You Should Watch This

On Sunday afternoon, August 31, at 5:30 on KUED you should watch Utah Conversations with Ted Capener. He is profiling Natalie Gouchner, a local (and totally rad) woman. Natalie is neighbor and resident of the Mur. Natalie worked in Governor Leavitt's office starting out as a spokesperson (yes, even though she's a republican she's still amazing). She stuck with Leavitt all the way to Washington after he became HHS Secretary. Natalie is back in Utah working for the Chamber of Commence with the Downtown Rising project. She also took my place on the Murray City Power Department's Advisory Board when I resigned in February. :)

Since it didn't make it into the paper...

I was sickened to read about the Bush administration’s latest moral crusade to shield health care workers from a so-called “moral quandary” (Health care workers to get sheild from moral quandry, Salt Lake Tribune, August 22, 2008). A health care worker who refuses to provide health care should have their license revoked immediately. To let one’s personal prejudices guide their medical treatment is akin to supporting suffering. When one agrees to serve others, he or she should do so without narrow-mindedness and ignorance, words which aptly describe Mike Levitt’s promotion of this purposefully cruel and disastrous policy.

Not this year

I can't help feel a bit of sadness tonight as I listen to Hillary Clinton speak at the Democratic National Convention. I'm part of a generation who has wanted a woman to lead this country. While Hillary might not be the ideal candidate due to the immense amount of baggage, she was for a time the most viable candidate that we've seen. As a young girl the dream seemed a bit far-fetched but for the last few years it seemed completely within reach. Not taking anything away from Obama who WILL win this fall, I'm still looking forward to 2016 when some Madame President may very well take the oath.

Rest in Peace Katie

Earlier this month Utah lost a woman whose passion and convictions blazed a trail for Utah women in politics and leadership roles. Katie Dixon held the County Recorder position in the state from 1975 until 1995. She not only held office long before many women thought about running for office but while in office she took steps to enable women to enjoy both family and professional lives. Katie was instrumental in securing funding for a daycare center for county employees in the Salt Lake County Government Center.

I had the pleasure of meeting Katie at a luncheon 7 or 8 years ago at the University of Utah. She was warm and witty and she charmed all of her dining companions with her funny stories. Her passing leaves a hole in our community but her commitment to laying the groundwork for women to become successful professionals will live on.