Jeanne Mayo Burkle
Jeanne Mayo Burkle (1927鈥1985) was a feminist, community activist, and part-time instructor at 乐播传媒入口. She attended Tulane University and then earned a Master of Arts degree at the University of Iowa. An art historian by training, Burkle authored a manuscript on Louis Sullivan, who designed 乐播传媒入口鈥檚 jewel-box Merchants鈥 National Bank.
Burkle was an advocate for the local art community and helped to establish the 乐播传媒入口 Community Arts Council. She also served on the Iowa Humanities Board. In addition to her teaching, Burkle directed the College鈥檚 tutoring program and worked in the Rosenfield Program as a researcher on women鈥檚 issues. Burkle was a driving force in bringing a women鈥檚 studies program to 乐播传媒入口. In 1979, she sent a lengthy memo to then-President George Drake lobbying for the creation of a women鈥檚 studies program.
Her dedication to women鈥檚 needs extended beyond the college campus. She helped found a 乐播传媒入口 chapter of the National Organization for Women, and was active in efforts to open a 乐播传媒入口 community women鈥檚 center. Four years after her death, Jeanne Burkle Women鈥檚 Center opened to provide resources, classes, and support to women of the 乐播传媒入口 community.
The Award
After her death from cancer in 1985, her family and friends raised funds to establish an award in her name. The first Jeanne Burkle Award was given in 1987. Initially intended to honor 鈥渢he female student who, during her time at 乐播传媒入口, has made the greatest contribution academically and/or non-academically to women鈥檚 studies and the well-being of women,鈥 the parameters of the award have since been expanded to reflect the changing discipline of women鈥檚 studies. Today, the award is made at commencement to a graduating student who, in academic and co-curricular activities, has 鈥渁dvanced the cause of women and gender equality.鈥 The award usually is given in the amount of $1,000.
Nominations
The GWSS Committee solicits nominations for the Jeanne Burkle Award each spring. Nominations have two parts:
- a letter from the candidate outlining activities relevant to 鈥渁dvancing the cause of women and gender equality鈥; and
- one letter of recommendation from someone who can address the significance of those activities.
Self-nominations are invited. For further information, contact GWSS Program Chair Tamara Beauboeuf.
Past Award Winners
- 2024: Ekta Shaikh
- 2023: Nazma Noray and Kayley Ronnkvist
- 2022: Mikayla Trissell
- 2021: Antonix Davis and Elliot Wesselborg
- 2020: Indira Kapur and Sofia Martinez
- 2019: Sarah McCarthy
- 2018: Haley O'Neill and Ric Tennenbaum
- 2017: Teresa Fleming
- 2016: Lisa Stern
- 2015: Aarti Kolluri
- 2014: Isabella Leo
- 2013: Anika Manzoor and Clara Montague
- 2012: Elliot Karl and Zoe Schein
- 2011: Allison Brinkhorst
- 2010: Erica Hougland and Jessica Southard
- 2009: Erin Duran and Emma Lawler
- 2008: Evelyn Gandara and Jamie Zwiebel
- 2007: Solana Flora and Dale Mackey
- 2006: Elizabeth Hereth and Vashti Sawtelle
- 2005: Lara Janson
- 2004: Beatriz Menendez
- 2002: Julia Haltiwanter and Audrey Porte
- 2001: Rachel Melis and Meaghan Evans
- 2000: Kirsten Anderson
- 1999: Anne Tillema
- 1998: Melisa C. (Mel) Booker
- 1997: Kerri Barnstuble
- 1996: Holly Pfitsch
- 1995: Megan Lewis
- 1994: Amy Crumly and Beth Prullage
- 1992: Minne Alexander, Ann-Louise Hawk, and Jennifer Kern
- 1991: Rashmi Dyal-Chand and Julie Goings
- 1990: Mariah Goode and Anthippy Petras
- 1989: Jill Petty, Valerie Ingram, and Heidi Johnston
- 1988: Zoe Strecker
- 1987: Beth Anne Johnson