Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council

This project supported the advancement of the status of women and their efforts to engage in the democratic process in the South and Central Asia.  In much of the region, as in many other parts of the world, women traditionally have had lower political, social, legal, educational and economic status than their male counterparts.  The integral involvement of women as political leaders is essential to continued growth of democratic societies in the countries represented by the project participants.

National project goals were:

• To provide an overview of constitutional and other legal safeguards that grant and protect the rights of women and minorities in the U.S.;
• To identify the major historical issues, challenges, and achievements that have defined the women’s movement in the U.S. over the past two centuries;
• To show the variety and scope of American women's involvement in business, law, political parties, unions, education, health care, self-help programs, and volunteerism; and
• To examine the role of schools, universities, media, businesses, the courts and women's groups in shaping social values, attitudes and behavior toward women and minorities.

To introduce the delegates to locals who are active on the local campaign level, the group met with Dr. Gail Frazer and Juanita Scott from PJC and discussed the organization of campaigns and local elections in Escambia County.  Dee Dee Ritchie and Muriel Wagner, members of the League of Women voters, then met with the ladies to discuss women, elections, voter education.   The group then headed to the UWF Pensacola Campus to meet with Dr. Angela McCorvey who discussed leadership opportunities for women in higher education.

Councilwomen Megan Pratt and Diane Mack next met with the delegates to explore current issues of interest and to give them a gift from the city of Pensacola.   The ladies also visited the PACE Center for Girls and spoke with Executive Director Laurie Rodgers.  Their final appointment was attending a meeting of the Women’s Civic Forum where they were able to observe an organization addressing community needs which is run by and for women.  

Thank you to everyone who helped make this program a success by offering their time and opening their homes to our visitors; including Jennifer Gulley, Jack and Cookie Kichler, Sam and Dianna Hall, Clare Reynolds, and Mike and Karen Jurkowich.