Vicki Cowart
| Vicki Cowart | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 |
| 20222022 | |
| 🏫 Education | |
| 💼 Occupation | Geophysicist and nonprofit executive |
Vicki Cowart (1954–2022) was Colorado State Geologist for 10 years, from 1993 to 2003.[1] She then pivoted to healthcare, leading the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains as president and CEO from 2003 to 2021.[2] In 2022, Cowart was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.[3]
Early life and education
Cowart attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute where she received a B.S. in physics.[4] Later, she earned a Master's Degree in geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines in 1977.[1]
Career
Geological career
Cowart helped establish the Denver, Colorado chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists and served as the first national President, which helped pave the way for her role as State Geologist of Colorado. She was the first woman to lead the Colorado Geological Survey.[2] During her time as State Geologist, she led the department through budget cuts by pursuing grants independent of state funding. She encouraged geologists in Colorado to publish scientific analysis in a way that was useful to homeowners and other non-technical members of the public.[5]
Healthcare career
During her time as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Cowart introduced new telemedicine initiatives in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.[6] These services expanded access to reproductive and sexual health care for women in rural communities, allowing patients to obtain necessary medications through their local pharmacies.
Cowart engaged publicly with state and federal policy issues, including issuing a formal response to a Colorado proposal that sought to restrict abortion access.[7] She was president during the 2015 Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting.[8]
Awards and honors
- Colorado School of Mines Young Alumnus Award, 1988
- Colorado School of Mines Distinguished Achievement Medal, 1999
- Colorado Citizens Leadership Excellence Award
- American Geosciences Institute Medal in honor of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences, 2010
- Planned Parenthood Ruth Green Award, 2014
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "In Brief Fall/Winter 2010". Mines Magazine. Colorado School of Mines. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Moree, Susan (9 November 2021). "Head of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains retires after 18 years at helm". New Mexico Political Report. Citizen Media Group. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "Vicki Cowart". Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ Matthews, Vincent. "2010 AGI Medal In Memory of Ian Campbell". The Geological Society of America.
- ↑ Reed. "Vicki Cowart: From rocks to reproductive rights". Geotimes. American Geological Institute. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ Wondra, Jan (26 October 2019). "Planned Parenthood Rolls Out Women's Telemedicine Healthcare for Rural Areas". Ark Valley Voice. Truth Has a Voice Foundation DBA. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "Cowart Responds to the Vote on House Bill 12-1130". Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "Planned Parenthood shooting: Suspect said 'no more baby parts'". BBC. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
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