MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Lynne Azarchi, 609-581-0239, lynne@kidsbridgemuseum.org
Join Us for
Ribbon Cutting for the New
*Girls Hall of Fame*
&
Two Inaugural Award Presentations
What: (1) Ribbon cutting for the new Girls Hall of Fame in the KidsbridgeMuseum.
(2) Inaugural presentation for the UPstander of the year and TCNJ UPstander of the year.
Where: Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum at The College of New Jersey, Ewing NJ
When: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.
About: The Girls Hall of Fame began with the students in TCNJ’s Women In Learning and Leadership (WILL) Program’s Freshman Seminar Course “Rebel Girls: Social Change and Leadership – Girl Style.” Students created and produced the Girls Hall of Fame, which features the biographies of 13 noteworthy girls. Each exhibit profile highlights how girls “do” social change – considering any and all contemporary, historical and literary figures with inspirational “girl power”stories. These profiles tell the often untold stories of girls as powerful agents of social change; they share girls’ experiences of struggle and triumph. With an emphasis on girls’ empowerment, WILL students identified key events and people that have shaped girl activists’ approaches to leadership and social change. They further explored the methods and strategies utilized by girls to impact their local, national, and global communities.
The creation of a Girls Hall of Fame Award Program is long overdue. With the tagline of “Inspiring girls to create change,” two awards will be given out annually: one to a courageous adult whose actions inspire others, and another to a deserving college student whose efforts have made a difference in the lives of others.
2013 Award Winners
The 2013 Adult Winner has been chosen. TCNJ Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, Vicky L. Triponey previously served as the vice president of student affairs at Penn State University (PSU) from 2003 to 2007. Triponey resigned from PSU after multiple conflicts with the late head football coach Joe Paterno concerning numerous crimes and violations of the student code of conduct by Penn State football players (for incidents that ranged from bar fights to sexual assault). In effect, Triponey was trying to hold football players accountable to the same standards as other students, yet her efforts were not supported by then President Graham Spanier. She was characterized as too aggressive, confrontational and not a good fit with “the PennState way.” In her own words, Triponey described it as, “The culture is deep. The culture is making decisions based on how others will react, not based on what’s right and wrong. It focused on the interests of those at the top of the chain. Others at the bottom didn’t matter.”
Citing “philosophical differences,” Triponey resigned under pressure as the 2007 football season got under way. All this took place years before the Sandusky scandal was exposed and prior to the release of the Freeh Report in July 2012 which revealed to the world the dysfunctional PSU football-first culture and its tragic outcomes.
Vicky Triponey’s principle-centered stand has been brought to light and praised through media coverage in highly respected news outlets across the country. Her strength, her ethical leadership, and her return to a stellar 33 year career in higher education here at The College of New Jersey have inspired us to acknowledge Vicky L. Triponey as our courageous UPstander of the Year.
Andrea Besaw is the 2013 TCNJ student winner. Andrea is a senior Nursing major and Women’s and Gender Studies minor. She is involved in the Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL) Program, serving as the Executive Chair and Community Service Chair. She developed and coordinated TCNJ’s Young Women’s Empowerment Day: a one-day event that brings Trenton high school girls to the campus to learn about gender-based issues and develop their leadership potential as future college students. In addition to this local work, Andrea also took part in WILL’s 2011 Nicaragua Solidarity Project. Most recently in the fall of 2012, Andrea led a group of WILL students in a series of online discussion groups featuring girls’ activism for the first International Day of the Girl on October 11, 2012.
Both awardees will be acknowledged and receive their award at the February 20 reception.
Background on Partnering Organizations:
Kidsbridge, “Empowering youth to make positive changes in themselves and in our world!” Kidsbridge is dedicated to providing imaginative, interactive programs focusing on: anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying; tolerance, diversity appreciation and respect for all persons; UPstander behavior instead of bystander behavior; victim empowerment and positive self-esteem; conflict resolution and empathy; sensitivity to persons with disabilities; gender stereotypes and understanding of LGBT persons; and kid heroes and grassroots youth activism. Since 1996, Kidsbridge has sought to fill the large voids that exist for today’s youth in the learning of life skills, character education and diversity appreciation with knowledge, aspiration and empowerment. Executive Director: Lynne Azarchi. www.kidsbridgemuseum.org
Sage Girl, “Empowering girls to pursue vibrant and authentic lives” Since 2006, Sage Girl has delivered girl-positive programs to all communities in New Jersey, helping thousands of girls to discover their passions and live authentically. Through unique programming and partnerships, Sage Girl challenges girls to explore new interests, value their unlimited potential, and follow their dreams. Sage Girl works with girls to provide experiential learning opportunities designed to empower, enhance, and celebrate the wisdom and strength of every girl. Sage Girl’s goal is to support girls of all ages in developing the skills and capacities necessary to positively determine their lives and shape their communities. Executive Director: Emily Bent. www.sagegirl.org
Women in Learning and Leadership Program (WILL) at TCNJ The WILL Program strives to foster a deeper understanding of gender and its intersections with race, culture, class, sexuality and other aspects of social identity. By connecting students with each other, and to a strong supportive network of faculty, staff, alumnae and community mentors, WILL students develop critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving and leadership skills. WILL students participate in a variety of community-engaged learning projects designed to promote positive participation in the local and global community. This program provides opportunities for women to explore career and life choices in multiple disciplines that enable them to excel and realize their full potential. Executive Director: Mary Lynn Hopps. www.will.pages.tcnj.edu
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