women in the university is not immediately apparent from the quantitative
measures of employment statistics which have remained relatively static over
the past five years. Rather, the record of achievement is built on the
accomplishments of individuals. The committee's success has, in large part,
been due to the informal nature of its operation. The members work
cooperatively in their areas of interest, and volunteer coordinators donate
their services in organizing the work of the committee. The coordinators
for
the first seven years of the committee's history were: 1971-72, Hiasura
Rubenstein and Janet Dunleavy; 1972-73, Elinor Partridge and Jane Crisler
(Semester I), Cecilia Ridgeway (Semester II); 1973-74, Elinor Partridge and
Cecilia Ridgeway; 1974-75, Katharine Quina-Holland; 1975-76, Jane
Crisler; 1976-77, Beth Ewing and Marilyn Moon; and 1977-78, Mary Con-
way.
Many other members have freely given their time and support to the
committee's activities.
On November 7, 1971 Hiasura Rubenstein and Ethel Sloane served as
CSAW delegates to the organizing meeting of the Wisconsin Coordinating
Council of Women in Higher Education. In recent years, Edi Bjorklund has
served as the Milwaukee representative to the Council. In other areas, Sally
Derrwaldt has served as a resource person for affirmative action and student
counseling; Ethel Sloane as a faculty governance advisor, especially in the
area of grievances; Eunice Thielen and Carole Shammas have shared the re-
sponsibility of treasurer; Janet Dunleavy has worked on affirmative action
with Marilyn Moon and joined Sharon Murphy, Beth Ewing, and Rachel
Skalitzky in publicizing the committee's activities.
Rachel Skalitzky, Lenore Harmon and other members of the governance
subcommittee have been especially active in nominating women for the
faculty senate and other governance bodies. Elsa Shipman of the English
department was one of the first faculty members to teach women's studies
courses and was an active committee member until her death in the spring
of
1977.
Surely the most important contribution women have made to the univer-
sity has been made in the area of educational programs. Members of CSAW
and other faculty, staff, and students have worked hard over the years to
identify the role of women in our society and make it easier for other women
to realize their potential. A few of the special programs about women held
in
recent years are: A Week with French Women, 1975; Contemporary Trends;
New Feminism, New Masculism, 1975; Careers for Women, 1976; Remem-
ber the Ladies, 1976; Women in Science, 1977.
The common theme of all of these programs is their student orientation.
The commitment of academic women to making the university environment
more receptive to and supportive of women students is their most meaningful
contribution to the university. In working to improve the status of academic
women at UW-Milwaukee, they are fulfilling the primary responsibility of
their profession: providing the best education possible in an equitable man-
ner.


38