USU's Women Over 65 Achievement Award Honors Four

Every year, Utah State University’s Women’s Center acknowledges the accomplishments, activities and civic dedication of women over the age of 65 with the “Women Over 65 Achievement Award.” This year four women receive the honor.

The honorees, Leah Dunford Parkinson Christensen, Linda Welch Croft, Patricia Gardner and Cleo Christensen Smith, will be recognized at a ceremony Tuesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. The ceremony takes place in the Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus. Family, friends and the public are invited.

 

Education — the life-long pursuit of and the dedication to — is a cornerstone for this year’s recipients. All sought education throughout their lives and all were involved in the educational profession, both in public schools and in higher education settings. Volunteer work, philanthropy and civic involvement also play major roles in the recipients’ lives.

 

The Women’s Center hosted its first Women Over 65 Achievement Award ceremony in 1986, making this the 21th anniversary of the award. Now, as then, the program serves to counter negative stereotypes sometimes associated with aging. The award creates awareness of women who continue to lead very active and productive lives in later years. The women are recognized for their past and present achievements, and the commitment to community involvement in Cache Valley.

 

“It is fitting that we honor these four outstanding women this year,” Women’s Center Director Janet Osborne said. “They exemplify the spirit of the award through their individual and diverse contributions.”

 

With the induction of this year’s recipients, 90 women have been so recognized in Cache Valley.