Commission on the Status of Women

CSW Outstanding Achievement and Contribution Awards

2004 Award Recipients

Mary Anderson-Rowland

Associate Dean for Student Affairs of the Fulton School of Engineering

Mary Anderson-Rowland is devoted to changing outcomes for women. In 1975, Mary helped start the ASU student section of the Society of Women Engineers – and for nearly twenty years, she has been involved with the organization as a faculty advisor. In 1993, she instituted the Women in Science and Engineering Center, an organization that runs programs for both female high school and undergraduate students. In 1981, she began the Graduate Career Change Program, which has helped women earn master degrees in industrial engineering. And finally, in the last ten years that Mary has served as Associate Dean of the School of Engineering, the number of women students has increased more than 75 percent. Through dedication and hard work, Mary "provides caring and inspiring leadership for women engineering students on campus."

Peter Crouch

Dean of the Fulton School of Engineering

For the past eight years, Peter has served as the Dean for the Fulton School of Engineering. In those eight years, Peter has worked hard towards improving the advancement of women. Despite the predominance of men in the Engineering field, Peter has made it a priority to give "women a chance at advancement that they might not have otherwise received" – and as a result, the number of women faculty at the School of Engineering has nearly doubled in the past five years. Peter is "one of the good guys" when it comes to listening and supporting women in the Engineering profession. As some of the female colleagues in the School of Engineering explain, "he seems to get it."

Robin Haarr

Associate Professor,
Criminal Justice and Criminology

Through her work in criminal justice and human rights, Robin Haarr has done an exemplary job helping women who have suffered the effects of violence. Over the past several years, Robin has worked hard to bring attention to the problem of wife abuse in China and the former Soviet Republic of Tajikistan. Her efforts have been recognized through her nomination as a UN Volunteer and Fulbright Senior Specialist. Recently, Robin has coordinated a workshop to bring refugee youth to the ASU West Campus for the UN’s 2003 World Refugee Day. The focus of these activities served to highlight the special needs of refugee children and youth who are uprooted by war and violence. In addition to this project, Robin is also the co-coordinator of the "Migrant, Justice, and the Border" event designed to bring awareness to the lives that have been lost by men, women, and children crossing the desert. Through all of her efforts, Robin Haarr works tirelessly within and outside the university to bring an end to violence against women and to improve conditions for women and children around the world.

Joanne Martens

President,
Gamma Rho Lambda Sorority

Due to her hard work, her ability to pull together a team of leaders, and her drive to see that her goal was achieved, Joanne created the first lesbian-focused sorority to be officially recognized by a university’s Greek Life organization. As a result, not only did Gamma Rho Lambda become the first recognized lesbian-focused sorority, but Arizona State University became the first in the nation to ever recognize such a group. By establishing this organization, Joanne not only broke through stereotypes and provided a unique opportunity for the women of ASU, but she also paved the way for change. The impact of her efforts will be felt for a long time.

Retha Warnicke

Professor,
Department of History

For thirty-five years, Retha Warnicke has worked to make ASU a better place for women and minorities. Retha was the first women to be hired in the History Department and taught the first course offered in Women’s History. Through her advocacy and lobbying efforts, the History Department began to add women and minority men to the department – and as a result, the History Department is nearly half female and has a large minority presence. In addition to her efforts in the History Department, Retha has also devoted much of her time to affirmative action and faculty rights. She has done extraordinary service, way out of proportion to her male contemporaries, yet despite the time involved with her service, her teaching has remained exemplary and her publication record outstanding. Retha’s solid, ongoing, daily work on behalf of women has helped to transform ASU in an incredible way.

ASU Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association

The ASU Chapter of ABWA’s purpose was to form a group of women who were looking to succeed in some professional business career through networking, scholarships, internships, and friendships. The founders of this organization recognized that women do not have the same opportunities as men, and they realized the need for encouragement for tomorrow’s future businesswomen. By establishing this organization at ASU, ABWA has given undergraduate women a chance to have network with fellow women pursuing the same careers and facing the same hardships as women in business. ASU’s ABWA provides hope and determination to break down all social barriers that women have against them, and they truly motivate members to work towards their goals.

Officers: Erica Dermer, Taylor Stair, and Samantha DiPerna