Leading the Fight for Fairness
four award-winning locals who were recently recognized for their social justice efforts
The Chippewa Valley is fortunate to have many people who labor day in and day out to improve the equality of our institutions, our community, and our world. Here are four who were recently honored for their work.
WINNIFRED BRYANT
OUTSTANDING WOMAN OF COLOR AWARD
Dr. Winnifred Bryant, department chair and professor of biology at UW-Eau Claire was one of 14 recipients of the UW System’s Outstanding Woman of Color Award, which recognizes women who work to improve the status and professional climate for women and people of color, and advance the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her contributions includes research focusing on environmental estrogens and the role they may play in progression of breast and uterine cancer and authored the textbook, Human Sexual Biology.
“I don’t often self-reflect on what impact I have by occupying the space that I do on this campus,” Bryant said. “So, I’m deeply flattered that someone did.”
JOSH BROWN
P.B POORMAN AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY
Dr. Josh Brown, professor of German and linguistics and affiliate faculty member in the women’s, gender, and sexuality studies program at UW-Eau Claire, was one of 11 honorees for the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People. His experience as a formerly closeted student pushed him towards celebrating LGBTQ+ identities in and our of the classroom through his work in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Liaison Committee.
“Receiving this award makes me reflect on the work that I’ve done toward that goal, and serves as a reminder of the work that I want to keep doing,” Brown said.
WEI ZHENG
OUTSTANDING WOMAN OF COLOR AWARD
Dr. Wei Zheng, a professor of plastics engineering and program director at UW-Stout, is one of 14 recipients of the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. Zheng, a participant in the Society of Plastic Engineers, has received grants such as the WiSys Applied Research Grant and the G.A. Taft Professorship at UW-Stout. She is currently focusing her research on biodegradable polymers. “(Receiving the award) is very important because it promotes diversity in the UW System, particularly in women,” she said.
RICKIE-ANN LEGLEITNER
P.B POORMAN AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY
Dr. Rickie-Ann Legleitner, associate professor of English, communications, and philosophy at UW-Stout, is one of 11 honorees for the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People. Legleitner is the adviser of the women’s, gender and sexuality studies program and the university’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan coordinator. “Anytime we are talking about a historically excluded group, we need to offer additional support to make their journey to success more equitable,” Legleitner said.