- Source: Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Awards
The Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Awards are rewarded annually by the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) to recognize the contributions of African American Women in scientific and technological fields of study and work. The award is named for Winifred Burks-Houck, environmental chemist and the first female president of NOBCChE.
The award seeks to highlight achievements in science, technology, engineering and math; leadership; creativity; community service; and entrepreneurship.
History
Winifred Burks-Houck was a notable leader in the NOBCChE having established its West Coast branch and serving as its first female president for four consecutive terms. She was credited with positive change within the organization such as the increase of its chapters by more than 100%, partnerships with other scientific and engineering-related organizations, increasing NOBCChE visibility and advancing the interests of Black chemists. Though Burks-Houck had passed away in 2004, the NOBCChE in 2010 decided to honour her legacy through the creation of the Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Awards and Symposium where recipients are recognized.
Awards
The Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Awards are awarded to three categories of recipients: Professional Leadership, Graduate Leadership, and Undergraduate Leadership. Professional women in STEM who exemplify leadership while contributing to the community and students pursuing a degree in a STEM field are considered for this award. Distinguished Lecturers are the speakers at the annual Winifred Burks-Houck Professional Leadership Symposium selected based on their status as thought leaders on STEM and roles in leadership, organizational development, entrepreneurship, and other success enabling areas.
= Distinguished lecturer
=2010: Dr. Margaret E. M. Tolbert
2011: Dr. Mae C. Jemison
2012: Maggie Anderson
2014: Dr. Noreen Mayberry-Khan, “The Tox Doc”
2015: Dr. Pamela McCauley-Bush
2016: Dr. Tashni-Ann Dubroy
2017: Carroll A. Thomas
2018: Dr. Alveda Williams Dow
2019: Dr. Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy
2020: Dr. Christina Jones
= Professional leadership awardee
=2010: Ms. Sandra Parker
2011: Dr. Christine Grant
2012: Dr. Sharon Barnes
2013: Dr. Rashida Weathers
2014: Dr. Sharon Kennedy
2015: Dr. Jeanita Pritchett
2017: Dr. Maria Curry-Nkasah
2018: Dr. Connie Watson
2019: Dr. Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy
2020: Dr. Christina Jones
2021: Sharon L. Walker
= Graduate leadership awardee
=2010: Kari Copeland
2011: Tova Samuels
2012: Dr. Racquel Jemison
2013: Bria Dawson
2014: Alicia Bowen
2015: Dr. Ketura Odoi
2017: Dr. Treva Brown
2018: Dr. Viridiana Herrera
2019: Otega Ejegbavwo
2020: Sondrica Grimes
2021: Dayna Patterson
= Undergraduate leadership awardee
=2010: Sharon Patrice Anderson
2011: Kaetochi Okemgbo
2012: Dr. Trishelle M. Copeland-Johnson
2013: Dr. Edikan Archibong
2015: Ashley McCray
2016: Samantha Mensah
2017: Patience Mukashyaka
2018: Raven Richardson
2019: Jaquesta Adams
2020: Jordan Alford