Leslie E. Tower, director of the Women’s Resource Center and professor and assessment coordinator for the School of Social Work, is the recipient of the 2023 Council on Social Work Education Feminist Scholar Award.
The national award recognizes a feminist scholar who has advanced feminist knowledge as it pertains to social work theory, research, practice, policy and education.
During her 21-year tenure at WVU, Tower has centered her work around women’s success and health. While her scholarship has focused on faculty women in higher education, women of color, pay equity and domestic violence, she has used her research as a catalyst for change at the University.
Her advocacy efforts have helped implement programs and policies that benefit women and families. Thanks to her work, the WVU Lactation Network, the first statewide family travel program and multiple family-friendly policies have been adopted on campus.
Drawing on her experience as a co-principal investigator on the original WVU NSF ADVANCE grant, Tower also raised awareness about barriers that social work faculty women experience and offered strategies for institutions to better support a healthy work/life balance among their faculty.
“Leslie has shown courage and tenacity in advocating for women and she is deeply committed to social justice,” said Deanna Morrow, director of the School of Social Work. “Leslie translates theory into action in impactful ways that make a positive difference for the University and beyond.”