The "Making a Difference" Award

Pam Dorwarth (right), is presented the Women & Epilepsy Initiative's 2003 Making a Difference Award from Patricia Osborne Shafer, chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's Professional Advisory Board.  The award was presented at the gala awards dinner which took place Oct. 11 during the Foundation's 35th National Conference in Orlando.

Fifty-six year old Pamela Dorwarth of Sarasota, Fla., was named the Epilepsy Foundation's Making a Difference award winner during the Foundation's 35th National Conference in October 2003.

Dorwarth, who is hearing impaired and uses a wheelchair, is a community activist with epilepsy who rallies her town around disabilities issues, takes on city hall to improve living conditions for residents of group living facilities, and advocates against flashing lights that are potential seizure triggers.

Dorwarth works tirelessly as a volunteer for several local and national community groups that address transportation issues, human rights, and the needs of women, children, and people with disabilities.

“Transportation is the greatest task we have to overcome,” Dorwarth told the audience at the awards ceremony. “We’ll keep fighting until everyone has the same access.

“We are defined and will be remembered by how we treat others, not by our possessions,” she said. “When I had the stroke that led to my epilepsy, I made a promise to God that if I get through this, I will continue to fight for the dignity of the disabled.”

Katherine Hayes Rodriguez of Truckee, Calif., Georgia Johnson of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Dana Douglas of Fairfax, Va., were honored as merit award winners. Each received an expense-paid trip to the conference.

The annual Making a Difference award, which is part of the Foundation's Women & Epilepsy Initiative, recognizes women with epilepsy who have contributed in a significant way at the local, regional or national level to:

• Support and advance quality of life for women with epilepsy;
• Inspire people with epilepsy and those with other chronic disabilities; or
• Enhance public understanding of epilepsy and its impact on women.

Nominees included moms, daughters, students, teachers, business and community leaders, volunteers -- women of all ages who have inspired and changed the lives of others.

Previous Winners

Learn about Lee Brown, the 2002 Making a Difference award winner.

Read about the 2002 Making a Difference merit award winners.

Meet Sharon McMinn, the winner of the 2001 Making a Difference award.