For her important work empowering homeless and low-income women, Shady Side Academy alumna Rebekah Tesfamariam '14 is the recipient of the 2019 Paul R. Pigman '52 Prize. The award was established by the family and friends of alumnus Paul R. Pigman '52 in 1996 and is given in his memory to a young alum whose activities in his or her daily life or profession exemplify strong character and good citizenship.

Tesfamariam attended Bowdoin College, where she received a B.A. in pre-medical studies and was president of the African American Society and student director of the Sexuality, Woman and Gender Study. She was chosen by Bowdoin faculty and staff as the winner of the Andrew Haldane Cup, awarded annually to a senior for outstanding qualities of leadership and character. She is currently employed at N Street Village in Washington, D.C., where she is an HIV program specialist and Health Corps member.

"She truly devotes her life to good citizenship by her service in her current field and her future pursuits in medicine," said a Shady Side classmate. "She has always been an inspiration to our class."

Tesfamariam will be presented with the Paul R. Pigman '52 Prize during SSA's Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, at the Alumni and Faculty Mixer on Friday evening, Oct. 11, at the Heinz History Center in downtown Pittsburgh. Homecoming and Reunion Weekend events run from Friday, Oct. 11, through Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Learn more and register.