Woman One 2013, Honoring Lisa Thomas-Laury, Was Celebrated on April 29, at the Rittenhouse Hotel
A versatile news journalist, Thomas-Laury was honored on April 29, 2013 at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia as the 11th annual Woman One recipient.
A graduate of Marshall University, Thomas-Laury joined 6ABC in 1978, as noon co-anchor and reporter. In 1983, she became co-anchor of the 5:00 PM weekday newscast. During the 1980's and 90's, she hosted 6ABC's award-winning monthly Public Affairs program, "Fast Forward," and its "Children First" series. Thomas-Laury has covered several political elections as well as the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia in 2000.
She left WPVI in 2003 after being diagnosed with POEMS syndrome, a rare nerve disorder. After undergoing a bone marrow transplant, she returned to 6ABC as a reporter and anchor in 2006.
In 2004 she received the "Braveheart Award" from the local chapter of the NAACP for her dedication to her work and community. She is currently an honorary chairperson for Maternity Care Coalition, an organization that supports mothers in need throughout the Delaware Valley. She was awarded Philadelphia's Liberty Bell Award from the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities in 2008.
Lisa Thomas-Laury and WOMAN One were recently mentioned in the Philadelphia Inquirer and on philly.com. The ceremony was also covered on ABC 6's 11:00 news.
Past Woman One Honorees
Since the Woman One program was initiated by the IWHL in 2003, honorees have been:
- Community leader, Dianne Semingson (2012)
- Director of the Women's Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor Sara Manzano-Díaz (2011)
- Former first lady of Drexel University Eliana Papadakis (2010)
- Former president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Jane Pepper (2009)
- City representative and director of commerce Stephanie Naidoff (2008)
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation president and CEO Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey (2007)
- Philanthropist and television personality Suzanne Roberts (2006)
- Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley (2005)
- Attorney and community leader Leslie Anne Miller (2004)
- Pennsylvania secretary of public welfare Estelle Richman (2003)
Woman One continues to connect Drexel University College of Medicine to the greater Philadelphia community by engaging businesses and foundations in supporting Drexel's diversity initiatives.
Woman One 2012, Honoring Dianne Semingson, Celebrated on April 23 at the Rittenhouse Hotel
The Institute for Women's Health and Leadership honored Philadelphia community leader Dianne Semingson with the tenth annual Woman One award on April 23, 2012, at the Rittenhouse Hotel.
Semingson is the president and founder of DLS International, Inc., a strategic planning and marketing communications firm. A leader in both the private and public sectors, she is currently on the corporate boards of RevolutionCare/CareKinesis, Inc., Semingson Enterprises and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and the community boards of Avenue of the Arts, Inc., Committee of Seventy, Pennsylvania Women's Forum, Union League of Philadelphia, Wilma Theater, World Game Institute and YMCA of Greater Philadelphia & Vicinity.
Current Woman One Scholars
"These are amazing young people who deserve our support," said Jane Pepper, Woman One 2009.
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Donyell Doram (2013)
A biotechnology and biochemistry graduate of Rutgers University, Donyell was inducted into the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. She has a passion for community service and has volunteered as a tutor to middle and high school students from North Philadelphia and with outreach programs that encourage girls to pursue careers in science, engineering and math. Donyell plans to pursue a career in internal medicine. She is the AmeriHealth Mercy Woman One Scholar.
Alicia Howard (2013)
Alicia, who grew up in North Carolina and is a graduate of Howard University, aspires to be an endocrinologist. Alicia is actively involved in the Student National Medical Association. In 2011 she completed a master's degree in public health while simultaneously pursing her medical degree. Alicia was recently awarded a Greater Philadelphia Albert Schweitzer Fellowship; her project involves working with an anti-poverty organization in West Philadelphia.
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Stephanie Johnson (2013)
Now in her final year rotations and working in a free clinic in Pittsburgh, Stephanie has developed an interest in helping adolescents in underserved communities. She tutors a group of neighborhood children in math and science. She plans to specialize in family medicine so that she is able to work with patients throughout their lives and develop strong relationships with them. Stephanie intends to work in underserved areas and Mexican-American communities. She is married and recently welcomed her first child, a daughter.
Sharrón Manuel (2013)
M.D./Ph.D. Program
Originally from West Virginia, Ronni is one of the original Woman One Scholars. She has been pursuing dual M.D./Ph.D. degrees and recently finished the coursework, research and thesis necessary for her Ph.D. Now focusing on her clinical rotations in medical school, Ronni plans to specialize as a gynecological oncologist and hopes to become a "compassionate physician who puts the patient first." She is married and is the mother of two young children.
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Carla Zeballos (2013)
Carla was born in Bolivia, but grew up in Virginia and is a graduate of University of Virginia. She is involved in the Latino Medical Student Association at DUCOM in which she volunteered in the community – tutoring, mentoring and presenting health programs to underserved populations in North Philadelphia. Carla plans to specialize in surgery and hopes one day to work in a clinic in Bolivia to provide her services to underserved communities.
Chinwe Ibeh (2014)
A graduate of Columbia University, Chinwe is originally from Nigeria. She serves as a peer mentor for incoming medical school students and also tutors first-year anatomy students at DUCOM. Chinwe has an interest in oncology and has been volunteering her time in a hematology/oncology clinic in Center City, shadowing a physician and learning about the emotional aspects of working with cancer patients.
Nejat Merdato (2014)
Nejat was born in Ethiopia, moved to Maryland as a teenager and is a graduate of the University of Maryland. Now entering her third year of medical school, she enjoys the increasing opportunity to interact with patients and is excited about becoming a "valued member of a medical team that is focused completely on patient care." Nejat also volunteers as a teacher at a local community center, Squash Smarts, in which she tutors students in English, math and other subjects.
Amber Peterson (2015)
A native of Oxon Hill, Maryland, Amber is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Now in her second year of medical school, she is active in organizations such as the Student National Medical Association and the MAPS program, supporting underrepresented minority premedical students. During the summer of 2012, Amber participated in the Bridging the Gaps Community Internship program at the Nationalities Senior Center, in which she worked on presentations in cardiovascular and oral health and nutrition.
Angela Bryant (2016)
Angela was born and raised in Gahanna, Ohio. She is a graduate of Ohio State University in 2010 with a degree in molecular genetics. Before entering Drexel University College of Medicine, she completed the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program. While completing her undergraduate studies, Angela volunteered at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Nationwide Children's Hospital of Columbus, Ohio. She plans to specialize in both internal medicine and pediatrics. As a WOMAN ONE Scholar, Angela would like to encourage other women in medicine to use their skills to improve women's healthcare.
Ingrid Schmiederer (2016)
A native of Morrisville, PA. Ingrid graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2009 with a degree in history. In 2010, she volunteered for the AmeriCorps: City Year Greater Philadelphia program, "Diplomas Now." As a WOMAN ONE Scholar, Ingrid would like to continue to use community outreach as a means to mentor other future physicians in underserved areas and rebuild the lack of confidence many people have in public services. Ingrid is the W.W. Smith WOMAN ONE Scholar.
Christina Maddox (2016)
A native of Sacramento, CA, Christina is a graduate of the University of California-Davis, with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2009. She is dedicated to utilizing her talents to serve the community. As a Spanish language interpreter for two years at the Winters Healthcare Foundation, a family medicine clinic in Winters, California, she was able to help others in a medically underserved area. Christina would like to become a pediatrician. As a WOMAN ONE Scholar, she believes that she will be able to advance women's opportunities and leadership in the medical sciences. Christina is the St. Christopher's/Health Partners WOMAN ONE Scholar.
Susan Ramirez (2016)
Susan was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in anthropology and a concentration in human biology. Susan later went on to receive her graduate degree in biomedical sciences at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has served in several community outreach programs in the Philadelphia area, including Puentes De Salud, a clinic dedicated to serving Latino immigrants and JeffHope, a program of Jefferson University Hospital. As a WOMAN ONE Scholar, Susan will practice family medicine and support younger medical students. Susan is the Sushine Lady WOMAN ONE Scholar.
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