03/20/2025
Her-Story. March 20.
Dr. Liz Altieri
This year’s Women’s History Month is dedicated to "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." This theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, and the inspiration they have provided past, present and future for all generations. One of the ways that the Radford University’s Women and Gender Studies Program does this is through the Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes each year an individual whose work has significantly impacted the Women's and Gender Studies Program at Radford University, the broader field of Women's and Gender Studies, or advocacy for women's rights and social justice within the Radford community.
I am deeply honored to join the 10 other women who have been given this award since its inception in 2016. I would like to say their names to remind us of their place in Radford University’s and this community’s history: Hilary Lips, Pat Brown, Betty Jones, Laurie Buchwald, Michele Red, Moira Baker, Mary Ferrari, Mary Atwell, Ann Elliott, and Anya Whittington.
Receiving this award feels like a jewel on the crown that has been my career. I have been so privileged to mentor and guide and teach hundreds of young women (and men) on their journeys to adulthood and to teaching careers. That is the biggest take-away for me when I think about my efforts to educate and inspire two generations of young people.
I want to give a big shout out to the person who nominated me, and to Kate Brennan, long-time friend and retired Professor of Nursing, who introduced me at the Awards Ceremony.
Now I have another generation to mentor and hopefully inspire. I would like to dedicate this award to Brielle, my granddaughter, who is 5 months old. She is the upcoming generation of women being born during these uncertain, chaotic times, and during a time when her presence and history is being erased. She has a strong family circle already: Her great grandmothers who faced many challenges and barriers as women and as people of color, her grandmothers and aunts - all strong women who hold her and marvel, and her mother, my daughter-in-law, strong, outspoken, and proud. Brielle will need that collective inspiration, strength and influence of women who dedicate their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Now, more than ever, we need a strong Women and Gender Studies program that nurtures that collective, and a month-long program of Women’s History events that are recognized by the university at large. I ask you all to commit to carrying on this proud tradition. Thank you again.
