25 Years of Filling the Pipeline

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 Hunter College 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.

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