A Conversation on the Impact of COVID-19 on Utah Women and Work
August 25, 2021

Panelists: Dr. Jared M. Hansen, Marin Christensen, & Dr. Christopher J. Hartwell
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has impacted all Utahns in profound ways. Yet, a host of national and global reports have argued that women’s employment and careers have been disproportionately impacted during this time. To better understand Utah women’s experiences specifically, UWLP researchers conducted an extensive, in-depth survey focusing on the impacts of COVID-19 on women and work. This comprehensive study included the collection of data on a wide variety of topic areas and included both quantitative and open-ended questions to capture participants’ perceptions and experiences. Over 3,500 Utah women responded to the survey. Study researchers discuss the findings from this research, particularly focusing on burnout, hope, career advancement challenges, childcare, homeschooling, caregiver experiences, physical and mental health struggles, and more.

This video segment from New York Voices features Chinese American architect Maya Lin.

In this social studies skill builder, students will learn about the life and death of Anne Frank. Students will be able to recognize what it means to empathize with the experience of others after reading about Anne Frank's life. This skill builder is most appropriate for students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. It is estimated this lesson will take about 15-25 minutes to complete. Through virtual field trips, class collaboration, and independent practice, students use reading comprehension and observation skills to learn about Anne Frank and her family's life before and during World War II. They will also learn about the trials and hardships the Jewish people faced and the importance of empathizing with others.

Thumbnail: screenshot of Nearpod lesson by Christina Nelson 7/27/2022

Jennifer Napier-Pearce is editor of The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah’s largest daily newspaper, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2017. Prior to her work at The Tribune, Jennifer served as news director, anchor, host and reporter at both KUER and KCPW. She has received numerous top awards from the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Utah Broadcasters Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), Top of the Rockies, and other organizations. She regularly moderates community events and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Utah. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and a master's degree from Stanford University.

Lita Little Giddins is a licensed clinical social worker who incorporates expressive arts and creative therapies. Her undergraduate degree is in Socio-cultural Anthropology, and she also received an associate in Fine Arts. Her broad experience in the arts has afforded her the opportunity to present, teach, coach, train, and travel to many parts of the world where she works closely with diverse populations. Raised in Southern California, Lita’s work experience ranges from working professionally in the performing arts industry (stage, recording, and film) to utilizing her education and talents as a teacher and therapist.

Neylan McBaine is co-founder and CEO of Better Days 2020, a non-profit popularizing Utah women's history through education, legislation, and the arts. Neylan is a frequent speaker and writer about the U.S. suffrage movement, with a focus on Utah and the West's early role in the movement. As a TEDx presenter, columnist, and writer, Neylan has been called a “change agent” and “uniquely important.” Her third book, Pioneering the Vote: The Untold Story of the West’s First Suffrage Triumphs, will be published next month. Neylan is a graduate of Yale University and mother to three daughters.

Paula Fellingham holds a Doctorate in Human Relations and has authored 7 books and many magazine articles. She received an “Outstanding Leadership and Service Award” from Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and the prestigious “Points of Light” Award from President George W. Bush. Paula is a leader in the global women’s movement as Founder/CEO of the Women’s Information Network and the Women of the Middle East Network. She is also Founder and Director of the non-profit Global Prosperity and Peace Initiative and the International Youth Parliament. Paula and her husband Gilbert have 8 children and 24 grandchildren.

It’s been a tough couple of years for young people, and our girls and young women have some unique challenges, including poor body image, toxic perfectionism, and a tendency to compare. How can you build resilience in young women? How can you teach them to find peace and walk with hope? So many of us also feel like we are drowning ourselves. Adolescent researcher Dr. Jennifer Doty, and clinician Jessica Peterson, share principles of resilience that can be applied to the challenges that girls, young women, and their influencers face: self-compassion, finding purpose, finding balance, and authentic connection.

This final Women’s Leadership Forum of the semester is geared toward introducing career opportunities to Utah girls and women in two fields: law and nonprofit. It is specifically designed for young women in middle- and high-school, as well as college students and women returning to college later in life. This Zoom webinar will consist of two panels consisting of professional women who have focused their careers in these areas in various ways. Judges, lawyers, and nonprofit executives will share their experiences and insights about choosing to work within their chosen fields. By understanding different career options with more clarity, we hope you can make more informed decisions about college majors and your potential professional contributions in the future. Join us as we discuss what you can do now to set your course—whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer work—for a possible career in the legal and nonprofit professions.

This final Women’s Leadership Forum of the semester is geared toward introducing career opportunities to Utah girls and women in two fields: law and nonprofit. It is specifically designed for young women in middle- and high-school, as well as college students and women returning to college later in life. This Zoom webinar will consist of two panels consisting of professional women who have focused their careers in these areas in various ways. Judges, lawyers, and nonprofit executives will share their experiences and insights about choosing to work within their chosen fields. By understanding different career options with more clarity, we hope you can make more informed decisions about college majors and your potential professional contributions in the future. Join us as we discuss what you can do now to set your course—whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer work—for a possible career in the legal and nonprofit professions.

Is what you are doing in conflict working for you? Are you getting what you hope for? Are you able to cultivate connection, cooperation, trust, or peace? Clair and Carlee have spent the last five years gathering research, testing ideas, and training learners on what really works for managing conflict. From this work they have developed a framework that creates a new mindset and language for approaching conflict. This new mindset can transform how relationships, businesses, and communities prosper and thrive when there is resistance, discord, or clashing values. This framework has shifted how thousands of individuals view and engage in conflict. Join us for a workshop designed for women to learn specific skill sets, strategies, and processes that help find flow and peace in conflict.

We are living in a remarkable time. The pandemic has shaken people throughout the world, disrupting familiar routines and practices and creating chaos to one degree or another in our lives. Whether you have been working from home or lost employment, found your work environment or family gatherings altered by social distancing, become your children’s/grandchildren’s school-at-home teacher, been overwhelmed by the daily reporting of statistics, or become sick or cared for someone who has become sick, daily life now offers significant added challenges and worries. While we soldier on trying to adjust to the “new now,” it is important that we practice good self-care to manage the impact of the stressors on our bodies, minds, and spirits. This workshop will engage participants in ways to live in the present moment, be open to a variety of perspectives, develop awareness of one’s breath, experience the practice of the “beginner’s mind,” discover ways to find and release tension in the body, and explore their own embodiment as a way to confirm wholeness and well-being. Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement and be prepared to nurture your whole self!

This event will begin with a brief plenary session with Dr. Barbara Wilson, Interim Dean and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Utah College of Nursing and an associate with the Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, which focuses on enhancing overall health and wellness for women. After many years of clinical practice and administration in hospital-based nursing, Dr. Wilson has worked in the academic setting since
2005. She will share her insights on how women can flourish and strengthen their impact to influence through health and well-being.

Even though Utah has such a powerful history of women using their voices to change society for the better, in recent years Utah has consistently been ranked as one of the worst states for women’s equality. However, Utah women are now emerging in vital ways that lift homes, schools, workplaces, communities, and society at large. As Margaret Mead famously stated, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." As more Utah women collectively strive to use their unique gifts and capacities in ways that can positively transform society, all Utahns can rise together.

This event will be hosted and moderated by Nubia Pena (Senior Advisor for Equity & Opportunity to the Cox-Henderson Administration) and Dr. Susan Madsen (Founding Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project, Utah State University). A variety of entities are partnering together for this event including the One Utah Roadmap, Utah Women & Leadership Project, Division of Multicultural Affairs, Women’s Leadership Institute, Utah Muslim Civic League, Women's Business Center of Utah, Women of the World, YWCA Utah, Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, Women Tech Council, and Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

"Doing good can be thinking about what's happening in your block, your school, your community, it could just be your single town."

Today, it is more important than ever to help make our communities, state, and world better places. But how can we do this from where we are? Social media is a platform that allows all of us to be heard, motivate others, and get involved. This interactive and engaging workshop is designed for women and influencers of any age (including teens) and focuses on how social media can impact our communities and help to make a difference. Jess and Niki provide ideas for getting involved, including the what, where, and how. They share specific examples of how social media can make a strong, positive impact (from Utah and beyond), while also identifying potentially harmful uses of media and instructing attendees on how to avoid such negativity. Finally, they share some key guidelines on how to maintain and expand a social media presence that reflects your authentic self, while increasing your efforts to positively impact the community.