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  • Interviews of, and Articles about, Sonia

Interviews of, Articles about, and Books that Include Sonia

Articles about Sonia are also contained in the section on Belgium.

Sonia Pressman Fuentes

Letters of Congratulations from Cornell University and the University of Miami

University of Miami

July 28th 2008

Dear Ms. Fuentes:

I am simply delighted to congratulate you, not only on your 80th birthday and the recent honor by the Veteran Feminists of America, but for the invaluable influence you have had on the lives of so many women.

You are a true gem among our Law School alumnae here at the University of Miami and we could not be more proud of all that you have accomplished in your storied career as a pioneering feminist, attorney, writer, public speaker and indefatigable advocate for leveling the playing field for women. Your lifelong dedication to women's rights has literally opened doors for those previously shut out.

Like you, I was privileged to serve in the Federal government, as Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Clinton Administration, and count myself among those who owe you a debt of gratitude for the key role you played in founding Federally Employed Women (FEW) and in crafting early EEOC guidelines, among others. I remain deeply honored to have been chosen, in 1998, as the first recipient of FEW's President's Award during their 30 year anniversary.

On behalf of the University of Miami and personally, it is my privilege to applaud your achievements and thank you for all that you have done to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow women.

Sincerely,

Donna E. Shalala
President

 

Cornell University

June 25th, 2008

Dear Ms. Fuentes:

It is a pleasure to write to you to acknowledge two momentous and recent occasions in your life -- your 80th birthday and the tribute paid to you by Veteran Feminists of America. Cornell is honored to have among its alumnae women who have played pivotal roles in advancing women's rights. I was pleased to hear that the ceremony on June 9 featured the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg '54 as the guest of honor. What could better epitomize Cornell's long-standing commitment to offer study to any student than to have two of Cornell's pioneering women honored at the same event?

It is also fitting that the VFA honored one of its founders who continues to serve the organizations. Your work to enact change in laws and practices that were illegal and discriminatory continues to have ripple effects, inspiring other young women to follow your lead and not accept the status quo. Learning that a fellow alumna has achieved such success and catalyzed such change empowers our students and reminds them that there is still much work to be done.

I wish you great joy in the coming year and salute you for the work you have done to advance the rights of women in this country and around the world.

Best regards,

David J. Skorton
President