Commission for Women to recognize Janice Lewis-Boyd and Geraldine Barrons

The event will feature award-winning journalist Lila Lazarus as keynote speaker.

Beginning her career at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus, Lewis-Boyd spent most of her first four years with the university in what was then the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies. In 1976, Lewis-Boyd transferred her employment from Ann Arbor to the Office of the Registrar at the Dearborn campus.

She eventually made the decision to enroll in UM-Dearborn as a student and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1992. Over the years Lewis-Boyd steadily made progress in her professional career by being promoted through the ranks. In 2009, she reached the pinnacle of her department by being selected as UM-Dearborn’s university registrar.

During her career at UM-Dearborn, Lewis-Boyd has contributed to the advancement of university goals and achievements through her various committee work and member associations with the American and Michigan Associations of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO, MACRAO). Lewis-Boyd has been nominated for and has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the AAUW Scholarship Awards, the UM-Dearborn Exceptional Quality and Productivity Improvement Award and the YMCA Minority Achiever Award.

Barrons has four decades of experience that crosses all sectors—business, education, nonprofit organizations, and government. Her background includes nonprofit management, business ownership/consulting, and volunteer leadership. She was the CEO of the Women's Economic Club (now Inforum) and co-founder of New Options Personnel, a recruitment and consulting agency for women and minorities.

As a community leader, Barrons helped establish some of Michigan's most influential organizations, including the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and The Sojourner Foundation. In addition, she is a former NOW officer, past president of the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit Board, and currently serves on the UM-Dearborn Women’s and Gender Studies Women in Learning and Leadership Advisory Board.

In her role as consultant, Barrons has helped nonprofit organizations build sustainability, clarify organizational vision, and create operational and strategic plans.

The Susan B. Anthony Campus and Community Awards are presented each year to recognize individuals whose lives and deeds exemplify the dedication, fortitude, political agitation and involvement of Susan B. Anthony on behalf of women.

The awards will be presented at the annual Susan B. Anthony Awards Dinner, scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 11, from 5-8:30 p.m. in the Michigan Rooms at the Fairlane Center.

The event includes appetizers, dinner, and a silent auction that benefits the Commission’s Supplemental Professional Development Fund. The cost for the evening is $35. Reservation forms must be returned by Monday, April 8.