October 29, 2018

Woman of Distinction Awards to honor three Warriors

Wayne Women LEAD and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women will host the Wayne Women of Distinction Award Ceremony on Nov. 1 from 4-6 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.

The event honors three Wayne State Warriors — Dr. Beena Sood, Sara Mahmood and Michanda Gant — for their contributions to women and/or diversity. Recipients of the Women of Wayne Incentive and Federation of Women’s Clubs of Metropolitan Detroit Scholarships will also be recognized. Those wishing to attend must RSVP by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29.

“This award ceremony is an opportunity to honor truly heroic women who have gone the extra mile to promote women and diversity through their efforts at Wayne State and in the community,” said Kim Morgan, undergraduate advisor in the Department of Mathematics and co-chair of the event along with Patti Dixon, who has been involved with the awards since 2015. “We are also honored to host Detroit President Pro Tem Councilwoman Mary Sheffield on our campus.”

Sheffield — a 2008 Wayne State alumna and the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council at age 26 — will be the event’s guest speaker along with Wayne State Provost Keith Whitfield. Sheffield has launched initiatives designed to engage residents, striving to offer a truly representative form of government.

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Sood

Sood will receive the 2018 Wayne State Woman of Distinction Employee Award for her extensive engagement and contributions to the School of Medicine’s Women in Medicine and Science group, gender equality, gender pay equity, advocacy for professional development, and support for working mothers. The award is presented to an employee who demonstrates a sustained commitment to the professional development of women and/or issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Gant

Gant earned the Woman of Distinction Student Award for her work as a social justice advocate assisting survivors of domestic violence, trauma victims and providing grief support to women and children, as well as her professional leadership on campus and in her community. The award is presented to a current Wayne State student who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to women and/or issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Mahmood

Mahmood will receive the Woman of Distinction Alumna Award for empowering youth and promoting issues of diversity and inclusion with her accomplishments in marketing, business, media and in the community as a recognized leader in the advertising industry. The award is presented to a Wayne State alumna who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to women and/or issues of diversity, equity and inclusion after earning a degree at Wayne State.

 

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