Each year, the History and Political Science Department of Cabrini University recognizes a woman who has made a noteworthy contribution to the civic life of her community; local, regional, national, or international. She is invited to Cabrini to speak to our students and receive the Ivy Young Willis and Martha Willis Dale Award.
This year’s recipient, PA State Representative Jennifer M. O’Mara, is being honored for her creative, innovative and progressive contributions to public affairs. Jennifer believes there is more that unites us than divides us and is committed to being part of a government that serves the people.
Established through the generosity of their respective families, in addition to many friends and alumni, the Ivy Young Willis and Martha Willis Dale Award and lecture series was initially established in 1992 by William G. Willis to honor Ivy, his late wife and modified in 2013 by John Dale to honor his late wife and daughter of Ivy and William. Martha’s son, Ian Anderson, offered a family history during the program.
Ivy Young Willis was a teacher, administrator, and reading consultant whose work, at WQED in Pittsburgh led the way for the teaching of reading on public television. Martha Willis Dale, a much-beloved alumni director at Cabrini College for 26 years, modeled her mother’s teachings through her life of service to students, alumni and the community. This series is dedicated to their memory and the strong belief a that women have a unique talent for improving the climate and conduct of public affairs.