AAUW award honors North Allegheny teacher

Dana Cornelius will receive the American Association of University Women’s Gateway to Equity Award from the North Hills Branch on March 20 at La Roche University in McCandless.

The award will be presented during the branch’s Women’s History Month program.

The AAUW Gateway to Equity Award honors an individual, group or organization that has shown, by action and philosophy, the promotion of the organization’s mission of equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy or research. It celebrates International Women’s Day, which is held annually on March 8.

Cornelius is the visionary and force leading Pack-A-Purse Pittsburgh, a service initiative that collects and organizes purses filled with toiletries and other essential items. For eight years, the advocacy initiative has brought together friends, neighbors and colleague to work together.

In 2023, these organizations collectively received 200 packed purses: Angel’s Place, Genesis House, Dress for Success, Crisis Center North, Sojourner House, North Hills Community Outreach and Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania.

“This is an annual event of love and kindness to donate filled bags to local women in need,” Cornelius said.

She teaches third grade at Peebles Elementary and has taught in North Allegheny School District for 27 years.

AAUW branches across Pennsylvania hold similar presentations to bring awareness to the work of those who promote the AAUW mission.

With its nationwide network of more than 150,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches and 500 college/university institutional partners, AAUW has been a leading advocate of equity for women and girls since 1881.

For AAUW North Hills Pittsburgh membership information, contact Frances Cech at aauwnorthhillspgh@gmail.com or visit aauwnorthhillspgh.org.