Women's Forum

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 2024, we had the 31st Bread and Roses Award Ceremony, celebrating the remarkable achievements of our recipients. We are honored to have Angel Mumma, Senior Vice President of Finance at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, as our guest speaker. With her extensive experience in strategic financial management, Angel offered insights into her career journey and provided valuable advice for women aspiring to leadership roles. Recipients of the 2024 Bread and Roses Award include Dr. Amy Johnson, Gaby Miller, and Madison Newman (English, Sociology, and WGSS ‘24).

This year, we celebrated another productive year with Bread and Roses Award recipients including Kayla Lechnir ’26, Isabella Neal ’27, Dr. Melissa Gilbert, Dr. Kristy McCray, and Dr. Diane Ross. We were honored to have Professor Joan Rocks from the Department of Health and Sport Sciences (HSS) as our guest speaker. She led an inspiring conversation—“Then and Now: Look at the huge strides we (women) have made!”—bringing to life the powerful history of HSS and the women who helped shape its legacy.

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.