The Ruth Maddox Young Women in STEM Award honors young women completing their last year of high school, who have been accepted into a university level STEM program and are interested in advancing women with these skills.  The award is named for long-time Zonta Club of Dallas member Ruth Maddox who was the third woman to receive an electrical engineering degree from SMU in 1948. Her career with Dallas Power & Light Company (now TXU) extended for 38 years designing lighting systems for commercial and industrial buildings. An applicant for this award should show examples of combining her interests in STEM with community volunteerism, leadership achievements, and advocating for the advancement of women by using STEM skills.

The goal of the Zonta Club of Dallas Ruth Maddox Young Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (YWinSTEM) Award is to encourage more young women to participate in science, technology, engineering and math by recognizing a commitment to higher education curriculum in science, technology, engineering and/or math, evidence of  leadership achievements in science, technology, engineering and/or math and a dedication to the advancement of the status of women.  Ruth Maddox is a role model for young women interested in STEM careers. A Registered Professional Engineer of the State of Texas, Ruth worked for Consulting Engineer David C. Pfeiffer, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SMU. She was then employed by the Dallas Power & Light company which became part of TXU. She worked as an Illuminating Engineer for 37 years designing lighting for many commercial and industrial buildings. Her artistic talents and education enabled her to assist many consulting engineers and designers of new and remodeled Dallas buildings such as the Great Hall of the Apparel Mart, First Baptist Church, The Adolphus Hotel, and many other churches, offices and homes.

Zonta Club of Dallas Ruth Maddox Young Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Award