The University Record, May 8, 1995
WCTF honors Jones, Jackson
By Rebecca A. Doyle
Two women were honored last Wed-nesday at the ninth annual Women of the Year Awards Program.
Beverly Jones, associate hospital director/chief of nursing affairs and associate dean and lecturer in nursing, was named the Woman of the Year in Leadership by the Women of Color Task Force, and Ella Jackson, systems project coordinator at the Information Technology Division’s information systems unit, received the Rebecca A. Vaughan Distinguished Service award.
Jones began her U-M career six years ago as a staff nurse at University Hospitals. Her nomination cited a “dramatic and inspiring videotape, ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes,’ that features nurses of color as role models in prominent positions throughout the Medical Center. This program provides a creative strategy for increasing racial and cultural diversity in health care delivery systems.” She also initiated and implemented a reorganization of the hospital’s nursing services.
Jones serves on numerous executive committees and task forces and volunteers with the American Heart Association.
Ella S. Jackson began her University career in 1970 as programmer analyst, moving through the ranks to her present position of systems project coordinator. It was through her knowledge in computer programming and customer service that “the Women of Color Task Force started to enter the computer age,” noted her nominator. Jackson initiated changes in the registration process for the annual People of Color Career Conference that is sponsored by the task force, as well as implementing new procedures for coordinating and recruiting volunteers for the conference.
“It is because of the efforts of women like Ella that the organization has continued to grow, evolve and accomplish great things,” concluded her nomination. Jackson also served on the task force from 1985-90, facilitating workshops, as co-chair in 1988-89 and as a member of the awards committee.
The Women of Color Task Force, now in its 13th year, was acclaimed by Jimmy A. Myers, associate director of affirmative action programs, as the “largest, most successful organization of its kind in American education.” Myers noted that the task force is used as a model for other schools that wish to adopt a similar program.
