Are you interested in getting
more involved with SPW?
Recruiting new members
and getting new members involved in SPW are two of the many missions
of the Early Career Professional Task 
Force,
initiated by President Jessica Henderson Daniel and chaired by
Guerda Nicolas. We asked members of the Executive Committee (EC)
to tell us how they got involved in the society. We hope that
hearing from senior women will help students and early career
professionals find out how to become more active in the society.
You can see from the narratives included here that members have
a variety of interests and get involved in different ways.
Jean Lau Chin
"I was called by then President,
Pam Reid, who asked if I would take 
on
the role of Task Force Chair of Asian American Women. She did
a wonderful outreach about the priorities of Division 35, and
its wish to expand and diversify its EC. When I attended the first
EC meeting, I felt welcome. The feminist principles of inclusion
and honoring all voices have sustained my involvement."
Elizabeth Davis-Russell
"I had been a member of APA
a long time before I became involved in Division 35. I was quite
active in the Association for Women in Psychology, having served
on the Implementation Collective, was a member of Division 45
(Society for the 
Psychological
Study of Ethnic Minority Issues), and became a member of Division
35. However, it was through Section One (Psychology of Black Women)
that I became involved with Division 35. I had always attended
the section dance, and when Ruth Hall invited me to a meeting
of the section, I attended and saw the extension to the division.
For me, seeing some direct way to become involved and help move
forth an agenda was the motivating force. Shortly after my involvement
with the section, I was elected president of the Section One and
became a member of the Division 35 Executive Committee."
Gloria B. Gottsegen
"It was Judy Worell's fault
that I got involved in Division 35. As Chair 
of
the Fellows Committee at that time, she asked me to serve as a
member. When I arrived at the meeting, I was informed that I would
be the next year's chair! I remember feeling very gratified at
the number of good women we were able to help become initial APA
Fellows through Division 35. I currently serve as the Liaison
from Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology), section 4 (Clinical
Psychology of Women)."
Lori Beth Rodriguez
"I learned about the Associate/Professional
Membership position from a faculty member on campus. I consider
myself a "student in transition"-I have received my Masters and
am currently applying to PhD programs as I work in an academic
setting. My research has focused on 
culture,
gender, and women's issues, specifically within the Latina population.
I am eager to continue this research at the doctoral level and
knew that becoming a member of Division 35 would be a great way
to stay within the network of feminist psychologists while out
of school. The division allows us to share ideas, offer suggestions,
and get to know some really great people with similar interests.
I'm really excited about my position as Associate/Professional
Representative to Division 35 and am thankful for the helpfulness
that the division members have already shown me. My new membership
with Division 35 is only the beginning as I plan to continue working
with the division throughout my academic career."
Arnie Kahn
"In I believe it was 1971,
I attended the APA convention and went to a symposium on the psychology
of women chaired by Rhoda Unger on 
gender.
I had been doing research on gender and I was fascinated with
this new social movement. I went to Rhoda after the symposium,
introduced myself, and asked if there was a role for men within
the psychology of women. Rhoda enthusiastically responded, "yes,"
and invited me to attend the Division 35 business meetings at
the conventions. I just never stopped."
How Can You Get Involved?
SPW welcomes new members interested
in women's issues. There are many ways to get involved. Join a
task force or committee to promote a feminist agenda. Participate
in meaningful dialogue as a member of a dynamic and diverse division.
SPW welcomes all voices. We are actively recruiting early career
psychologists, women of color, and women interested in feminist
leadership and collaboration.
To find out more about SPW at APA
2002, you can attend the SPW social hour and meet members of the
Executive Committee (see page 15 for information on time and place).
The AWP/SPW Hospitality
Suite is also a great place to meet people and
get information about SPW. Check out the pull-out section in the
middle of the Summer newsletter each year for complete information
about the suite and about other SPW events at APA.
For more information or to indicate
an interest in a committee, contact President-elect Jean Lau Chin:
614 Dedham Street, Newton, MA 02459; phone: 617-965-8964; fax:
617-965-5753; email: CEOServices@yahoo.com.
You can also contact Guerda Nicolas, for more information about
the Early Career Professional Task Force, College of St. Elizabeth,
2 Convent Road, Morriston, NJ 07960; phone: 973-290-4103; fax:
973-290-4111; email: gnicolas@cse.edu.
