CANTON -- AAUW-St. Lawrence County Branch has selected Margaret Kent Bass of Canton as their 2011 Agent of Change.

Dr. Bass came to the North Country in 1993 as an assistant professor of English and director of multicultural affairs at St. Lawrence University. She left in 1995 to teach at the University of Iowa, returning in 2000.

AAUW will present Bass with her award at their autumn membership meeting on Tues., Oct. 25 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, East Main Street, Canton. A potluck dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the branch meeting and presentations. Members and the public are welcome to attend. Bring a dish to pass and your tableware, or just come for the program at 6:30 pm.

Bass is now Associate Professor of English and Caribbean and Latin American Studies at SLU. She was interim Vice President and Dean of Student Life and Co-Curricular Education. In addition to overseeing the university's student life programs, she has overseen the Higher Education Opportunity Program, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, McNair Scholar program, Presidential Diversity Scholar program and Jeffrey Campbell Fellows program.

The announcement of the award from the AAUW St. Lawrence County Branch calls her “a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education; a trail blazer for women’s rights, an advocate for racial justice, and a modern day Sojourner Truth for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights. She is the first to take a stand, to offer her voice and influence for those who might not be heard.”

She started the SLU faculty Caucus of Color 10 years ago. She also made a successful effort to diversify the SLU student body, particularly during her time as an interim Dean of Student Life when she fostered a cooperative, diversified and productive atmosphere at St. Lawrence University.

Membership in the St. Lawrence County Branch is open to anyone who supports the mission of AAUW, which advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, research, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.

For more information about AAUW locally, contact President Becky Gerber at 268-9957 or gerberrl@potsdam.edu or Public Policy Chair Kathleen Stein at 386-3812 or kstein1@twcny.rr.com.