Alumni Spotlight Continued from page 6 “Trappings was inspired by the desire to create an artwork “Not just a project where two nice girls set up lunch and in the public realm that explores women’s relationship to get together with girlfriends to chit-chat and take some power,” Renee said. “The first component was interview photos,” the Trappings introduction says, “this is an art- sessions where groups of women came together to work that causes people to think, with a social framework. respond to the question: ‘What do you wear that makes you At a time when women’s rights are being challenged in the feel powerful?’ The second is a national traveling exhibition. United States and the status of women around the world is Volume 27 • Summer 2008 The third is our book, Trappings; Stories of Women, Power still second class at best, we want to inspire women to and Clothing. Lastly, we hope to create a series or feature- become empowered in their own lives.” length film about the women we have met.” Trappings has received several grants including one from the Renee and Tiffany’s goal was to encourage women to open National Endowment for the Arts’ Challenge America: Reaching 25 years of filling the pipeline up about their feelings and opinions on feminism, sexism, Every Community, and another from the Heinz Endowments’ prejudices, and cultural constraints on female identity. They Small Arts Initiative. Complete information about Trappings can be n 1982, eight young women program director, had the foresight to partnering with the Program for over chose clothing as their vehicle to get at these sometimes found at www.trappings-stories.com or on the Two Girls Working I constituted the first class of begin calling the students “Scholars” 20 years. In a recent interview, he said: tightly held opinions. website at www.twogirlsworking.com. I scholars. These bright under- rather than “interns” because of their “Every public scholar we had at ACT graduates were eager to experience exceptional work ethic and eagerness was one, effective and two, likeable. public service in the “real world.” They for public service. The designation also They usually exceeded reasonable faced multiple challenges in getting and hinted at the well-designed system of expectations in the research, leader- succeeding in leadership positions. The ship and management contributions. program gave them career opportunities Elaine was both a mentor and diplomat Public Service Scholar Program DIRECTOR Elaine M. Walsh, Ph.D. EDITORIAL BOARD beyond their expectations, as it continues …for students and supervisors alike.” WRITER Kristy Jelenik Ursula Mahoney to do today for each year’s class, larger DESIGNER Andrew Ross Betsy Wade and more diverse but no less eager. On its anniversary, the Program is even Volume 27 • Summer 2008 PHOTOGRAPHER more crucial than in the past. As the Susan Nayowith, Ph.D. www.hunter.cuny.edu/pssp The program has grown and evolved. baby-boom generation starts retiring [email protected] Up to 24 Scholars are now accepted from public service jobs in the next 212.772.5599 annually. Stipends have increased to few years, qualified professionals with $6,000 from $2,000 a student annually, leadership qualities and competencies will although the program no longer covers be needed to fill the executive positions tuition as in the initial years. Stipends left open. The Public Service Scholar Public Service PRE-SORT have been historically essential, allowing Program is an excellent example of STANDARD self-supporting students to forgo part- planning for succession. The majority of Scholar Program U.S. POSTAGE time jobs and participate in the Program. Scholars graduate prepared to lead, to The demographics have broadened, make a positive impact in the public PAID with students from different back- service sector, and work toward a more 695 Park Avenue PERMIT 5432 New York, NY 10065 WHITE PLAINS, NY grounds, religions and cultures entering. civil society. Over 80 percent of alumni These changes strengthen the Program’s now hold or held leadership positions in capacity to achieve its mission. The public service agencies. motivation of scholars has remained the same since 1982, and the program Nancy Wackstein, executive director of is true to its founding principle — to United Neighborhood Houses of New open doors to women and minority York, has been a key supporter since students who have been traditionally Then and Now: PSSP Classes from the program’s initial years: lecturer, underrepresented in management, policy 1982 and 2008 guest speaker, and scholar supervisor. and planning positions in public service. She strongly believes that the Program will continue to be a key source for The value of the Program and its reporting by the agency and by the leaders in our city. Scholars is now widely understood in Scholar, which enables Dr. Walsh to the city. The program began with few make sure the Scholars are being given “The public interest sector, both non- organizational partnerships for intern- tasks of real meaning, not just work profit and government,” she said recently, ships. Now, requests from nonprofit and to replace a “gofer” the agency might “increasingly will demand a new gener- government agencies flood the office otherwise hire. ation of motivated, skilled and savvy each spring when the rolls open for leaders. The Program is the perfect placements. Scholars are unlike most Eric Brettschneider, founder of Agenda other interns. In 1986, Elaine Walsh, the for Children Tomorrow (ACT), has been Continued on page two CONGRATULATIONS A view from the to the 2008 Program Graduates Speaking truth to Albany DIRECTOR’S CHAIR n May 5, the PSS class of seventeen scholars celebrated their year of by Elaine M. Walsh, Ph.D. O growth and accomplishments with friends, family, alumni, mentors, O internship supervisors, funders and city representatives in the City ach year, a few Scholars go Council Chambers and the Rotunda at City Hall. E to Albany to impress upon or over 20 years it’s been my will speak with the voices of the whole We also share some of our recent activities, E the legislators there the F proud task to watch hundreds of population. We are creating change and we including our Scholars’ participation in United Way’s Vice President of Community Investment Kathryn O’Neal- needs of the city’s vulnerable chil- F talented and capable students are pushing past the workplace “glass Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, Dunham applauded the ambitions of the cohort of women Scholars as she dren and families. This political trip, complete the Public Service Scholar ceiling” that has halted movement for or HOPE. On page three, Scholars describe spoke about the challenges females face in the workforce and public service. called Advocacy Day, was on March 4 Program and emerge with the potential many women and minority-group members. some experiences in the survey and Addressing the graduating cohort of Scholars, Ms. O’Neal Dunham says, “Sixty- this year. Indera Singh, Gillian to make a difference. Scholars are bright, offer their opinions about the methods of eight percent of full-time employees in the nonprofit workforce are women, Feuerberg, Fariha Mughal, Odessia talented and motivated, and armed with The program’s success rate in preparing the Department of Homeless Services. while women only make up 52.6% of the NYC population. The problems associated experience to pursue careers in the public our next generation of leaders is crucial We also held our first Career Forum in Brown, Amanda D’Annucci and sector. But are these qualities enough to today as we look toward the retirement April, which is detailed on page five. We with poverty can seem intractable. This is why your participation in solving Nicole Seemungal made the trip on achieve professional success? When faced of large numbers of executives over the are eager to provide extended career them is so critical —we need smart, passionate, idealistic and realistic women to behalf of Citizens’ Committee for with gender and race prejudices, securing next years. A steady flow of qualified development and networking opportunities help us build organizations that will solve these problems.” Children of New York (CCC). top level positions is often an uphill battle. candidates will be essential to lead these for our Scholars and alumni, and plan to Race and gender biases were relevant organizations into a new era of better continue these regularly. Ms. O’Neal Dunham thanked Professor Walsh for “her vision and passion, for Indera was particularly involved 25 years ago when the Program began, management and improved policies. The leading a program that provides something that many only happen to stumble since she had helped organize travel but they are still roadblocks in career Program is one key resource for our city. The future for the Program is indeed into in life: mentorship. The PSSP provides it in an industry where encouragement plans and line up the agenda while she progress for too many qualified women exciting. After 25 years, we are now in a is key. I want to thank all of the mentors here tonight who have chosen to build worked at the Citizens’ Committee and minorities. In this newsletter, I am proud to share position to increase our impact on the next generation of passionate and committed leaders. Your investment will last year. “In some ways I felt respon- with you a recent New York Times article additional scholars and city institutions most certainly experience great returns.” sible for everything that went right On the cover of this newsletter, we about our scholars. Having seen first- and I look forward to program expansion and wrong that day,” the Scholar said. celebrate our 25th anniversary. The need hand, in their placements, the workings opportunities. My sincere gratitude is “It was my first time in Albany and I for this unique program is as strong of city government, they were voicing extended to all of our generous donors, really didn't know what to expect today as when it began. Women and their views on an occasion when Clyde many of whom have been directly involved from the state representatives. I think members of minority groups are vastly Haberman, a reporter from the Times, and affected by the Program. A core underrepresented in political and most was listening. His column, “Searching for principle has always been to “give they were receptive and open to our other top public-service positions. Our Optimism but Finding Government,” back,” and I cannot thank our generous suggestions. In total there were over 20 program continues to empower these evoked positive responses from alumni supporters enough for their many acts meetings scheduled. Our volunteers, populations and strives to work toward a and supporters of the Program. of kindness. totaling over 45, divided into groups more humane society, where our leaders to advocate for funding allocations for child welfare programs.”

25 Years Gillian also learned a lot about how Continued from front cover Scholars and friends things operate. “It was fascinating to see exactly how things are accom- introduction and training ground for these leaders, and has continues to pick extraordinary students, give them a great plished and the inner workings of proved time and again, how important internship opportunities hands-on experience, challenge them to think deeply about policy,” she said. Fariha agreed. She like these are to developing the workforce of tomorrow what they are learning and why.” ”Its graduates move out into spoke of meeting with Assemblyman for our sector. I applaud the work of this program and the hundreds of young people it has exposed to this most important Peter M. Rivera, a democrat who career track.” ”There is no better time to attract our best represents the 76th district in the and brightest young people to public service. Vice President of Community Bronx. “This was helpful in under- Investment at United Way Based on the Program’s design, experience, and success rate, PSSP is even more relevant today!” standing how the New York State of , Kathryn replication is an obvious future goal. Growing the Program at —a comment on the 25th anniversary of the Public Service O'Neal-Dunham Legislature distinguishes between Hunter and then carrying it to other institutions will help Scholar Program by Dr. Donna Shalala, founder of the Program, funding recommendations,” Fariha meet demand. former president of Hunter College and current president of said, “and how it can impact CCC’s University of Miami. agenda and programs.” Ruth W. Messinger, now president of American Jewish World Service and former Borough President of , has the world ready to pursue interesting careers,” Ms. Messinger Professor Walsh with PSSP supporter supported the Program for over a decade. She called it a said, “able and willing to make a difference in the city and Yvette Furman-Katz “tremendously important program.” “Over time,” she said, “it beyond. The program should be funded to exist into perpetuity.”

2 7 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT What do you wear that makes you feel powerful? Scholars help survey the homeless for

enee Piechocki, a 1994 PSS of New York Urban Fellows Program. “The HOPE COUNT 2008 R alumna, spent six years traveling PSSP was a key step for me in becoming R the country asking women: a public art administrator,” she says. “I ver 1,700 volunteers spent most of the night of representing a population of NYC that is virtually ignored by “What do you wear that makes you feel became more acutely aware of how the O January 28 on New York City’s sixth annual Homeless society.” The police department assigned officers to any team powerful?” This question is the core of a arts operated outside of the traditional O Outreach Population Estimate, or HOPE. Twenty-five of surveying an area considered dangerous. national interview-based art project museum and gallery settings.” Renee is these volunteers were Public Service Scholars, their mentors, called Trappings, developed by Renee and now a noted artist, an accomplished friends or faculty members. “The HOPE Count is a wonderful event and I plan to attend it her creative partner, Tiffany Ludwig, who writer and in Pittsburgh, director of the again in the future,” Megan Butler said. “But I do feel it’s in together are known as Two Girls Working. Office of Public Art, a partnership As volunteers, Scholars, working as part of teams of three to need of change so that it can be more effective. We were

between the City of Pittsburgh and the Hughes Ryan Credit: Photo five, either on surface streets or in the subway, walked specified thrown off by our assigned routes. Aside from that, many of us Renee has stayed true to her passion for Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. The artists Two Girls Working routes to the end. They approached everyone they met who was got to meet like-minded people who care about what happens art since her time as a Scholar. She was Tiffany Ludwig (left) and Renee Piechocki (right) not sleeping or clearly working, and asked questions formulated in this city. It's an event that is a life-altering experience.” a fine arts major and interned at Hospital The combination of Renee’s passion for by City Department of Homeless Services. After describing Audiences, a nonprofit organization that art and women’s empowerment led to their mission —a survey of housing in the neighborhood —and Tara Bisnauth was an intern at the Department of Homeless offered art-related programs to disabled her organization of the interview project. showing their stick-on identification badges, the volunteers Services this year and helped organize the count, also distributing people. She also participated in the City Continued on back cover asked, “Tonight, do you have some place you call home or the and gathering surveys, food supplies, and maps. Tara reported, place where you live?” People who answered “no” were offered “Everyone at DHS worked hard on the HOPE project. I was very glad van transportation to a safe shelter and someone to stay with to hear that the homeless rate has dropped since the last count.” them until the van arrived. The rest were asked other questions THANK YOU: about their home. Fariha Mughal said she wasn’t sure how the count covered Our program thrives because of you “areas where there are many homeless individuals.” The department uses the results to extrapolate and gauge the street and subway homeless population. This information helps Sydney Cespedes was assigned in Riverdale, Bronx, and said Many thanks to these friends of the Public Service Scholar Program who contributed in the last year. the department get federal funding for programs, locates pockets that her team encountered no potentially homeless people. of homeless people, and helps design support services. HOPE “Apparently, that was necessary for statistical purposes,” she $65,000 Special Olympics New York Goddard Riverside Sidney and Anne Emmerman is one of the tools used to evaluate the Mayor’s Five Year Plan to said. She would like to have a better orientation in advance of Ann S. Kheel Charitable Fund Elaine M. Walsh Community Center Francoise Freyre Reduce Homelessness. The result this year indicates a homeless the actual walk. “The HOPE Count has good intentions,” she Helene D. Goldfarb Paulette Geanacopoulos population of 3,306, against last year’s total of 3,755. said. “I look forward to volunteering in the future.” $20,000-$39,000 $500–$999 Maria Herrera Harold and Phyllis Glantz New York Assembly Member Boston Foundation Barbara Janes Hadassah Gold Herman D. Farrell, Jr. Antoinette D’Orazio Sheila B. Kamerman Susan Sullivan Gottridge The Count has both advocates and critics. Scholars share their views. Jay Bainbridge, assistant commissioner for policy and planning United Way of New York City The Hon. C. Virginia Fields Dee Livingston Timothy B. Harwood at the department, spoke with the Scholars about the work and Pauline Gray Linda Meaney Cathrine Healey “The HOPE Count was everything I did not expect it to be,” answered questions. He said the city is divided into sections Barbara Grodd Marjorie McCarty Allen Kleinman $10,000-$19,999 Odessia Brown said. “The DHS training was not what I expected. and each area is designated as high or low density for street The estate of Dorothy Epstein Brenda McGowan New York City Department Ruth and Joseph LaCasia Helena Rubinstein Foundation New York City Administration of Consumer Affairs Patricia Makey I would have liked more instruction about how to identify a homeless on the basis of where homeless were found previously for Children’s Services New York Women’s Joan Masket homeless individual. I had a wonderful time with team members or on the basis of information from outreach teams, the police, $5,000–$9,999 Employment Center, Inc. Claire Miller who worked with various homeless outreach organizations who park employees, transit workers and community boards. For David and Karen Blumenthal $250–$499 Renee Piechocki Susan Nayowith told us about their experiences in the field.” the count, the department assigns teams to all high density Citizens’ Committee for Ivye L. Allen Muriel Reed Magdalena O’Campo-Franco areas and to a random sample of low density areas. Bainbridge Children of New York Terry Drucker Matthew O. Schiffgens Nancy Palmadessa “The night of the HOPE Count was at first a little scary,” says said: “We welcome the participation and input of PSSP scholars New York State Assembly Member Arlene Kendall Ronald Schulman Penelope Pi-Sunyer Alexander B. Pete Grannis Donald C. Wallerson, M.D. Supportive Housing Network Alisa Schierman Indera Singh. “I've never walked around NYC at 2 a.m. with a with HOPE. DHS has been the beneficiary of their talents in the New York City Council Member of New York Gloria B. Smith group of people I hardly knew. But as the night progressed, I past and looks forward to ongoing collaboration.” Daniel R. Garodnick $100–$249 Betsy Wade Martha Sobhani realized how important it was for us to be there. We were New York State Senator Kumkum Ahluwalia Man Wai Lun Lucille Zarin Liz Krueger Susan Alt Peter and Suzanne Walsh Shirley Zimmet Anonymous Mark Windley $1,000–$4,999 Bernice Baxter Natasha Celestine Andrews Richard Bhrendt Up to $99 Matching Contributions DEDICATED TO OUR MISSION Miriam P. Burns Barbara Brenner Anonymous (2) were received from Ursula Mahoney Ann Burack-Weiss Elizabeth Ashby the following: Manhattan Delegation, Roslyn Chernesky Kelly Amerson Lopez The Public Service Scholar Program, a leadership program, seeks to improve our cities and the lives of people by preparing City Council Jamene L. Christian Eva Rios New York Times Foundation talented undergraduates for careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Housed in the Department of Urban Affairs and New York State Assembly James Collin and Pat Brownell Gelfman and Birnbaum Planning at Hunter College, the 18-credit, full academic year program gives these students, especially women and minority- Member Adriano Espaillat Kathryn Conroy Kimber Bogard *We sincerely apologize for New York State Assembly Yessica Diaz-Roman Marisol Castellanos anyone we may not have group members, an opportunity to explore public service through internships in government agencies, legislative offices Member Brian Kavanagh Andre and Kim Floyd Susan Chin included. Please contact our and nonprofit organizations. Scholars participate in academic seminars on city government and public policy. The PSSP New York State Senator Yvette Furman-Katz Barbara Chocky Program Office if you were receives external funds to support the program, including funding for stipends for our scholars. Without this help, our students Bill Perkins Eleonora Demetrio not acknowledged. could not participate.

6 3 PROGRAM UPDATE: What’s new with the Public Service Scholar Program? Searching for Optimism but Finding Government BY CLYDE HABERMAN Published: March 7, 2008 • Program inaugurates its career forum

arch, in case you missed this On this particular morning, the students Odessia Brown moved her arms stiffly he Program has started on a her own career and encouraged scholars. work that you love” and “always be M factoid, has been designated reported on their experiences at City to underscore how one councilwoman T new venture. Think of it as an “Let people know that you are interested nice to people —you never know who M Optimism Month by whatever Council hearings and community board acted like “a robot” at a hearing. “It’s T alumni reunion with a portfolio, in getting a job,” she said. “Talk to people. will end up assisting you in your career.” force it is that decrees such things. meetings. Theirs was, on occasion, the probably better that she didn’t stay or a hook. The Career Forum, which Find a mentor. Don’t be afraid to sell Why we are supposed to be optimistic perspective of young people who suspect around long,” Ms. Brown said. made its debut April 15, marked the yourself and your accomplishments.” Barbot’s advice on seeking jobs is: isn’t clear. The Ides of March alone offer that their elders are, almost by definition, start of a range of activities supporting “Figure out what you want to do. no reason for cheer, especially if your clueless. But they spoke from the At that, she had a better time than the professional development of alumni Make a list of people who you want to name is Julius or Caesar. vantage of ordinary citizens exercising Gillian Feuerberg, who phoned a coun- as well as current Scholars. The purpose talk to and ask to have lunch with their rights without the benefit of cilman with several questions, only to is to provide exposure to and networking them. Research the place you are Nonetheless, in search of optimism we official badges, press cards, lobbyist have him snap at her each time she opportunities with leaders who can offer applying to — have questions for poten- went to Hunter College the other day to credentials and the like. opened her mouth. “Thank God I didn’t valuable career advice and guidance tial employers. You must manage and sit in on a class of students who are talk to him in person or I would have based on their personal backgrounds. be responsible for your own career.” intrigued by the mysteries of local We won’t identify the public agencies burst into tears,” she said. government. What better embodiment and officials at issue, because none of Natalie Gomez-Velez, CUNY law pro- Over 30 scholars and alumni attended, of optimism than youth? them are being offered equal time here. Midday sessions of the full City Council fessor and Program alumna, moderated reconnecting and networking. The Let’s just say that optimism took it on struck Jessica Lee as odd. “Who has the forum. The expert participants Program plans to hold at least two The 18 students—young women all, as it the chin. the time to go to these unless you’re were Martha E. Stark, commissioner (left to right) Natalie Gomez-Velez, Herbert career forums annually. turned out— bear the title of public not working or you have a flexible job?” of the City Department of Finance, Barbot and Martha E. Stark service scholars. They receive fellow- For Nicole Seemungal, going to City she said. Elizabeth Rodriguez caught and Herbert Barbot, general counsel ships to examine public policy and to Hall for a Council hearing meant having some Council meetings on a community at the William F. Ryan Community Commissioner Stark said her motto The Career Forum was supported by serve as interns at various nonprofit to “overcome the feeling that I don’t access cable channel. They may not Health Center on the West Side of for life had been “always look to do the Ann S. Kheel Charitable Trust, Manhattan. The panelists were forth- better,” which she learned when she the Shirley Kaye Maisel Fund and groups, government agencies and law- belong there,” and not for the first time. have been as dated as “I Love Lucy” coming and informative. They supported showed her mother a 97 score on United Way of New York City. makers’ offices. reruns, but they were hardly current. “I exploring all opportunities and taking her geometry Regents exam and was “The gates surrounding the building see hearings now from last June,” she risks. This night was particularly rich immediately asked “where are the They also attend seminars led by never fail to tell me, ‘Keep Out,’” she said. “It’s a long way back.” since the moderator shared events in other 3 points?” Martha advised, “Do City Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer of said. Once inside the Council chamber, Manhattan and her former mentor in she tried to pick up a copy of that day’s SEVERAL students who attended the government, Ruth W. Messinger, a testimony, only to be screamed at by a same Council hearing on the performance former Manhattan borough president security guard: “Miss, miss! You can’t take of a mayoral department were disheart- who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1997. that!” He kept yelling, Ms. Seemungal ened by how ill prepared that agency’s said, even after she had put back representatives seemed. The officials Two scholars win coveted fellowships Ms. Messinger is now president of the papers. showed up without data that council the American Jewish World Service, an members needed, Sydney Cespedes Jessica Lee received a fellowship to study this summer at Elizabeth Rodriguez was selected to participate in the organization in the mold of the Peace Fariha Mughal attended a community said. Nahid Noori found that “testimony the Public Policy and International Affairs Program at the Urban Fellows Program sponsored by the City of New York. Corps that helps poor countries board hearing in Manhattan at which “it was redundant, there was no trans- Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in It is a highly selective nine-month fellowship combining plagued with hunger and disease. This seemed as if the public was ranting and parency and there were no numbers.” Princeton, N.J.. This is a seven-week program to strengthen work in Mayoral offices and city agencies with an intensive is a rather outrageous pursuit. New raving” while board members appeared skills in economics, statistics, policy analysis, writing, and seminar series exploring current urban issues. The program public speaking. The program’s mission is to increase selects 25 students nationwide, making it an extremely York politicians, upon leaving office, are to go through the motions of listening. But not everything was a downer. This opportunities for future global policy leaders in both the competitive situation. Fellows receive a stipend of $25,000 supposed to go to work for real estate To Jennifer Krinsky, who was at the is Optimism Month, remember. public and nonprofit sectors. Jessica considers this fellowship and health insurance coverage. Elizabeth says of her future: developers and help make billionaires same session, “it was so blatant that so timely and valuable. “I plan to work in the nonprofit field “As a native New Yorker, I have a passion to work as a public of hard-pressed multimillionaires. much of it was crafted.” before pursuing a master’s in public administration,” she servant for all New Yorkers who are fighting to stay in a city said. “I hope to have a better idea of where I would like to work that has become high priced and unaffordable for too many and what my focus of study will be after my participation. I people. I have aspirations to work in a high level position in believe this program will provide me with the skills, connections a city agency and also hope to become an elected official.” and resources needed to succeed in the nonprofit and public Reprinted with permission of PARS International Corp., the authorized reprint and licensing agent for The New York Times policy fields.”

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