'Women of Distinction' awards given today: Renowned dance instructor among those honored
By Ivy Tan
Posted: 2/28/08, 10:30 PM EST Section: News
Sylvia Waters will join the ranks of Maya Angelou, Ann Curry and Yolanda King by receiving the Syracuse University Women of Distinction Award today.
Waters is this year's keynote speaker as well the recipient in the award celebration held at Goldstein Auditorium at 3 p.m. as part of the 13th annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, hosted by the Office of Student Life.
Sarah Ross, assistant director of OSL, said the award ceremony first began as a leadership conference and then evolved into a celebration honoring women, Ross said.
"Sylvia is exactly what we look for people to embody," Ross said. "She's a leader in her field."
In addition to Waters, there were 35 nominees suggested by both SU students and faculty for the award. Eight recipients from SU are recognized by achieving leadership in academics, service or their chosen career.
At the ceremony tonight, Waters will be accompanied by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble and Orange Bhangra.
Waters, an internationally acclaimed choreographer and dance instructor for more than 30 years, is currently the artistic director of the touring dance company of the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II. The dancers of Ailey II performed Thursday night in Goldstein Auditorium.
Previous speakers include NBC news anchor Anne Curry, poet Maya Angelou and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Yolanda King.
Linda Alcoff, director of women's studies at SU, noted that these types of awards help inspire female students, especially those of different ethnic backgrounds. She said the award emphasizes the accomplishments of women at a time when there are still situations in society in which many women's accomplishments are rendered invisible.
"We have a model of leadership that is really kind of a male model or masculine model, and that makes it hard for us to see the incredibly important roles that women actually play in mobilizing communities," she said.
Waters is this year's keynote speaker as well the recipient in the award celebration held at Goldstein Auditorium at 3 p.m. as part of the 13th annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, hosted by the Office of Student Life.
Sarah Ross, assistant director of OSL, said the award ceremony first began as a leadership conference and then evolved into a celebration honoring women, Ross said.
"Sylvia is exactly what we look for people to embody," Ross said. "She's a leader in her field."
In addition to Waters, there were 35 nominees suggested by both SU students and faculty for the award. Eight recipients from SU are recognized by achieving leadership in academics, service or their chosen career.
At the ceremony tonight, Waters will be accompanied by the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble and Orange Bhangra.
Waters, an internationally acclaimed choreographer and dance instructor for more than 30 years, is currently the artistic director of the touring dance company of the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II. The dancers of Ailey II performed Thursday night in Goldstein Auditorium.
Previous speakers include NBC news anchor Anne Curry, poet Maya Angelou and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, Yolanda King.
Linda Alcoff, director of women's studies at SU, noted that these types of awards help inspire female students, especially those of different ethnic backgrounds. She said the award emphasizes the accomplishments of women at a time when there are still situations in society in which many women's accomplishments are rendered invisible.
"We have a model of leadership that is really kind of a male model or masculine model, and that makes it hard for us to see the incredibly important roles that women actually play in mobilizing communities," she said.
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