Dianne Dunkelman, Education and Health Advocate for Women and Children, Will Receive Award for Excellence From The University of Cincinnati

Dianne Dunkelman, founder and CEO of the National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation and founder of the Clever Crazes for Kids health outreach program, will receive the University of Cincinnati Award for Excellence at

UC’s Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 9, in Fifth Third Arena.

The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the purposes and ideals of the university.

Dunkelman launched Speaking of Women’s Health (SWH) as a one-day conference in Cincinnati in 1996. The success of that event as well as her fundraising success evolved into a national foundation that sponsored more than 50 conferences and events in more than 40 cities across the nation. Initiatives such as Universal Sisters, an outreach program for African-American women; Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer, an outreach program for Hispanic women; and Speaking to Men About Health, diversified efforts on health education initiatives.

Her concern about the nation’s childhood obesity crisis led to the creation of Clever Crazes for Kids in 2006, an educational  program and website that reaches out to children from kindergarten to eighth grade, as well as their parents and educators.

In 2010, her dedication to improving learning in children and her interest in emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education led to a partnership with the UC School of Education in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH).

“Dianne has gone above board to address student needs in respect to health, wellness, STEM education and addressing school curriculum,” says Holly Johnson, associate professor and head of the School of Education. “We celebrate this newest honor with her.”

Dunkelman serves on the UC Foundation Board of Trustees. She also serves as a trustee on the boards of Breast Cancer.org, Contemporary Arts Center, Executive Committee and the YWCA. She supports numerous arts and civic endeavors in Cincinnati, specifically the Cincinnati Ballet Company, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. She was a founding member of the Board of the School for Creative and Performing Arts.

Her numerous honors include being named one of Cincinnati’s Leading Women in 1999 and the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Woman of the Year in 1989. She was recognized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for her work to advance healthcare on behalf of women of color, and was also honored by the March of Dimes for her work in promoting the health of women and infants. Other accolades include honoree for the Cincinnati Human Rights Commission; National Conference for Community and Justice Citation Award (BRIDGES); Northwood University Distinguished Women Award; YWCA Career Women of Achievement Award; Columbia University “The Athena Award from the Partnership for Women’s Health;” and the Post Corbett Award in 1991.

UC Commencement Information