April 9, 2003
Standish Room
University at Albany
Ten years ago, five University
at Albany good friends gathered for a working breakfast at what
is now the Madison End Café to hear about a fund-raising
and grant-making program at Ohio State called something like “Critical
Difference for Women.” My recollection is that the description
provided by Judy Genshaft, then Dean of our School of Education,
sparked immediate enthusiasm among the rest of us. The mutual
commitment of Gloria DeSole, Candace Groudine, Iris Berger, Judy
Genshaft, and myself to try to make something similar happen here
on our campus was virtually instantaneous. I don’t recollect
even so much as one comment along the lines of “Let’s
at least think it over.” The vision, the optimism, the promise,
and the power of the as yet unnamed Initiatives for Women idea
was as clear to us then as it remains today to the equally energized
women who now lead this remarkable effort. I consider it a privilege
and honor to introduce and present this award and would like to
thank the planners of this year’s Bread and Roses ceremony—members
of the Council of Women’s Groups and the Women’s Concerns
Committee—for the opportunity.
Since 1993, Initiatives for Women has enhanced the educational
and career choices available to women students, faculty, and staff
at the University by raising funds and distributing awards through
a highly competitive process. IFW has many beneficiaries. It has
distributed awards to over 250 individuals and groups totaling
about $250,000. It is the all-encompassing range of activities
supported by IFW that makes the program so special and unique.
One of IFW’s nominators said it well: “What I love
about IFW is the breadth and diversity of the types of awards
that are offered. That makes it a program that is so inclusive
that women of all different statuses and roles at the University
can benefit from it. From senior professors to undergraduates,
from doctoral students to seasoned professionals and everyone
in between have an opportunity to benefit from IFW.” Each
year, we listen to award recipients describe the impact of the
awards on their lives, often an impact that they tell us goes
far beyond the monetary value of the award. Their stories, plus
the generosity both of spirit and financial contributions on the
part of those who have endowed IFW awards, of individual donors,
and of corporate benefactors, ensure that the momentum of IFW’s
first ten years will continue in the years ahead.
The beneficiaries of IFW, however, include many more individuals
than the award winners. Another nominator attests to this: “IFW
has built a wonderful support community at UAlbany. A number of
individuals from all walks of University life participate on the
Steering Committee, are Associates, serve on the awards selection
committee and oversee development and administration of various
awards. The development and mentoring opportunities offered to
committee and governance participants are extensive and have resulted
in a large, warm, and extremely devoted community dedicated to
mutual support for the benefit of the University.”
The promise of Initiatives for
Women, now celebrating its tenth anniversary, has been realized
in ways that the founders may not have even envisioned. In these
difficult days, its contributions on so many levels to individuals
and to this great University are especially valuable. It is, therefore,
unusually timely and truly a special privilege to present this
2003 Bread and Roses award to Kathy Turek, the inspired and inspiring
current leader of Initiatives for Women.
