Submitted by South Puget Sound Community College
South Puget Sound Community College Vice President for Student Services Dr. Rhonda Coats is one of five honorees of the 2014 YWCA of Olympia Women of Achievement awards.
Coats, the Racial Justice Award winner, is being recognized for her work at SPSCC in areas of student access, retention, and success for students of color and other underrepresented students, as well as her efforts surrounding the Diversity and Equity Center at the college.
“I am humbled and feel blessed to be alive to receive it,” Coats, who overcame a health issue last year, said of the honor. “The other nominees are amazing women, and I am proud to be among the 2014 Women of Achievement.”
Coats, who also helped found the Faculty and Staff of Color Conference (now in its 19th year), said her work reflects the values she long held.
“People have to use their voices, their power and their influences to speak-up when they witness injustices happening to others,” Coats said. “This is how I live my life and what my husband and I have taught our four children to do.”
Coats will be honored, along with fellow recipients Rev. Marti Ensign, Lynn Grotsky, Dr. Leticia Nieto, and Christy Peters, at the 20th annual Women of Achievement gala at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Red Lion Hotel Forest Ballroom in Olympia. For more information, contact Cherie Reeves Sperr at 360-352-0593 or crsperr@ywcaofolympia.org.
