The Margaret Sloss Women’s Center has resurrected an annual honor Tuesday after an eight-year hiatus.

The Margaret Sloss Gender Equity Award, formerly the Carrie Chapman Catt Sex Equity Award, was given to two honorees Tuesday night in the Memorial Union for their work to improve the climate for women at Iowa State.

Penny Rice, director of the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center, presented this year’s award to Christopher Brown, department chair of veterinary clinical science from 1994 to 2002, and Susan Carlson, professor of English and interim vice president and provost.

Brown was the second honoree. Rice said Brown received the award because of his strong commitment to equal treatment in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Dr. Brown served to support all women, to enrich their experience to a level not formerly achieved in a field where men still predominate,” Rice said.

Susan O’Brien, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences, read an acceptance statement on Brown’s behalf.

“I am very surprised and flattered by this award,” Brown wrote. “If I had an impact, I am satisfied, but I only tried to apply principles which I felt were based on logic, common sense and fairness.”

Carlson’s contributions were more specific. As Rice noted in the presentation of the award, Carlson revitalized the University Committee on Women, promoted issues related to parental leave and devoted much time and effort to the recruitment and retention of woman and minority faculty members.

Although Carlson acknowledged her accomplishment, she said there is still much to be done to achieve equality on Iowa State’s campus.

She named an arrival-of-children policy and the recruitment of more women faculty as a top priority for the future.

Carlson also read a quote of her college-aged son’s reaction to her receiving the award.

“Down with the patriarchy” Carlson read.

Marisa Stadlman, president of Catt Associates and senior in journalism and mass communication said she thought both candidates for the award were well-chosen, but was especially pleased with the choice of Susan Carlson.

“[Carlson] has such a prominent place in the university,” Stadlman said. “She’s a great role model for both males and females.”

Steven Nissen, professor of animal science, and also great-nephew of Margaret Sloss, said he thought Sloss herself would be extremely pleased with the recipients.

“They were marvelous,” Nissen said.