Mary Ellen Waithe, professor emerita of philosophy at Cleveland State University, has been awarded the 2019 Elisabeth of Bohemia Prize. 

Mary Ellen Waithe

The Elisabeth of Bohemia Prize is awarded to “an outstanding contemporary philosopher” whose work “preserves the memory of women in philosophy.” It is named for the philosopher Elisabeth, Princess of Bohemia (1618-1680).

The prize notice states:

Mary Ellen Waithe is the author of the ground-breaking book series “A History of Women Philosophers”, published from 1987 to 1995, from ancient to contemporary women philosophers. With this work, she was the first to publish a book dedicated solely to women philosophers and a pioneer in the field of study on women philosophers. Her dedication motivated many others to join her cause and the project provided a much-needed impulse to further the recognition of women philosophers. The series presents an unparalleled contribution to the research on women in the history of philosophy and is extremely relevant to this day. 

The prize of €3000 (approximately $3330) is sponsored by Ulrike Detmers and awarded in cooperation with Ruth Hagengruber, the director of the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists. It was awarded to Professor Waithe during the closing ceremony of the 2019 Libori Summer School.