Women

Women’s Resource Center gives out annual awards for service

BY LINDSEY FIELDER
Rice News staff

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Women’s Resource Center at Rice University recognized members of the Rice community for their service to the campus at an awards ceremony last month.

The Impact Awards are given annually to men and women at Rice who demonstrate service to the campus and community, show involvement and participation in student life and activities at Rice and beyond, work to make a positive impact by raising awareness of women’s issues and serve as role models for the empowerment of women.

Seven members of the Rice community received Impact Awards this year. Below are their names and the remarks made about each winner:

Faculty and staff award winners:

• Janet Braam, professor of biochemistry and cell biology

“Her willingness to reach out and offer assistance to other women on campus is inspirational. Her longstanding advocacy of matters important to women and her energetic and fruitful pursuit of appropriate changes certainly qualify her for this award.”

• Russell Barnes, director of Rice’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action

“He deals calmly and sensitively with those who have gone through experiences with harassment and helps them through the process of complaint filing and confrontation with the perpetrator. Mr. Barnes is a truly dedicated employee of Rice.”

• Glynda Cumby, recently retired Hanszen College coordinator

“She has a way of making everyone she meets feel special. Her gentle strength, encouragement and listening ear attracted students to the seats in front of her desk for nearly 20 years. In those seats, hundreds of young women have been helped, commiserated with, complimented, cautioned and supported by this woman.”

Student award winners:

• Amber Raley, graduate student in the psychology department

“She sets an example for her fellow students with a true dedication to scholarship. She is the first one to volunteer when anyone needs help. Amber serves as a role model for undergraduates in psychology, serving as a teaching assistant, mentor and adviser for graduate school applicants.”

• Amanda Cruess, Baker College senior

“She has been been the driving force behind CSters, the undergraduate group for women in computer science at Rice. She has organized dinner panels and social events, brought in speakers and helped organize a trip to attend a conference for women in computing. She has also served as a mentor for high school girls who want to pursue a career in science and engineering.”

• Russell Schafer, Baker College senior

“Russell is a member of Students Organized Against Rape and Rice for Life. He’s organized several fundraisers for the Crisis Pregnancy Center. Russell has said he believes that feminism is truly a human issue and both men and women must work together to combat gender discrimination.”

• Althea Tupper, Hanszen College junior

“She was one of the co-producers of the ‘Vagina Monologues’ this year. Althea stepped up to the plate and dedicated many weeks of sweat and tears toward the goal of raising awareness of domestic violence and women’s issues. Her selfless dedication to her leadership roles makes Althea a truly inspiring individual to know.”

The Rice Women’s Resource Center opened its doors in 1996. Its mission is to increase awareness of and sensitivity to issues facing women to build a more supportive, dynamic atmosphere on campus.