equipoise news volume 15
spring 2010
Spring in the Tetons is a come-and-go kind of arrangement—snow flurries, daffodils, fleece jackets on in the morning and off in the afternoon. This goes on through June! But then it’s playtime in the Rockies and as the Equipoise Fund prepares for a summer full of outdoor activities and fall-focused planning, we thought we’d bring you up to date on our most recent activities.
In this issue of the newsletter, you’ll find updates on our film’s success in reaching women around the globe, important news from the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, an exciting report from the latest Leap into Leadership conference put on by the Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus, news from Womentum and their mentoring project and a note from Mickey Babcock, founder, president and chief barnstormer of Equipoise Fund. There have also been some exciting developments with several of our partners—notably Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal and former First Lady Jane Sullivan—moving into new positions in public service. That’s a real boon to the women and girls of Wyoming.
Let’s get to it!
News from our Programs and Partners
Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus
Wyoming Women’s Foundation (WYWF)
continues to work on the critically important issue of wage equality for the female segment of the state’s workforce. Placing dead last in the list of states providing wage equality, Wyoming women make about $.63 cents to a man’s dollar. The trickle-down effect of this wage disparity affects women’s ability to obtain equal education opportunities, job training and to support their families, especially for single-parent families (of which in Wyoming 71% are headed by women). When such disenfranchisement affects 50% of the state’s population, it isn’t difficult to realize the scope of damage to Wyoming communities as a whole. WWF points out that industries are far less likely to establish their businesses in a state that suffers such inequality. At the other end of the scale, young women who graduate school are far less likely to remain working in Wyoming since they can earn better incomes out of state. That’s a lose-lose for the Cowboy State.
By focusing a spotlight on the wage gap, WYWF hopes to educate Wyoming’s citizens as well as it’s elected officials and bring change to bear in both hearts and minds. When women and girls are valued, communities thrive. That’s a win-win.
For more information, please visit www.wywf.org.
Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus
The bipartisan Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus is energized after just enjoying their third Leap Into Leadership Conference, held in Casper on April 22 – 23. Organized by Melissa Turley the bipartisan conference continued to educate, empower and enlist women as participants in the political process. With only 15 women currently serving in the state legislature, the setting is ripe for change.
Representative Debbie Hammons, who spoke about barriers for women in leadership, encouraged participants not to let fear turn obstacles into barriers. “If you don’t run, you won’t win for sure,” she pointed out. “But by becoming involved, you change the very nature of the debate.”
Representative Rosie Berger speaks with Leap into Leadership participants and event sponsor Mike Ceballos of Qwest Communications.
Among the participants from Wyoming communities big and small were government workers, business owners, students and two candidates for the state legislature: Ruthann Petroff of Jackson, who is running for House District 16; and Mayor Jodi Guerin of Laramie, who is running for Senate District 9. “The information and networking at Leap Into Leadership is amazing,” Ms. Guerin reported. “With so few women in positions of leadership in Wyoming, it is invaluable to be able to learn from those who have gone before me. I believe this event is helping us begin to develop a culture in Wyoming that encourages and supports women as leaders."
Hosted in partnership with Equality State Policy Center, the National Conference of State Legislatures, The Equipoise Fund, The White House Project, Wyoming Business Alliance and the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, close to 90 men and women participated in development workshops or served as panelists in support of the theme, Finding Your Voice.
The Caucus thanks BNSF Railways, Brimmer Kunsman Communications, The Equipoise Fund, Larry Wolfe – Holland and Hart, KKW Consulting Inc., Qwest, Wyoming Bankers Association and the Wyoming Council on Women’s Issues for their financial support in bringing this bipartisan event to a successful conclusion.
For more information, please visit www.wyowlc.org.
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Womentum
celebrated the culmination of its fourth Womentoring program this spring. Program participants shared what they had learned over the last nine months and strengthened the connections among themselves. “I have learned to see our community differently,” said mentor Jean Barash, recognizing the new perspective gained from her mentee, Ellie Levins.
Mentee Lisa Watts (center) shares her list of most admired personality traits.
The energy in the room was palpable, and many spoke of their desire to stay connected with one another and with Womentoring. With true entrepreneurial zeal, several graduates discussed forming an alumni committee, so stay tuned for more information about that. “Everybody in this room is a beautiful flower that stands out,” said mentee Sydney Daniels, “and every one is a different color.”
And Womentum celebrates each of you!
Mentor Jean Barash with her mentee, Ellie Levins.
Womentum has two more exciting bits of news: First, due to the incredible amount of interest in our Womentoring program, we will be accepting applications from women who want to participate as mentees in the 2010-11 program. Please contact Melissa at info@womentumwyo.org for more information and to receive the application. Secondly, we are in the exploratory phase of spreading the Womentoring program around the state. There just might be a Womentoring program in Dubois and Lander by this time next year. We’ll keep you posted!
You can learn more about Womentum at www.womentumwyo.org
Don’t Fence Me In
Our documentary film continues to reach audiences around the world. Assistant producer Amy McCarthy tells us the film has screened in such far-flung places as the Czech Republic and Croatia and been honored as a semi-finalist in the Moon Dance International Film Festival and as Best Documentary at the Estes Park Film Festival in 2009. Most recently the film was featured during Wyoming PBS’s Pledge Month in March, 2010, with cinematographer Charlie Craighead and director Bonnie Kreps both appearing during the program.
If you’d like more information on the film or to arrange a screening in your community, please contact Amy at tetonamy@gmail.com. You can also pick up a copy for your film library at Valley Bookstore in Jackson, 307.733.4533.
You can also read about the film on our Web site here.
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Who’s News
Such exciting developments for women in Wyoming! Our own first lady, Nancy Freudenthal, has been appointed as a federal judge for the District of Wyoming. She replaces Judge Clarence Brimmer, Jr., who is retiring, and fills out the Obama Administration’s slate of U.S. District Court judges. She was confirmed as of May 5, 2010.
Ms. Freudenthal is highly regarded and well qualified, having served the governor’s office as an attorney for intergovernmental affairs. She has also held positions with the Wyoming Tax Commission and the Wyoming Board of Education. She was a partner at the Cheyenne law firm, Davis & Cannon.
And the Louisa Swain Foundation honored former Wyoming First Lady Jane Sullivan (1986 – 1994) earlier this May with their award. Jane exemplifies the goals of the award of being a woman who, through her actions or accomplishments, displays the qualities of courage, community and character exhibited by Louisa Swain on September 6, 1870, when she became the first woman to cast an electoral ballot in Laramie. She was quoted in the Casper Star-Tribune as saying that she thinks keeping balance in community is a fragile endeavor. “It’s important that we maintain the values of livable communities,” she said, “because we can clearly see what happens when we’re not connecting with our neighbors. We should step softly, because we’re stepping on our dreams.”
A Note from Mickey
A friend recently shared his view that springtime in Wyoming is simply “a struggle between winter and summer.” So far, I’m not sure who is winning, but each day I see summer advance, and I am so grateful!
I love the gentility of the summer season here. For me, it’s a time to exhale, refresh, and revel in this marvelous land with all of my senses. As we take the next few months “off” in our work at The Equipoise Fund, I send you my thanks for all of your support and encouragement. We see amazing folks doing wonderful things in their communities. Let’s ensure that we make it possible, even rewarding, for them to continue to do so. Please be sure to maintain contact with us throughout the year on our Web site.
Happy Summer!
In Memoriam
Lucy Belle Babcock
One of our beloved Equipoise team members, Lucy Belle Babcock, crossed over the rainbow bridge this spring. Lucy was one of our founders, and a real inspiration in reminding us that it is vitally important to roll in the grass each summer! Farewell, Lucy!
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