Newsletters Women's Research Institute of Nevada

Fall 2007

Women's Research Institute of Nevada Newsletter

Joanne Goodwin University of Nevada, Las Vegas, [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" (2007). Newsletters. 5. https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/wrin_news/5

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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 2007 Improving the lives of women in our state through research and education NEW Leadership Reaches Fifth Year Director’s Message by Joanne Goodwin WRIN continues to We had the most competitive year has expanded beyond race and move forward building of NEW Leadership applications sex to include categories such as our research and this fifth year and a great program social and economic class, religion, outreach programs. thanks to the program management sexuality, and able-ness. In addition, of Crystal Jackson, the oversight of globalization and significant This year the Governor Caryll Dziedziak, and the logistics of populations of non-native U.S. included WRIN in his budget as Nicole Anderson and staff. Inside you students have created “new priorities a statewide program. In the prior will read more about this year’s leaders for funding and other resources.” three sessions we never made it this as well as two important conferences far despite our statewide programs we helped bring to UNLV this fall. Second, the institution’s president and research. Nevertheless, as the holds significant power in legislature cut money out of the establishing and maintaining governor’s budget, WRIN was cut. diversity initiatives. While multiple National Council explores Our friends in the legislature did some sites for leadership on diversity fancy footwork to ensure our ongoing Diversity in Higher exist within higher education, it is support and we are happy to report Education essential that the message come from that we are funded for two more years. the highest levels. We have wide support, but a special Over the last forty years, historic thanks goes to Assemblywomen efforts to expand access to higher Third, the study found that McClain, Koivisto, and Allen. We education have been implemented, interdisciplinary research programs will keep working with all of our but with mixed results. More women provide special sites for diversity supporters to finally achieve our place fill the ranks of undergraduates across education outside of the formal in the state budget as a statewide groups, yet women continue to be hierarchy. Specifically, they provide a program. underrepresented in the hard sciences place to provide support, mentoring and technology. Women also remain and enrichment for diversity goals. WRIN’s publications list (see back scarce as full professors and in higher To read the entire report go to http:// page) continues to grow with the administration. With support from www.ncrw.org/research/diversity.htm. addition of our first published oral the Ford Foundation, the National history Claudine Williams: a Life Council for Research on Women in Gaming. Two oral histories are undertook a study of eight campuses nearing completion and we welcome to explore the impact of leadership on the addition of Suzanne Becker who diversity in higher education. (WRIN will be conducting long-awaited is an institutional affiliate of the In This Issue interviews for us this fall. NCRW). Report on Diversity...... pg 1-2 One of WRIN’s oldest projects, Research Briefs...... pg 2-3 The study revealed significant biographies of women in southern NEW Leadership Nevada...... pg 4 Nevada, has gone public on our developments in educational website (http://wrin.unlv.edu). Angela efforts surrounding diversity. Alumnae Internship...... pg 5 Moor put the finishing touches on First, institutions vary in their Upcoming Events...... pg 6 this research effort with final editing definition of diversity. The local this spring. We hope students and the and historical context significantly public at large will take advantage of shape an institution’s diversity the resource. plans. The meaning of diversity Research Briefs

Nevada’s ERA Campaign: Anti-ERA movement to save the moral Dorothy’s decades of activism in Nevada Lessons for Future Activists fabric of the community. Likewise, at the presents an example of dignified persis- Nevada legislature, powerful legislative tence for social justice. Her childhood The Equal Rights Amendment leaders of the Mormon faith successfully years in Philadelphia during the Great has proved to be one of the most halted ERA hearings session after session Depression left her with an appreciation contentiously debated proposed until the amendments ratification time for the strength of family and community additions to the U.S. Constitution. First limit expired in 1982. caring of each other during harsh times. introduced to Congress in 1923, the Dorothy recalls her high school years at amendment languished for forty-nine In hindsight, the grassroots efforts the South Philadelphia School for Girls years before finally being sent out to the of Pro-ERA activists were hardly a with great love. Here she experienced states for ratification in March 1972. match for the efficient mobilization of committed Church members. However, the richness of a diverse student popula- tion, where the girls acknowledged the Nevada remains one of the fifteen by investigating this failed campaign, religious, racial, and economic differ- states that refused to ratify the ERA, Dziedziak hopes to provide instructive ences of their peers with the acceptance leading to its ultimate defeat in 1982. lessons for future activists. of friends. WRIN’s Assistant Director and History If you lived in Nevada during this period Department PhD Candidate, Caryll Dorothy graduated in 1946 and marriage Dziedziak, is writing about Nevada’s and were involved in this campaign, we want to hear from you. Please call and family soon followed. However, in ERA campaign as the subject of her 1960, the sudden death of her husband, doctoral dissertation. Her research has our office or email Caryll Dziedziak at: [email protected]. Ralph Weinstein, left her with four shown that, as elsewhere across the young daughters to care for. Dorothy nation, the ERA Campaign in Nevada believed that education was the means of fell victim to powerful rhetoric that security for her family. She subsequently transformed the understanding of the enrolled at Temple University and spent amendment from a call for legal equality the next few years completing her B.S. in into an attack on traditional notions of Education. womanhood and family. In 1964, Dorothy and her new husband, While polls consistently showed that Paul Eisenberg, moved with their girls to a majority of citizens favored this Las Vegas to begin a new life together. amendment, Dziedziak’s research has Caryll Dziedziak (L) with ERA activists Dorothy quickly became involved in shown that a decade of obstructionist (L-R): Renee Diamond, Harriett Trudell, Renee Rampton. the League of Women voters and spent tactics at the Nevada legislature, coupled the next decade addressing such issues with an incredibly forceful counterattack as: environmental pollution, fair hous- by the Mormon Church membership led Dorothy Eisenberg: ing, and city/county consolidation. As to the amendment’s ultimate defeat. League President in the early 1970s, Champion Volunteer for Dorothy led the fight for integrating the By interviewing activists, researching Social Change Clark County schools. She quips that she newspaper databases, and exploring is from the last generation of “full-time archival materials, Dziedziak’s research The Las Vegas volunteers,” as her community involve- reveals a blurred divide between politics Women Oral History ment continued unabated for the next and religion in Nevada during this Project continues to few decades. period. While ERA activists bemoaned document the lives Church involvement in political of women whose In 1991, The Dorothy Eisenberg Ele- matters, Dziedziak argues that the lives add a rich mentary School was named in Dorothy’s Mormon Church skillfully justified their dimension to the honor as a tribute to her lifetime of ser- involvement by redefining the ERA history of the Las vice to our community. Indeed, her years from a political issue to one of a moral Vegas community. This past year, Caryll of dedication to the improvement of our  nature. Church leaders then mobilized Dziedziak had the pleasure of interviewing community have made Las Vegas a bet- their membership in an effective Dorothy Eisenberg. ter home for us today. Research Briefs

New Publication from AAUW research explores When all considerations are taken WRIN the wage gap into account, the unexplained portion of the wage gap “is 5 percent one year Claudine Williams has a long list after graduation and 12 percent 10 of firsts in her life. She was the first Over the past century, the difference years after graduation.” The study female executive to lead a major in wages received by men and women casino, to serve in similar jobs has been the subject of indicated that this area remains as chair of a scholarly research. Despite enormous attributable to discrimination. A bank board of changes that have taken place in the complete copy of the report may be directors in workplace since the 1970s, the wage found at www.aauw.org/research/ Nevada, and to gap persists. Do the choices women behindPayGap.cfm. hold the office make account for the difference or of president at does discrimination still exist? the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. It A new study by the American City Life covers NEW is only fitting that WRIN has chosen Association of University Women Leadership her oral history as its first publication. addresses the question of persistent Claudine Williams: a Life in Gaming wage gaps by looking at college Commitment to improving one’s recounts her experiences in Louisiana, graduates. “One year out of college, community is one of the cornerstones Texas, and Nevada literally coming women working full time earn only of NEW Leadership Nevada. of age in the world of gaming. The 80 percent as much as their male oral history has been edited for easy colleagues earn.” After ten years, that A May 17 article in City Life by reading and includes a number of gap increases to 69 percent. Emmily Bristol covered several of our photo images from her personal program’s alums and their remarkable collection that have never been Why the persistent gap? Choice published. Copies are available at the achievements. Crystal Jackson, Diana is a part of the answer. Majoring WRIN for $20. Rhodes, Evelyn Garcia, Jennifer in a field that is not dominated by Lopez, Evelyn Flores, Trudy Parks, female students (education, health, and Emily Powers were interviewed psychology) or choosing a higher- Women’s Biographies on for the article and discussed their paying field (engineering, math, website innovative work. physical sciences) helps increase We are happy to announce that women’s pay. Local projects that emerged out of we have launched a section of the specific needs include Art Smart WRIN website dedicated to brief But choosing a different major will biographical sketches on women in not eliminate the gap entirely. The at Shade Tree, LadyFest Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Nevada history. The study found that women in math NeXt Step: Xposure to Life Group 45 profiles, drawn from a variety earned only 76 percent as much as Home, and the United Coalition for of sources, offer an overview of the Immigrant Rights. In addition, three individual’s life, her image, and male peers. Early career choices also alumnae discussed their continuing a source from which additional will determine earnings and women information may be gleaned. As tend to take jobs in nonprofit or local education on a national level with resources become available, we intend government areas where wages are work at the National Hispana to keep expanding this section. These lower. Parenting also had a negative Leadership Institute in Washington, profiles and those provided through impact on women’s wages, because D.C., Senator Harry Reid’s D.C. the Las Vegas Women Oral History mothers tend to work part time or Office, and the Desiree Alliance. Project present documentation on the take a break from the workforce. activities and contributions of nearly  100 women. New Leadership Nevada

WRIN Celebrates 5th Year of Mountain Institute and UNLV President Division’s forecast of state revenues for NEW Leadership Nevada Emerita, was the highlight of the week. the coming biennium (over $2 billion One student commented that she a year) and presented it to the Nevada Our fifth year of NEW Leadership “learned the importance of hard work, Economic Forum. Nevada was a huge success! We had integrity, and self-confidence through the largest pool of student applicants Dr. Harter’s encouraging speech.” Jennifer Benedict (2003) is the to date. All the applicants were very Public Policy Analyst for Great Basin strong, thanks in part to our partners at Students confidently emerge from the Primary Care Association in Carson Truckee Meadows Community College, program with the networking skills and City. She sometimes works with Great Basin College, Western Nevada leadership training to successfully enter Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, whom College, University of Nevada, Reno, business, education, and community she first met at NEW Leadership University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and leadership positions. We continue to Nevada. Assemblywoman Smith was a the College of Southern Nevada. develop our alumnae after they graduate Faculty-in-Residence in 2003. from the six day long program. Two Since the Center for American Women alumnae, Diana Rhodes (2006 alumna) Jessica Totens (2003) is a social work and Politics (CAWP) at Rutger’s and Patty Jones (2004), returned to the graduate student at Sacramento State University chose WRIN and UNLV program as Faculty-in-Residences (FIRs) University in California. Jessica says, to be the only southwest site of the to facilitate discussion and mentorship “NEW Leadership Nevada really National Education for Women’s between the students and the speakers. helped me grow professionally. I have (NEW) Leadership program in 2003, been involved with policy making we have graduated 122 alumnae. and changing issues because of the The NEW Leadership program helps training.” develop students as community leaders and encourages civic engagement Chata Holt (2006) and Sepi Sayedna through intensive workshops and (2004) are both entering the William S. panels with established women leaders. Boyd School of Law at UNLV this fall. By emphasizing mentorship, students are connected with women in business, Trudy Parks (2005) founded “NeXt education, gaming, non-profits, and Step: Xposure to Life” group home, a Dr. Harter told students, “I have discovered over home for at-risk girls who fall through politics. Twenty to twenty-five students time that there is no substitute for hard work from across the state (and Nevada and just plain competence at what you do.” the social service cracks in Southern residents attending school outside Nevada. of Nevada) are chosen, through a Alumnae in Action competitive application process, to Aurora Buffington (2005) is enrolled attend the six-day residential program. in graduate school at UNLV and has Where are they now? an assistantship with the 3-Square Students this year met an amazing Project, a project to feed Las Vegas’ Patty Jones (2004) was elected to hungry people. range of women leaders, such as the Elko County School Board of Clark County Commissioner Chris Trustees in 2007. She credits the NEW Giunchigliani, Henderson City Leadership program with giving her the Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, and skills and confidence to run. chief deputy district attorney for Clark County Nancy Becker. Students heard Mardell Wilkins (2005) was elected from the women of emergeNevada to the Board of Directors for the Elko and the Silver State Leadership Series Chamber of Commerce for the January who teach other women how to run for 2007 - December 2008 term. political office. Students (L-R) Sara Bruene, Adria Palmer, Judi Brown, Lindsey Burrows, Nancy Gosia “Maggie” Sylwestrazak (2005) is Keynote speaker Dr. Carol Harter, Quintero, and Tamara Silvernail-Johnston pose  a Management Analyst for the state. with their FIR group leader, Patty Jones (2004 Executive Director for the Black She recently prepared the Budget alumna), in the center. WRIN Announcements

WRIN helps bring Two MEMBER HIGHLIGHT Thank you to our individual donors! Conferences to UNLV Christina Donelson Barbara and Robert Muriel T. Ives Agonia Claire Kurlinski What is Real Beauty? This past June, we Nancy Becker Kathryn McClain Dove brings its Campaign for welcomed Christina Teresa Anne Bell Marie McMillan Real Beauty to the UNLV Donelson to our Catherine Bellver Patricia Miller campus on December 1 and Community Advisory Janet Biggestaff Eugene Moehring Board. Christina Joanne Blystone Frances Montes invites all members of the Las willingly stepped in Elizabeth J. Brake Julianna Ormsby Vegas community to attend this to fill the vacancy left Lana Buehrer John Pappageorge free event. when CAB member, Stella Butterfield Renee Rivera-Shaffer The day begins at 10 a.m. with a Christina Worden, Phyllis K. Carl Beverly Rogers keynote by Naomi Wolf, author left Nevada for a new employment Barbara Cloud Roberta Sabbath of The Beauty Myth, on “Beauty opportunity in Washington, D.C. Barbara Davis Linda Smith and Self-Esteem in Society: Renee Diamond Nancy Strouse Freeing Ourselves and the Next Christina Donelson is currently the Kathleen M. Carole and Norm Generation.” The afternoon Director of Leadership Services for Dickinson Terry offers four workshops on financial Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., a leader Pamela Egan Carol B. Thompson literacy, ethical leadership, in the gaming entertainment industry Maffy Forrester Jodi S. Tyson negotiation, and op-ed writing with over 40 casinos in three countries, Sandra Gajkowski Barbara Vucanovich primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Evelyn Gajowski Valerie Weber facilitated by associates of the Horseshoe brands. As such, she focuses Hilarie Grey Chris Wiatrowski Woodhull Institute for Ethical on the identification and development Charlotte Hill Leadership. The conference was of emerging leaders across all functions brought to the UNLV campus within the organization. NEW Leadership Nevada by WRIN and the Jean Niedech Women’s Center. Christina is a graduate of the University Alumnae Internship of Texas – Arlington (B.A., 1996) and Internship at Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Leadership in Higher Education the University of Oklahoma (M.A., Business Education: Giving Back to UNLV The American Council on 1999). Education, Office of Women in Harrah’s Entertainment has been one of the foremost supporters of our Higher Education (OWHE) will Christina has already brought fresh enthusiasm and energy to our board. We NEW Leadership Nevada program. hold its statewide conference Since the program’s initiation in 2003, all look forward to her involvement as at UNLV this September 21. Harrah’s has continually looked for the board works to enhance WRIN’s The theme for this year’s all-day ways to increase their commitment to furthering visibility in our community and across young women’s leadership capabilities. event is “Effective Leadership the state. Communication for Women.” This year, we are pleased to announce the launch Attendees will have the of a paid internship position at Harrah’s for a opportunity to choose among Thank you to our sponsors! NEW Leadership Alumna. This experience will workshops on Negotiating Businesses, Organizations, and provide hands-on education about the business Skills, Effective Facilitation and Educational Institutions world, particularly the intersections between business and politics. The student intern will work Communication Techniques, and Adrienne Cox Consulting, LLC for 12 weeks in Harrah’s Government Relations/ Balancing Work and Family. Advantage Media Services Communications Department housed at Caesars The conference coordinators Focus Contribution, LLC Palace beginning in September 2007. for this year are the directors of Great Basin College the Women’s Research Institute Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. A graduate of our 2007 NEW Leadership and the Jean Niedech Women’s MGM Mirage Nevada program, Judi Brown, has been selected Center. For more information Sierra Health Services as the NEW Leadership Intern at Harrah’s Soroptomist International of Greater Las Entertainment. As recent graduate of UNLV and to register for the Vegas with a degree in Political Science, Judi’s conference, please go to www. Wells Fargo Foundation academic background will provide her with unr.edu/womenhighered/index. Western Nevada Community College a wonderful grounding for this position. 5 html William S. Boyd School of Law Congratulations to Judi and our thanks to Harrah’s for their continued support! 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 2007 NEW Leadership NV Advisory Board Advisory Council Barbara Agonia Francis Allen Kelly D. Benavidez, Adrienne Cox Vice-Chair Renee Diamond Lana Buehrer Juanita Fain. Ph.D. Judith Cameron Kara Kelley Alicia Davisson Ellen Koivisto Christina Donelson Kathy McClain Rekaya Gibson Kimberly McDonald Patricia S. Miller Deanna Miller Frances C. Montes, Frances C. Montes Chair Roberta Sabbath, Ph.D. Marcia Robinson Sepideh Sayedna Linda Smith Julie Smith Dina Titus, Ph.D. Honorary Members Valerie Weber Myram Borders Michael Douglas Honorary Members Dorothy Eisenberg Frankie Sue Del Papa Marilyn Gubler Barbara Vucanovich Charlotte Hill Jan Laverty Jones Carolyn Sparks Sue Wagner Mary Manning Whitaker

Publications Available from WRIN Upcoming Events The following publications are available for the cost of reproduction, handling, and postage from our offices. September 21, 8:00-5:30 Please contact WRIN if you would like copies at 702/895- Effective Leadership Communication for Women 4931 or [email protected]. Student Union, UNLV

Claudine Williams: a Life in Gaming. An Oral History November 1, 7:00 pm bell hooks conducted with and edited by Joanne L. Goodwin (Las Student Union, UNLV Vegas, NV: WRIN, 2007). $20. December 1, 10:00-4:00 Naomi Wolf The Status of Women and Girls in Nevada (2005), Nevada Student Union, UNLV Women’s Fund with chapter contributions from Joanne Goodwin, Ph.D. and the Center for Business and Save the Date: Economic Research at UNLV. $20. TBA Nevada Women’s Summit The Status of Women in Nevada (2004), Institute for The Nevada Women’s Agenda hosts a statewide summit Women’s Policy Research. $20. highlighting local issues affecting the lives of women and Nevada: People and Stories from Nevada’s History, Nevada girls. Institute for Children, a 4th grade history supplement with contributions from Caryll Dziedziak. $5. Spring 2008 Nevada Pioneers: The Women of Operation Life. The DVD WRIN’s Gender Research Roundtable series will be of the NEW Leadership Nevada 2006 panel featuring postponed during the fall term. Faculty interested in Ruby Duncan, Mary Wesley, Alversa Beals, and Essie presenting a Gender Research Roundtable during the Henderson. $15. Spring 2008 semester should e-mail Joanne Goodwin, Looking Back at Nevada Women, 2-part video series with [email protected]. mini-documentaries on women’s contributions to the state. $20.