The Susan B. Anthony Legacy Dinner at the University of Rochester continues a yearlong tribute to the suffragist's work on the eve of the 100th anniversary of her death. As co-sponsor of the dinner, the Susan B. Anthony Center for Women's Leadership at the University of Rochester is also spearheading the initiative called "100 Years Since Susan B. . . . Consider the Legacy," to celebrate Anthony's impact since her death on March 13, 1906.
The annual Legacy Dinner, which is sponsored by the Anthony Center and the University of Rochester Women's Club, pays tribute to Anthony's campaign to win women admission to the University and honors the activities of student leaders and faculty, staff, and alumnae. The event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 9.
The dinner is open to the public and starts at 6 p.m. in the May Room of Wilson Commons on the River Campus. The program includes the presentation of the Center's Lifetime Achievement Award and scholarships from the Women's Club.
Tracy Mitrano, director of IT Policy and of the Computer Policy and Law Program at Cornell University, will be the speaker. Mitrano received her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Rochester in 1981 and was awarded the Fannie Bigelow Prize as an undergraduate. Mitrano, who has a doctorate in American and women's history from Binghamton University and a law degree from Cornell Law School, speaks widely on matters of information technology policy, including digital copyright and the impact of anti-terrorist legislation on information technology and higher education.
Esther M. Conwell, professor of chemistry and physics, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Considered one of the preeminent female scientists of her generation, Conwell is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering and was the first woman to receive the Thomas A. Edison medal of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers. She has authored or co-authored several books, more than 250 technical publications, and several patents. In 2002, Discover magazine named Conwell one of the 50 Most Important Women of Science.
Several women students also will be honored for their accomplishments and contributions to University life. Three students will receive awards sponsored by the Women's Club. Juniors Mary DiMatteo and Gabriela Jones are the recipients of the Susan B. Anthony Scholarship, and senior Darcey Jacobs will be honored with the Susan B. Anthony Prize.
Also, senior Claire LeBlanc will receive the Jane R. Plitt Award and Take Five Scholar Abigail Aresty will be presented the Fanny R. Bigelow Prize. Lara Chamberlain, a student in the master's of business administration program at the University's William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration, will receive the Women in Business Leadership Scholarship.
The cost for the dinner is $30 per person and $200 for a table of eight for the general public; $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight for University of Rochester students. Seating is limited and reservations are needed by Monday, Feb. 6. Seats can be reserved online at www.rochester.edu/SBA/ or by e-mail sent to acwl@mail.rochester.edu. Information is also available by contacting (585) 275-8799.