COORDINATOR’S CORNER

Greetings for Women’s History Month! This year we have had the opportunity to create a month of activities highlighting women’s issues, challenges, and successes in Putting Our Stamp on America. Chaired by Donna Hunter from Services for Women Students, the History Month committee has organized events that I urge you to support.

The Writing Showcase began in early February. Judging of the entries was completed by March 1, and the winners from each of the three categories will be invited to read their work at a reception on March 31. Watch for announcement of the winners soon.

An Open House will be held from 10:00-11:45 a.m., March 3, in the Diversity Center. It will feature representatives and displays from Services for Women Students, Women’s Studies, various Weber State departments, and agencies in Ogden that deal with women’s issues as part of their primary commitment. The Open House will be followed by a panel discussion entitled "Successful Women from Weber" in the Lair at 12:00 p.m. Weber State women graduates who are doing professional work will tell stories of how they translated their educations into teaching, law, political, theater, and social work careers.

Women’s Realities will sponsor a presentation by Drs. Kathryn Mackay and John Sillito on The History of Women in Utah. The free talk will be given at Your Community Connection, 2261 Adams Avenue in Ogden, March 10th from 6-8 p.m. That same day Women’s Studies and Performing Arts will sponsor the first of a series of dramatic readings from the Sheldon Letters, original manuscripts of a 19th century woman attending Oxford University. Remaining readings are scheduled for March 24, and April 7 and 14. All will be held in SSC 218.

On March 11, Dr. Theresa Martinez, Sociology Professor at the University of Utah, will speak at the Honors Issues Forum. Her topic will be "Personal and Historical Tales of Survival in the Borderlands: Race, Class, and Gender at the Turn of a Century."

Ms. Patricia Ireland, NOW (National Organization for Women) National President will speak at Convocations March 26. Ms. Ireland will also be present in the evening when Services for Women Students hosts a light dinner at the David Eccles Conference Center in downtown Ogden to raise funds for scholarships for traditional women students. Tickets are available at the Dee Events Center.

Also watch for announcements of additional activities such as a Drum Circle, possibly on March 25, and continuing displays on women in the Library and on the Student Union -Student Services Center Bridge.

FACULTY PROFILE

Since March is Women’s History Month, it seems appropriate to profile a woman who represents our history at Weber State. Dr. Jean White is Professor Emerita of Political Science, having retired in 1989, just as the Women’s Studies Program was "gestating." She is responsible for creation of the popular "Sex Roles and the Law" (in collaboration with Barry Gomberg), offered by several faculty members as a regular cross-listed course throughout the life of the program. Jean came to Weber State in the late 1960's, when many arenas were perceiving that the "new" affirmative action policy would create disruption of collegiality (among other things) as women "storm[ed] ... all-male fiefdoms." Although Political Science as a discipline was dominated by men generally, Jean was pleased to find at WSU "a warm welcome, a choice of interesting courses to teach, and a good relationship"over the years with "friendly and supportive" colleagues, with whom she prefers to share some responsibility for her success.

Jean brought impressive credentials to WSU, including a B.A. (Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi) from the University of Utah, an M.A. from U.C.L.A., and a Ph.D. from the University of Utah, all in political science. She also did post-doctoral studies in constitutional history at Princeton University, as well as legal studies at Rice University, University of Utah College of Law, and the London School of Economics in England. Contributions to her discipline include articles, book reviews and manuscript reviewing for primarily historical journals, and she has authored three books and numerous book chapters on women’s political and legal history and Utah political history. She averts retirement boredom in part by continuing her publication efforts, working currently with co-authors on a fourth book, the subject of which details the history of Utah government and politics. She also serves currently on the Board of Editors and the executive committee of the Journal of Mormon History. Since her retirement, Jean has also co-authored a reader’s theater presentation on Utah women’s struggle to gain the right to vote and has performed it before numerous audiences; television audiences had the opportunity to see her on camera in the KUED productions "The Struggle for Statehood" and "Let the Women Vote." She also was chosen to deliver Utah’s Statehood Day address in January 1993 in connection with the inauguration of Gov. Leavitt.

While on the WSU faculty, Jean spent much time advising and guiding students, perhaps, in her words, "helping to create too many lawyers!" Her commitment to students in combination with other aspects of her academic career led to her being chosen as Professor of the Year (1970-71), Crystal Crest Master Teacher of the Year (1985), and Presidential Distinguished Professor (1981-82.) She has also been honored with the Emeritus Alumni Award from the University of Utah and an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree at WSU’s December (‘98) commencement.

Jean’s service commitments have included numerous state and local commissions, boards and task forces designed to improves government; currently she is a member of the Utah Constitutional Revisions Commission, studying and recommending changes in the Utah Constitution.

In her leisure time, she reads extensively and studies piano and organ, serving as organist for her church. Her family of two grown children and three grandchildren also provides for much enjoyment, as does travel with husband, Dr. John Stephen White.

The members of the Women’s Studies Program are proud to acknowledge Jean’s role in helping to set the stage for our accomplishments; our footing is solid on her capable shoulders.

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In addition to women’s history events, this month will also feature the Statewide Gender Equity Conference, sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education and the state’s Gender Equity Centers, 11-12 March at the Dixie Center in St. George. For more information, contact Gloria Perez-Jensen at 626-6082.

A gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered support group has been formed on campus; for more information, contact the Counseling Center (626-6406.)

Women’s Studies graduate Deb Finn has contacted the office with a Georgia address. She sends her regards "to those who made my years at WSU great and enabled ... graduation" and she misses "everything from Utah." If you’d like to (re-)establish contact with Deb, contact Linda in the WS office (626-7632.)

3 March - International Women’s Day; see above for specific events.

                    10 March - Women’s Realities, YCC, 6 - 8 p.m..

11 March - Theresa Martinez, Honors Issues Forum, Union Ballroom, 10 a.m..

                    12 March - Exec. Council Mtg., SS115, 3 p.m..

24 March - The Sheldon Letters reading, SC218, 1 p.m..

25 March - Human Pursuits, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez, discussion led by Mary Rosa Moraga Barrow, Weber County Library, Ogden, 7 - 9 p.m.; for information, call 627-6917 or 773-2109.

26 March - Special Convocations presentation by Patricia Ireland, NOW President, 10 a.m., Shepherd Ballroom.

27 March - Utah NOW State Conference, with Patricia Ireland; for information, call the Salt Lake City NOW office.