2021 Members of Distinction

Pi Beta Phi’s Member of Distinction Award honors Pi Phi sisters who have achieved success and recognition within their professions and bring great credit to the Fraternity. The award is only presented biennially at convention.

The 2021 Member of Distinction Award recipients share the common thread of making a difference in our world by empowering others. Whether blazing trails for future generations of women, working to create more equitable communities or ensuring the protection of human rights around the globe, these Pi Phis knew they could make this world a better place for others — and were bold enough to take action. Their achievements have helped to better our society and pave the way for emerging women leaders by demonstrating what’s possible.

PATRICIA “TRISH” BOSTROM, WASHINGTON ALPHA

Trish is a pioneer in women’s athletics and has made a tremendous impact on equality for women athletes. In 1971, as a member of the women’s tennis team at the University of Washington (UW), Trish filed a legal challenge against the university citing blatant discrimination in the school’s treatment of male athletes compared to their female counterparts. Trish sought the opportunity to play tennis for the UW men’s team until equitable athletic programs could be developed for women. After a pre-trial hearing, the university agreed to both of her requests — a landmark moment for women’s athletics before the enactment of Title IX protections.

After college, Trish embarked on a successful eight-year career as an international touring tennis professional, competing in more than 80 countries and appearing at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the French Open and the Australian Open. During the course of her career, she was ranked fifth in the world as a doubles player and 35th in singles. After retiring from professional tennis, Trish earned her juris doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University Law School and currently practices law in Seattle. A member of numerous sports halls of fame and nonprofit boards, Trish was honored by USA Today as one of the top ten Women of the Century for the state of Washington in recognition of her fight for gender equality in athletics.

Trish believes women must continue to speak out in the face of injustice — a process that begins with mentoring younger generations. “Women who have lived through inequity need to mentor younger women,” she said. “We as women need to help other women reach their goals. We need to speak out, mentor girls and encourage them to have courage. I was young, but something deep inside me told me what I saw wasn’t right or just. When you have those feelings, speak out.”

JENNIFER BURDICK, WISCONSIN BETA (AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY)

Jennifer lived a life in service to others, advocating for equality and civil rights. The daughter of U.S. Rep. and Sen. Quentin N. Burdick, Jennifer was inspired to action early in her life. At age 14, she began co-managing her father’s political campaigns after the death of her mother. She participated in the 1963 “I Have a Dream” March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and marched alongside the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. She graduated from Beloit College with a degree in anthropology and sociology in 1966.

Jennifer worked as an investigator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Baltimore before her appointment as Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on Human Relations. In this role, Jennifer enforced laws preventing discrimination, helped to educate Maryland citizens on their rights and implemented programs improving civil and human rights across the state. She served on the Baltimore City Ethics Board and the board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland. An entrepreneur as well as a civil servant, Jennifer founded a human resources consulting company and owned a children’s art education business. She was a passionate supporter of the arts throughout her life and volunteered with several local arts organizations, including the Maryland Film Festival, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Theatre and the Baltimore Museum of Art. In recognition of Jennifer’s accomplishments and community leadership, the Maryland Daily Record chose her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women three times and also named her to its Circle of Excellence.

In October 2020, Jennifer died due to complications of ALS. She is survived by family members including three children, two sisters and four grandchildren. She found special meaning in a quote from Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace.”

DAVINA P. DURGANA, PH.D., D.C. ALPHA

Davina is an award-winning international human rights statistician and professor. As shared in her Spring 2021 profile in The Arrow, Davina’s statistical models are used by governments, corporations and nonprofits around the globe to enact change and better protect people at risk of exploitation. She serves as Senior Multilateral Engagement Advisor for Minderoo Foundation, one of the largest philanthropies in the Asia-Pacific region, leading Americas Policy and Quantitative Research for the organization. In this role, she co-authored the Global Slavery Index for Minderoo’s Walk Free initiative.

Davina has been widely recognized for her work in statistical modeling, human security theory and human trafficking. She has authored more than 28 publications, delivered over 100 invited presentations and keynote addresses and is a member of more than a dozen international nonprofit and professional boards. Her work has taken her to more than 60 countries and every continent — including Antarctica. In addition to her role with Minderoo Foundation, Davina is a visiting professor at Oxford University and serves on faculty at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

A vocal advocate for women’s leadership and women in STEM fields, Davina recognizes the inherent power and strength found in networks of confident, supportive women. “We can’t rise alone, and inclusion has to be a movement,” she said. “We have an immense power and responsibility to promote other women. When we’re the lucky ones who get in, we need to bring others with us. This is where we can be each other’s champions — identify people who can do something well and deserve the opportunity and give them the chance.”