Sue Wortmann, associate professor of sociology, has been recognized with the Alice Paul Award for her lifelong dedication to women’s rights.
Wortmann was recognized on March 31 by the Women’s Foundation, which advocates for women and their families through education and outreach programs in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Wortmann joined the Nebraska Wesleyan University faculty in 2009. In addition to teaching sociology and advising and mentoring students, she is celebrated for her work in creating experiential learning opportunities for students beyond the classroom including the Asian Community and Cultural Center, Fresh Start Home and the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women. Wortmann has served as the faculty advisor to Global Service Learning, accompanying students on both national and international service projects that focus on poverty; has served as faculty co-coordinator for the Gender Advocacy Place, a student-run organization focused on gender/sexuality equality, and serves as NWU’s Title IX deputy coordinator. She received the 2015-2016 Exemplary Teacher Award from the University Methodist Church Division of Higher Education for her excellence both in and outside of the classroom.
Wortmann contributes directly to women in the community in her service as a board member for Fresh Start, a transitional shelter for homeless women, where she is active in community outreach and has served as a grant-writing consultant. Through her volunteer work with the Asian Center, she was instrumental in helping the nonprofit receive a three-year grant from the Community Health Endowment for over $160,000 to work on diabetes awareness and prevention in the population they serve.
The Women’s Foundation also honored Jose Soto, adjunct instructor of sociology, with the Erasmus Correll Award. The honor recognizes a man who has supported women’s rights.