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May 8 , 2006
PCSW wraps up with theme discussion

reported by Jessica Gearing

President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) Chair Allison Dykes convened the group’s last meeting of the semester on April 20 in the Woodruff Library’s Jones Room. To open, several members said this year’s theme of “Work-Life” was helpful in guiding the commission’s activities.

Junior Chair Nadine Kaslow suggested “Culture” as PCSW’s 2006–07 theme, noting that President Jim Wagner has made it a focus in many areas of the University. “Culture” also works well with the 2005–06 theme, some members said, because it ties together the past, present and future of work and life. Additionally, faculty concerns chair Julie Seaman said culture fits with PCSW’s 30th anniversary.

Next, Sally Gouzoules announced the winners of the 2006 PCSW writing competition. First place among undergraduates went to Keerthika Subramanian for “A Different Type of Medicine: Women’s Experiences with Ophthalmic Diseases in Rural and Urban Tamil Nadu, India,” while top honors for graduate/professional students went to Tewana Lecounte-Young for “Come See a Man: Ubuntu of Samaria, Agent of Community and Visibility.”

Junior chair-elect Susan Carini briefed the commission on PCSW’s new website (see PCSW website story). Special attention was drawn to the Spotlights section that captures women’s history via the ongoing oral history project. Carini invited members to visit the site. “Put it through its paces and let me know what you like and don’t like,” she said.

Next, the commission highlighted successes from the academic year, including a $25,000 allocation to build more lactation rooms and the effort to raise campus awareness about the rooms; the president’s creation of a Work-Life Task Force based on the commission’s recommendation; and the findings of the salary equity project.

Dykes closed the meeting by stressing the importance of the strong partnership the commission now has the President’s Cabinet, adding that PCSW is seen as a resource. “We want the cabinet to value talking with us about supporting the community,” she said.

If you have questions or concerns for PCSW, e-mail chair Allison Dykes at allison.dykes@emory.edu.

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