Northridge : Academics Honor ‘Phenomenal Women’

They are symbols of “feminism in action,” five women who have left their mark on Los Angeles through paintbrushes and policy.

This evening, they will be honored by the women’s studies department at Cal State Northridge with the first annual Phenomenal Woman Award.

Elizabeth Say, co-chairwoman of the awards committee, said the honor was created to increase the department’s visibility and spotlight women’s accomplishments.

“There is nothing in the Valley that specifically honors the contributions of women,” she said.

This year’s honorees are CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson and Provost Louanne Kennedy, for their efforts to reopen the campus after the Jan. 17, 1994, earthquake; artist Judith Baca, for her artwork and community activism; Yvonne Chan, principal of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in Pacoima, for leadership in education, and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, for a lifetime of political activism.

Say said the department sought to recognize women “actively involved in the San Fernando Valley or Los Angeles area who have made significant contributions on behalf of women or the community in general.” Each recipient will receive a watercolor painting by faculty artist Joy von Wolffersdorff and a signed copy of Maya Angelou’s book “Phenomenal Woman.”

The two-hour awards reception will begin at 5 p.m. at the University Club on campus. Parking is available via Dearborn Street off Zelzah Avenue. At the event, the department will also conduct a silent auction of donated items worth approximately $5,000, with funds benefiting student scholarships, faculty research and the campus Women’s Center.

Tickets are $35 and will be available at the door. For more information, call (818) 885-2076.