UM-Dearborn’s Commission for Women has awarded Lisa Martin and Beth Morrison with the organization’s annual Susan B. Anthony Awards.
The awards recognize a member of the campus family and a member of the community whose work exemplify the dedication of Susan B. Anthony on behalf of women.
Beth Morrison
Martin, assistant professor of women’s and gender studies and health policy studies, received the campus award. Morrison, president and CEO of HAVEN, received the community award.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, delivered the keynote address.
Martin holds a joint appointment in the College of Arts, Science, and Letters and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. She has revitalized the curriculum of both health policy studies and women’s and gender studies.
Martin is a member of the SOAR Advisory Board and serves on the Center for the Education of Women Scholarship Committee, both of which provide financial support to socioeconomically disadvantaged students.
Through her directorship of the Women in Learning and Leadership program, Martin has connected students to numerous campus and community opportunities that are transforming their career paths and lives and developing their skill as leaders for social change.
As a result of these efforts, WILL students now lead the campus effort to end gender-based violence in organizing the successful Take Back the Night events, as well as their work on the current campus climate survey and “Abuse Hurts” campaign. Under Martin’s leadership, WILL has developed a mentoring program for at-risk girls at Vista Maria as a way to encourage these girls to see college as an option.
Martin also has demonstrated leadership in the development of a series of site visits that connect students with local leaders such as the CEO of the Coalition on Temporary Shelter, the CEO of Walbridge Industries, and the president and CEO of HAVEN. These site visits give students the opportunity to learn from successful women leaders and strengthen the university’s connections with community organizations.
As president and CEO of HAVEN, Morrison is transforming the way support and resources are provided for women and children who have experienced violence or sexual abuse. HAVEN is a nonprofit organization that provides programming and support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oakland County.
Her leadership and commitment over the past five years resulted in the opening of a new facility in Pontiac that, unlike many shelters, is accessible to the public and close to the Oakland County municipal complex, where law enforcement and court assistance are easily obtained.
Morrison has focused her career on the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. She has worked as a counselor, community educator, clinical supervisor, shelter manager, and in crisis intervention.
As a member of UM-Dearborn’s women’s and gender studies program and Women in Learning and Leadership Advisory Board, Morrison has brainstormed and conducted programs and workshops for students, and has made HAVEN a popular place for many WILL and women’s and gender studies students to do internships or perform volunteer work.
She participates in the Take Back the Night program, and has partnered with WILL students to produce a workshop on promoting healthy relationships.
