Sue Shear Institute Newsletter

Institute Update for June, 2009

Fantastic Fellows Finish Another Academy Week

Fellows listen intently to Faculty in Residence, former State Rep. Judy Baker

On May 22, the Institute wrapped up yet another successful 21st Century Leadership Academy. Thirty-five college women from nine Missouri public universities participated in the Academy, held at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, May 17-22.

The Shear Fellows had a busy week that left them inspired and exhausted! Highlights included a mock legislative session in Jefferson City and lunch at the Missouri Supreme Court hosted by Judge Patricia Breckenridge and 1998 Shear Fellow Mary Hoemann Newell, law clerk to Judge Mary Russell; and an elegant evening at The St. Louis Woman’s Club where they practiced their networking skills and listened to a keynote address by Margaret Donnelly, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. On Friday the women became Academy alums, bringing the total number of Academy graduates to almost 450.

To learn more about the 2009 Fellows and faculty, visit our website: www.umsl.edu/~iwpl

DINE OUT FOR THE CURE

Join the Sue Shear Institute for the
Inaugural Dine Out for Susan G. Komen

Thursday, June 11
Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar
(in the U-City Loop)
6 - 8:00 p.m.

Twenty percent of your bill will support breast cancer screening, treatment, education and research programs in the St. Louis Metro area.

She's Out There!

Join the Sue Shear Institute and State Representative Rachel Storch for the release of She’s Out There: 35 Women Under 35 Who Aspire to Lead: The Next Generation of Presidential Candidates, Monday, June 15, at 8:00 p.m. at Left Bank Books.

In She’s Out There, editors Amy Sewell and Heather L. Ogilvie feature 35 essays written by the young future female leaders of America, including St. Louisan Farrah Green. Also featured are essays from Axibel Barajas and Jen Abraczinskas who were featured in Amy Sewell and Susan Toffler’s documentary film “What’s Your Point, Honey?” screened by the Sue Shear Institute at COCA last fall. Green will read from her essay and be on hand to sign books. Join us for what promises to be a great time!

Spotlight on Rhiannon Reynolds

Rhiannon Reynolds

Chances are that by now, you’ve met or talked to Rhiannon Reynolds, the ever-friendly administrative specialist at the Sue Shear Institute. Rhiannon celebrated her 1-year anniversary on April 30, during a brief timeout from the deluge of details that precedes the Leadership Academy.

Over the last 12 months, Rhiannon has taken the lead on maintaining the website and judicial statistics, and has been an integral part of the planning team for all of the Institute events. She is also responsible for the administrative functions of the office, not the least of which is paying our bills! As anyone who works in a bureaucracy can attest, knowing “how to do this” and “who to call for that” and who NOT to call under any circumstances can be a challenge! To her credit, Rhiannon has managed to navigate her way through the first year with patience and poise.

In addition to her Institute title, she is “mom” to Elijah (a recent kindergarten graduate), and soon she’ll add “homeowner” to her list. “Survivor” is another title that fits – she has been cancer-free for 4 years this month after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 27.

At the Sue Shear Institute, we are always telling women candidates not to take things personally. But Rhiannon’s experience, as well as the experiences of other friends and family-members, reminds us that breast cancer is personal. That’s why we’re proud to serve as hosts for the Inaugural Dine Out for Susan G. Komen on Thursday, June 11. Join us at Blueberry Hill to raise money for breast cancer research, and celebrate the survivors in our lives. If you haven’t met Rhiannon, this is your chance. Be sure to say hello!