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The Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC), within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement (ODECE) is thrilled to recognize its 2020 Womxn Who Make a Difference.

In this annual event, CISC honors womxn-identified��campus community members who have made a difference at CU.��Community members are able to nominate individuals they would like to recognize��in a tradition that began 19 years ago by��student staff at the Women’s Resource Center (now a part of CISC).��They��conceived this award with the hope to recognize a woman in the community who had made a meaningful impact, and after����receiving eight nominations of such quality, they decided to honor all nominees when faced with the impossible task of selecting only one.

This year’s event, held via Zoom��on Nov, 18,��still allowed CISCS to honor a new group of eight fantastic individuals and have a beautiful experience of community in these trying times.

This year's honorees,��listed below alongside quotes from their nominators’ forms, are:

• LeeLee Graham—“An example of the type of women that we need to keep in tech”
• Janice Torkildsen—“An advocate and ally for the underrepresented”
• Jennifer Morales—“An amazing individual, amazing woman, amazing person overall”
• Kristie Soares—“A phenomenal mentor who never fails to show up, show out, and hold space for my community”
• Roshanne Ebraminian—“A generous, genuine genius!”
• Crystal Lay—“An amazing member of the CU community who leads with integrity and authenticity”
• Jennifer Williams—“A beloved mama and an inspiration”
• Abbey Strusz—“A huge ally and cheerleader who goes above and beyond”

These recipients work hard to make a difference, both on campus and in the community.��Some of their good work��includes:

• Mobilizing womxn in engineering and science
• Providing hope, encouragement and a sense of security for their team, in such a scary time for them as they work the front lines
• Always looking to make the community a better place
• Effectively removing power differences, to allow students to see themselves as potential experts
• Creating a work environment where everyone can bring their��whole selves
• Leading with integrity and authenticity
• Unceasingly, unselfishly providing a support system to their community
• Generously giving others grace and encouraging��their team and students to do the same

Please join the Center for Inclusion and Social Change in congratulating the 2020 Womxn Who Make a Difference, and celebrating their impact with gratitude and joy!