9 Lauded in Women's History Month Celebration

The Women’s Center recently recognized nine women from the University during a 2009 Women’s History Month celebration titled “If These Walls Could Talk.”  

The honorees included women who have contributed to the “fascinating fabric and unique culture of UT Dallas.”

Each woman was recognized by the Women’s Center advisory board because they excel in one or more of the following areas:

• Creating connections and partnerships for the success of women.
• Honoring diversity and inclusion.
• Changing and motivating our world through education and art.
• Inspiring a spirit of service and giving among women.
• Embracing leadership by taking action to promote women.

Honorees included:

• Nancy Bowles — Compensation manager in the Human Resources Management office. Bowles’ outside interests include art and mentoring other women.

• Dr. Sandra Chapman — Director of the Center for BrainHealth, Dee Wyly Distinguished Chair in Brain Health, and professor of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.  Under Chapman’s leadership, the center has developed clinical research programs dedicated to understanding, protecting and healing the brain.

• Dr. Shayla Holub — Assistant professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.  Holub’s research explores the role of general parenting style in specific feeding practices, as well as how parental feeding is related to a child’s eating behaviors, attitudes toward eating, personal body size satisfaction and obesity stigma.

• Dr. Abby Kratz — Associate provost in the Office of the Executive Vice President.  Since 2006, Kratz has served as chair of the University Committee for Diversity and Equity.  She was part of the team that created the Women’s Center and has been a member of its advisory board since 1997.

• Jacqueline Long — Project supervisor for the Academic Bridge Program in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.  Long sits on the Committee for Diversity and Equity at the University and chairs the Joint Committee on Child Care for UT Dallas.

• Cornelia McCowen — Project supervisor for the Academic Bridge Program.  McCowen, along with more than 100 others, was published in a book of letters, prayers and poems written for the first lady.  Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady, was released in February.

• Irene Solis — Student, historical studies; currently pursuing her undergraduate degree and teacher’s certificate.  Solis is the current president of the student organization Ladies of Vision and Excellence.

• Dr. Magaly Spector — Vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement.  Spector’s office is charged with the development of new programs to attract, retain and promote a more diverse population of students, staff and faculty at UT Dallas.

• Amber Trammel — Student, computer engineering.  In May, Trammel will be the first woman to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University.  She currently is president of the Society of Women Engineers at UT Dallas.

National Women’s History Month took place in March.  The Women’s Center celebration was held March 25.