The Jane Addams Medal

Rockford University honors the tradition of Jane Addams by awarding the Jane Addams Medal to extraordinary women who, like our most distinguished graduate, have taken stands in their lives that required critical thinking and courageous action. Medal recipients, in the tradition of Jane Addams, are pioneers in their professions, outstanding in character, and recognized for their contributions to the arts, sciences and society.

A Rockford University trustee, George Frazer, established the award in 1944 and Chicago artist Andrene Kauffman designed the medal. The medal was first awarded to Dr. Florence Rena Sabin during the University’s Centennial Celebration in 1947. Dr. Sabin was the first woman to receive a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and the first woman to serve as a member of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. Since then, the Jane Addams Medal has been awarded to more than 30 of the world’s most outstanding women in science, education, humanities, arts, law, literature and other fields of endeavor.

Other women who have been bestowed the Jane Addams Medal include:

• Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Ten Boom authored a book detailing her experiences fighting against the anti-Semitism of the Nazi government in Europe; the book was turned into a film, “The Hiding Place.” In addition, Ten Boom was knighted by the Dutch government.
• Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, was presented the medal in 1987, and also gave the University’s commencement address that year.
• Jane Alexander, Oscar-nominated and Tony and Emmy Award winning actress, and former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, was presented the medal for her commitment and dedication in championing the need for federal support of the arts in our country.
• Most recently, the Jane Addams Medal was awarded to Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, for her advocacy and tireless work in the area of human rights.

Jane Addams Medal recipients