Senior Christina Weiberg said she was humbled Thursday, April 19, after receiving an award at the University Advocates for Women and Equity spring reception in McNeeley Hall.

While the organization has given awards to women who advocate for other women since 2000, this is the first year the Sister Pat Kowalski Leadership Award has been extended to a student.

“It’s kind of a shock and awe value I guess, just because there are so many great women who have received this award and have been such great role models,” Weiberg said. “I can’t even imagine that I am following in their footsteps.”

The Sister Pat Kowalski Award is dedicated in memory of Kowalski’s spirit and work. She was director of community partnerships at St. Thomas for seven years and was a member of the University Committee on Women.

The award is given to women that distinguish themselves by working on issues concerning women, something Weiberg has done as a retreat leader and a resident adviser.

Pat Alexander, administrative assistant for the Luann Dummer Center for Women, also received the Kowalski honor.

“It’s really an honor because since I have worked in the women’s center where the plaque is with all the names on it, I have watched all these people getting this award through the years and knowing how good they are, it’s quite an honor to have my name now added to theirs,” Alexander said.

Other awards included The Good Sister Award, The Pauline Lambert Award and The Sapientia Award.

The Good Sister Award is given to a woman who provides help both in informal and formal ways and was extended to Susan Marsnik, St. Thomas ethics and business law professor.

The Pauline Lambert Award is given to women who are active in working for advocacy on gender issues. This year the award was given to St. Thomas law student Alexandra Campion and senior Lisa Johnson.

Campion and some of her fellow law students helped found The Center for Girls Leadership, and Johnson devotes her time and efforts toward ending sexual violence.

The Sapientia Award was given to Associate Dean of Students Tori Svoboda for her work with women and being a continuous role model for students.

Ea McMillan Porter, a member of the University Advocate for Women and Equity and this year’s emcee, said this year’s recipients were exceptional.

“We always get nominations, but I think this year there were stellar, truly above and beyond, outstanding nominees that made it so very easy for us. It is just such an honor to be part of this,” McMillan Porter said.

Weiberg hopes the reception inspired more people to be accepting of others, regardless of gender.

“I think the biggest thing is learning to love each other. We’re in such a culture that put women and men down,” Weiberg said.

Alexander hopes that St. Thomas students will strive to be a “really strong voice for women.”

“Starting young, you will have a great impact,” Alexander said.

Meghan Sheldon can be reached at shel9069@stthomas.edu.