2007
Alum Award Recipients
Left to right: Deborah Santana ’97; Jane Cudlip King ’42 Not pictured: Thomasina Woida, ‘80
Deborah Santana ’97
Distinguished Achievement Award
Deborah Santana has contributed significantly to improving the human condition and serving society. An effective and dynamic philanthropist and humanitarian, Santana is a founder of the Milagro Foundation, which since 1998 has provided more than $2 million in grants to organizations serving children and youth in the areas of health, education, and the arts. Through her work with Artists for a New South Africa, she helps those who are battling the AIDS pandemic in Africa. In addition, Santana has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring young girls and women, preventing youth from dropping out of school and advocating for those citizens whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. "Mills College offered me a strength and fire for life that has propelled me forward," she said.
Jane Cudlip King ’42
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Jane Cudlip King has served on campus and in several AAMC branches for more years and in more positions than any other living alumna. King has been a key organizer of the Palo Alto Area Mills College Club’s successful house tour fundraisers, has been a member of the Board of Governors for much of the past four decades, and has served as Alumna Trustee from 1975 to 1983. She has been active in student recruitment, a guiding force in the development of the AAMC bylaws, and a valued contributor to the Mills Quarterly.
Thomasina Woida ’80
Outstanding Volunteer Award
A resumer and English major at Mills, Thomasina Woida went on to law school and became a civil litigator. She first began her service to the College as a phoneathon caller, then became a class agent. Soon she was invited to become a member of the Reunion Committee, a role she ably filled for nearly a decade. Woida also provided solid leadership during her 2004–2007 term as AAMC president. Woida said, "I am honored and humbled to receive this award for what I really enjoy doing: volunteering."