Honoring female students and faculty members for their contributions to the University, over 50 people attended the Penn Professional Women's Network's 27th annual awards breakfast yesterday morning at the Sheraton University City Hotel.
Penn ProWomen -- formerly known as the Association of Women Faculty and Administrators -- recognized 10 women for their accomplishments.
"We're really pleased with the quality of the award winners and their contributions to the Penn community," said Lois Evans, professor at the School of Nursing and president of Penn ProWomen.
The organization also announced the creation of the Judith Seitz Rodin Prize for Innovative Leadership, to be awarded annually to an undergraduate junior or senior woman.
Evans said the organization is planning to place a plaque in Logan Hall honoring winners of the new award.
"We were thinking that setting up an award for a student leader ... sends the message that you can become what you want to become," she said.
When the new award bearing her name was announced, President Rodin made a speech highlighting the changes Penn has made since she here time here as an undergraduate.
Psychology professor Lila Gleitman, who received the Lenore Rowe Williams Award, praised Rodin for a "transformative tenure" and recalled earlier days when Houston Hall was closed to women.
"One really felt on the outside looking in," she said.
Receiving the Robert E. Davies Award, Nursing professor Loretta Sweet Jemmott emphasized the importance of supporting a new generation of professional women.
"It's the smooth passing of the baton that keeps the runners running," she said. "Our job as the leaders of today is to pass that baton."
College senior Jenifer Rajkumar and Wharton graduate student Smita Jain both received the Alice PaulAward as co-presidents of Women in Thought, a student organization that promotes awareness of women's social and political issues.
The two say they have increased membership of the group from five students to over 150.
Women in Thought has also received attention for its commitment to community service.
Rajkumar said she was grateful to Penn ProWomen.
"To see that faculty members and administrators supported us was really great," she said.
