Nominations for this year's Iris Marion Young Awards (Staff, Faculty, Graduate, and Undergraduate) are welcome through October 6. View the Call for Nominations here.
Like the philosopher, social theorist and former Pitt faculty member Iris Marion Young, this award recognizes that social activism takes many forms. Justice can be pursued in a variety of ways and places— in the classroom and workplace, in organizations, through specific projects, in academic scholarship, in politics and volunteer work. The venue doesn’t matter – the effort and quality of contribution does. We invite nominations of any member of the University of Pittsburgh staff, faculty, graduate or undergraduate community who work to promote social justice and democracy. We especially welcome nominations of individuals whose work explicitly engages issues of gender and sexuality. Nominate someone by October 6 using this form or by sending an email to Event and Selection Committee Chair Anne Marie Toccket at ant53@pitt.edu. Please include the following three things: your name and contact information, the nominee’s name and contact information, and a couple of sentences explaining why you are nominating that person. You and your nominee will be contacted to follow up on your nomination.
Nominations must be received by Friday, October 6, 2017
Nominees’ supporting materials will be due Friday, October 20, 2017
Hold the Date: The Iris Marion Young Awards will be presented at a ceremony Wednesday, November 15, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the O’Hara Student Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus. The event will include a moderated discussion among award winners about the themes of community engagement, organizing, and bridging theory and practice. All are welcome to attend this free event.
The Young Award for Political Engagement honors Iris Marion Young, a philosopher and social theorist of international renown. At Pitt, Young was a galvanizing presence, active in the then Women's Studies Program as well as within GSPIA. During her time in Pittsburgh, Young volunteered and organized on behalf of peace and social justice, fair labor practices, adult literacy, and children’s rights, among other causes, and she worked to combat hate groups and poverty. She died in 2006 of cancer. We now honor Young’s memory by recognizing members of the Pitt community whose actions have had political impact within the University or beyond. Learn more about the award and past winners here.