Photos by Robert Hubner, WSU Photo Services
Gov. Christine Gregoire was presented Wednesday, March 27, with the annual woman of the year award by the WSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women in partnership with the Association of Faculty Women, Coalition for Women Students, Women’s Resource Center and Women’s Studies Program.
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Jeanne Eder, Mary Wyer, Chris Gregoire,
Tori Byington, Andrea Hall
Gregoire was nominated based upon her record of supporting such issues as early childhood education, increasing the quality of math and science learning, affordable health care, creation of more high-paying jobs and promotion of community empowerment.
“The governor’s impact on these issues, coupled with the perseverance and passion with which she addresses them, tipped the scales in her favor,” said Kathleen Hagen, selection committee chair.
Regent Connie Niva, left, admires pins given out at luncheon
Five women were named women of distinction for distinguishing themselves in their careers, going beyond their job descriptions to contribute to the personal growth and success of others, creating positive social change, increasing equality for all and building community through service. They include:
• Jean Johnson, faculty, who has served on numerous committees and task forces over the years — many of which advance issues important to women such as daycare provision, salary equity and the prevention of sexual harassment.
Johnson’s nominator wrote: “Through her scholarship, service and mentorship, Dr. Johnson has forged a path for her female students as well as women across the university and the (marketing) discipline. I will certainly strive to chart the course of my own career to follow her exceptional lead.”
Speaker Lucinda Yates
• Tori Byington, staff, an enrollment and policy analyst for WSU’s Graduate School. She is faculty adviser for the Psi Chapter of Graduate Women in Science, a member of Sociologists for Women Society, active in the Queer Alliance, and active in GRACe — Gendering Research Across the Campuses.
Her nominator wrote: “Tori has operated in nearly all of these positions outside her role as an employee — and she does it for the ultimate goal of producing a climate of integrity, diversity and equity.”
• Andrea Hall, student, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies. She serves as a student mentor in the Native American Student Center. In 2005, she was elected by her peers to chair WSU’s Coalition for Women Students (CWS).
Her nominator wrote: “She consistently maintains a solid GPA and has shown a remarkable ability to balance the rigors of academic life (and) the responsibilities that come along with being a student leader, while maintaining her focus on achieving her own personal goals.”
• Jeanne Eder, alumna, received her doctorate degree in American and public history from WSU in 2000. She is an associate professor in history at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. She is well known for performing historically accurate impersonations of three leading American Indian women — Buffalo Bird Woman, Gertrude Bonnin and Sacajawea.
Her nominator wrote: “Both in her presentation and in answering questions … Jeanne becomes these characters and takes you into another time… She shows us the world through the eyes of American Indian women.”
• Mary Wyer, outside of WSU, assistant professor in psychology and women’s and gender studies at North Carolina State University and director of its Women in Science and Engineering Project (WISE).
While WSU’s outreach coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center in the 1970s, Wyer began creating the Women’s Transit Program. Today, more than 150 people volunteer time every semester and the program provides more than 12,000 rides a year.
