PRESS RELEASE > WomanSpirit Award
WomanSpirit Award Recognizes Barbara Weitz's Leadership and Community Service
Omaha, Neb., March 29, 2008 -- The Women's Fund of Greater Omaha has presented its prestigious WomanSpirit award to Barbara Weitz. The award recognizes a woman whose leadership has had a significant impact on the lives of women and girls in the Omaha area and establishes a perpetual annual= grant in her name. Weitz, only the seventh recipient of the award since its inception in 1996, was honored at a March 29 luncheon held at Family Housing Advisory Services.
Weitz served two terms on the Women's Fund board. As chair of its research committee, she guided the 2007 publication of a comprehensive study entitled "Women and Leadership in Omaha."
Among her many community projects, Weitz serves on the executive board of Building Bright Futures, an initiative to improve academic performance and raise high school graduation rates in Omaha. She was founding board chair of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Midlands and has served on the boards of CampFire USA, Methodist Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary, Social Settlement, Planned Parenthood, All Our Kids and Carleton Parents Organization.
"Fortunately for us, Barbara continues to be an incredible asset to the Women's Fund," said Ellie Archer, Women's Fund executive director. "She gives so much of her time, talent and treasure to benefit Omaha's women and girls. She is very deserving of the WomanSpirit honor."
Weitz taught at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's School of Social Work from 1991 until 2005. She often incorporated service learning in her teachings, providing students with opportunities to apply classroom lessons in real-world settings to benefit the community.
Dianne Seeman Lozier and Mary Heng-Braun were co-chairs of the WomanSpirit event. Paul Sather, Ida-Marie Hebrank, Amanda Duffy Randall and Katie Weitz White each spoke during the award ceremony, paying tribute to Weitz and her many accomplishments. Others participating in the program were Claudia Martin, Wally Weitz, Carol Russell, Mary Beerling, Drew Weitz and Roger Weitz.
Women's Fund of Greater Omaha
7602 Pacific St., Suite 300
Omaha, NE 68114
www.omahawomensfund.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellie Archer – 402.827.9280