Dorothy C. Miller

is honored with a Brick from Gayle Davis, Shelley Endsley, Debbie Gordon, Carol Wolfe Konek, Ramona Liera-Schwichtenberg, Stuart Lasine, Karen Lavery, Valda Lewis, Angee MacMurray, and Mary Smith.

We can't remember a time when Dorothy Miller didn't embody the hopes and dreams of those of us making social change by seeing the world through feminist eyes. Dorothy came to the Center for Women's Studies in 1989, with the BA in English Literature from University of Pennsylvania, and the MS and the DSW in Social Policy, Planning & Organization from Columbia University. Dorothy was enthusiastic about joining the Center for Women's Studies as an expert in the theory and practice of policy analysis and social change. Her academic and professional background enabled her to bring unique perspectives on the plight of women and children and families in a society in which responsibilities without resources are often assigned to women.

Prior to joining the Center for Women's Studies, she taught at Rutgers University and the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning. Prior to her academic appointments, she served as a psychiatric social worker, as a caseworker in foster care services, as Director of the Hecht Institute for State Child Welfare Planning in Washington, and as Foster Care Specialist for the Child Welfare League of America in New York. The title of Dorothy's book in progress, "Care, Gender and Public Policy" is descriptive of her career focus. She studies, teaches, and acts upon her analysis of the economic and social structures affecting the lives of women and children living in poverty to contribute to the realization of a society based on the ethic of care.

Her publications include "Family Poverty in Kansas: A Guide to Government Programs and Policies," "Understanding Family Poverty in Kansas," and "Kansas Welfare Policy," edited with Ann Weick in H. George Frederickson's "Kansas Public Policy, Women and Social Welfare: A Feminist Analysis;" "Healing the Strong: An Exploration of the Needs of Families Headed by Women" and "Child Welfare in 25 States: An Overview."

Dorothy's service as chair of the Center for Women's Studies has been characterized by her tireless and unrelenting commitment to the Plaza of Heroines project, her inclusive and participatory leadership philosophy and style, and her unwavering support of faculty, students, the university and the wider community.." She has initiated curriculum in lesbian studies, has given Women's Studies a valued presence in the Lesbian Celebration, has written insightful movie reviews for the Liberty Press, and has been a serious competitor in bowling and golf.

She has tactfully and persuasively confronted challenges to our department status and faculty autonomy. She has courageously brought feminist perspectives to many committee, governance and community issues which could have potentially undermined our mission "to improve the lives of women by bringing women to the center of inquiry for the transformation of knowledge." She teaches and leads from her heart, always asking how the organization can serve the person, always aware of the social consequences of policy, always working toward the social outcomes of care and community. For Dorothy, feminism is ethical practice. She enriches us all with her vision, her generosity, her presence. We honor her as she honors us.

September 11, 1998