Margaret Reek, Professor Emerita Computer Science, January 18th, 2012
Margaret treated us to her amazing involvement in the small village of Maai Mahiu, just 30 miles from Nirobi, Kenya. Her love and expertise in sewing combined with an interesting notice in a newsletter lead her to join Comfort the Children. She took a break from creating award-winning quilts and immersed herself in the culture and the people of Maai Mahiu where she worked with a team to teach mothers of disabled children how to sew simple products and establish a cottage industry. Margaret encouraged us all to follow our passions and find meaningful volunteer possibilities.
Holiday Tea - December 14th, 2012
Once again the Women's Council of RIT had a wonderful holiday tea. This year we were charmed by the RIT a Capella group, 8 Beat Measure, who delighted us with their holiday sounds.
Jerry Argetsinger, Associate Professor of Dramatic Literature at NTID, November 16th, 2011
Dr. Jerry Argetsinger, gave a wonderful talk on Theater Initiatives for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He sketched the progression of culture for the deaf, starting with silent movies with captions and progressing through mime and the creation of hand signs, to the establishment of the American Sign Language. NTID’s Panara Theater is a totally unique theater and Dr. Argetsinger has been responsible for many productions there, done entirely by deaf students. They construct the set, design the lighting and costumes, and thoroughly enjoy playing all the roles on stage. The plays they produce are award winning and are offered for all audiences. The deaf students are the stars but hearing students voice the parts and are cleverly included in the production.
Cindee Gray, Managing Director, RIT-Rochester General Health Alliance, October 19th, 2011
Cindee Grey gave a presentation on the recent RIT/ RGH alliance and the tremendous potential benefits both the institutions and the community at large would derive from this partnership.
Her talk was very informative and focused on the past history of their shared collaborative research projects, and it elaborated on the newly created Institute of Health Sciences and Technology. This would act as an umbrella organization which would oversee a host of training programs geared towards improving health care and filling a void left due to the shortage of doctors and nurses. Various research projects would also come under this umbrella. Cindee concluded by saying that some very exciting possibilities were opening up in the future with this alliance.
Albert Paley, Sculptor, September 21st, 2011
Dr. Paley talked about the giant metal sculpture ‘The Sentinel’ that he created and installed in the RIT administration circle. His talk addressed the challenges of creating the sculpture, from the meticulous, detailed drawings and plans to the giant sheets of steel and metal he had to mold and bend to create his masterpiece.
The presentation was preceded by a luncheon and we had a great turnout – almost 50 members – this year. RIT went all out to make the event enjoyable to the Women’s Council members – from providing beautiful facilities including the Dyer Arts Center and Panara Theatre to providing a parking attendant and helpful signs throughout the building.
Becky Simmons, RIT Archivist, April 20th, 2011
As a result of an archival research project, Becky gave us an overview of women at RIT from 1885-1946. We traced the progression of traditional female courses in home economics and domestic sciences to career-oriented programs.
Dr. Mary-Beth Cooper, Senior VP for Academic Affairs, RIT, May 18th, 2011
The presentation summarized the diversity in RIT’s changing student population and outlined areas for new opportunities for RIT’s division of Student Affairs. Dr. Cooper said that she envisions the division of Student Affairs to become more focused on the wellness of RIT’s campus populations and has reorganized her division to become more proactive than reactive in keeping our students well.
Tony Bannon, George Eastman House, March 16th, 2011
Tony pointed out the many ties between RIT and the George Eastman House, including a unique current project to package art objects for safe transport. He told us how close Rochester came to losing the great collection of films and photographs to the Smithsonian, and how the community rallied and raised twenty million dollars to keep it here. Tony stressed the availability of the collection to the community. Diverse exhibits from the Eastman House travel to museums around the country, cementing its reputation as world’s preeminent museum of photography and film.
Kevin McDonald, RIT Chief Diversity Officer, January 19th, 2011
Kevin McDonald, RIT’s Chief Diversity Officer, gave us an interesting overview of RIT’s diversity efforts. From the many diversity activities and celebrations on campus, to RIT’s visibly committed leaders, the college is definitely on the right track to achieving a diverse mix of students, staff and faculty. By utilizing an inclusive excellence framework, RIT will grow and sustain a diverse and inclusive learning, living and working environment.
3rd Annual December Tea, December 9th, 2010
Sixty two women attended our 3rd annual holiday tea at the Chatterbox. There was delicious food and singing. Everyone had a marvelous time!
Matthew Wahl, Forsythe Jewelers, November 17th, 2010
Our November meeting was not only about jewels, but the mystery surrounding some of the world’s most expensive diamonds. We learned about the curse of the blue (Hope) diamond as well as how one owner used the diamond as a dog collar! It was a very interesting meeting.
Susan Rogers - WXXI,October 20th, 2010
At the October Women’s Council meeting, Susan Rogers (Executive Vice President and General Manager of WXXI) made everyone a confirmed WXXI enthusiast! She told us how WXXI is the ultimate partner to many organizations (libraries, universities, public schools, and museums) who are working to improve our communities. In addition, she mentioned the tremendous impact the station has had on our community (and many other communities as well). With programs like Homework Hotline, which impacts some of the youngest and poorest students, many with no one to help them study, and with initiatives that have helped over 600 students every year obtain their GED - we came to realize that WXXI holds themselves (and us) to a higher standard.
Susan’s speech embodied WXXI’s mission statement “WXXI engages the community with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse issues.”
Roberley Bell, September 15th, 2010
Bell gave an enthusiastic and informative presentation. Roberley explained that she is a sculptor, landscaper and professor of first year students at RIT. She has done outdoor projects worldwide. The presentation focused on Roberley’s gardens as her view on the world. In Russia, Roberley wanted to engage the public with her gardens. She described it as “paradise remade.” It was a creative experiment that merged site, artwork, and audience participation. By dressing a building in flowers, placing flower boxes below each window, and giving away flowers to the viewers, Roberley touched the participants in a unique and distinctive way. In Roberley hands, beautiful gardens become outdoor rooms. Her curiosity and passion goes beyond language—her visual presentation was enjoyed by everyone.
Dr. Destler, May 12th, 2010
Our luncheon with Dr. Destler was truly informative. With a peek into the RIT of the future it is clear that we are indeed, "Moving Forward." For the alumni in the audience, it was a whole new RIT. Dr. Destler has a vision and mission for the college that will showcase RIT for the powerhouse it is and will become.
Gallery r, April 21st, 2010
We held our meeting at an art gallery, this month. Gallery r is RIT’s metro gallery and learning laboratory for art students and alumni. It is managed by students under the direction of Zerbe Sodervick. The downtown site was chosen because the graduate and undergraduate students expressed their preference to be part of the artistic landscape downtown, close to museums, galleries, and art centers in Rochester.
Seeing the art work of the talented RIT students gave us a new appreciation for how very lucky Rochester is to have such up and coming artists in their midst!
Bella Bleu Color, March 17th, 2010
Kerry Sticher, of Bella Bleu Color, showed us how to improve our color choices for everything from clothing to make-up to accessories. Bella Bleu’s twelve-tone color analysis provides a greater range of colors than color analysis that women may have had done in the past, since roughly 85 percent of the population do not fall into the original warm and cool color categories. We will all be more color conscious after this informative meeting.
Dr. Betty Perkins Carpenter, January 20th, 2010
Dr. Betty Perkins Carpenter, the creator of the 6 step balance program, shared invaluable information on keeping mobile, flexible and balanced as we “age & sage.” Simple things we can do to help keep us from falling or losing our balance such as stretching in bed, walking while talking on the phone, & balancing activities are but a few exercises she suggested. Through humor and audience participation Dr. Betty delivered her serious and important senior fitness message and left us uplifted with a feeling of “I can do this!”
Holiday Tea, December 11th, 2009
Our annual “Holiday Tea” was a great event again this year. The Chatterbox was beautifully decorated for Christmas, the treats were delicious, the conversations interesting, and we sang Christmas carols to the piano playing (and encouragement) of our pianist, Kathleen Toole! It doesn’t get any better than that!
Carol Samuel, November 18th, 2009
Carol Samuel and the “History of the Carousel” was so interesting we all left wanting to learn more! The history and artistry behind these wonderful creations (horses, tigers, even pigs and rabbits!) captured our imagination. I’ll bet we won’t look at a carousel again without remembering this talk.
Dr. Sam McQuade. October 21st, 2009
Dr. Sam McQuade and his research assistant, Sarah Gentry from the RIT Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, spoke to us Cyber-safety and Ethics. He explained to us the difference between “Digital Natives” - those youth who have never known a world without computers and cell phones and “Digital Immigrants” - those of us born prior to 1994 and the commercialization of the web. Some of the statistics Sam shared with us included: 56% of women started using computers at 10 years of age; 30% prefer to chat in-person rather than online; 35% reported feeling more comfortable and in control when using a computer. In addition, some more frightening statistics of these college women included: 37.8% have posted their schedule, 34.1% have posted their contact information, 58.8% have posted their real name, 8.5% have posted their home address, 72.2% have posted a real picture of themselves and 44.1% have posted their screen name online.
One final message from Dr. McQuade: “Students, educators and parents need help in learning how to be safe, secure and responsible when they use computers, cell phones and the Internet. Education is vital. RIT continues to work with area school districts and prominent national organizations to make a difference; and envisions creating a National Center for Cyber Safety and Ethics Education.”
Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, Sepbember 16th, 2009
Heidi Zimmer-Meyer gave us a fascinating overview of what is in store for Downtown Rochester. Although in years past there was a rush to the suburbs, the downtown is now beginning to make its comeback. As young people are now making a lifestyle choice towards big cities, Rochester needed a strong downtown. With Paetec committed to building by 2012, the Eastman Theater renovation, Alexandrer Park (the old Genesee Hospital) gearing up to be a health services center, and housing like the Lofts at Harmony, Rochester is well on its way to once again being "the" place to be.
Dr. Margaret Bailey, May 20th, 2009
Dr. Bailey, P.E. is the Kate Gleason Endowed Chair and Associate Professor within the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and is a wonderful advocate for women in engineering. Charged with leading faculty efforts within the College to improve gender diversity, she created WE@RIT. Dr. Bailey discussed some of the exciting programs that have been developed in order to entice young women to consider engineering as a profession. "We Build" and "We Explore" and TEAK (Traveling Engineering Activity Kits) which target girls as young as 4th and 5th graders, are just a few.
Jeff Tyzik, April 22nd, 2009
Jeff Tyzik gave us an overview of the intricacies of managing the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra including its financial status and how it compares to the New York Philharmonic in size, budget and salaries. After his presentation, the Women’s Council enjoyed the “Live at Hochstein” concert in the Performance Hall conducted by Tyzik and narrated by WXXI’s Julia Figueras.
Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide Overture” was followed by Jeff Tyzik’s own lively and melodic compositions - “Bravo Colorado” and “Pleasant Valley Suite”, all beautifully executed by the RPO.
Kate Bennett , March 18th, 2009
Kate Bennett, the CEO of the Rochester Museum and Science Center talked about the future of our city in addition to sharing some of the important facts about the RMSC.
One of Kate’s favorite quotes was from Alan Kay, which states, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” It sounds as if, from Kate’s activities at the RMSC, that she is trying to do just that. From some dire facts (i.e., that the U.S. ranks among the lowest of 50 countries in math and science) to some really positive Rochester facts (that Rochester hold 890,000 patents - and almost as many festivals!) it was an interesting and inspiring speech.
T. Jane Doctor, January 21st, 2009
Our January Event was a special treat - a presentation by our own, T. Jane Doctor. Jane gave an outstanding presentation of her culture and the ways of the Haudenosaunee. As a matrilineal society, the clans are passed on from mother to child. One quote that seems to embody Jane and her philosophy, is ”Our energy is the combined will of all people with the spirit of the natural world, to be of one body, one heart, and one mind."