ESU Student Group Presents Four "Women of Distinction" Awards

Women for Awareness, a student group at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, honored three women along with a feminist man during its eleventh annual Women of Distinction awards ceremony, held in March.

The honorees included two ESU faculty members: Dr. Edith Miller, distinguished professor of academic enrichment and learning and director of disability services, and Dr. David Rheinheimer, professor of academic enrichment and learning. Professor Miller received the Faculty Award for her efforts to ensure rights and access for people with disabilities, and for her work to promote women's rights and social equity. Professor Rheinheimer received the Feminist Man Award for his work to protect and promote reproductive freedom. Rheinheimer has served on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of Northeast Pennsylvania (PPNEP) and currently serves on the board of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Northeast Pennsylvania, the political action committee for PPNEP.

Jennifer Kotch, a sophomore pre-exercise science major from Phoenixville, Pa., received the student award for her work on breast cancer awareness. Since losing her mother to breast cancer, Ms. Kotch has been an activist on campus to promote awareness about this disease that affects young women of all ages.

Ms. Kim Custer, chief executive officer of PPNEP since 2004, received the community award for her commitment to promoting women's reproductive health, freedom, and choice. PPNEP serves Monroe, Lehigh, Northampton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Carbon counties. Ms. Custer received this award for her dedication to ensuring women's reproductive freedom and choice and advocating for reproductive health. She is an outspoken advocate for women's reproductive health and freedom. Prior to coming to Pennsylvania, she was the vice-president of Development and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties in California.

For more information, contact Dr. Mollie Whalen, director of the ESU women's center and coordinator of women's studies, at 570-422-3472.