Newsletters Women's Research Institute of

Fall 2005

Women's Research Institute of Nevada Newsletter

Joanne Goodwin University of Nevada, , [email protected]

Women's Research Institute of Nevada

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Recommended Citation Goodwin, Joanne and Women's Research Institute of Nevada, "Women's Research Institute of Nevada Newsletter" (2005). Newsletters. 3. https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/wrin_news/3

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This Newsletter has been accepted for inclusion in Newsletters by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Fall 2005 Improving the lives of women in our state through research and education Persistence prevails. WRIN receives funding for 2005-2007 Director’s Message by Joanne Goodwin 2005 marked the sixth year of WRIN’s by those who understand the importance Julianna Ormsby provides some of the work as a statewide research and of what we do. And it came just in time. highlights of this year’s program and the education institute. It also marked the new areas of outreach undertaken this third legislative session at which our Research year. Within a few months, we will be supporters attempted to gain a measure Many states already recognize the value able to provide a preliminary assessment of funding. Persistence worked. In this of a research institute with the mission of the leadership program’s impact issue of our newsletter, we acknowledge to explore the impact of gender on the from surveys produced and compiled by the help of our friends and share news of health, education, employment and Dr. Cathy Hanks of UNLV’s Political research underway that will improve the political participation of women. This Science department. lives of all Nevadans. issue of our newsletter highlights some of our research projects. We are introducing two new vehicles Legislature for research on women. The WRIN Several statewide entities including the Two studies focusing on the status website is undergoing a major revision Center for Basque Studies, the Oral of women in Nevada are the newest that will allow visitors to gain a clearer History Program, and the Film and initiative of the institute. Collaborating understanding of who we are and what Video Library (all located with the Institute for we do. It will also provide excerpts from at UNR) are included It was a group effort by Women’s Policy Research our original research on Nevada women in the state budget. We those who understand in Washington, D.C., as well as a statistical spotlight on data believe that WRIN’s the importance of what WRIN helped make the on women and girls. Secondly, we will mission and programs report, Status of Women in communicate information on gender have a place there as well. we do. Nevada, available. A more research with the Research Roundtable The university has agreed in-depth study directed series and our lecture series. The first and put us on the funding list. Thanks by Jill Winter and produced by the features UNLV faculty’s original research to the energetic support of friends and Nevada Women’s Fund is due for release on gender subjects. The second brings allies, WRIN joined those programs this fall. UNLV’s Center for Business nationally renowned speakers to the temporarily with an appropriation and Economic Research and WRIN campus to share pertinent information on for the biennium 2005-2007. We will collaborated on that project over the last women and gender. See our calendar for pursue our three main projects: the civic several years. Copies will be available this fall’s offerings. engagement program NEW Leadership through our office. Nevada, documentation on the historic As always, we welcome your support and contributions of women in the state, The documentation of women’s ideas. and dissemination of information on the historic and contemporary roles in the Status of Women in Nevada. development of the state continues In This Issue with the completion of our oral history At the opening hearing for the education on Nancy Houssels. No other entity Research Update pg 2 budget, Senator and in the state consistently records the NEW Leadership NV pg 3 Assemblywoman Kathy McClain raised accomplishments of our female leaders the issue of funding for WRIN. McClain and community builders. WRIN Research Roundtable pg 4 submitted AB172 to fund WRIN with Assistant Director, Caryll Dziedziak has Gender Lecture Series pg 4 co-signers Koivisto, Giunchigliani, worked with Houssels for several years on Smith, Parnell, Buckley, Claborn, this collaborative memoir described in Oral History: Conklin, Denis, Gerhardt, Kirkpatrick, her article. Nancy Houssels pg 4 Leslie, Ohrenschall, Pierce, Weber, Titus, Wiener, and Carlton. During the session, Going strong for three years, the Interviewing Fran Montes pg 5 we received additional support from National Education for Women’s (NEW) Raggio, Cegavske, Coffin, Perkins, Allen, Leadership program continues to bring Gansert and Arberry as well as friends unprecedented opportunities to the from across the state. It was a group effort state’s college students. Program Manager Status of Women in Nevada

Research Collaboration on the Status of Women in Nevada Nevada Women’s Every ten years, the Institute for $38,700 (see Nevada Women’s Earnings Annual Earnings Women’s Policy Research (www. table). Nevada ranks 7th nationally in the IWPR.org) in Washington, D.C. percentage of women living above the Nevada ranks 19th* nationally for women’s compiles federal data on women in every poverty line. For more information on median annual earnings. state. In 2004, WRIN affiliated with how Nevada ranks nationally, an online United IWPR to review material on women’s version of the report is available through Nevada States health, education, social welfare, IWPR: www.iwpr.org/States2004/PDFs/ full-time female employment, and political involvement Nevada.pdf worker (median) $29,800 $29,800 & representation. The Status of Women African American $27,600 $27,600 To better understand how women and in Nevada report was released in Asian American $27,600 $33,100 girls fare in Nevada, WRIN partnered November 2004. WRIN helped to make Hispanic $22,100 $23,200 with the Nevada Women’s Fund on a the publication available to researchers, Native American $27,400 $25,500 more detailed study. Over the last two policymakers, and community members. White $32,000 $30,900 years, over 200 indicators of status in Other/Two or More $27,600 $28,400 Nevada rates very well in women’s health, education, employment, and th reproductive rights (13 out of the fifty politics were devised and then compared full-time male states plus the District of Columbia) across the state. The first report is worker (median) $38,700 $40,900 and women in elected office (9th). due for release this fall. The Status of However, the state ranks last in the rate Women and Girls in Nevada will be an *All national statistics consist of the fifty of women’s suicide (51st) and death as invaluable tool for Nevada businesses, states plus the District of Columbia. See a result of lung cancer (51st ). Nevada educators, and policymakers interested in Section 3 and Appendix V, The Status of Women in Nevada, for further information women earn $29,800 annually, while women’s and girl’s issues and rights. about medial annual incomes. men have a median annual income of

Thank you to our supporters! Businesses, Organizations, & Educational Institutions

Alpha Services Altria Group, Inc. Balcony Lights Bank of America Bureau of Reclamation Focus Commercial Group Great Basin College Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. WRIN 2005 Spring Reception, left to right: Natalie Obeso, Gwen Dally, Jennifer Kummer, Kaempfer, Bonner & Renshaw Merideth, Caryll Dziedziak (seated), Dr. Joanne Goodwin (seated), Crystal Jackson, MGM Mirage Julianna Ormsby, Alma Castro. Nevada Power Meet Our Staff! R & R Partners Sierra Health Services Dr. Joanne Goodwin, Director, WRIN; Associate Professor, History Department, UNLV Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas Caryll Dziedziak, Assistant Director, WRIN; Ph.D. candidate, History Department, UNLV Terra Contracting Julianna Orsmby, NEW Leadership Program Manager; MSW The Williams Foundation University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jennifer Merideth, Graduate Assistant; 3rd year law student, Boyd School of Law, UNLV Western Nevada Community College WRIN Community Advisory Board Crystal Jackson, WRIN Graduate Assistant; Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate, 2nd year Master’s student, Sociology, UNLV  WRIN NEW Leadership Advisory Council Alma Castro, WRIN Student Worker; junior, Political Science & Women’s Studies, UNLV NEW Leadership Nevada

as Linda Rivera, Fran Montes and Marlene Music, Art History, Hotel Management, and Monteolivo, to learn about women’s Biochemistry. In 2006, NEW Leadership leadership in Nevada. Our featured Keynote Nevada will continue its commitment to Speaker was former Nevada Attorney attract a wide variety of students in order to General Frankie Sue Del Papa, who inspired reflect the growing diversity of our state and students and addressed a record number of the greater community. guests at our signature event. As we move into our third year of providing As a program of the Women’s Research this innovative and inspiring program to Institute of Nevada, NEW Leadership Nevada students, we are particularly excited to be able provides a unique opportunity to explore to track the progress of our graduates and the NEW Leadership Nevada 2005 students & leadership and civic engagement. Students efficacy of our program. In 2004, we began Faculty-in-Residence Beth Naccarato (top, far are encouraged to take on community collaborating with a research consultant to left) enjoy a break between sessions. projects, wherever they see a need. Current assess the goals of our program and ultimately and past projects have focused on such ascertain whether the program meets the NEW Leadership Nevada issues as domestic violence, voter education needs of our students. We have collected and registration, research on gender voting data on all three groups of students and are Celebrates Third Year differences, diversity in leadership for Latina continuing to capture data at 6-, 12-, and students, teen pregnancy prevention outreach 18-month intervals. We hope to publish our By Julianna Ormsby, NEW Leadership & research, sexual violence awareness and findings after compiling the data at a future Nevada Program Manager prevention, childhood obesity and health point. We believe that our unique program, awareness, and children’s participation in the National Education for Women’s (NEW) while modeled after Rutgers’ University’s arts. Leadership Nevada came into existence to NEW Leadership program, has become an enhance women’s participation in all aspects innovative model itself for educating and of public life. According to the Center for Building a Network Across Nevada empowering a new generation of Nevada American Women and Politics, women In just three short years, NEW Leadership leaders. Thank you for your continued hold only 81 out of 535 seats in the U.S. Nevada has connected with students support! Congress (15.1%). In state legislatures, statewide to build a network of emerging women hold 1,666 out of 7,382 seats (22.6%). leaders. Since 2003, 77 students have For more information about the program, Nevada ranks high, 3rd in the nation (tied attended NEW Leadership Nevada. All of the please visit www.unlv.edu/institutes/wrinunlv/ with Vermont, Washington, and Arizona) institutions in the Nevada System of Higher new_leadership.html for the number of women in the state Education have been represented, including legislature, holding 21 of 63 (33.3%) seats. students from University of Nevada, Las Facts About Leadership And NEW Leadership Nevada is also working to Vegas, University of Nevada, Reno, Great increase women’s leadership in a number of Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community Women In Nevada other areas. In 2004, Nevada ranked 50th in College, Western Nevada Community Did you know…? the nation for the number of women who College, Community College of Southern … Nevada has not yet had a woman governor. hold professional or managerial positions Nevada, and Nevada State College. This In 2005, only eight women hold the and 21st for women-owned businesses. We group of students is diverse in many ways. position of governor nationwide.a know from our interactions with students According to self-reported information, 8 … Nevada has had no women Senators and that it is important for them to see women in students identified as African-American, 5 only two Congresswomen–Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich (R-Reno) served leadership roles. As we move into our 4th year as Asian Pacific Islander, 38 as Caucasian, from 1983-1997 and current Nevada of educating and empowering women to take 16 as Latina, 2 as Native American, and 8 reported “other” or did not report. Students Congresswoman (D-Las on leadership roles, we are proud to continue Vegas) was elected in 1999.b also represent several countries, including to offer this innovative and exciting program … Nevada ranks 50th (26.9%) in the nation in Nevada. Romania, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, for the number of women who hold Mexico, and Japan. Almost twelve percent professional and managerial positions.c In June 2005, we welcomed 31 students from of our students are from rural Nevada … Nevada ranks 21st (25.7%) in the the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Great communities. Students represent a wide nation for the number of women-owned c Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community range of ages, from 18 to 50+, reflecting businesses. College, Western Nevada Community women just beginning their studies to those … Women in Nevada are among the least likely to have a college education.c College, University of Nevada, Reno, (and returning to school. Academic majors and a Las Vegas resident attending Wellesley career interests also vary widely, including a Women in Statewide Elective Executive Office College in Massachusetts). Students Political Science, Nursing, Spanish, 2005, Center for American Women and Politics, converged on the UNLV campus and met German, Forensic Science, Mathematics, http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cawp/ b with some of Nevada’s most accomplished Pre-Med, Women’s Studies, Journalism, Women in Elected Office- Historical Summary (Nevada), Center for American Women and leaders, including Assemblywomen Criminal Justice, Communications, Business, Computer Information Systems, Education, Politics, http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cawp/ Francis Allen, Kathy McClain, & Valerie c The 2004 Status of Women in the States report, Psychology, Marketing and Advertising, Weber, former Congresswoman Barbara Institute of Women’s Policy Research, www.iwpr.  Vucanovich, and community activists such Anthropology, African American Studies, org Update on Research Projects

Research Roundtable Series Fall 2005 Research Roundtable Series Calendar The Research Roundtable Series presented her research investigating reflects WRIN’s mission to stimulate, Japanese women’s perception of sexism September 19 12:00-1:30 communicate, and coordinate in language. Both faculty members are MSU Fireside Lounge research among faculty conducting preparing their research for publication. Report from the UNLV Status of Women Committee on Faculty Retention and Family gender research. The spring 2005 Roundtable attendees included faculty and Medical Leave. semester marked the first two Research members from various departments, Roundtables. Dr. Marta Meana, including History, Sociology, & October 5 12:00-1:30 Psychology, presented research focused Women’s Studies, as well as graduate and MSU Fireside Lounge on heterosexual female sexual desire. Dr. undergraduate students from a variety of Sociology professors Barb Brents and Kate Hausbeck discuss their research on Nevada Naoko Takemaru, Foreign Languages, departments. prostitution and the release of their book. November 30 12:00-1:30 Nancy Houssels: A Collaborative Memoir MSU 202 Political Science professor Michele Kuenzi By Caryll Batt Dziedziak discusses her research on non-formal Vegas for the next two years, appearing with education in Senegal and its positive impact Over the past six the Casino de Paris at the Dunes Hotel and the on women’s civic engagement. years, I have had the Folies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel. privilege of working Nancy met and shortly thereafter married with Nancy Houssels J. Kell Houssels, Jr.; then the president of Gender Research Lecture on a collaborative the Tropicana Hotel. Although her days as memoir of her life. a professional dancer ended, Nancy never Set for publication in September 2005, a November 4, 2005 relinquished her love of dance. In 1972, she Lecture 3:00-4:30 • MSU 203 copy of this memoir will be available for joined Vassili Sulich in founding the Nevada the public’s use in the Special Collections Dance Theatre. Renamed the Nevada Ballet Reception 5:00-6:00 Department of Lied Library at UNLV. This Theatre in 1998, the company continues Special Collections, Lied Library work is part of WRIN’s Las Vegas Women to serve not only as a leading force for Oral History Project, a series that chronicles live performing arts, but also as a source of Annelise Orleck discusses her newly the lives of women who have made significant community outreach programs for children. published book Storming Caesar’s contributions to the Las Vegas community. Palace: How Black Mothers Fought their As with the lives of so many other women, Nancy has also worked diligently as a member Houssel’s personal story is a wonderful of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center own War on Poverty. example of how our community has benefited Foundation to bring a world-class performing The War on Poverty promised to from the diverse backgrounds of the people arts center to our community. She believes that who call Las Vegas home. a performing arts center will invigorate Las eliminate poverty from the U.S., Vegans’ civic pride and sense of community. but why would Nevada, the land of There is little doubt that dance has shaped Set to open in 2007, The Smith Performing opportunity and seemingly endless Nancy’s life. Born in Piedmont, California, Arts Center will be the highlight of the sixty- employment, need a welfare rights Nancy began dancing at the early age of one acre master planned downtown. three, filling her childhood years with dance movement? Orleck answers this and synchronized swimming. After attaining Nancy has worked tirelessly to enrich the question with an in-depth examination a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts cultural arts for the enjoyment of all Southern of the twenty year history of Operation from UCLA in 1957, Nancy and her dance Nevadans. She believes her life experience Life, Las Vegas’ anti-poverty partner, Francois Szony, toured Europe for two reflects both the viewpoint of the artist and and a half years as the Szony and Claire adagio that of the audience. Indeed, her visionary organization. Operation Life provided dance team. They returned to the states to leadership and love of dance has not only Las Vegans a center for job training, perform along the East coast before heading shaped her life but nurtured the development medical screening, daycare, and a to Las Vegas in 1966. They performed in Las of the cultural arts in Southern Nevada. library of African American history. Thank you to our individual supporters! Based on numerous interviews with participants, Orleck weaves their own Barbara Agonia Dr. Barbara Cloud Bernice Jaeger Dr. Marcia Robinson Theresa Bell Renee Diamond Mitsi Johnson Roberta Sabbath stories into the national history of Dr. Catherine Bryan and Caryll Patty Jones Linda Mack Smith welfare reform. Bellver Dziedziak Ellen Koivisto Julie Smith Jan Bigggerstaff Dorothy Eisenberg Laurie Lytel Carolyn Sparks Join the author and many of the book’s Myram Borders Dayvid Figler, Esq. Kathy McClain Joan L. Swift subjects at a reception immediately Lori Lipman Brown Bernice Fischer Florence McClure Carole and Norm Terry following the lecture. Lana Buehrer Maffy Forrester Trude McMahan Carol B. Thompson Stella Butterfield Kimberly Harney Marie McMillan Justice Jennifer Togliatti Dr. Orleck is associate professor history  Judith Cameron Gilda Haus Dr. Eugene Moehring Solveiga A. Unger at Dartmouth College and the author of Dr. P. Kay Carl Charlotte Hill Fran Montes Barbara Vucanovich two other books and numerous articles. Patricia Cafferata Elana T. Graham Dr. Betty Pardo Ann Zorn An Interview with Frances Montes…Speaking with Passion

community’s issues inherent in our culture Frances “Fran” participating in higher education. Our with regard to family and education. Montes’ life story entrance into the workplace has also includes lessons in brought more quality of life issues that need For a number of years I served on the City culture, history, to be addressed. Who better to address these of Las Vegas Child Care Licensing Board geography, political questions than us, the same women who because it was important to ensure that science, and have to deal with these issues? As a WRIN our community’s diversity was reflected on philosophy. It is the CAB member, the challenge is that after all the board. As a member and Chair of this evolution of a barrio these years women still struggle to ensure board, I worked to develop an awareness niña to a woman of that our programs and issues are given of the many services available to our distinction. Fran is the recognition and financial support they community and the importance of ensuring one of the first in her deserve. the safety and health of our children. family to graduate from high school 2. As a community activist, what other As a diversity practitioner, I also volunteer and continue on to organizations and groups do you work with as a mediator for the Neighborhood become a scholar besides WRIN? Justice Center. The tremendous growth with a master’s of the Hispanic community has triggered degree. A child of a One of my pet projects has been the a need to provide bilingual services to our San Antonio, Texas Southern Nevada Hispanic Employment very diverse community. My objective is barrio, Fran is one Program (SNHEP). SNHEP was to assist the parties involved to focus on of five daughters established to address employment issues their commonalities and help bridge the raised by a single mother in a very traditional relevant to Federal Hispanic employees differences that often have led to the cause neighborhood. After graduation from high school, and Federal contractor employees. We of the conflict. she entered the business world as a secretary. have since expanded our membership to Her marriage to Jerry Montes, who was in include the private sector, students and 3. As an accomplished and supportive the Air Force, led her to Europe. The couple anyone interested in making our community member of the Las Vegas and Nevada returned to the when Jerry was more inclusive. Employers need to focus on communities, what advice can you offer assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, developing, training and educating their to other local community activists, Nevada. Today, Ms. Montes describes herself as workforce. Women are a very large part of particularly activists interested in women’s a community activist and a diversity practitioner. the emerging workforce. How do we equip and feminist issues? She is a past president of Hispanics in Politics, the women to become more successful and first woman to hold that position, and currently competitive, maximizing their contributions Find what in the women’s arena sparks your serves on the Southern Nevada Hispanic for the success of both women and business? interest. What triggers your passion? Then Employment Program Scholarship Committee. This is only one of the questions SNHEP find an organization that focuses on that Fran was awarded the Las Vegas Chamber of works to address. For women, education is specific issue, goal, or objective and become Commerce’s 2002 Humanitarian Award for her an important key to success, as a parent, one of the voices that bring that message to work in the community and continues to serve as employee, or even as a member of our our community. We all have friends, people a mediator for the Neighborhood Justice Center. community. SNHEP works at developing that trust us; if we speak with honesty and Fran’s oral history, conducted by Barbara partnerships with our schools, universities passion they will hear our message. Agonia, was completed in 2004 and is available and colleges and provides scholarships to our in Special Collections, UNLV. community.

1. As a third year WRIN Community Politics is the arena where women’s Contact us about Advisory Board (CAB) member, what is issues can best be addressed and resolved. your favorite part of being a the position? Consequently I have enjoyed my membership these opportunities! What challenges, if any, are unique to in Hispanic in Politics (HIP). As past your position at WRIN as compared to president of this organization and now on campus: other community activist positions? Why a member, I closely identify with HIP’s student internships is it important to you to be a WRIN CAB mission: to empower the Hispanic author’s receptions member? community to become active in the political visiting scholars process. Constantly I work at whatever avenues are available to get the message research roundtables My favorite part of being a CAB member affiliate faculty research directory is, of course, coming in contact with the out: registering people to vote, questioning young students. They are so alive and full our political leaders, and participating in of promise. WRIN is working to develop our identifying new and emerging leaders in our in the community: young women into leaders and individual community. information on women and thinkers. That is one way to help prepare girls in the state our young women to look beyond traditional As a Community Activist I was invited to histories of women in Nevada occupations and to expand their capabilities. sit on a roundtable with the Clark County statewide network of gender scholars School Superintendent to discuss educational resources and publications for Women are entering the workplace in issues relevant to the Hispanic community. educators and policymakers greater numbers and yet we still do not We work to provide an awareness of our  command equal pay. More women are Women’s Research Institute of Nevada Non-Profit Org. 4505 Maryland Parkway U.S. Postage Box 455083 PAID Las Vegas, NV 89154-5083 Las Vegas, NV Permit No. 200 WRIN Community NEW Leadership NV Advisory Board Advisory Council Barbara Agonia Francis Allen Kelly D. Benavidez Dana Bennett Lana Buehrer Alma Castro Judith Cameron Adrienne Cox Theresa Malone Renee Diamond Patricia S. Miller Dr. Juanita Fain Frances C. Montes Crystal Jackson Marcia Robinson Ellen Koivisto Linda M. Smith Kimberly McDonald Ginger Swartz Kathy McClain Honorary Members Frances Montes Myram Borders Elizabeth Naccarato Alicia Davisson Linda Rivera Michael Douglas Kathleen Rozner Dorothy Eisenberg Dr. Roberta Sabbath Charlotte Hill Sepideh Sayedna Jan Laverty Jones Julie Smith Marilyn Gubler Dr. Dina Titus César Rennert Valerie Weber Carolyn Sparks Honorary Members Su Phelps Frankie Sue Del Papa Mary Manning Whitaker Barbara Vucanovich Sue Wagner

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