Lee LaDue
St. Cloud State University Women’s Center Assistant Director and Gender Violence Prevention Coordinator Lee LaDue is among 18 individuals and organizations being recognized by Zonta Club of St. Cloud with Small but Mighty Community Champion Awards in recognition of their efforts to empower women and children.
LaDue has been instrumental in creating programming focused on goals to educate, advocate and inspire through the St. Cloud State University Women’s Center, said Debra Kellerman, president of Zonta Club of St. Cloud.
LaDue started working for the St. Cloud State Women’s Center 30 years ago when the center was formed as a graduate student and has worked with the center ever since.
Her work with Zonta Club has included the Mask Project and Safe Bar Initiative to reduce sexual harassment and sexual violence in the downtown area. The Safe Bar Initiative involves training, intervention strategies and communicates messages of respect and responsibility for friends and for strangers who may be in danger.
Zonta International is an international women’s organization that is celebrating its centennial Nov. 8. Zonta St. Cloud is celebrating its 69th anniversary Nov. 9. As part of the Centennial Celebration, Zonta clubs throughout the world are honoring individuals, agencies and business to recognize their efforts to empower women and children.
In announcing the awards, Kellerman said the individuals and organizations honored represented the first line of defense for stopping domestic violence, eradicating human trafficking, empowering women, eliminating fear of violence and working toward a goal of peace in the community.
Also among the honorees was Peggy LaDue ’80 and Christina Van Slooten ’01 ’04.
