This award was established in 1950 by Delta Zeta's National Council acting favorably on the suggestion of the late Betsy Bradley Leach, Southern California - Alpha Iota, Alumnae Vice President. The first recipient, Dr. Mary Hill Fulstone, California/Berkeley - Mu, was announced on Founders Day in 1950. The medallion, designed by Eleanor Hansen Nichols, Tau – Wisconsin, also named Woman of the Year in 1979, was adopted in 1956 as the symbol of this award.