Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Esther Kartiganer Prize for Social Activism and Academic Achievement

This prize honors the distinguished career of Esther Kartiganer ’59 (1938-2012), a pioneer in broadcast journalism who became a senior executive producer at CBS News and produced award-winning segments of “60 Minutes” over the course of a long career. Esther was also a founding member and long-time co-chair of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program National Board. Established in 2007 by the WGS faculty in gratitude for Esther’s service to Brandeis, the Kartiganer Prize honors an undergraduate for involvement in social activism around feminism or sexuality, on or off campus, and for outstanding academic achievement. 

Recent Award Recipients

Prize Year Recipient Paper
2021-2022 Ali Hagani
2020-2021 Ellie Kleiman
2019-2020 Karina Wen
2015-2016 Anni Long “Becoming Chinese Feminists”
2014-2015 Brianna Majsiak “Brave Miss World”
2013-2014 Sara Dejene & Philip Gallagher “Gender, Race, and Science at Brandeis”