University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 32, May 22

             Awards recognize commitment to women's issues
                                   
     Administrators and students were honored with the E.
Arthur Trabant Institutional Award for Women's Equity May 5
at a reception hosted by the Commission on the Status of
Women, at the Blue and Gold Club.
     Awards were presented to Margaret Andersen, sociology
and women's studies and vice provost for academic affairs;
sophomore Traci Feit; Nancy Geist Giacomini, assistant dean
of students; Joyce Fedena, junior Megan Becker and senior
Kim Kirn, who serve on the Warner Residence Hall staff.
     Andersen was cited as a role model, mentor, educator,
administrator and researcher, who helped initiate the
Women's Studies Interdisciplinary Program and who has served
as editor of the journal, Gender and Society. Although her
influence has extended beyond the University through her
research and writing, the award was given to recognize her
support of women across campus, including students, faculty,
professional and salaried staff.
     Feit, who is majoring in women's studies and French,
has been a volunteer with SOS, the University's sexual
offense support service. She founded DE-CAGE, The Delaware
Coalition for the Advancement of Gender Equality, which
organized a number of campus activities, including this
year's "Take Back the Night March" during Sexual Assault
Awareness Week. She also represented UD at a National Sexual
Assault Awareness Conference in California.
     Giacomini has volunteered to chair Sexual Assault
Awareness Week for the past three years. Dealing with issues
related to sexual assault, such as dating violence, personal
safety, sex and alcohol, the 1996 event featured 15
different programs, including presentations, films, the
"Take Back the Night March" and interactive theatre.
Giacomini has been an advocate for women victims of sexual
assault and began a new mediation program on campus.
     Hall director Fedena and resident assistants Kirn and
Becker organized "Warner Week: A Tradition of Excellence."
Warner Hall, currently the only all-women residence hall on
campus, was established in 1914, and the week-long event,
held during Women's History Month, continued Warner
traditions and educated residents on several women's issues.
During the year, the staff also developed other programs on
women's health issues, sexuality and women from different
cultures. The three also were cited for providing support
and guidance for women students.
                                         -Sue Swyers Moncure