Ready to Run!

A note from Lydia Quarles ('71), Senior Policy Analyst at the Stennis Institute:

Friends, some of you joined us for the first Women & Applied Politics event at the State Capitol on January 15. Our second event will be on April 9 at the State Capitol.

At this event: READY TO RUN, we will be having two tracks of education. One will be for those women who are “running” and the other will be for those who are “thinking.” The first track, “running,” does not mean that you are running for anything this year–just that you have already considered possibly running for political office. The other track is for those who need a bit more information before they will be comfortable with the idea of running for office.

Please save this date and register online at the Stennis Institute website: http://www.sig.msstate.edu/.
Registration is $100 and includes break food and lunch.

Feedback from our first event:
“The panels were extremely impressive, well-spoken (I say this because I sit through nearly 60 hours of continuting ed per year and really, not every speaker is well-spoken!), funny, informative and inspiring. I think I learned more in this 6 hours than I learned in all the other 60 combined, and not just about politics. I learned about how to be a citizen and most of what I learned can be applied to my daily life on a practical level.”

“As the mother of sons and the wife of a super supportive husband, I have never thought that women should have to fight this battle alone. But we do have to reach out and help educate a multitude of people (both men and women). When women are paid equally, have equal opportunities, health care and retirement benefits, education, then families rise in all ways. Domestic violence goes down. Funds for program that currently support the undereducated or underemployed can be utilized differently. We say that a rising tide lifts all boats....well, that same principle applies to the lives of women being improved....but lifting women lifts families which lifts society.... and women in office can make an impact on these issues.”

 “Terrific seminar! So glad I came. Will bring friends next time!”

 “Best seminar I’ve been to in years!”

So please join us and bring a friend!

Women in Applied Politics Seminar

(left to right)  Linda Ross Aldy, Lillian Wade, Elaine Evans, Mary Libby Payne, Deborah Hodges, Kay Cobb, and Lydia Quarles.  Not pictured are Betty Lou Jones and Jimmie Moomaw

Jimmie Meese Moomaw (c/o 1958 ) gave the Keynote speech at the Women in Applied Politics seminar sponsored by the Stennis Institute and the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women. Coordinated by MUW alumna Lydia Quarles, Senior Policy Analyst for the Stennis Institute, the presentation focused on (1) getting women to run for public office and (2) then getting them elected when they do.

An amazing group of women were in attendance, including a large contingency from the W: Judge Mary Libby Payne (c/o 1954), Judge Kay Cobb, Betty Lou Jones, Deborah Hodges (c/o 1990), Elaine Evans (c/o 1970), Linda Ross Aldy,(c/o 1973) Lillian Wade (c/o 1969), and Lydia Quarles (c/o 1971).

Attendee Deborah Hodges remarked: "The panels were extremely impressive, well-spoken funny, informative and inspiring. I think I learned more in this 6 hours than I learned in 60 hours of continuing education last year, and not just about politics. I learned about how to be a citizen and most of what I learned can be applied to my daily life on a practical level. I even learned what the Tea Party is supposed to really be about!"

The program included a panel of women from different parties. MUW alumna Kay Cobb represented the TEA party, Rita Wray, the Republican Party and Gloria Williamson was from the Democratic Party. According to Judge Mary Libby Payne "One person from the League of Women Voters said that panel was worth the whole $75 registration fee!"

"Women aren’t running for office in Mississippi. Mississippi women make 73% of what their male counterparts earn. When you look at 'women’s issues', they are LIFE issues – healthcare, education, jobs with good wages. We need more women in elected office at ALL levels (not just in Mississippi, either)" said Deborah. She continued "So, W girls, we’ve got to do better. If we can’t run, we can at least influence. At a bare minimum, we need to get active and work to elect those who share our vision locally, nationally and statewide"

Still, electing women is not the whole job. Judge Mary Libby Payne told us "There was a man there who had been in elective office for 37 years who is retiring this year. He brought his daughter and raved about getting to be in a group like this where he could just listen to women telling of their experiences. Folks, we have got to get more ways to get men to hear us because when they do they become our cheerleaders."

According to Jimmie " Women who are motivated to service and who want to make the most profound impact with their work should consider this: The institutions that offer the greatest opportunity to affect real change are Education/teaching, Church/preaching, and politics/holding elected office. I decided a long time ago that the path to making the greatest impact on the most people lay in the political realm. I challenge all of you with an impulse to serve to consider running for public office."

Thanks to the supporting institutions:  Stennis Center for Public Service, the Foundation of the Mid-South and Newk's of Jackson.

May Her Soul Rest In Peace

Linda Partlow

TUPELO – Linda Partlow, 61, MUW Class of 1971, a retired Itawamba Community College mathematics professor, longtime tennis coach and Plantersville native, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010, at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center after a long illness.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors. Burial will be in the Plantersville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday only.

W Alums Gather with Mississippi Association for Justice

A recent Mississippi Association for Justice meeting brought together two MUW alumnae, Victoria Prince (2005) and Lydia Quarles (1971).  Lydia gave the keynote address to the Women's Caucus, of which Victoria is an officer.  Victoria is also the Chair of the Young Lawyers section of the MAJ.  To learn more about the MAJ, which bills itself as an organization of "lawyers representing people, not corporations," see their website.

Lydia's practice includes mediation, and you can learn more about her at her website, humorously titled "When Pigs Fly." Victoria represents employees in cases against employers for such things as discrimination, harassment or contract disputes. Her professional website is here.

Board Member Spotlight: Lydia Quarles ('71)

Name: Lydia Quarles 
Class Year: 1971 
Major: Political Science 

In which extracurricular activities did you participate at the W?  
I was a member of the intercollegiate debate team and the intercollegiate platform event team. 

Tell us a little about your job history.
I clerked for the Alabama Supreme Court right out of law school, followed by two years of private practice in Birmingham, five in Columbus, and thirteen in Starkville. I was then appointed Administrative Judge at the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission for 8 years, then appointed Commissioner (agency head--six-year term). Now I am in private practice with Knight Mozingo Quarles & Simpson of Ridgeland and Starkville, and I serve as Senior Policy Analyst at the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University. Additionally, I do consulting work on the side for WPF, LLC.

When did you first become involved as a W Alum? What has your involvement entailed over the years?
About five to six years ago, I was asked to serve on Gail Laws' board. I have been active ever since.

What is your office this year?  
Parliamentarian (chair of constitution and by-laws also). 

What are your goals for MFAeA this year?  
Do what Lillian says! 

Now that Dr. Limbert has decided to retire, describe your ideal candidate for her successor.
The ideal candidate would be a graduate of a women's institution--preferably the W, but if not that, then a woman's institution.  The W's mission has not changed.  It should still put "women" first. 

What can the average alumna or alumnus who isn't really a "joiner" do to support the university?   
One of the delightful things about MFAeA is that we have e-chapters. Joining an e-chapter is not like joining a regular chapter--no meetings and as little or much interaction as you would like with other e-chapter members.  Find an e-chapter that interests you and connect in that way.  If there is no e-chapter that interests you but you have an idea about one, contact Jane Dennis. 

Describe the MUW you hope exists 10 years from now.   
The premier women's university in the US with opportunities which meet the needs of all sorts of female students. A place which understands and appreciates tradition just as it embraces change, but an institution which remembers its mission.