Adrian College director of multicultural services, Idali Feliciano, was recently awarded the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Woman of the Year award. (Photo by Ashley Brown)
Idali Feliciano, director of multicultural programs at Adrian College, recently received the Zonta International Club’s Amelia Earhart Woman of the Year award. This award is given to the woman who best exemplifies the pioneering spirit and the excellence in her field that were characteristic of Amelia Earhart. In addition, Feliciano works to increase the status of women in her community.
Carissa Massey, assistant professor of art history, nominated Feliciano for the award.
“Her work combats racism, sexism, and homophobia through workshops, mentoring programs, cultural events, and training sessions on campus and off,” said Massey.
The award came as a bit of a surprise to Feliciano, who only learned of her nomination when she received a phone call saying she had been selected as the winner.
“It was a surprise, but a pleasant surprise,” said Feliciano.
Massey isn’t the only one at AC singing Feliciano’s praises.
“This award is about taking initiative, having a pioneering spirit, and being fearless in the face of logistical odds and barriers,” said Beth Myers, professor of English. “I hope people will pay attention now to all the good work she [Feliciano] does.”
As multicultural director, Feliciano said her major focus is to be a support system for students, to help retain and graduate student, and to bring about cultural diversity at AC. She strives towards these goals by working closely with A.L.P.H.A. (African American Leaders Promoting Higher Achievement), hosting field trips to places such as the Holocaust Museum and Arab-American Museum, and putting on the Global Food Festival each November.
Massey said Feliciano’s most important contribution to improving the lives of women has been the Women’s Diversity Conference that was held last March. The conference held workshops on education, had a domestic violence presentation, talked about the role of women in the media and brought up issues important to Lenawee County that impact women.
“This new and ongoing conference brings together women of diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds to celebrate women as contributing and vital members of our community,” Massey said.
In addition, Feliciano co-founded Cambios, an organization to fight racism and discrimination in the county, has worked with the Martin Luther King, Jr. planning committee, was on the board of directors for the family counseling and children’s services for six years and currently has a photo exhibit that she and AC professor of modern languages and cultures, Don Cellini, put together on display at the Adrian Public Library. The exhibit is of Latina women in Lenawee County, which will be expanded into a diverse women’s photo project at this year’s Women’s Diversity Conference, highlights women of all races and ethnicities who are contributing members of the community.
“We’re trying to highlight the things others don’t focus on,” said Feliciano.
Zonta International is a global organization made up of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy that was founded in 1919. Zonta members volunteer their time, talents and money to local and international service projects, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women’s education, leadership and youth development. Students wanting to learn more about Zonta should keep their eyes open.
“Hopefully in the next year, we’ll have a student version of Zonta, the Golden Z, on campus,” said Myers.