The local chapter of the National Organization for Women picked a man to receive its first Feminist of the Year award.

"A lot of people feel that to be a feminist you have to be a woman," said Diane Dodge, the local NOW president. "A feminist is someone who works for and believes in rights for women."Dodge said history professor Robert Zangrando was selected because he has supported the chapter, participated in women's-rights marches and events, and donated money toward NOW efforts. He teaches women's studies at the University of Akron.

"I think personally there are others more richly deserving, but I'm certainly not going to refuse their kind gesture," said Zangrando.

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Zangrando has been a member of NOW's Akron chapter since 1975.

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