Extra

Berkeley Commission Honors Women

By Carole Kennerly
Monday March 14, 2011 - 03:48:00 PM
Dr. Vicki Alexander
Dr. Vicki Alexander

To commemorate National Women’s History Month, the City of Berkeley Commission on the Status of Women (COSOW) recognizes and honors the efforts of extraordinary women who live, work or learn in Berkeley, and who have done outstanding work in the Berkeley community. The Commission seeks to honor and recognize the contributions of a wide spectrum of women, especially those who may be under-recognized for their work or are unconventionally successful. Awardees were selected through a competitive nomination process and represent a wide range of achievements and contributions. 

The event will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:30PM, in the Central Library Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, on Kittredge Street in Berkeley. 

The event is open to the public and the commission encourages all Berkeley community members to join in celebration of the achievements of this outstanding group of women. 

This year the COSOW will present awards to the following women for outstanding contributions to our community: Vicki Alexander, Jennifer Burke, Suzoni Camp, Hope McDonnell, Ginger Ogle, Linda Schacht Gage and Nancy Schimmel. 

One of the honorees, nominated by Hon. Carole Kennerly, is Dr.Vicki Alexander, M.D., MPH. Ms. Kennerly submitted the following nomination information for Dr. Alexander: 

 

Currently, Dr. Alexander is chair of the Advisory Board for the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program (BIH). A non-paid volunteer position. She is a Board Certified Preventative Medicine Physician. Prior to her retirement in 2006 with the City of Berkeley, Dr. Alexander served as the interim Health Officer for the city of Berkeley. She also served as Berkeley's Director of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program as well as Director of Adolescent Health Program. In this dual capacity, she oversaw the following programs: Maternal Child Health, Immunization, Lead poisoning Prevention, Berkeley High School Health Center, WIC, Domestic Violence Prevention, Family Planning, Injury Prevention, Black Infant Health and Community Capacity Building. Since retirement, Dr. Alexander continues to volunteer in areas of social justice and health inequity; prominent among which is her volunteer work with Berkeley's Black Infant Health Program and her work with the African America/Black Professional and Community Network in Berkeley. Dr. Alexander is Berkeley's unsung heroine. She has worked in private practice, clinics, prevention and public health doing whatever was needed to make for effective and successful programs and services toward the goal of happy, healthy women, children and families. 

Social activism is the most important thread through Dr. Alexander's life. In addition to the aforementioned Berkeley volunteer activities since her retirement, she has participated in organizations and movements to improve the living conditions of women and children. These include the Rainbow Coalition (she was chair of the Women's Commission), The Alliance Against Women's Oppression, Children's Defense Fund, National Abortion Rights Action League, U.N. Conference on Women (Mexico and Kenya) and MADRE. 

Due to Dr. Alexander's deep interest in the health and well being of women and children, she has also volunteered on the following Boards: Alameda County Medical Center (on which she was president from 1997 to 1998); Perinatal Network of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (board and executive committee); Center for Constitutional Rights (on which she was president for eight (8) years); in 1997, she was elected to the City Match Board of Directors and in 1998 she served on the executive committee. In 2005, Dr. Alexander was elected to the Council of Elders for Bay Area Black United Fund which was instrumental in the formation of the Harriett Tubman inspired African American Health Conductors Program. 

Tucked away in South Berkeley is a house that blends into the rest of the residential neighborhood, distinguished only by the sign over the front door marking it as the site of the city's Black Infant Health Program (BIH). The program has been working to reduce the rate of low birth weight in black infants through education and support since its creation in 2001. All services are free, culturally competent, and address the needs of pregnant African American women 18 years and older. Many of the program beneficiaries later return as volunteers. In September, 2009, BIH funding was cut. BIH program costs incurred since April 2009 would not be paid by the State Department of Health Services due to its own budget cuts. For Berkeley the cuts were devastating. However, Dr. Alexander worked behind the scenes as well as in her public leadership role as Chairperson of BIH Advisory Committee to organize a public awareness campaign targeted toward the community as well as toward the appointed and elected Berkeley City officials. As people became increasingly aware of and knowledgeable about the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program, its goals, challenges and successes, support for the program grew. Under Dr. Alexander's leadership, grass root community members mobilized and interacted with various media, spoke one on one to groups, held rallies and produced written information, etc. As a result, in Jan/Feb., 2010, the Berkeley City Council made a commitment of $72,000 to the Black Infant Health Program to make up the $100,000 deficit. The BIH advisory committee continues to seek additional funds. BIH has been restructured and program costs have been reduced being careful to identify the most critical services and programs to maintain and to develop. Dr. Alexander is quoted in the local newspapers as being very optimistic, over the “long haul”, that all funding cuts will be restored. BIH funding is matched at the federal level, so the city must raise about $175,000 which will be matched for a total of $350,000 for the program to maintain its current services. 

In 1999, Dr. Alexander saw a need for the BIH program when federal data revealed that black infants in Berkeley had the worst disparity of low birth weight in the nation, at four times the rate of underweight births of white infants. The rate has now shrunk to three times. Today BIH serves 400 women each year. Despite the recent financial difficulties, BIH's goal is to grow. The talent, commitment, and leadership of Dr. Alexander gives BIH an above average chance of reaching its long-term goal. 

Why is Dr. Alexander's work with BIH and the work of others so important to Berkeley? According to 2007 Berkeley Health Status Report: 

 

  • African Americans, in Berkeley, continue to have far higher rates of low birth weight infants and premature births as compared to all other race/ethnic groups.
  • Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight less than 5.5 pounds. The smallest babies have an increased risk of infant death and of developmental disabilities.
  • Although African Americans comprise 13% of the Berkeley population, they account for 39% of the years of potential life lost. (For those who die before age 75, the years not lived is a measure of life lost.). The highest concentration of years of potential life lost are in southwest Berkeley which is BIH's target population.
I have known Dr. Alexander for approximately 20 yrs—socially, professionally as well as a community activist. I am a former Berkeley City Councilperson and Vice Mayor; the first woman of African American descent to be elected to the council. I am also a 2006 recipient of the Outstanding Berkeley Woman award. Dr. Alexander is an author, international traveler, national consultant, lecturer, mentor who is also a loving mother and grandmother who works hard, enthusiastically, lovingly and respectfully with all no matter their background, class, race, ethnicity etc. She is a person of bi-racial background with African American heritage who is fluent in Spanish. She cares deeply about cultural competency/sensitivity and works hard to be a catalyst for these values in all that she does in her life. “Perseverance” should be her middle name; as the daughter of a shoemaker and union organizer, Dr. Alexander overcame many obstacles to become a physician of impeccable credentials with a stellar professional reputation. She is powerful yet gentle and authentic. A brilliant multi-talented skilled leader that is a gift to Berkeley and the world. It is my pleasure to nominate Dr. Alexander for this award.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To commemorate National Women’s History Month, the City of Berkeley Commission on the Status of Women (COSOW) recognizes and honors the efforts of extraordinary women who live, work or learn in Berkeley, and who have done outstanding work in the Berkeley community. The Commission seeks to honor and recognize the contributions of a wide spectrum of women, especially those who may be under-recognized for their work or are unconventionally successful. Awardees were selected through a competitive nomination process and represent a wide range of achievements and contributions. 

The event will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:30PM, in the Central Library Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, att 090 Kittredge Street in Berkeley. 

The event is open to the public and the commission encourages all Berkeley community members to join in celebration of the achievements of this outstanding group of women. 

This year the COSOW will present awards to the following women for outstanding contributions to our community: Vicki Alexander, Jennifer Burke, Suzoni Camp, Hope McDonnell, Ginger Ogle, Linda Schacht Gage and Nancy Schimmel. 

One of the honorees, nominated by Hon. Carole Kennerly, is Dr.Vicki Alexander, M.D., MPH.Ms. Kennerly submitted the following nomination information for Dr. Alexander: 

Currently, Dr. Alexander is chair of the Advisory Board for the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program (BIH). A non-paid volunteer position. She is a Board Certified Preventative Medicine Physician. Prior to her retirement in 2006 with the City of Berkeley, Dr. Alexander served as the interim Health Officer for the city of Berkeley. She also served as Berkeley's Director of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program as well as Director of Adolescent Health Program. In this dual capacity, she oversaw the following programs: Maternal Child Health, Immunization, Lead poisoning Prevention, Berkeley High School Health Center, WIC, Domestic Violence Prevention, Family Planning, Injury Prevention, Black Infant Health and Community Capacity Building. Since retirement, Dr. Alexander continues to volunteer in areas of social justice and health inequity; prominent among which is her volunteer work with Berkeley's Black Infant Health Program and her work with the African America/Black Professional and Community Network in Berkeley. 

Dr. Alexander is Berkeley's unsung heroine. She has worked in private practice, clinics, prevention and public health doing whatever was needed to make for effective and successful programs and services toward the goal of happy, healthy women, children and families. 

Social activism is the most important thread through Dr. Alexander's life. In addition to the aforementioned Berkeley volunteer activities since her retirement, she has participated in organizations and movements to improve the living conditions of women and children. These include the Rainbow Coalition (she was chair of the Women's Commission), The Alliance Against Women's Oppression, Children's Defense Fund, National Abortion Rights Action League, U.N. Conference on Women (Mexico and Kenya) and MADRE. 

Due to Dr. Alexander's deep interest in the health and well being of women and children, she has also volunteered on the following Boards: Alameda County Medical Center (on which she was president from 1997 to 1998); Perinatal Network of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (board and executive committee); Center for Constitutional Rights (on which she was president for eight (8) years); in 1997, she was elected to the City Match Board of Directors and in 1998 she served on the executive committee. In 2005, Dr. Alexander was elected to the Council of Elders for Bay Area Black United Fund which was instrumental in the formation of the Harriett Tubman inspired African American Health Conductors Program. 

Tucked away in South Berkeley is a house that blends into the rest of the residential neighborhood, distinguished only by the sign over the front door marking it as the site of the city's Black Infant Health Program (BIH). The program has been working to reduce the rate of low birth weight in black infants through education and support since its creation in 2001. All services are free, culturally competent, and address the needs of pregnant African American women 18 years and older. Many of the program beneficiaries later return as volunteers. In September, 2009, BIH funding was cut. BIH program costs 

incurred since April 2009 would not be paid by the State Department of Health Services due to its own budget cuts. For Berkeley the cuts were devastating. However, Dr. Alexander worked behind the scenes as well as in her public leadership role as Chairperson of BIH Advisory Committee to organize a 

public awareness campaign targeted toward the community as well as toward the appointed and elected Berkeley City officials. As people became increasingly aware of and knowledgeable about the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program, its goals, challenges and successes, support for the program grew. Under Dr. Alexander's leadership, grass root community members mobilized and interacted with various media, spoke one on one to groups, held rallies and produced written information, etc. As a result, in Jan/Feb., 2010, the Berkeley City Council made a commitment of $72,000 to the Black Infant Health Program to make up the $100,000 deficit. The BIH advisory committee continues to seek additional funds. BIH has been restructured and program costs have been reduced being careful to identify the most critical services and programs to maintain and to develop. Dr. Alexander is quoted in the local newspapers as being very optimistic, over the “long haul”, that all funding cuts will be restored. BIH funding is matched at the federal level, so the city must raise about $175,000 which will be matched for a total of $350,000 for the program to maintain its current services. 

In 1999, Dr. Alexander saw a need for the BIH program when federal data revealed that black infants in Berkeley had the worst disparity of low birth weight in the nation, at four times the rate of underweight births of white infants. The rate has now shrunk to three times. Today BIH serves 400 women each year. Despite the recent financial difficulties, BIH's goal is to grow. The talent, commitment, and leadership of Dr. Alexander gives BIH an above average chance of reaching its long-term goal. 

Why is Dr. Alexander's work with BIH and the work of others so important to Berkeley? According to 2007 Berkeley Health Status Report: 

 

  • African Americans, in Berkeley, continue to have far higher rates of low birth weight infants and premature births as compared to all other race/ethnic groups.
  • Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight less than 5.5 pounds. The smallest babies have an increased risk of infant death and of developmental disabilities.
  • Although African Americans comprise 13% of the Berkeley population, they account for 39% of the years of potential life lost. (For those who die before age 75, the years not lived is a measure of life lost.). The highest concentration of years of potential life lost are in southwest Berkeley which is BIH's target population.
I have known Dr. Alexander for approximately 20 yrs—socially, professionally as well as a community activist. I am a former Berkeley City Councilperson and Vice Mayor; the first woman of African American descent to be elected to the council. I am also a 2006 recipient of the Outstanding Berkeley Woman award. Dr. Alexander is an author, international traveler, national consultant, lecturer, mentor who is also a loving mother and grandmother who works hard, enthusiastically, lovingly and respectfully with all no matter their background, class, race, ethnicity etc. She is a person of bi-racial background with African American heritage who is fluent in Spanish. She cares deeply about cultural competency/sensitivity and works hard to be a catalyst for these values in all that she does in her life. “Perseverance” should be her middle name; as the daughter of a shoemaker and union organizer, Dr. Alexander overcame many obstacles to become a physician of impeccable credentials with a stellar professional reputation. She is powerful yet gentle and authentic. A brilliant multi-talented skilled leader that is a gift to Berkeley and the world. It is my pleasure to nominate Dr. Alexander for this award. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To commemorate National Women’s History Month, the City of Berkeley Commission on the Status of Women (COSOW) recognizes and honors the efforts of extraordinary women who live, work or learn in Berkeley, and who have done outstanding work in the Berkeley community. The Commission seeks to honor and recognize the contributions of a wide spectrum of women, especially those who may be under-recognized for their work or are unconventionally successful. Awardees were selected through a competitive nomination process and represent a wide range of achievements and contributions. 

The event will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:30PM, in the Central Library Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, att 090 Kittredge Street in Berkeley. 

The event is open to the public and the commission encourages all Berkeley community members to join in celebration of the achievements of this outstanding group of women. 

This year the COSOW will present awards to the following women for outstanding contributions to our community: Vicki Alexander, Jennifer Burke, Suzoni Camp, Hope McDonnell, Ginger Ogle, Linda Schacht Gage and Nancy Schimmel. 

One of the honorees, nominated by Hon. Carole Kennerly, is Dr.Vicki Alexander, M.D., MPH.Ms. Kennerly submitted the following nomination information for Dr. Alexander: 

Currently, Dr. Alexander is chair of the Advisory Board for the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program (BIH). A non-paid volunteer position. She is a Board Certified Preventative Medicine Physician. Prior to her retirement in 2006 with the City of Berkeley, Dr. Alexander served as the interim Health Officer for the city of Berkeley. She also served as Berkeley's Director of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program as well as Director of Adolescent Health Program. In this dual capacity, she oversaw the following programs: Maternal Child Health, Immunization, Lead poisoning Prevention, Berkeley High School Health Center, WIC, Domestic Violence Prevention, Family Planning, Injury Prevention, Black Infant Health and Community Capacity Building. Since retirement, Dr. Alexander continues to volunteer in areas of social justice and health inequity; prominent among which is her volunteer work with Berkeley's Black Infant Health Program and her work with the African America/Black Professional and Community Network in Berkeley. 

Dr. Alexander is Berkeley's unsung heroine. She has worked in private practice, clinics, prevention and public health doing whatever was needed to make for effective and successful programs and services toward the goal of happy, healthy women, children and families. 

Social activism is the most important thread through Dr. Alexander's life. In addition to the aforementioned Berkeley volunteer activities since her retirement, she has participated in organizations and movements to improve the living conditions of women and children. These include the Rainbow Coalition (she was chair of the Women's Commission), The Alliance Against Women's Oppression, Children's Defense Fund, National Abortion Rights Action League, U.N. Conference on Women (Mexico and Kenya) and MADRE. 

Due to Dr. Alexander's deep interest in the health and well being of women and children, she has also volunteered on the following Boards: Alameda County Medical Center (on which she was president from 1997 to 1998); Perinatal Network of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (board and executive committee); Center for Constitutional Rights (on which she was president for eight (8) years); in 1997, she was elected to the City Match Board of Directors and in 1998 she served on the executive committee. In 2005, Dr. Alexander was elected to the Council of Elders for Bay Area Black United Fund which was instrumental in the formation of the Harriett Tubman inspired African American Health Conductors Program. 

Tucked away in South Berkeley is a house that blends into the rest of the residential neighborhood, distinguished only by the sign over the front door marking it as the site of the city's Black Infant Health Program (BIH). The program has been working to reduce the rate of low birth weight in black infants through education and support since its creation in 2001. All services are free, culturally competent, and address the needs of pregnant African American women 18 years and older. Many of the program beneficiaries later return as volunteers. In September, 2009, BIH funding was cut. BIH program costs 

incurred since April 2009 would not be paid by the State Department of Health Services due to its own budget cuts. For Berkeley the cuts were devastating. However, Dr. Alexander worked behind the scenes as well as in her public leadership role as Chairperson of BIH Advisory Committee to organize a 

public awareness campaign targeted toward the community as well as toward the appointed and elected Berkeley City officials. As people became increasingly aware of and knowledgeable about the Berkeley Black Infant Health Program, its goals, challenges and successes, support for the program grew. Under Dr. Alexander's leadership, grass root community members mobilized and interacted with various media, spoke one on one to groups, held rallies and produced written information, etc. As a result, in Jan/Feb., 2010, the Berkeley City Council made a commitment of $72,000 to the Black Infant Health Program to make up the $100,000 deficit. The BIH advisory committee continues to seek additional funds. BIH has been restructured and program costs have been reduced being careful to identify the most critical services and programs to maintain and to develop. Dr. Alexander is quoted in the local newspapers as being very optimistic, over the “long haul”, that all funding cuts will be restored. BIH funding is matched at the federal level, so the city must raise about $175,000 which will be matched for a total of $350,000 for the program to maintain its current services. 

In 1999, Dr. Alexander saw a need for the BIH program when federal data revealed that black infants in Berkeley had the worst disparity of low birth weight in the nation, at four times the rate of underweight births of white infants. The rate has now shrunk to three times. Today BIH serves 400 women each year. Despite the recent financial difficulties, BIH's goal is to grow. The talent, commitment, and leadership of Dr. Alexander gives BIH an above average chance of reaching its long-term goal. 

Why is Dr. Alexander's work with BIH and the work of others so important to Berkeley? According to 2007 Berkeley Health Status Report: 

 

  • African Americans, in Berkeley, continue to have far higher rates of low birth weight infants and premature births as compared to all other race/ethnic groups.
  • Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight less than 5.5 pounds. The smallest babies have an increased risk of infant death and of developmental disabilities.
  • Although African Americans comprise 13% of the Berkeley population, they account for 39% of the years of potential life lost. (For those who die before age 75, the years not lived is a measure of life lost.). The highest concentration of years of potential life lost are in southwest Berkeley which is BIH's target population.
I have known Dr. Alexander for approximately 20 yrs—socially, professionally as well as a community activist. I am a former Berkeley City Councilperson and Vice Mayor; the first woman of African American descent to be elected to the council. I am also a 2006 recipient of the Outstanding Berkeley Woman award. Dr. Alexander is an author, international traveler, national consultant, lecturer, mentor who is also a loving mother and grandmother who works hard, enthusiastically, lovingly and respectfully with all no matter their background, class, race, ethnicity etc. She is a person of bi-racial background with African American heritage who is fluent in Spanish. She cares deeply about cultural competency/sensitivity and works hard to be a catalyst for these values in all that she does in her life. “Perseverance” should be her middle name; as the daughter of a shoemaker and union organizer, Dr. Alexander overcame many obstacles to become a physician of impeccable credentials with a stellar professional reputation. She is powerful yet gentle and authentic. A brilliant multi-talented skilled leader that is a gift to Berkeley and the world. It is my pleasure to nominate Dr. Alexander for this award.