The May Wright Sewall Award is presented to Hoosier women exuding the spirit of May Wright Sewall, who worked tirelessly to advance women’s leadership roles, personal improvement, and standing in the community. A tenacious organizer, Sewall fought beside Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many others for women’s right to vote worldwide. The 2020 May Wright Sewall Recipients exemplify the very essence of May Wright Sewall’s efforts. This year’s awardees are Cordelia Lewis-Burks and Sallie Rowland.

Cordelia Lewis-Burks
Cordelia Lewis-Burks is known for serving the community by educating and empowering others though the political process. She focuses on women of all ages, races, and from all walks of life working with families through the labor movement. Her commitment has been to provide leadership and dignity for working families in the struggle for equality and economic justice though the vote.
She has served her political party as the Vice Chairwoman of the Indiana Democratic Party and as a precinct committeewoman for over forty years. She believes there is only one day of the year when all people are equal— that day is Election Day if they are registered to vote.
Cordelia Lewis-Burks has received numerous acknowledgments for her work including Indiana’s highest honor, The Sagamore of the Wabash. Her lifetime of service certainly honors the spirit of May Wright Sewall.

Sallie Rowland
From the time she graduated from Indiana University , Sallie Rowland has been known as an innovator in interior design, in historic preservation, and a highly respected female entrepreneur. Throughout her career, she has combined her talent for design with a strong business acumen and still found time for trailblazing service to her community. Sallie was the first woman to serve as president of the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, the first woman to serve as President of the Economic Club of Indianapolis and the first woman to chair the United Way Campaign for Central Indiana. The list of boards and committees on which she sits is long and prestigious still today in her retirement. She is recipient of many of awards, including the 1992 Indianapolis Business Journal.
Individual Enterprise Award, 1994 Entrepreneur of the Year from Ernst & Young Magazine, 1995 Indiana University School of Business Hall of Fame, 1997 Laureate for the Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame, 2008 Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University, and the first Honored Legend IN Design in 2009, to name a few. We are proud to name Sallie Rowland, ASID, a May Wright Sewall recipient for 2021.

The Propylaeum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to be the place that celebrates and connects women. We value women's leadership, arts and culture, and historic preservation.

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