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| Vol. 18, No. 11 | Nov. 12, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 11 | Nov. 12, 1998 |
Medal of Distinction recipients Carol Hoffecker (left) and Mae Riedy Carter with Andrew B. Kirkpatrick Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees, at the Oct. 29 recognition ceremony in Clayton Hall
The event was the highlight of a weeklong program, Women's Rights: Living the Legacy, Forging the Future, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Women's Rights convention; the 25th anniversary of the University's Commission on the Status of Women and the Women's Studies Interdisciplinary Program and the 20th anniversary of the Office of Women's Affairs.
President David P. Roselle introduced Kirkpatrick and cited several individuals who contributed to the women's history at the University, including William Henry Purnell, president of Delaware College, whose proposal for coeducation was adopted in 1872; Emalea Pusey Warner, founder, and Winifred Robinson, first dean of the Women's College; and Quaesita Drake, Beatrice Hartshorn and Harriet Baily who were among the first women faculty members.
"We honor their memory this evening and express our gratitude for their endurance, perseverance and the integrity of their beliefs," Roselle said.
Kirkpatrick spoke of Carter's contributions to women's equity at UD and of her communitry service. She joined the University in 1968 and counseled numerous women through the Division of Continuing Education. She recognized the issues of women's equity in the workplace and beyond and proposed the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Women to then President E.A. Trabant.
As a result, she was appointed as the commission's first chairperson. She also is credited with founding the University's Office of Women's Affairs to coordinate the work of the commission. During her tenure, the Women's Studies Program began.
Carter retired in 1986 as assistant provost for women's affairs and executive director of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Mae Carter Award for returning adult, women students was established in her honor.
A cofounder and president of the Friends of the Newark Library and past president of the Newark Branch of the American Association of University Women, Carter is a member of the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women.
In presenting the medal, Kirkpatrick quoted Carol Hoffecker's book, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand, saying that with the exception of Winifred Robinson, "Mae Carter has done more to change the position of women at the University of Delaware than any other individual in the institution's history."
Kirkpatrick concluded his remarks by saying, "Mae Carter, as teacher, mentor, author, visionary and pioneer, you have indeed left an indelible mark on the University of Delaware, the state and the country from which many will continue to benefit in ways known and unknown for years to come."
In presenting the medal to Hoffecker, Kirkpatrick spoke of her career as a faculty member and historian; her numerous books on Delaware history; her service to the University, including her tenure as associate provost for graduate studies; and the awards and honors she has received, including the University's Francis Alison Award, the highest honor bestowed upon faculty members, and induction into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women.
Quoting historian Bruce Catton, Kirkpatrick said, "History, after all is the story of people...The pattern does exist...Yet it is good to remember that it is the people who make the pattern, not the other way around."
Kirkpatrick concluded by saying, "Carol Hoffecker-Delaware native daughter, alumna, professor, mentor, historian and friend-we salute you for tracing the pattern of people, and we thank you sincerely for sharing those tracings with us through your teaching and writing, delivered with your very special intellect, wit and zeal."
-Sue Swyers Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry
