Women's Forum provides opportunities for members of the campus community to reflect on women's issues.
The Women’s Forum was founded in 1992 to provide members of the ǿմý community to network, share ideas through educational meetings, consider women’s issues, formulate and advance positions relating to women’s issues, and serve staff and students. The Forum also collaborates with the Women’s Studies Program on women’s issues.
Meetings are held two to three times a year and feature a variety of speakers who address issues of interest to women and their allies. The forum also honors women or men who have made significant contributions in support of women at ǿմý with the Bread and Roses Award each spring.
Bread and Roses Award
The ǿմý University Women’s Forum Bread and Roses Award was established in 1992 to honor women or men who have made significant contributions in support of women. This award honors an individual’s accomplishments and efforts in the area of women’s issues.
In the past year of 2017, we have celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this largest Women’s Forum event on campus, by presenting “Remarkable Women at ǿմý, Then and Now.” At this particular moment, we gave two Honorary Awards to two role models for women at ǿմý university – ǿմý’s 20th president Dr. Kathy Krendl and Dr. Beth Daugherty.
In the spring of 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we celebrated the 30th year of the Women’s Forum foundation and honored six incredible women in our community, including the Honorary Award to ǿմý business professor Dr. Shirine Mafi.
In April 2023, we celebrated 30 years of Bread and Roses Award and honored three amazing ǿմý members. 2023 Bread and Roses Award recipients include Dr. Megan Chawansky, Julie Saker, and Miranda Hilt (’23).
History
The title of the award was inspired by a strike banner in 1912 with the slogan “We want bread and roses too!” The strike took place in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where a state law reduced the work week for children from 56 to 54 hours. Company owners retaliated by reducing all workers’ hours to 54, which increased their workloads without an increase in wages. More than 20,000 men, women and children stayed out of work for 10 weeks in order to win concessions from the woolen mill owners. In 2005, Women’s Forum collaborated with Women’s Studies and included students as award recipients.
Student Bread and Roses Award
The Student Bread and Roses Award is given to a student who has made important contributions to women’s studies at ǿմý. Those contributions may include leadership in feminist activism, demonstrated excellence in women’s studies scholarship, or service to the Women’s Studies Program. Preference will be given to a student with a minor in women’s studies.
Criteria
The Women’s Forum gives the annual Bread and Roses Award to an outstanding individual or group who has made significant contributions in support of women through exemplary service. The award goes to a man, woman or group who has made an impact in women’s issues that deserves to be recognized. That person may:
- Demonstrate a notable and/or sustained contribution to women’s issues.
- Serve as a role model or advocate for women.
- Make an exceptional contribution to ǿմý University.
Since 1992, Women’s Forum has given the Bread and Roses Award to a person (or group) who has made significant contributions in support of women through their exemplary service. The title of the award was inspired by a strike banner whose slogan read “We want bread and roses too!” In 1912, these banners were carried by women while striking against inhumane work conditions in the wool mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Starting in 2005, Women’s Forum is also honoring students who have shown leadership and exemplary service in support of women’s issues.
If you would like to nominate a faculty, staff, student, alumni, or a group, please contact with Executive Board of Women’s Forum or find posters or announcements on campus in every February or March.
Past Winners | |
2023 | Dr. Megan Chawansky, Julie Saker, and Miranda Hilt (’23). |
2022 | 2022 Dr. Shirine Mafi (Honorary Award), , Kirsten Crotte, Dr. Joan Esson, Aissata Barry (MBA ’23), and Paige Skaff (Sociology ’22). . |
2019 | Tameka Johnson(Chefat The Point), Wesley Strobel (student awardee). . |
2018 | Crystal Koon-Lester (posthumously), Crystal Koon-Lester Memorial Task Force, Dr. Janice Glowski, Dr. Joan Rocks. . |
2017 | Dr. Patricia Keane, Dr. Grace McDaniel, Annette Boose, and Erica Zimmer Honorary Awards: Dr. Kathy Krendl and Dr. Beth Daugherty. . |
2016 | Donna Rhodeback, Ashley Strausser, Mikayla Knerr, Mikah Barrueta. . |
2015 | Dr. Suzanne Ashworth, Dr. Beverly Good and Carrie Coisman. . |
2014 | Dr. Mary McKelvey, Dr. Kerry Strayer and Alex Shaffer |
2013 | Peggy McMains (Center for Teaching and Learning), Jacqlyn Schott (WGSS major), and Peggy Lobb (Psychology) |
2012 | Dr. Susan Fagan, Dr. Tammy Birk and Sheema Masood. . |
2011 | Niki Fayne and Garlena Bauer |
2010 | Patti Rothermich, Kathlene Boone and Morgan Ritchie |
2009 | Allison Prindle and Danielle Fabian |
2008 | Sarah Fatherly and Jamie Wilson |
2007 | Judy Strayer and Connie Deel |
2006 | Pat Salyer and Jennifer Robert |
2005 | Nancy Woodson and Kathy Rainsburg |
2004 | Tom Moore |
2003 | Cynthia Jackson and Paula Knight |
2002 | Joanne Stichweh |
2001 | Ann Pryfogle |
2000 | ǿմý Support Staff Council |
1999 | Grace Ross |
1998 | Becky Smith and Sylvia Vance |
1997 | Marilyn Day |
1996 | Edna Smith Zech |
1995 | Jeanne Talley |
1994 | Karen Schwartzwalder |
1993 | Joanne Van Sant |
1992 | ǿմý Women’s Club |
Archive of Women’s Forum Past Events | |
2016 | Panel Discussion on Western vs. Eastern Education Using Design Thinking to Improve your Happiness at Work! Fuel your success! |
2015 | Language, Non-verbal and self-presentation for Women at Work and Home Improving Focus and Function with Nutrition Westerville: Yesterday and Today Think, Before Posting on Social Media! Natural Remedies for stress and anxiety |
2014 | Medicare & You! |
Bread and Roses Award Photo Gallery
Board Members
Dr. Shirine Mafi
Emeritus Professor in Management
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
smafi@otterbein.edu
Dr. Yiyuan Liu (Ava)
Associate Professor in Marketing
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
yliu1@otterbein.edu
614-823-1447
Roush 412
Allison M. de Nijs ’96
Academic Administrative Assistant
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
denijs1@otterbein.edu
614-823-1310
Roush 419
Gaby Sicuro Miller
Administrative Coordinator
Education Department
gmiller@otterbein.edu
614-823-1214
Roush Hall 430
Women at ǿմý: An Historical Overview
Special event of “Remarkable Women at ǿմý: Then and Now”
Mrach 2017
Source: ǿմý Archivist, Stephen Grinch
Women’s Forum's History
Serving ǿմý over 30 years
1992-2022
Source: Women’s Forum board members