Professor Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, was named one of the 2011 YWCA Women of Distinction Award winners today in Toronto.
The YWCA Women of Distinction awards recognize the contributions of women who have improved the lives of girls and women. Amon, who is being recognized in the category of science and engineering, and six other women will receive the awards at the 31st Annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards dinner on May 18.
Dean Amon was recognized for breaking glass ceilings and gender barriers in science and engineering. Other recipients were honoured for providing comfort to the homeless, working to end violence against women, improving women’s access to health care, and advancing women’s rights and economic security internationally.
Throughout her career, Dean Amon has been a tireless advocate for increasing diversity in the engineering profession. Earlier in her career, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, she developed two major engineering outreach programs for under-represented groups: “Moving 4th Into Engineering,” an outreach program for female and minority fourth-grade students, and “Engineering Your Future,” a program for female students from Pittsburgh’s inner-city high schools.
As a young woman growing up in South America, Dean Amon aspired to pursue a career as a teacher, after having been inspired by one of her own teachers. She quickly recognized the positive influence that strong female role models can have on young women. As a result, she has spent her career giving generously of her time and experience to mentor female students and academics.
As the first female Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto, she has demonstrated her commitment to closing the gender gap among faculty and student populations and has successfully created a supportive environment in which women, in increasing numbers, have been able to thrive in leadership roles. Her leadership in this area has had a tremendous and enduring effect on the landscape of the Faculty and the engineering community.
Dean Amon’s engagement as a role model and a leader in attracting more women to the profession does not end at the University of Toronto. For example, in 2009, she arranged for the University of Toronto to host the National Conference for Women in Engineering where she delivered the welcoming address.
“Professor Cristina Amon has made pioneering contributions to the advancement of women in engineering and science,” said David Naylor, President of the University of Toronto. “In particular, through her example as Dean of the Faculty and her commitment to mentorship, she has encouraged girls and young women to consider engineering as a profession.
“We are proud of this outstanding recognition. It is a tribute to the innovative and passionate leadership Dean Amon has brought to the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.”
The other six 2011 YWCA Women of Distinction are Sherry Cooper (Corporate Leadership); Vivian Del Valle (Community Support); Elizabeth Goldberg (Law and Justice); Sophia Gran-Ruaz (Young Woman of Distinction); Joan Lesmond (Health Leadership); Karen Takacs (Development and Advocacy).
YWCA Toronto works with thousands of women and girls who face numerous barriers to making their dreams come true. The Women of Distinction event raises critical funds for the YWCA, supporting its programs across Toronto that offer women and girls counselling, resources and the self-confidence to achieve their dreams.
