Faculty & Staff Achievements

Vice Provost and Human Rights ‘Hero’ Joins San Francisco Library Commission

by Ed Carpenter, Office of Marketing Communications

USF’s Mary Wardell-Ghirarduzzi has been named a San Francisco Human Rights Commission Hero Award winner. The award comes on the heels of a separate honor: Mayor Ed Lee recently appointed Wardell-Ghirarduzzi to the San Francisco Library Commission.

Wardell-Ghirarduzzi, vice provost for diversity engagement and community outreach, was chosen as a Hero for her outstanding leadership in human rights advocacy, according to the Human Rights Commission.

Embodies civil rights values

“This year’s Hero Awards commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by recognizing organizations and individuals who advance, uphold, and embody the values of the civil rights movement,” the commission said in a statement.

The Human Rights Commission will honor Wardell-Ghirarduzzi along with the year’s other Hero Award winners in a ceremony at City Hall July 24.

Oversee 28 libraries

As a member of the seven-member Library Commission, Wardell-Ghirarduzzi will help oversee the budget and operation of San Francisco’s 28 libraries. She’ll also work with City Librarian Luis Herrera to continue to grow the city’s libraries as centers for gathering and innovation for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

Wardell-Ghirarduzzi was officially sworn in as Library Commissioner June 20 at City Hall and will serve a four-year term.

Know someone with a powerful USF story? Let us know! usfnews@usfca.edu | Twitter @usfca

more news