2018 Marks 100 Years of Woman Suffrage in Oklahoma

Did you know women in Oklahoma secured their right to vote two years before the passing of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution?

On Nov. 5, 1918 the voters of Oklahoma ratified an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution granting women in the state the right to vote.

Bartlesville Womens' Network will be joining with many organizations across the state to celebrate this historic centennial.

Centennial Banners celebrating Woman Suffrage in Oklahoma are now up in public high schools and libraries to inspire voters in Bartlesville, Dewey, Claremore, Cleveland, Wynona, Pawhuska, Hominey, Barnsdall, Fairfax, Copan, Ok Union, Nowata, Ogallala, and Shidler.

Read more about the centennial here: NewsOK

Get your button at next Women's Network Event - $5

Connie Lavoie: 2018 History-Maker of the Year

Congratulations to voting rights and registration activist and reading advocate Connie Lavoie, our 2018 History-Maker of the Year!

Each year we honor a woman from our community who has made a difference in the lives of women and children either over a lifetime or through one project.

Connie Lavoie grew up in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and didn’t wander too far from her roots when she attended OSU in Stillwater where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Right out of college, she took a job with Amoco Production Company as a secretary for three years in Tulsa while deciding what to do next.

Like most all jobs she takes on, Lavoie made it more than it originally was and was up for a promotion with the company. It was at that time she took some graduate courses at TU while contemplating whether or not to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

“I was not confident that I could succeed in graduate school, but was encouraged by a professor at TU. He boosted my confidence and guided me in the process, and I was accepted at Western Kentucky University. I was still scared, but moved to Bowling Green and made it through to earn my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.”

It was in Bowling Green that Lavoie met and married Norm, her husband of thirty-nine years. Like the protagonist Vivanne in the movie “Chocolate” who feels an urge to move on to a different location with the north wind, Lavoie has a keen desire to do new and different things with her work life once she has grown any job she does to a bigger and successful level. She gets immense satisfaction from using her creativity. “I like new challenges,” Lavoie said. “When you start a new job, you get a fresh start.”

When asked what drives her, Lavoie replied, “Wanting to do useful and substantial things where I can use my creativity after my retirement.” Most recently, a few years ago, Lavoie joined the League of Women Voters of Bartlesville and energized the organization with ideas while learning how it works and noticing where she could best be of service.

Voter registration became her passion.

“It was something I could do for the League on my own schedule. I felt useful being able to do this. While doing that for a year and half, I learned the process of how the organization works and then stepped in as Chair of the Leagues’s Voter Services Committee where I recruit new members into the League and coordinate volunteers to register voters at the Bartlesville Public Library, Rogers State, Tri County Tech and Bartlesville High School.”

Longtime League member Donna Kay Fenstermaker said of Connie, “She is passionate about what the role of citizens should be in our government and getting young people involved is a priority.” Lavoie addresses government classes at Bartlesville High School, an idea she came up with and ran with. Donna Kay Fenstermaker said, “Women’s Network and the League of Women Voters have a tireless worker and advocate in their midst.”

While raising their two children, Lavoie held several positions in Bartlesville. Her first job here was coordinating the Big Brothers and Sisters program; she then went on to work with the Washington County Association for Mental Health. And later, Connie became a school counselor, working with students at Bartlesville High School, in the Barnsdall school district, and then back to Bartlesville at Oak Park Elementary School. She found all of these jobs challenging and fulfilling.

Along with running a household and working out at the gym several times a week, Lavoie and her husband are ardent world travelers and involved grandparents, visiting their grandchildren as often as possible. Connie is a bibliophile and her favorite authors are Annie Dillard, Celeste Ng and Anthony Doerr. Most recently she has been reading A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.

Currently, she is the Vice President of Friends of the Library here in Bartlesville where she organizes and oversees the annual Creative Writing Contest. She runs The Book Loft, a small space at The Vintage Loft in Dewey that has a cozy, home library feel where people can climb up the stairs, enter a world of books well-organized that invites folks to sit down and browse to their hearts’ content. This began as a hobby and immediately became profitable enough to cover the rent and little beyond. She makes beautiful cards for all occasions and bookmarks. Her name for these pieces of art is Just the Write Note.

“During my career,” Lavoie said, “I’ve been energized by working to develop and strengthen programs that help people in our community, especially children and teens.” She also said she “receives intense enjoyment in playing a part in bringing people together—with other people, and with resources. I find that very satisfying. I have been fortunate to have had countless opportunities to learn in supportive environments and from amazing mentors.”

Congratulations, Connie, on being selected the Women’s Network 2018 History Maker!

Congrats to Diane Dixon for being inducted into Bartlesville Educators Hall of Fame

Congratulations, Diane, we are so proud of you. 

Diane Dixon

Regarded as a mentor and role model to dozens of students and colleagues, Diane Dixon began her teaching career at Lincoln Elementary, but soon leapt at an opportunity to teach gifted and talented students at different district schools.

Over the years in her own classroom or when rotating among sites, she was inspired by former administrator Bill Beierschmitt to make her students’ weekly two hours with her a “peak experience.”

She had centers for the students to keep them engaged and learning, having them master a skill, make it their own, and then pass it along to others. She also spent a decade helping conduct a summer program at Camp Wah-Sha-She, where she admits an electric pickle experiment once blew out an air conditioner.

The renowned teacher of gifted and talented elementary school students earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University. She said her achievements were possible through the students she had and teachers she worked with.

“The students were so good to me that I learned so much from them,” said Dixon.

From Examiner-Enterprise article. 

Tulsa Daytrip to The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art

We explored the art and history exhibits at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art then enjoyed a wonderful lunch at The Vault in downtown Tulsa. 

Taproots Volume 7 publication reception Nov. 24, 2013

The final edition of Taproots will be unveiled on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 2-4 p.m. in the Community Hall at the Bartlesville Community Center.  

The Taproots 7 honorees are as follows:  Nan Buhlinger; Mitsu Conover; Jan Dreiling; Donna Kay Fenstermaker; Joyce Fogle (in memoriam); Jody Kirberger; Vel Mason; Fran Stallings and Becky Wallace (in memoriam).

 

Honorees will be signing copies of the book and we would like to remind everyone that these books make lovely Christmas gifts.  Earlier editions of Taproots Volumes 1-6 will be available for purchase at this release and signing party.

Programs 2010-2011

Women’s Network Programs 2010-2011

September 2010 -- Women Drummers: Clandestine Drummers Demonstration and invitation to join a drumming session with Lisa Roll and the local drumming circle

When : Thursday, September 16, 7 p.m.

Where: Oak Park Methodist Church

October -- Then and Now: Habitat for Humanity by Lela Brinlee and two local women recipients of homes

When: Thursday, October 28, 12 Noon

Where: Bartlesville Library

November -- “Getting Ahead Building Bridges: Positioning People to Thrive” by Gina Elias with two Circle Leaders

When: Thursday, November 18 12 Noon

Where: Bartlesville Library

December – Holiday Party

Reservations required, cost $10

Music, wine, and catered meal by Katie’s Kitchens

When Friday, December 17, 6:30 p.m.

Where: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Hall

January – Movie

When: Sunday, January 16 2 p.m.

Where: Joan Dreisker’s

Additional Cinema Sundays are: Sunday, February 20, 2 p.m. and Sunday March 20, 2 p.m.

February – Dr. Lyn Johnson, Animal Behaviorist

When: Thursday, February 17, 12 Noon

Where: Bartlesville Library

March – Women’s History Month Celebration: Honoring or History Maker of the Year

When: Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m.

Where: Tri-County Technology Osage Room, 6101 SE Nowata Rd

April—Women Artists: “Entrepreneurial Aspects of an Artist”

When: Thursday, April 14, 12 Noon

Where: Bartlesville Library

May – Annual Meeting, Potluck Supper

When: Thursday, May 19, 6 p.m.

Where: Joan Dreisker’s

Women’s Network Programs 2009 ~ 2010

SEPTEMBER -- Dr. Jean Warner

Oklahoma Women's Coalition, OKC

When: Thursday, September 17, 7 P.M.

Where: Library

OCTOBER -- Panel Discussion: Health and Fitness Over 50

Mike Bass, Wellness Center, Jane Phillips Hospital; Kimberly Carpenter, Blue Sky Therapy; Leah Thompson, Extreme Fitness; Charles Colaw, Body by Colaw

When: Thursday, October 22, 12 Noon

Where: Library

NOVEMBER -- Dr. John Hatchett

The Status of Palliative Care

When: Thursday, November 19, 12 Noon

Where: Library

DECEMBER -- Holiday Party

Rhonda Redden’s Jazz Band

When: Friday, December 18, 6 P.M.

Where: Women’s Club Building

JANUARY -- Movie(s)

When: Third Sundays at 2:00, January 21

Where: Joan Dreisker's

FEBRUARY -- Dixie Clayborne and Laurie Paulson

Changes in Child Welfare in Washington County

When: Thursday, February 18, 12 Noon

Where: Library

MARCH -- Frosty Troy

Women's History Month -- How Far Have We Come?

History Maker Award

When: Thursday, March 25, 7 P.M.

Where: Bartlesville Area History Museum

APRIL -- Kelli Williams

The Future of Print Media

When: Thursday, April 15, 12 Noon

Where: Mutual Girls Club

MAY -- Annual Meeting Potluck

When: Thursday, May 20, 6 P.M.

Where: Joan Dreisker's