The New York State division of the American
Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded the University
its 1998 Progress in Equity Award for the success of its Initiatives
for Women (IFW) program. The award recognizes a New York college
or university for an outstanding program, policy, or other initiative
that improves the status of women on campus.
Jeanette Knapp, director of college and university
membership for AAUW's New York chapter, notified Gloria DeSole,
senior advisor to the President for affirmative action and chair
of IFW's steering committee, that "Your program was awarded
the 1998 New York Progress in Equity Award because of its volunteer
and philanthropic nature and widespread impact on women students,
faculty and staff.
"We were particularly impressed with the amount
of money that has been raised and dispersed, the thoughtful supportive
way in which these awards are made, and the impressive institutional
support for the program," Knapp said. "AAUW commends you
for directing a program that is both innovative and exemplary, that
addresses the needs of diverse groups of women, and that involves
the entire campus community.
"We hope that other institutions will follow
your lead by establishing similar programs." Knapp also said
she will nominate Albany's IFW for AAUW's national Progress in Equity
Award, to be named next spring. "We were particularly impressed
with the amount of money that has been raised and dispersed, the
thoughtful supportive way in which these awards are made, and the
impressive institutional support for the program."
DeSole said she received the letter informing her of Albany's top
prize (there was an additional honorable mention prize given, to
Hunter College) the morning after IFW's fourth annual awards dinner,
which featured a talk by Alison Bernstein, the vice president for
education, media, arts, and cultural programs of the Ford
Foundation.
In addition, the dinner featured the awarding of 21
monetary prizes for 1997 to women. Included were five "named"awards,
a number that will double in the next round of award judging, which
begins next week. The total number of competitive awards over four
years has now risen to 75, and total money raised for the awards
program has now topped the $100,000 mark — all numbers the
AAUW was unaware of when it judged programs for its award last spring.
DeSole is confident that IFW will give out its 100th award to women
in 1998.
"You can imagine my great pleasure, after the
wonderful event we had just had the night before, upon receiving
this notification," said DeSole. "An award such as this
from the New York State AAUW is critical external validation from
an organization that is widely recognized as a national force for
women.
"It was also a special pleasure at our dinner
to hear Alison Bernstein express pleasure and surprise at the extent
of what IFW does and what it has accomplished."
By Vinny Reda
