1998 Susan B. Anthony Awards

 1998 SUSAN B.  ANTHONY AWARDS

"Cautious, careful people always about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform. Those who are really in earnest are willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathies with despised ideas and their advocates and bear the consequences." --Susan B. Anthony

Miriam Brown Dorsey, Executive Director, Fair Housing Center

Miriam manages an agency that fights illegal discrimination in housing, investigating complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, national origin, marital/familial status, age and source of income. She is extremely dedicated to working for the rights of women and people of color. She is a volunteer with several organizations, including the NAACP, Jackson Women's History Council and St. John's United Church of Christ. She has served as Vice Chair of the NAACP statewide conference's Housing Committee, and other positions in the Jackson organization. She was a member of the statewide Church and Ministry Commission ofr the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ. Two of Miriam's many accomplishments at the state level have been advocating for equalization of pay for women pastors and increasing the percentage of women ministers at the UCC.

"Tama" consistently supports services to women and promotes awareness in the area of human relations, racism, educational development and independence for the empowerment of women. She is a strong volunteer leader across our community and describes herself as earning "Ph.D. in Poverty, Hunger and Determination". She has worked as a Crisis intervention worker of A.W.A.R.E. and for the Emergency Counseling Center of Jackson along with her work as Region II Community Action Agency as a community worker. Tamar has volunteered her time on the Client Advisory Council for the Family Independence Agency, as a Board member for the Jackson Co. Fair Housing Center, national Association of Human Rights worker and Co-chaired the Jackson U.N.I.T.E.D. Welfare Rights Organization. Recently she has been a Commissioner for the City of Jackson Human Relation Commission and worded on the Committee to elect Shirley Williams. Tamar also served on the Michigan League for Human Services Board from 1983 - 1995 and the Jackson NAACP Freedom fund committee 1996 to present.

Marge is a long-standing member of the League of Women Voters and has worked on a variety of issues to develop consensus for League legislative platforms. She has held the positions of Past President, Board member and past member of the State Board. She has worked within the League and with Y Center Programs for Women to provide opportunities for women and direct them in discovering their opportunities. She was the Assistant Women's Programs coordinator for the Y-Center, Counselor for Region II Employment and Training, Chartered the Jackson Fund for Planned parenthood of Mid-Michigan and is past board member for the Florence Crittendon Home. She is always willing to work on projects that uplift women in the Jackson community.

Family Services and Children's Aide
Kirsta has been very active in many organizations that empower, educate and enhance the lives of women of all ages. She was recognized by BPW for exemplary community service and work performance when she won the 1995 BPW Young Careerist Award. Professionally, Kirsta serves as the Director of the MARE program, Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange. Here she provides resources to communities in Michigan to match prospective adoptive homes with children who have been traditionally difficult to place. She is a Big Sister through the Big Brother/Big Sisters program here in Jackson in addition to serving as a clinic volunteer and speakers' bureau member at planned Parenthood where she was selected as the 1997 Volunteer of the Year. She is an active volunteer and grassroots member of the Jackson Women's History Council, working on several committees including the "Celebration Thru Education" encouraging local teachers to participate in the project. Per Bev McGill "Kirsta exemplifies the feminist adage, the personal is political.' She has worked for many years professionally and personally to enhance the lives of women."

Arme is an initiator and promoter of programs which support the self-sufficiency, self-fulfillment and dignity of women. As a retired teacher from the JPS system, Arme constantly encourages education for girls both professionally and personally. As a board member of the Jackson Branch AAUW, Arme chairs the Public Policy, which consists of women's issues, and she consistently encourages and supports all issues for women's rights. She is a 20-year member of the NAACP serving as an Executive Board Member for 12 years. Other club involvement's include, League of Women Voters, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, National Council of Negro Women, Girl Scouts of America, Region II Community Action Agency, Lane Memorial CME Church and Board member of the Kings Community Home for 25 years. Arme provides leadership for the empowerment of women. She has consistently devoted her energy and enthusiasm to promoting equal opportunities for women and believes that organizations such as these can provide a key link between women and the community.