The Society for Nutrition Education (SNE) announces that Margo Wootan, DSc, has been awarded the 2011 Helen Denning Ullrich Award of Excellence. The award will be formally presented at the 44th SNE Annual Conference, "Empowering the Nutrition Gatekeepers: From Parents to Products to Policy," in Kansas City on Monday, July 25, at 5:30 pm during the SNE Annual Business Meeting and Awards ceremony.
The Helen Denning Ullrich Annual Award of Excellence is given each year to an SNE member for outstanding achievement in the field of nutrition education. This award is named in honor of Helen Ullrich, a dedicated member of SNE and the first editor of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB).
A longtime and active member of SNE, Dr. Wootan is one of the most accomplished nutrition educators and advocates in the field. Throughout her 25 year career, she has worked to improve the health and nutrition of many through effective leadership, advocacy and communication. Dr. Wootan established and runs one of the largest and most effective nutrition coalitions in the country that, under her leadership, has led to increased funding for nutrition and physical activity promotion and successful passage of historic legislation that provides strong nutrition standards for all foods and beverages at school, increases access to nutritious meals, and gives nutrition educators more tools and flexibility in how they promote nutrition and behavior change.
Dr. Wootan's contributions have had a positive impact on the health of millions of Americans, especially children, and have fundamentally and positively changed our dialogue with, and the attitudes of, the food and beverage industry. It is clear that Dr. Wootan is a visionary and leader. Her contributions and approaches to public health have elevated nutrition education and the important role of educators as advocates.
In her letter of support, first lady Michelle Obama wrote of Dr. Wootan, her "tireless commitment to the health and well-being of our children, and involvement in the Let's Move! Campaign has been vital to our success. By improving access to school meals and providing kids with the basic nutrition they need, this legislation helps to ensure that boys and girls across America are one step closer to having the bright, healthy futures they deserve."
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