Women employed in staff and faculty at the University of Idaho can find support in each other though Athena.
Founded in 1987, Athena is an organization promoting support and opportunities for professional women across campus.
“Athena is an organization for professional women at the University of Idaho who have jobs on campus. It’s not for students, it’s specifically for faculty and staff,” said Lysa Salsbury, director of the Women’s Center and co-president for staff of Athena.
Athena, nearing almost 31 years of organized support, is possible because of its large board of members who participate frequently.
Salsbury said an elected board of 13 members meet regularly to conduct business, which is led by the co-presidents.
“We have a very participatory model for our board,” Salsbury said.
The goal of Athena is to provide leadership opportunities to women on campus. Salsbury said the group does this in a variety of ways. One is by having conversations of care in which members help support one another by completing multiple workshops throughout the year. Another is by holding semi-regular socials which promote discussion among members. We also organize women leadership conferences once every other year. The Women’s Center partners with the professional development and learning office to hold these conferences.
Salsbury said Athena is an independent group separate from UI consisting of staff, faculty and women who are here to provide opportunities, support, networking and leadership for other women on campus.
Members of Athena spoke in high regard toward the program.
“I think it’s an ambitious endeavor to focus on woman’s experiences on campus and gender experiences as a whole, which is a little more inclusive than just women,” said Leotina Hormel, associate professor in sociology and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.
Hormel said Athena was premised on the idea that women make up a significant amount of the population on campus. She said it is important for women to have a group which can help inform one another and encourage communication.
One thing Hormel said she likes about Athena is its abilty to work across divisions between staff and faculty.
“Staff and faculty have very different purposes on campus, but with this program it brings all women members of campus together,” Hormel said. “Sometimes we don’t see one another’s situations and perspectives. This program helps us to understand one another better through our own experiences and opinions. It teaches us unity.”
According to the Athena information pamphlet, joining Athena takes a few simple steps and membership is open to all currently employed and retired women who work or have worked in staff, faculty or administration on campus. Information regarding membership can be found on the UI website at www.uidaho.edu/athena.
“I think women leadership is getting stronger because of the female role models in society today,” Hormel said. “It’s important to have programs that foster this idea … we would like to encourage more to participate, with faculty and staff, I would encourage them to see that Athena opens up windows to understanding the campus community. It helps us see in a broad spectrum, especially concerning who we as women are and how we can help support one another.”
Kilty Ellis can be found at [email protected]