Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award Recipients 2009

Monica Cruz (staff)
Misha McDonald (student)
Leona Pallansch, Ph.D. (faculty)
Mildred Rodriguez (staff)

The Alice Wright Franzke Feminist Award was established by the St. Mary’s Women’s Caucus in March 1990 to commemorate the life and works of Alice Franzke, PhD, a professor in the Sociology Department at St. Mary’s University from 1982 until 1989. She was the coordinator of the Peace and Justice Minor program, faculty moderator of the Students' Peace Group, and a founding member of the President's Peace Commission. She was co-founder of the St. Mary's University Women's Caucus, was an engaged civil rights activist, and worked vigorously for voter registration and education. She was a tireless advocate for non-traditional students at St. Mary's, and was active with the Bexar County Women's Political Caucus, and the League of Women Voters. Dr. Franzke was the national delegate of St. Mary's University to the American Association of University Women. She was committed to human equality, justice and peace, and embodied the spiritual and civic values which the award commemorates. Dr. Franzke was inducted as a Scholar into the Academy of St. Mary's University in 1989. The award honors feminists of the St. Mary’s University community who promote peace, empowerment, civic engagement, cooperation, equality, and respect of all persons.