In our efforts to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of women to our community, the Education Committee of the Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women, Inc. invites you to submit nominations for our 2009 Ida B. Wells and Elizabeth Cady Stanton Awards. For the past two decades, these awards have honored women who, in working for women’s and/or civil rights, have also benefited the community, but whose efforts have not yet received recognition.
Ida B. Wells (1863-1932) was a crusading journalist who fought against racial injustice and lectured around the world about the lynching of African Americans. She also worked for suffrage and helped to found the first black suffrage organization. Despite segregation, Wells argued that black and white women should work together to achieve equality.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) was instrumental in calling the first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, N.Y., in 1848 and became a leader of the women’s movement. The convention passed the Declaration of Sentiments, which set the agenda for the women’s movement well into the 20th century. Stanton also helped to found the National Woman Suffrage Association and edited The Woman’s Bible.
Last year the Commission was pleased to present the Ida B. Wells Award to Deloris E. Rentz for her educational outreach programs and her community leadership activities. Mickie Edwardson received the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Award for her leadership in the Gainesville Chapter of the United Nations Association and her work with the Social Justice Council of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
This year the awards are scheduled to be presented at a special celebration of Women’s History Month on Thursday, March 25 at the UF President’s House. The event is co-sponsored by both the University of Florida and many community organizations. Please find the nomination form enclosed, and note that the nominations are due by February 12, 2010. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 378-4853 or ejrenner at hotmail dot com.
Sincerely,
Lisa Renner
Chair, Education Committee