The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics honored five women Monday for their outstanding achievements.

The eighth annual Strong-Minded Women Awards lauded the women for the positive impact they have had on the lives of students, families, the university, the community and world. The event was held in the Scheman Building.

Recipients were awarded by one of their supporters with a plaque, T-shirt, and copy of the book “Strong-Minded Women,” on which the award is based.

Doug Gruenewald, residence hall program coordinator, introduced Virginia Arthur, associate director of residence, as a winner of the award and spoke about what makes Arthur a “role model.”

“She absolutely gets things done with fun along the way,” he said.

Gruenewald emphasized her “keen intelligence, humor and ability to tell it like it is” as strong characteristics of Arthur.

“She is a down to earth, compassionate individual,” he said. “In every sense she is a strong-minded woman.”

Arthur began working for the Department of Residence soon after she came to Iowa State 25 years ago, and said she wanted to get involved on campus and in the community.

She said she was “very honored” to receive this award, but thought the presenters should be honored as well.

“I received both challenge and support from supervisors and colleagues,” Arthur said. “I was encouraged to continue to express my views.”

Judy Dolphin, director of the Ames-ISU YWCA, honored Neema Mgana, junior in preparation for human medicine, for the Strong-Minded Women award because of her work with cross-cultural communications projects and the YWCA.

“Neema is the most remarkable, dedicated and humane individual I have ever met,” she said.

Mgana co-created “Godfrey’s Project” to provide a home for orphaned and neglected children with HIV/AIDS in her native Tanzania. Dolphin said Neema “works tirelessly” toward her goal of becoming a doctor and returning to Tanzania to help these children with AIDS.

“She works hard to realize her dream,” she said.

Mgana became involved with the YWCA after she met Dolphin at the Memorial Union the first week she was here.

“It just seemed appealing,” she said.

Mgana said she was “a bit confused and excited at the same time” when she found out she had won the award.

“I just remember jumping up and down and screaming and yelling,” she said.

Strong-Minded Women Award Winners

Faye Whitaker, associate provost

Laura Hamilton, president of Friends of International Women

Katherine Melsa, volunteer, leader and advocate for youth in the Ames community

Neema Mgana, junior in preparation for human medicine

Virginia Arthur, assistant director of residence