POWA Award granted to Amberlee Barbagallo

On Wednesday March 30th, the President's Commission on the Status of Women granted the Powerful Outstanding Women's Advocate award (POWA) to Amberlee Barbagallo for significantly contributing to the advancement of women's issues during her time as a student at Plymouth State University. 

The POWA award is a prestigious honor given to a student who has brought women's issues to public attention, demonstrated genuine concern for the advancement of women, worked collaboratively with various campus and community constituencies, and was dedicated to improving or elevating the status of women through continuous involvement in and advocacy of women's issues.

Based on these criteria, Barbagallo was more than qualified to receive the award. She is a junior Political Science major at PSU with a minor in Women's Studies. Barbagallo is the president of the student run organization, PSU Democrats, where she is a strong advocate of women in power. She says, "Women today need more women role models in positions of power. They need to realize that power for women is an attainable goal." She is the only woman in a position of leadership in PSU Democrats.

She was influenced by one of her professors when he told her that the higher she advanced in her political science courses, the fewer women would be enrolled. This motivated her to endure through her degree without changing majors. "It is sad that there are not as many women," Barbagallo says, "But it is encouraging to see more and more women getting involved."

Dr. Sheryl Shirley, professor of both political science and women's studies courses, nominated Barbagallo for the POWA award. Shirley is also the faculty advisor for PSU Democrats and says that Barbagallo is the first person she has ever nominated for the award. Shirley says, "I can think of no other single person who has been a stronger advocate of progressive women candidates."

Shirley documented Barbagallo's collaborative work on behalf of women's rights with both campus and community organizations during her time at PSU. "During the 2010 election year while serving as President of the Student Democrats, Amberlee coordinated campus events involving the Plymouth Area Democrats (PAD), campaigns of progressive women candidates, and PSU students," Shirley said. "She also volunteered many hours at the PAD office canvassing and making phone calls on behalf of the Annie Kuster for Congress and the Suzanne Smith for the New Hampshire State Legislature campaigns."

Barbagallo serves as a strong role model for other students at PSU. Shirley said, "As the only woman on the Board of the Plymouth State University Student Democrats, Amberlee has been a strong voice for reproductive health, fair pay, and marriage equality."

Barbagallo was heavily influenced by the course Women in World Politics, taught by Shirley. "It really opened my eyes to the plight of women around the world and within the United States," said Barbagallo. "The rights of women need to be addressed in other countries, but people seem to forget that we are not completely equal in the United States." Barbagallo feels that the fight for women's rights within the country is far from over and she stressed the importance of women running for positions of power.

During her acceptance speech on March 30th, Barbagallo used a quote from Robert Kennedy that she believed to be relevant to the award and what she hopes to maintain in her life and career: "Each time a man, or woman, stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lives of others, or strikes out against injustice, he or she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope."

COURTESY PHOTO / AMBERLEE BARBAGALLO