Awards

Women of Color at Penn Awards

African-American Resource Center

an award recipient holding a green glass award next to another attendee

Tickets for Events

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Submit Nominations

Go to Google form to submit nominations

Francis Aulston, community award winner and another attendee

Past Winners (PDF), pictured: Francis Aulston, "Community Award" Winner

Download list of winners

The National Institute for Women of Color (NIWC) has proclaimed March 1st National Women of Color Day. The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Health System seek to increase awareness of the talents and achievements of women of color. The Women of Color Awards are given to recognize individuals who have endeavored to increase respect for women of color regardless of their sex, gender, race, or other status.

Criteria for Awards

Annually, awards are given in up to six categories: Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement, Joann Mitchell Outstanding Legacy, faculty/staff, graduate and/or professional student, undergraduate student, and community member. Click the title of the award below for the criteria.

Nominees for the Helen O. Dickens Lifetime Achievement Award must be affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and other Penn affiliates, who are trailblazers and demonstrate the spirit of Helen O. Dickens (please read her bio). Nominees must have over 25 years of excellent service and exemplify:

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

Nominees for the Joann Mitchell Outstanding Legacy Award must be affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and Penn affiliates, and have provided exceptional and/or long-term service to the Women of Color at Penn and have demonstrated:

Attendance in Women of Color Executive Planning meetings
Held leadership roles in the various committees
Created an innovative enhancement to the WOCAP initiative
Worked to ensure the existence of the organization for posterity (Does not preclude receipt of other WOCAP awards)

Nominees for faculty/staff, graduate and/or professional student, undergraduate student, and community member awards must be affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania Health System, or the local Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Nominees must have demonstrated:

Exceptional 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