By Sarah Stortz
The University of Iowa continues to recognize women’s accomplishments in the community.
Several University of Iowa community members put a spotlight on the underrepresented gender Wednesday afternoon at the “Celebration of Excellence and Achievement” in the IMU Second-Floor Ballroom.Since 1982, the celebration has been going on as way to recognize female faculty, staff, and students for their contribution to campus. This year, the committee has given out nine different awards.
Senior Director of Human Resources Sharon Beck has been the head of the celebration planning committee since 2008. She noted the importance of holding this ceremony and recognizing women on campus and their ongoing oppression.
“Women today still struggle for equality in all areas of their lives. It’s important for other women, particularly our students, to see the ways women have succeeded and the ways others champion causes for women’s rights,” Beck said. “It sends a message that they too can succeed, that they have worth and value, and that they are intelligent.”
In terms of demographics, female professors remain a minority at the UI. According to the UI website, women make up approximately 30 percent of the faculty.
Beck pointed out that while the UI has progressed since the celebration began, there are still ongoing issues. She acknowledged a gap in equal pay as one example.
“We had equal pay day on April 4, which symbolizes how many additional days into the New Year that women need to work to make as much as men did the prior year,” Beck said. “There’s always more work to be done. We continually seek out the accomplishments made by and for women on our campus to keep a focus on the future.”
Director of Faculty Human Resources Services Angelique Johnson, a member of the celebration committee, said she felt women are often overshadowed.
“With the University of Iowa being such a large campus, it’s really easy to not recognize all of the work that’s being done by women, so this is a great event to highlight all that they’ve contributed,” she said. “Making resources more equitable for women in our campus, as well as our nation, is something that we should all strive for.”
UI Student Government President Rachel Zuckerman was this year’s recipient of the Jean Y. Jew Women’s Rights Award. This award is given to any UI community member who has made an outstanding effort improving the status of women on campus.
“I’ve received a lot of special recognition [during] my time as a student, but this, without a doubt, is the most meaningful for me,” Zuckerman said. “I came to Iowa hoping I could leave something behind that would benefit people other than myself. [This award] is more than anything I could potentially ask for.”
The ceremony has had an effect for past award winners as well.
Senior Assistant Vice President for Research Ann Ricketts, a member of the celebration committee, was the recipient of the Susan C. Buckley Distinguished Achievement Award in 2016. This award recognizes staff members who have contributed greatly to their fields.
“I was especially gratified to be the inaugural recipient of the distinguished achievement award, renamed for Sue Buckley last year,” she said. “Having the ‘Buckley’ in my office is a daily reminder to go about my work with confidence, integrity, and most important, a sense of humor.”
Beck said that she hopes the winners in this ceremony will set an example for other students.
“These individuals are role models for others on campus, whether that is what they set out to be or not, they are role models,” Beck said.
