Women’s Studies Update

VOLUME X, NUMBER 1 AUGUST 2003

COORDINATOR’S CORNER

Welcome to Fall Semester!  I am excited to have the opportunity to work for Women's Studies in the capacity of coordinator, following some amazing coordinators whose shoes will be extremely difficult to fill.  Sandra Powell has reassured me that she and her predecessors will support me along the way, and, of course, we have great Women's Studies faculty and other supporters. 

We are also very excited to have a new Women's Studies secretary, Laura Albright.  She comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge.  Please be sure to read the introduction below and to stop by the office to say, "Hello." 

Since last year, several exciting events have already occurred and several others are planned already.  In July, Sandra Powell and I had the opportunity to attend the 2003 NWSA conference in New Orleans, LA.  There were several topics discussed that we may all want to talk about at the retreat.  One included the need to weave contributions of, and issues for, Women with Disabilities (WWD's) into our classes.  We also would like to renew our efforts to make sure our general classes have global women as a focus.  Finally, there were sessions discussing web courses, some of which might serve as cross-listed courses for women’s studies.  

Please keep the following dates and activities in mind.  The next Women’s Studies reading group will discuss "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros on Friday, September 5th; the following Friday, September 12th, we will have the Opening Social/Retreat at Diane Krantz's home. On Sunday, October 12th, we will have our annual Potluck Picnic/Book Sale; more details will be forthcoming in the next newsletter. We also look forward to participating in WSU’s Major Fest on Wednesday, October 29th , in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms.

I look forward to working with you all this coming year. 

INTRODUCING….

To kick off the 2003-2004 academic year we’re using this space to introduce you to Laura Albright, new secretary for Women's Studies. Laura was born and raised in Southern California, moving as a teenager to Colorado, where she finished high school. Subsequently, she moved around the country, searching for "her place" in life. In 1982, she found herself in Phoenix, AZ, where she met her husband; in July, 2002, they moved to Willard when he was transferred to ATK Thiokol.

Laura’s baccalaureate education is a "work in progress." She started coursework toward an AAS degree in social work in Phoenix, while working full time and being mother and wife.  Having since changed her ideas of "what I want to be when I grow up," she hopes to finish a degree at WSU.  

Laura comes to us most recently from employment with Micro-Tronics, an aerospace manufacturing company, where she worked as an administrative assistant from 1998 until 2002.  There she honed her patience, among other skills; working mostly with men, she made a conscious decision "to be a part of the team instead of just a secretary." Although she didn’t have an academic degree, she was determined "to learn … about [the] company and how to do the job."  Prior to that, she worked for the Girl Scout Council in Phoenix from 1993 to 1998; she was the council shop manager, in charge of all sales and merchandising of uniforms, badges, etc. She " loved this job because … the organization is great for girls. It teaches modern day issues and how to face and handle them."  From 1987 to 1993, she worked with Phoenix Parks and Recreation, starting as a volunteer coach for her son's T-ball team. She was offered a position helping to build the youth sports programs in Phoenix, a very rewarding experience at that time in her life. In that position, she was able to experience the changes in the city and become more involved in programs targeting the city’s youth. As a volunteer, she worked for the At-Risk Youth in their community centers, also developing programs in which they could participate and develop a sense of belonging. 

Laura’s family includes "a 23 year-old son from a previous marriage and a 14 year- old daughter that I was lucky enough to acquire in my new marriage" in addition to a new grandson.  She was very active in playing and coaching softball until last year. A major knee surgery "stopped me in my tracks" and has led to a couple surgeries. However, she is able to enjoy hiking, camping and anything that takes place outdoors. 

In addition to finishing her degree, Laura is "very excited about being in the Women's Studies program at WSU. I have always been a supporter of women's issues, however, until last year I never realized what was involved in ‘jumping in with both feet.’ The people that I have met at WSU are wonderful and I think that I will enjoy growing and, hopefully, helping the women's studies program become more visible."

We offer an enthusiastic welcome to Laura and hope that she is able to achieve her goals. We look forward to supporting her in that process as we get to know her. Please stop by the Women’s Studies office M, W, F: 8 AM – 2 PM (except the lunch hour and, this semester, 10 – 11 AM) and T, Th: 8 AM – noon; introduce yourself; and say hello to the newest member of "our team."

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Congratulations are in order for Wangari wa Nyatetu-Waigwa, who is serving as Acting Coordinator of the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program. She assumed those duties in May and will continue until Judy Elsley returns from sabbatical in January 2004.

Kudos also to Diana Page, who performed a Brahms sonata for piano and violin as part of the Millennium Stage chamber music recital at Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 15th. She was joined by her daughter, Julia Grueninger, principal second violin for the Kennedy Center’s Washington Opera Orchestra.

Services for Women Students has a full plate of activities this fall, including Wisdom on Wednesdays; the usual noon discussion, held in the Union Building Lair, is being augmented this year with a 7 PM presentation in the University Village Commons Room. On 17 September, Judy Franquelin will present "Never Say Never: Executive Balance." For a complete list of topics/presenters, contact Gloria Perez-Jensen (626-6090.) SWS is also teaming up again with Bringing Hope to Single Moms in presenting "The Road to Self-Reliance." Those classes begin 18 September and run for 10 weeks, each Thursday at 2 PM, in SC152.

This fall, the Nontraditional Students’ Program is offering monthly "Konnections with Kids" parenting workshops, beginning on 17 September with Dr. Brad Carroll presenting "Let’s Experiment! Fun with Physics" at 6:30 PM, Union Ballroom C.

5 September – WS Reading Group; 3 PM; Grounds for Coffee (25th St.)

12 September – WS Opening Social/Retreat; 2 – 6 PM; Diane Krantz’s home.

17 September – WOW with Judy Franquelin; "Never Say Never: Executive Balance."

Dr. Brad Carroll presenting "Let’s Experiment! Fun with Physics"

18 September – "The Road to Self-Reliance" classes begin.

17 – 27 Sept. – WSU Greek Festival; for details, visit www.weber.edu/PerformingArts.