Eight students win Bryant Herstory Awards

Bryant caps off Women’s History Month by recognizing students for their contributions to the Bryant community.

The Women’s Center held the 13^th Annual Women’s Herstory Awards dinner on March 27 to celebrate students who have been instrumental in raising awareness of women’s issues. The event was part of Women’s History Month activities at Bryant.

The winners as nominated by fellow students, faculty, staff, or administrators, included:

Lauren Cimino ’08 (Norwalk, CT)
Lisa DiNapoli ’08 (Hackensack, NJ)
Jennifer Erilus ’10 (Cranston, RI)
Leanne Hazen ’08 (Osprey, FL)
Somalisa Ker ’08 (Cranston, RI)
Danielle Malatesta ’09 (Bow, NH)
Maria Musarskaya ’09 (Moscow, Russia)
Gena Wilson ’08 (Southbury, CT)

(L-R) Women's Herstory Award winners: Leanne Hazen ’08 (Osprey, FL), Danielle Malatesta ’09 (Bow, NH), Lisa DiNapoli ’08 (Hackensack, NJ), Toby Simon, director of the Women's Center and assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, Maria Musarskaya ’09 (Moscow, Russia), Lauren Cimino ’08 (Norwalk, CT), and Somalisa Ker ’08 (Cranston, RI).

Cimino has been the editor-in-chief of The Archway for the past two years and a Resident Assistant for the past three. Currently she is president of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership honor society.

“There are so many women on campus – especially the other recipients – who are truly remarkable,” says Cimino. “To be recognized with them is not only an honor but also an inspiration.” Cimino hopes to work in corporate communications or public relations in New York City after graduation.

As part of Women’s History Month at Bryant, DiNapoli, a finance concentrator hosted a premiere of the film “Shaping Girls into Extraordinary Women” based on her work with the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island.

“I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to share the remarkable stories of the women I met with the Bryant community,” says DiNapoli, who will begin working for Allianz Global Investors and PIMCO fund in Manhattan, NY after graduation.

For the past two years, Erilus has been a performer in Extravaganza and a member of the Alliance for Women’s Awareness (AWA). She has also been a cochair of the Black History Month Committee and a 4-MILE leader.

“It felt really great to be recognized for helping to make Bryant a better place for everyone,” says Erilus.

Women's Herstory Award winner Jennifer Erilus ’10 (Cranston, RI) with Monique Austin, assistant director of the Intercultural Center.

Hazen is the president of the AWA at Bryant. “To me this award represents my connection to the large network of incredible women on this campus including Professor Judy McDonnell, Professor Nanci Weinberger, the AWA executive board, Toby Simon, Kati Machtley, and the many great women who influence Bryant every day,” she says.

Ker has been active on campus as a 4-MILE leader and a member of the Senior Class Committee and Senior Advisory Council. As a former vice president of the Multicultural Student Union’s (MSU) Asian American Alliance, she established the first Cambodian New Year celebration as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

“I have always looked up to the women who have won this award in the past,” says Ker, an accounting concentrator. “To receive the award this year is an honor.”

Malatesta is the Orientation staff assistant, a member of the Center for Student Involvement’s Leadership Council, and a junior class representative on the Student Senate.

“Receiving this award is such an honor,” she says. “All of the recipients have truly made a difference both on and off campus and serve as role models to other women in the Bryant community.”

Musarskaya is the president of the International Student Organization; a member of AWA, MSU, and the Diversity Council of Champions; a Resident Assistant; and an orientation leader.

“At Bryant, women are not only empowered but are also recognized for the hard work they put into making a difference on this campus and improving quality of life for everyone,” she says.

Wilson is the former president of the Delta Zeta sorority and the Order of Omega, the Greek honor society, as well as a member of President Ronald K. Machtley’s Senior Advisory Council.

“This award is very meaningful because it means that as a young woman I am recognized for being able to make a difference,” says Wilson, who will begin working at PricewaterhouseCoopers after graduation.

Women's Herstory Award winner Gena Wilson ’08 (Southbury, CT) with Katherine Armstrong '10 (North Attleboro, MA).

In addition to the Herstory Awards, the Women’s Center awarded “Friends of the Women’s Center” medals to a group of male students who commit to making Bryant a great place for women students. The Gold went to Ryan Daley ’08 (Hudson, MA), the Silver to Wade Jubrey ’10 (East Granby, CT), and the Bronze to Jose Maldonado ’11 (Holyoke, MA).

Daley and Jubrey have been part of the “When a Kiss Is Not Just a Kiss,” sexual assault education skit during the Bryant Experience, while Maldonado is an active member of the AWA, MSU, and Bryant Pride.

(L-R) “Friends of the Women’s Center” medal winners: Gold Medal, Ryan Daley ’08 (Hudson, MA); Bronze Medal, Jose Maldonado ’11 (Holyoke, MA); and Silver Medal, Wade Jubrey ’10 (East Granby, CT).