University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 31, May 15


           Liane Sorenson honored for addressing the issues
     
     Women's issues and education have been a central focus
of Liane Sorenson's career on campus and off. On campus,
Sorenson serves as director of the Office of Women's Affairs
and executive director of the Commission on the Status of
Women. Off campus, the former teacher served as a state
representative and now serves as a state senator,
representing the Sixth District. She is actively involved in
issues concerning education, women, families and children.
     An indication of her success is her selection as
recipient of the prestigious Delaware State Bar Association
Legislative Service Award in March in "appreciation for her
dedicated and distinguished legislative service rendered to
the citizens of the state of Delaware."
     Sorenson said she was pleased to receive the award. "It
was given primarily for my work as a legislator, but the
selection committee also looked at my service at the
University and as a community volunteer," she said.
     Sorenson, Delaware '69, '86M, began her career as a
teacher. While her children were growing up, she became a
volunteer, serving as the president of the Junior League of
Wilmington and chairing the Agenda for Delaware Women, a
coalition of women's groups focusing on women's issues.
Since part of her job on campus is interacting with women's
groups throughout the state, this experience was invaluable,
she said.
     While working toward her master's degree in counseling
at UD, Sorenson worked with women in the battered women's
shelter for CHILD, Inc., later serving as a counselor before
coming to the University in 1988. At the shelter, she
learned about violence against women firsthand from the
victims themselves. Since then, she became a leader in
addressing this problem.
     She cosponsored a bill establishing the Domestic
Violence Coordinating Council. The council, the first of its
kind in the nation, brings together representatives of the
judiciary, legislature, police and medical profession, as
well as victims, to exchange information, examine procedures
and laws, educate the public and make recommendations.
     On campus, the Office of Women's Affairs has been
active in combating violence against women on campus. This
year, the office has staged a campaign on dating violence.
This has involved distributing leaflets and displaying
posters, with tear-offs telling students where they can seek
help on campus.
     When Sorenson became a state representative from the
12th District in 1993, because of her experience and
interest in education, she was made chairperson of the
Education Committee and was involved in several bills
related to educational issues.
     Sorenson also served as vice chairperson of the
Governor's Commission on Families and currently is a member
of the Delaware Family Law Commission. This organization is
involved with the State of Delaware Family Court and with
issues surrounding divorce, custody, child support and
enforcement, protection from abuse orders and the juvenile
justice system.
     She also is member of the Joint Finance Committee,
which is in charge of the state budget and funding.
     Sorenson admits that life gets a little hectic in April
and May when the pace picks both up in the state senate and
on campus. But, she said she finds her dual career
fulfilling, and her husband, Boyd, and her three children
are supportive.
     "My responsibilities and interests in women's and
family issues and education on campus dovetail with my
concerns as a legislator," she  said.
                                         -Sue Swyers Moncure