Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL

Events at NCSL’s Annual Meeting 2004

To read faculty biographies, click here.

Note: Click on the photos to view larger images.

Monday, July 19^th

Fighting the War Against Trafficking of Women and Girls: The Role of State Legislatures

This luncheon was sponsored by the Center for Women Policy Studies, and cosponsored by the Women's Legislative Network and WiLL/WAND.

Speaker: Louis deBaca, Special Litigation Counsel, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice

Read the Center for Women Policy Studies' fact sheet on this issue.

Network Executive Board Meeting

Minutes available upon request.

Wednesday, July 21^st

Bridging the Cultures of Business and Poverty

Moderator: Hon. Nan Grogan Orrock, State Representative, Georgia

Speakers: Ruby Payne, PhD, founder, aha! Process Inc. Visit: http://www.ahaprocess.com/

                  Fred Keller, CEO, Cascade Engineering. Visit: http://www.cascadeng.com/

Every economic class is influenced by "hidden rules" that impact an individual's ability to succeed. Participants at the NCSL Annual Meeting examined these issues at a session titled "Bridging the Cultures of Business and Poverty," which featured speakers Mr. Fred Keller, CEO, Cascade Engineering, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Dr. Ruby Payne, Founder and CEO of aha! Process Inc., Highlands, Texas. The session provided information about how poverty and economic cultures influence an individual's ability to succeed or fail in the workplace and how the information is applied in a corporate setting. Representative Nan Grogan Orrock, Georgia moderated the session, which was cosponsored by the NCSL/Annie E. Casey Partnership on Strengthening Families and Neighborhoods, the NCSL Women's Legislative Network and the NCSL Human Services and Welfare Committee and NCSL's Labor and Workforce Development Committee.

The Economic Engine: Advancing Women in the Economy

Moderator: Hon. Liane Sorenson, Senate Minority Whip, Delaware

Speaker: Shamaya Gilo, President, Winds of Change Foundation (bio)

The Winds of Change Foundation is an organization that conducts research and advocacy to raise awareness of the importance of women in leadership, and provides strategic investment in initiatives that advance opportunities for women to lead effectively. Ms. Gilo presented an overview of the Foundation’s recent research about women’s economic strengths and challenges, which was conducted through interviews, surveys and focus groups. To view Ms. Gilo’s Power Point slides, click here. To learn more about the Winds of Change Foundation, visit www.windsofchange.org.

The luncheon session also included election of the 2004-2005 Network Executive Board. Delegate Carol Petzold, of Maryland was elected Network President. Florida Representative Nancy Detert was elected Vice President, and Delaware Senator Liane Sorenson became Immediate Past President. For a complete list of the 2004-2005 Board, click here.

Are Women Well? Success Stories for Policymakers Working to Improve Women’s Health

Moderator: Hon. Liane Sorenson, Senate Minority Whip, Delaware

Speakers: Wanda Jones, DrPH, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS Office on Women's Health
Visit: http://www.4woman.gov/owh/

Vivian Dickerson, MD, President, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Visit: http://www.acog.org/

Helene Kent, Public Health Consultant, HM Kent Consulting

(Bios)

Dr. Wanda Jones began the session by giving a historical overview of medical care for women. She noted that women’s health was not considered separately from men’s health until relatively recently in the medical establishment. Her presentation focused on the importance of prevention, physical activity and several federal initiatives addressing women’s health, including Steps to a Healthier US, “Pick Your Path to Health,” the “Red Dress Campaign,” and the FDA’s “Calories Count” program.

Dr. Vivian Dickerson presented some of her organization’s research into the role of OB/GYNs as women’s health providers. She stressed the importance of preventative care, especially if an OB/GYN is a woman’s primary health care provider. To see Dr. Dickerson’s Power Point slides, click here.

Helene Kent discussed specific state policy options that can be implemented to improve the health of women. She noted that making a fundamental change in women’s health requires a clear vision and strong leadership. To view Ms. Kent’s Power Point slides, with recommendations for addressing women’s health at the state level, click here.

This session was a collaborative effort on behalf of NCSL’s Cancer, Chronic Disease, HIV/AIDS/STDS, Maternal and Child Health and Women’s Legislative Network projects. The session was cosponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thursday, July 22

Breakfast at the Governor’s Mansion

Speaker: Honorable Olene S. Walker, Governor, Utah

One hundred women legislators and other guests enjoyed breakfast with Utah Governor Olene S. Walker at the beautiful Governor’s Mansion. Governor Walker’s keynote address focused on her experiences as a state legislator and as Governor as well as the history of the Utah Governor’s Mansion. The event was cosponsored by Women In Government.

Women Leading Legislatures

Moderator: Cindy Simon Rosenthal, PhD, Director, Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, University of Oklahoma

Panelists: Hon. Carolyn Allen, State Senator, Arizona

Hon. Adrienne Jones, Speaker Pro Tem, Maryland

Hon. Lana Oleen, Senate Majority Leader, Kansas

Hon. Danice Picraux, House Majority Leader, New Mexico

Hon. Liane Sorenson, Senate Minority Whip, Delaware

(Bios)

Dr. Rosenthal moderated the session, and presented the results of a survey of women legislators that asked respondents about their motivations for legislative service and their experiences with mentoring and leadership. She used this data as the basis for questions for the panel of women leaders. The panel discussed the participation of women in their legislatures, how they moved into leadership, and whether mentoring has played a role in their careers, among other topics.

To view Dr. Rosenthal’s Power Point slides, with the survey results, click here.

This session was cosponsored by the Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL, the NCSL Legislative Staff Section and the NCSL Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee.

Different Problems, Different Needs: Women in the Criminal Justice System

Moderator: Hon. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, State Senator, Washington

Speakers: Barbara Owen, PhD, Professor, California State University, Fresno (bio)

Ellen Kirschbaum, Administrator, Office of Substance Abuse Services, Arizona Department of Corrections

The session was moderated by Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a former Women’s Legislative Network President, who discussed legislation in her home state of Washington that addresses female offenders.

Dr. Barbara Owen gave a presentation entitled “Gender Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders.” She discussed ways state legislators can be sure to address the fundamental differences between men and women when designing a corrections program. To view Dr. Owen’s Power Point slides, click here.

Ellen Kirschbaum of the Arizona Department of Corrections discussed specific programs that Arizona has implemented to focus on female offenders. She also presented the results of some focus group discussions in which female offenders shared their expectations for how the corrections system should help them. To view Ms. Kirschbaum’s Power Point slides, click here.

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