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20th Annual National Women of Color Day Awards Nominations: February 15
January 30, 2007, Volume 53, No. 20

The Women of Color Awards are given in recognition of individuals who have conscientiously endeavored to increase respect for women of color at Penn, University of Pennsylvania Health Systems (UPHS), Presbyterian, Pennsylvania Hospitals and the Delaware Valley community. Annually, awards are given in three categories: faculty/staff, graduate and/or professional student, and undergraduate student.

Award Criteria:

Nominees must be affiliated with Penn, UPHS, Presbyterian or Pennsylvania Hospital and have demonstrated:

• Outstanding leadership
• Distinguished service
• Positive impact on the community
• Commitment to enhancing quality of life for and/or serving as a role model for women of color

Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award

The Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award is named in honor of the late Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens, its first recipient. In 1991, Dr. Dickens was nominated for an award of  merit, but it quickly became apparent that Dr. Dickens was no mere candidate. From her early childhood, Dr. Dickens was fascinated by the  miracle of birth. She overcame racism, sexism and rejection to enter  the field of gynecology and obstetrics back in the 1930s. She became one of the first African American women to graduate from medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Dickens headed the OB/GYN department at Mercy Douglas Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania. She pioneered the development of teen pregnancy and medical minority affairs programs. She maintained her practice, continued to teach, recruited students and worked tirelessly to increase the presence and permanence of women of color at Penn. Her contributions towards the enhancement of the Philadelphia community spanned a period of over 50 years.

Criteria for nominee:

• The nominee must currently be an employee of the University of Pennsylvania, UPHS,
Presbyterian or Pennsylvania Hospital.

• Have no less than 25 years of service with the above institutions or the community.

• Have worked to increase the presence and permanence of women of color at the above institutions or in her community.

• Candidate should stand out in the field in which she is employed.

• Have innovative approaches to service in the same field.

• Show community service activities; including but not limited to:
     -having a significant impact on her community
     -having a passion for sharing of self with others

• Paragraph of examples of the nominee’s accomplishments that span 25 years should be included.

• Please include a resume or CV.

Nomination forms may be obtained on the web at: www.upenn.edu/ccp/WOCAP/awards.html and must be submitted by February 9. Forms are also available at the African American Resource Center (AARC), 3537 Locust Walk.

Almanac - January 30, 2007, Volume 53, No. 20