Happy Women's History Month
We are built because of Hoosiers that want to make change! Here are a few women behind the organization.
Why did you get involved or why do you support W4C?
My college roommate, Rhonda Arick, invited me to join her at a meeting with Sandy Sasso at St. Luke’s Methodist Church. The night we attended, there were so many cars in the parking lot that we knew there was something big happening. When we entered, there must have been 1500 or more women sitting in pews both on the main floor and upstairs. As Rhonda and I found our seats, musicians were playing upbeat music and the atmosphere was electric. During the course of the evening, Sandy Sasso, Jennifer Nelson Williams, and several other distinguished women spoke.
The topic of each speech was about the state of women in Indiana and how we needed to be more informed citizens. It was a call for activism to have more women run for office and to learn how to advocate for better laws. Rhonda and I became members that very night.
What is your background?
I grew up in Marshall, Indiana – the home of Turkey Run State Park. My father was a funeral director, my mother was an elementary teacher and my brother and I lived in the family funeral home. I graduated from Ball State with a degree in English, Speech, and Theater. I studied at the Ball State London Center and also was a member of Ball State’s Improvisation Company and acted in musicals.
I started teaching at Crawfordsville’s Tuttle Jr High, then taught in Carmel Clay Schools at both Clay Jr. High and then Carmel High School where I became a Drama Director in the Performing Arts Department.
In 2007, I retired from Carmel and was asked to teach in the BSU Theatre Department. After 3 years at Ball State, I was offered a job at Park Tudor School. I finally retired in 2016 after 42 years of being a teacher. I got married in 2018 to Larry Des Jardines. Larry and I are retired and focus on a better life for our 4 girls by being involved in Women4Change Indiana.
Why did you get involved or why do you support W4C?
I have had some incredibly strong women role models in my life. Rima Shahid has always poured her knowledge and time into me, and for that I will always be grateful. After seeing the incredible work done by Women4Change surrounding HB 1176 [2021, elements of rape] and also bringing awareness to redistricting, I knew this was important work that was trying to protect and uplift the voices of minorities and women in the state of Indiana. As an intern, I was incredibly humbled to get to be a part of that work.
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It is a celebration of all of the incredible women who came before me! Without them, I would not have a seat at the tables I do today. I am here to carry on the work they started. It is also a reminder that there is more work to be done. We will not be finished until Black, Latino, trans, disabled, poor, and those who do not fit the societal norm, are considered equal in every sense of the word. So we keep working. We vote for those who we believe will have our best interests at heart, and we hold those same candidates accountable as we keep taking up space and advocating for equality.
What is your background?
I have been a lifelong Hoosier! Born and raised in Pike Township, then attending Indiana University to pursue my undergraduate degrees in History, and International Studies. Though I was born into a family where all of my family members were not given the same inalienable rights and opportunities that I was granted. Having loved ones with those experiences shaped my professional priorities as I moved forward with my studies. I knew I wanted to be able to do work that would uplift the voices of people being ignored by those in power. I now work for the Indiana Democratic State Party where I work with candidates who work every day to protect the rights of Hoosier minorities.
Why did you get involved or why do you support W4C?
W4C uses the collective power of women, and those across the gender spectrum, to activate and advocate from a place of compassion. W4C is unapologetic about protecting fundamental rights and confronting injustice through civil discourse and engagement. They provide an avenue for our voices to be heard in the community and at the Statehouse.
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
History is written by the victor and those with systemic power- traditionally white males. We need to honor the vast accomplishments and contributions of women - women who fight for change.
What is your background?
I focus on building equitable partnerships and supporting initiatives to protect democracy and promote social justice, especially in the areas of education, arts/culture and climate change. No one is free until we are all free.
Why did you get involved or why do you support W4C?
When I first got involved with W4C, I wanted to work more on policy advocacy in my own community, but wasn't sure where to start because I care about so many interconnected issues that affect women. When I heard that W4C was looking for volunteer help with developing policy positions and resources, I was so excited at the opportunity to use my knowledge to support women around the state by advocating for more just laws that follow the example of other states and even other countries.
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
For me, Women's History Month is a time for us to seek out and share history that is rarely taught in schools, reflect on our movement work to ensure that we are good coalition partners with women of all sorts of identities, and draw renewed strength from the fighting spirit of the women who laid the groundwork for us.
What is your background?
My academic training is in international studies with a focus on human rights, and my master's thesis addressed government violence against women through institutions like education, criminal justice, and health care. Since then, I have worked in education consulting, policy research, teaching criminal justice and anti-racism courses, and I now proudly work for Planned Parenthood to support clinic staff with training and learning from each other.
Internships
Each semester, we have two to four interns in the office with our team. The positions change depending on our projects but are a combination of the Get Out the Vote Intern, Legislative Intern, Communications Intern, Programs Intern, andDevelopment Intern.
The interns head projects with the help of staff members and have a chance to develop their unique experiences while discovering their passion for education and advocacy!
These internships are an excellent opportunity to practice and refine research skills, get an up-close look at legislative activities, and participate in a movement to engage Indiana women in civic and political life.