. (The deadline for application is around March 15 each year, but please be sure to check with the Department chairperson for details.) A committee designated by the Advisory Board reviews the applications and chooses the award recipients. The recipient is recognized by the Department at the college’s Honors Convocation in May.
Social activism is defined broadly in determining eligibility for the award. Frequently the recipients of the Award have performed service for the Women’s Studies Department and other organizations on campus, as well as community-based work through internships, volunteering, and occasionally paid employment. Political and cultural activism, educational outreach, and social service work on behalf of women and girls are all included in the histories of our Founders’ Award recipients. Award recipients have also been concerned with poverty, homophobia, and other social issues.
