Women’s Forum

The Women’s Forum was founded in 1992 to provide members of the Otterbein community to network, share ideas through educational meetings, consider women’s issues, formulate and advance positions relating to women’s issues, and serve staff and students. The Forum also collaborates with the Women’s Studies Program on women’s issues.

Meetings are held two to three times a year and feature a variety of speakers who address issues of interest to women and their allies. The forum also honors women or men who have made significant contributions in support of women at Otterbein with the Bread and Roses Award each spring.

Bread and Roses Award

The Otterbein University Women’s Forum Bread and Roses Award was established in 1992 to honor women or men who have made significant contributions in support of women. This award honors an individual’s accomplishments and efforts in the area of women’s issues.

In the past year of 2017, we have celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this largest Women’s Forum event on campus, by presenting “Remarkable Women at Otterbein, Then and Now.” At this particular moment, we gave two Honorary Awards to two role models for women at Otterbein university – Otterbein’s 20th president Dr. Kathy Krendl and Dr. Beth Daugherty.

In the spring of 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we celebrated the 30th year of the Women’s Forum foundation and honored six incredible women in our community, including the Honorary Award to Otterbein business professor Dr. Shirine Mafi.

In April 2023, we celebrated 30 years of Bread and Roses Award and honored three amazing Otterbein members. 2023 Bread and Roses Award recipients include Dr. Megan Chawansky, Julie Saker, and Miranda Hilt (’23).

 

History

The title of the award was inspired by a strike banner in 1912 with the slogan “We want bread and roses too!” The strike took place in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where a state law reduced the work week for children from 56 to 54 hours. Company owners retaliated by reducing all workers’ hours to 54, which increased their workloads without an increase in wages. More than 20,000 men, women and children stayed out of work for 10 weeks in order to win concessions from the woolen mill owners. In 2005, Women’s Forum collaborated with Women’s Studies and included students as award recipients.

Student Bread and Roses Award

The Student Bread and Roses Award is given to a student who has made important contributions to women’s studies at Otterbein. Those contributions may include leadership in feminist activism, demonstrated excellence in women’s studies scholarship, or service to the Women’s Studies Program. Preference will be given to a student with a minor in women’s studies.

Criteria

The Women’s Forum gives the annual Bread and Roses Award to an outstanding individual or group who has made significant contributions in support of women through exemplary service. The award goes to a man, woman or group who has made an impact in women’s issues that deserves to be recognized. That person may:

  • Demonstrate a notable and/or sustained contribution to women’s issues.
  • Serve as a role model or advocate for women.
  • Make an exceptional contribution to Otterbein University.

Since 1992, Women’s Forum has given the Bread and Roses Award to a person (or group) who has made significant contributions in support of women through their exemplary service. The title of the award was inspired by a strike banner whose slogan read “We want bread and roses too!” In 1912, these banners were carried by women while striking against inhumane work conditions in the wool mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Starting in 2005, Women’s Forum is also honoring students who have shown leadership and exemplary service in support of women’s issues.

If you would like to nominate a faculty, staff, student, alumni, or a group, please contact with Executive Board of Women’s Forum or find posters or announcements on campus in every February or March.

Breadandroses 2023Bread and Rose Award Winners 2023
Breadandroses 2023 Speakers2023 Bread and Rose Award Ceremony Guest Speaker
Bread And Rose Award Winners 2022Bread and Rose Award Winners 2022
Past Winners
2023 Dr. Megan Chawansky, Julie Saker, and Miranda Hilt (’23). Flickr Photo Album
2022

2022 Dr. Shirine Mafi (Honorary Award), Kathy Mazza, Kirsten Crotte, Dr. Joan Esson, Aissata Barry (MBA ’23), and Paige Skaff (Sociology ’22). Flickr Photo Album.

2019 Tameka Johnson(Chefat The Point), Wesley Strobel (student awardee). Flickr Photo Album.
2018 Crystal Koon-Lester (posthumously), Crystal Koon-Lester Memorial Task Force, Dr. Janice Glowski, Dr. Joan Rocks. Flickr Photo Album.
2017 Dr. Patricia Keane, Dr. Grace McDaniel, Annette Boose, and Erica Zimmer Honorary Awards: Dr. Kathy Krendl and Dr. Beth Daugherty. Flickr Photo Album.
2016 Donna Rhodeback, Ashley Strausser, Mikayla Knerr, Mikah Barrueta. Flickr Photo Album.
2015 Dr. Suzanne Ashworth, Dr. Beverly Good and Carrie Coisman. Flickr Photo Album.
2014 Dr. Mary McKelvey, Dr. Kerry Strayer and Alex Shaffer
2013 Peggy McMains (Center for Teaching and Learning), Jacqlyn Schott (WGSS major), and Peggy Lobb (Psychology)
2012 Dr. Susan Fagan, Dr. Tammy Birk and Sheema Masood. Flickr Photo Album.
2011 Niki Fayne and Garlena Bauer
2010 Patti Rothermich, Kathlene Boone and Morgan Ritchie
2009 Allison Prindle and Danielle Fabian
2008 Sarah Fatherly and Jamie Wilson
2007 Judy Strayer and Connie Deel
2006 Pat Salyer and Jennifer Robert
2005 Nancy Woodson and Kathy Rainsburg
2004 Tom Moore
2003 Cynthia Jackson and Paula Knight
2002 Joanne Stichweh
2001 Ann Pryfogle
2000 Otterbein Support Staff Council
1999 Grace Ross
1998 Becky Smith and Sylvia Vance
1997 Marilyn Day
1996 Edna Smith Zech
1995 Jeanne Talley
1994 Karen Schwartzwalder
1993 Joanne Van Sant
1992 Otterbein Women’s Club
Archive of Women’s Forum Past Events
2016 Panel Discussion on Western vs. Eastern Education
Using Design Thinking to Improve your Happiness at Work!
Fuel your success!
2015 Language, Non-verbal and self-presentation for Women at Work and Home
Improving Focus and Function with Nutrition
Westerville: Yesterday and Today
Think, Before Posting on Social Media!
Natural Remedies for stress and anxiety
2014 Medicare & You!

Board Members

Dr. Shirine Mafi
Emeritus Professor in Management
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
smafi@otterbein.edu

Dr. Yiyuan Liu (Ava)
Associate Professor in Marketing
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
yliu1@otterbein.edu
614-823-1447
Roush 412

Allison M. de Nijs ’96
Academic Administrative Assistant
Department of Business, Accounting & Economics
denijs1@otterbein.edu
614-823-1310
Roush 419

Gaby Sicuro Miller
Administrative Coordinator
Education Department
gmiller@otterbein.edu
614-823-1214
Roush Hall 430

Women at Otterbein: An Historical Overview
Special event of “Remarkable Women at Otterbein: Then and Now”
Mrach 2017
Source: Otterbein Archivist, Stephen Grinch

Women’s Forum's History
Serving Otterbein over 30 years
1992-2022
Source: Women’s Forum board members