Distinguished Service Award

2013 Recipient: Julie Martin

2002 B.S. in Apparel Design
Founder and executive director, WE CARE of India

"We would accomplish nothing without partnering with the most amazing organizations on the ground, organizations that truly sacrifice every single day. But we see what can happen when we just do what we can every single day and never quit. I never expected to be recognized for the work in India because it has never felt like one big project, but rather one passion that I strive to commit myself to consistently."

During her post-graduate summer at Paris Fashion Institute, Julie Martin met Sr. Jessy Alex who started Pratheeksha (Home of Hope) for girl children in rural South India. She joined the cause, implementing sponsorship programs and community outreaches that work for women's empowerment and children's advancement in rural villages in India. She is partnering with the department of apparel, textiles and interior design to begin research for a Women's Training Center in South India that will train and employ rural women in natural dying.