Temple University Athletics
Staley Recognized By Governor Rendell And First Lady As A Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania
10.29.07 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 29, 2007
Harrisburg, Pa.- Dawn Staley was honored as one of Pennsylvania's Distinguished Daughters in a ceremony hosted by Governor Edward G. Rendell and First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell at the Governor's Residence on October 18.
Pennsylvania began honoring women as Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania in 1949 as a way of recognizing influential women throughout the commonwealth for their leadership, distinguished service and contributions to the state through their professional and/or volunteer service. To date, 435 women have received the award and recognition. To be considered for a Distinguished Daughter selection, women must be nominated by organizations within the commonwealth for accomplishments of statewide or national importance. The Distinguished Daughters are honored with medals and citations presented at the Residence.
Staley is a renowned athlete and philanthropist. She won Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2000 and 2004 and is a five-time WNBA All-Star. With her desire to give back to her community and sport, she established the Dawn Staley Foundation to help inner-city youth realize their dreams. The Foundation sponsors the DS After School Program to develop academic, social and life skills. Hundreds of middle school girls have benefited from the Summer Basketball League and Mentoring Program, which is designed to foster relationships with positive role models. She is a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and was involved with the WNBA's "Be Fit, Be Smart, Be Yourself" campaign.
Other 2007 Distinguished Daughter honorees include Lee Ducat, the founder of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Pennsylvania' School of Nursing and Medicine who is nationally recognized for her research in HIV/AIDS prevention among African American adolescents; Karen Miller, Reading's first female mayor; Joyce Rothermel, the co-founder and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; Diane Samuels, a Jewish history expert; and Janet Simon, the former superintendent of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.
