Awards, Honors and Fellowships
Wall of Honor Inductee, Unionville – Chadds Ford School District
Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2018
Dora was chosen as one of three inductees from fifty nominations for inclusion in the Wall of Honor Program from the school district in which she attended both middle and high schools. The Wall of Honor award recognizes outstanding Unionville – Chadds Ford alumni for their high standards of excellence, lifetime achievements and contributions through their professional and/or personal lives, community and humanitarian service and/or a lifelong commitment to educational excellence. Dora is the only poet and the only activist in the history of the Wall of Honor Program to be awarded inclusion.
View the Unionville – Chadds Ford School District Wall of Honor here.
To view a PDF of Dora’s statement about receiving this Lifetime Achievement Honor, please click here.
Nineteenth Annual Pennsylvania Governor’s Pathfinder Award, 2017
Governor Tom Wolf and The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency honor Paws for Empowerment Victim-Assistance Canine Advocacy Program with the most prestigious award in Pennsylvania for victim services programs, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Pathfinder Award.
The power of canine advocacy is harnessed by Crisis Center North (CCN) through its Paws for Empowerment Program, comprised currently of two dedicated rescue dogs, six-year veteran Penny and new canine trainee Ari, at work for victims of domestic violence. CCN has led canine advocacy in Pennsylvania through Paws for Empowerment since 2010 when the human services agency welcomed former shelter dog Penny to its team. The first four-legged court advocate in Allegheny County, Penny has played a part in CCN’s multi-faceted strategy to serve families and individuals affected by domestic abuse. Ari, the new canine team member, is now in his first stages of training.
In 2016, the program’s Canine Advocacy Advisory Board was formed with leaders in the fields of victim services and canine-assisted therapy to provide expert resources and enhanced awareness. Dora has served as a Member of the Advisory Board since its formation.
2017 PATHFINDER AWARD RECIPIENTS
State Honors Dog Therapy Program That Helps Domestic Violence Victims, by Karen Kadilak
Gargoyle Literary Journal nominates Dora for a Pushcart Prize in Poetry, 2014
Dora’s poem, Tunnel of Love, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Richard Peabody, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Gargoyle Literary Journal, after Gargoyle first published Tunnel of Love in Issue #61 in 2014.
Dora’s image replaces that of Gerry Sandusky in the Inspirations Mural near Penn State, State College, PA, 2012
Dora’s dedication to addressing through poetry, performance and activism the issues of sexual and domestic violence was honored in 2012 by her image being painted into the place previously occupied by the image of former Penn State football coach and convicted sex offender Jerry Sandusky in the Inspirations Mural by artist Michael Pilato of the Public Art Academy in State College, PA, where Penn State is located. Extensively covered by international print, television, radio and Internet media sources.
To view a PDF of Dora’s statement to the press, click here.
Remarkable Women of Taos, New Mexico, 2012
Dora was chosen by Remarkable Women of Taos Founder, Liz Cunningham, and community members as one of the women highlighted during the 2012 yearlong celebration of women whose lives and creative spirits have influenced the Northern New Mexico community. Dora is included in the 2013 book, Remarkable Women of Taos, by Liz Cunningham, which celebrates the women honored in the yearlong campaign.
Read DORA’S REMARKABLE WOMAN PROFILE.
Read the profiles of other REMARKABLE WOMEN OF TAOS.
The New Mexico Woman Writer’s Fellowship,
A Room Of Her Own Foundation, 2011
Dora performing as the Winner of the New Mexico Woman Writer Award during the
2012 A Room of Her Own Conference. AROHO
At Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico
The Pagosa Springs Artist-In-Residency Program, Colorado, 2008
The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, Fellowship, New Mexico, 2007-2008
Dora was awarded an extended Fellowship at The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of Taos, New Mexico, which was established in 1954 and serves as one of the oldest artist residence programs in the United States, with the mission to “Support the artist and the creative process”. Located on 15 acres in the heart of Taos, a four-hundred-year-old multicultural community renowned for its popularity with artists, the Foundation offers three months of rent-free and utility-pain housing that serves as a haven for visual artists, literary artists and music composers of national and international origin.
http://www.wurlitzerfoundation.org
The Harwood Museum of Art, Poet-In-Residence, New Mexico, 2006
Dora was awarded a six-month position as Poet-In-Residence at The Harwood Museum of Art, the second oldest museum in New Mexico, affiliated with the University of New Mexico – Taos.
Vagina Warrior Award, 2005
Dora was honored by the cast of the 2005 Penn State Production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues, for her statewide and international activism to end violence against women and girls.
“V-Day 2005 is about recognizing Vagina Warriors as leaders. We are honoring our Penn State Vagina Warriors to celebrate and support the women who are making a difference, who are changing the paradigm and perception of violence against women and who are leading our community to a better future.”
Penn State Roots Of Leadership Honoree, 2004
Dora was honored by the student leaders of Penn State for her leadership:
“Your involvement, dedication and commitment to social justice has been inspirational. You have been a mentor and friend to many when they needed a strong shoulder the most. You have also been the source of inspiration to many women and men that have found their voices thanks to your classes, readings and presence…thank you for making Penn State a better place.”
Fifth Annual Pennsylvania Governor’s Pathfinder Award, 2003
Governor Ed Rendell and The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency stated: “Ms. McQuaid was awarded for her outstanding and visible contribution to and impact upon the victim services movement in Pennsylvania through her work on behalf of victims of domestic and sexual violence” as a survivor and activist.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director, Susan Kelly-Dreiss, stated in her nomination letter that “Dora E. McQuaid is a treasure to Pennsylvania; her work embodies the spirit of empowerment for all victims… She offers hope to victims who are still in violent relationships and she shines light on the move away from abuse and towards a joyful experience of life. Her words are inspiring and joyful, yet never minimize the experience of being a victim. She represents the weak growing strong, the victim creating enlightenment for the community.”
Citation of Congratulations, The Pennsylvania Senate and Senator Jake Corman, 2003
In recognition of Dora’s service to the state of Pennsylvania as poet, activist, teacher and speaker.
“The Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania congratulates Dora E. McQuaid on the meritorious honor which has been bestowed upon her and heartily commends her outstanding courage and commitment to the welfare of the Commonwealth. Her many laudable contributions are worthy of great praise and commendation and will long be remembered and appreciated by the all the citizens of this Commonwealth.”