Kitto has served on the University's Commission on the Status of Women and has been active in Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), a subcommittee of the commission that works to initiate and support programs intended to increase the recruitment, retention and promotion of women faculty in fields related to science and engineering.
Aside from her service to the University in this official capacity, however, individuals who wrote letters in support of Kitto's nomination cited her personal commitment to the advancement of women. “Sherry's impact is long-term,” one nominator said, “and her commitment to women's equity and excellence is completely integrated into everything she does.”
“Many professors promote their students and mentor their advisees,” another supporter wrote. “Some professors actively foster the advancement of women. A rare number reach out beyond their direct students or committee responsibilities. Dr. Kitto is one of those rare professors.”
Kitto joined the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in 1984 as the only woman in a tenure-track faculty position in the department at the time. Since then she has assisted many colleagues and students in launching and developing their careers. “I feel that a lot of people helped me as a graduate student and in my career,” she said. “Even so, when new people come in, you want them to have an easier time than you. You want to help them avoid the mistakes you made.”
Pamela Cook, professor of mathematical sciences and chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women, presented the award at a luncheon on May 7, noting that Kitto's nomination was widely supported by faculty, administrators and students, both graduate and undergraduate. “Dr. Kitto has carried out, on her own, a continuous and active mentorship program within her college,” Cook said. “She continues her mentorship after the students leave Delaware, making regular contact, and she regularly hosts lunches to initiate and to support networking among the women in the college.”
“I'm deeply honored to receive this award,” Kitto said. “And a lot of my emotion stems from the people who took the time to nominate me, who feel that I helped them professionally in some way.”
The E. Arthur Trabant Award for Women's Equity was established by the Commission on the Status of Women to further women's equity at the University of Delaware. The award recognizes both the work President Emeritus Trabant did to foster a climate of gender equity on campus during his tenure and the work currently being done by individuals on campus who further that mission.
The award is given annually to an individual, department, administrative unit or committee that contributes significantly to equity for women at the University. Contributions include implementing innovative programs, curricula, policies and procedures related to enhancing women's equity and existing services to women at UD.
Article by Beth Chajes
Photo by Kathy Atkinson