Susan B. Anthony Center to Celebrate Women's Successes Dinner to feature suffragist's legacy, lifetime achievement award

A tribute to Susan B. Anthony and the presentation of the first annual Lifetime Achievement Award from the Susan B. Anthony University Center will highlight a dinner celebrating women's achievement at the University of Rochester Thursday, Feb. 13.

The Center's first annual Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Jean Watkeys M.D., who received her AB degree from the University in 1932 and was one of three women in her medical school class, graduating in 1936. A Planned Parenthood physician from 1938 to 1947, Watkeys received the organization's Lifetime Dedication Award in 1995 for 25 years with the agency's medical advisory board, board of directors, and speakers' bureau. She also worked for many years as a physician at Eastman Kodak Co.

The dinner also will include a presentation of photographs and mementos culled from the University's extensive collection of Anthony's papers; they reflect on Rochester's first female students and Anthony's efforts to promote their education. In an 11th-hour gesture, Anthony pledged her own insurance policy to raise the final dollars stipulated by University trustees to finance the admission of women.

In addition, outstanding female students will be cited for their accomplishments, and the University's female a cappella group, Vocal Point, will perform.

The dinner, which will celebrate the famous suffragist's birthday two days early, will be held at 6 p.m. at Hill Side Restaurant on the River Campus. Tickets for the public are $20. Call (585) 275-8799 by Feb. 7 to order tickets and reserve seats. University of Rochester student tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Common Market in Wilson Commons.

The evening's events are sponsored by the Center; the University's Women's Club, Alumni Association, and Vice President and University Dean of Students Office; and the AAUW of Greater Rochester.

Call Sheila Geen at (585) 275-8799 for more information.