Nominations being accepted for 2010 Women of Color Empowerment Award at WWU

Nominations are now being accepted for the Women of Color Empowerment Award, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in contributions to women of color while enhancing his or her understanding and sensitivity to issues and concerns for women of color. All enrolled students, faculty and staff of Western Washington University are eligible to be nominated. Nomination forms are available online at http://www.wwu.edu/depts/sos/woced/nominationform.html, and submissions are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The winner for 2010 will be announced at the Women of Color Empowerment Dinner on Saturday, March 6. The 2009 winner was Kayla Britt. The dinner, which is held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on the WWU campus, serves to unify and create dialogue among students, staff, faculty and community members willing to learn from the collective pressures of race and ethnic relations that women of color face with each experience. Contributing to diversity on campus, the dinner provides an opportunity for members of the WWU community to share their voices in a supportive atmosphere. Furthermore, students will be encouraged and empowered to persist in their higher education pursuits at Western. This powerful event focuses on the struggles, triumphs and experiences of women of color and their allies.

The 12th annual dinner will include a showcase of student talent, keynote speakers, a presentation of the Women of Color Empowerment Award and the Women of Color Empowerment Scholarship and scholarship fundraising opportunities.

Tickets are $15 for WWU students and $20 for WWU faculty and staff and for community members. Tickets are available through the Performing Arts Center Box Office.

For more information, contact Janis Velasquez Farmer at janis.farmer@wwu.edu or (360) 650-2392.