PHILADELPHIA -- Marjorie O. Rendell, a member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit since 1997, will receive the 2005 Beacon Award from the University of Pennsylvania's Trustees' Council of Penn Women during a luncheon ceremony April 15.

TCPW's Beacon Award, presented only six times in the past 18 years, recognizes an individual whose dedication and commitment to issues affecting women have achieved results.   

Rendell, a 1969 Penn graduate and a founding member of the TCPW, is chair of the Board of Overseers of Penn's School of Nursing and a member of the Board of Trustees of Penn Medicine.  She is a former University trustee, Penn Alumni Board member, overseer of the School of Arts and Sciences and member of Penn's Athletics Board.   

As the wife of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and first lady of the commonwealth, she works with the newly formed Pennsylvania Coalition of Representative Democracy to teach responsible citizenship to the state's youth.  She partners with the Pennsylvania Commission for Women on its initiatives including the Governor Conference for Women, and is a frequent speaker to women's groups across the state.

After earning a law degree at Villanova University, Rendell joined the Philadelphia firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she subsequently became a partner.  During 20 years as a practicing attorney, she specialized in bankruptcy law and commercial litigation.  She served as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before being appointed to that court in 1994.

In October Rendell received the Sandra Day O'Connor Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association, given annually to an outstanding female attorney.

Rendell is active in area arts groups, serving as chair of Avenue of the Arts Inc. and on the board and executive committee of the Kimmel Center.  She has been a long-time supporter of reading initiatives for children.

TCPW was established in 1987 as a national network of Penn alumnae who are leaders in their fields, with the charge of supporting, fostering and promoting the advancement of women and women's issues within the University.   Members are also committed to improving the quality of the student experience, acting as role models and mentors for students and alumni, and encouraging financial support of their alma mater.  Members have given more than $53 million for Penn programs and initiatives.