In 2012, the Hamline University public administration programs and Center for Public Administration and Leadership (CPAL) announced the creation of the “Women in Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award.” This annual award is designed to recognize women who have made a lifetime commitment to serving the public good.
Kit Hadley recently retired as director of the Saint Paul Public Library. During her six-year tenure, she strengthened learning initiatives, expanded multi-language and community-based services, and completed renovations at several libraries.
She was the executive director of Heading Home Minnesota, a statewide campaign to end homelessness and director of the Minneapolis Public Library from 2003 to 2007.
At the Minneapolis Public Library, she led initiatives to strengthen literacy efforts, complete the construction of the new Central Library, and secure approval to merge the Minneapolis Public and Hennepin County Libraries.
Prior to joining the library, she was appointed as the commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency from 1994 to 2002.
She has served on the boards of the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency, Minneapolis Foundation, Hearth Connection, Preservation of Affordable Housing, Youthprise, and St. Paul Youth Services. She is currently on the Legal Services Advisory Committee.
Women in Public Service Conference a Success
Hamline School of Business’ 4th annual Women in Public Service (WIPS) Conference was a huge success on Friday, November 13. Hundreds of women attended the sold-out conference developed by the Center for Public Administration and Leadership and titled “Awaken the Force: Unleash Your Full Potential in Public Service.” The full-day of sessions explored how to support and encourage women in public service and featured major names in the industry speaking on timely topics and working to inspire their fellow public servants.
“Keep your expectations high for yourself and for one another,” Senator Amy Klobuchar said via video.
Other speakers included Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith, Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation Sandra Vargas, United States Marshal Sharon Lubinski, and keynote speaker Lori Sturdevant, columnist for the Star Tribune.
“What started four years ago as an experiment has become an amazing, energy-filled day that has grown each year,” Professor Kris Norman-Major, director of Hamline’s Public Administration Programs, said. “The conference brings together people who are committed to serving the public good and want to enhance their skills and build their support networks. A highlight of the day for me is giving out the Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement awards. It is so inspiring to see so many people dedicated to serving the common good.”
Since 2012, Hamline University’s Center for Public Administration and Leadership has annually awarded the Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award to a woman who has made a lifetime commitment to serving the public good. In addition, since 2013, the WIPS planning committee has presented the Public Service Rising Star Award to women with ten or fewer years in public service who are already making a measurable difference in working toward the public good. This year’s Rising Stars were Kari Xiong, English language cultural liaison in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, attorney Kristi Fox and Alyssa Bryan, executive director for the Minnesota Federal Executive Board. Read more about these award winners on the WIPS Rising Star Award winners web page.