Honors and Awards

Barbara Shaiman honored as an “Extraordinary Woman” by ACT II Playhouse:

Society Hill Playhouse in conjunction with the stage musical Respect: A Musical Journey of Women, announced the winner of its “Respect Extraordinary Women” contest, based on recent nominees for the contest by the general public. One grand prize winner and three runners-up from the Greater Philadelphia area were selected and will be recognized in honor of Women’s History Month before the March 24 performance of Respect at the Society Hill Playhouse.

The public was asked to submit a short essay nominating a woman they know who has made a difference in someone’s life. Barbara Shaiman from Bala Cynwyd, PA, was selected by the producing & creative team of Respect and officials at the Society Hill Playhouse as the grand prize winner of the ‘Respect Extraordinary Women’ contest. She will be recognized onstage by the cast prior to the March 24, 7:30 p.m. performance.

As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, Ms. Shaiman has committed her life to promoting respect for diversity to ensure that genocide and violence never again happens. She created the Champions of Caring organization to educate and empower youths from the greater Philadelphia area to respect one another’s differences, to speak up against injustices, and to become social activists. Ms. Shaiman’s mother was incarcerated in Auschwitz during World War II and is the sole survivor of a family of 65 people. Her father worked for Oskar Schindler.

More Accolades

Women’s Achievement Award, KYW News Radio, 2014

Daily Points of Light Award, Points of Light Foundation and Corporation for National Service, 2007

State Farm Service-Learning Practitioner Leadership Award, National Youth Leadership Council and State Farm Insurance Foundations, 2006

Community Quarterback Award, The Philadelphia Eagles and Parade Magazine, 2003

Women Making History Award, The National Association of Women Business Owners, 2002

Best Practices Award, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2001

Citizen Hero, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2001

Sean Peretta Service Award for Community Service, Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2000

Servant of God Award, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 1998

Hunter College Hall of Fame, Hunter College, 1999

Mordechai Anielewicz Award, Association of Philadelphia Jewish Holocaust Survivors, 1990