Run For Your Life

I’m a runner. No, that’s not quite right. I’m more of a running enthusiast---this doesn’t imply that I’m good while the former does. I’m currently training for my first marathon so I find myself on runner’s blogs and watching documentaries all too often. I’ve learned how to take care of your sports bras without losing elasticity, that recovery shakes are a real thing, and that the best kept secret of the running world is a little something called Body Glide (it helps to prevent chafing).

A few weeks ago I watched a documentary entitled Run for Your Life by Judd Ehrlich and was introduced to a man by the name of Fred Lebow. Fred started the New York City Marathon in 1970; a race that started with 55 runners and now boasts over 45,000 runners and is one of the biggest and most prestigious events in the running world. Fred challenged the running community to think differently about running in three significant ways—all of which have created a culture which allows me to be the running enthusiast I am today. The first was challenging New Yorkers to allow the race course to touch all five Burroughs in NYC. There was a lot of crime in one Burroughs during that time and runners were not interested in risking their safety in the name of fairness; but Fred challenged this mentality proving to everyone that avoiding dangerous neighborhoods would not grow the sport.

The second was the introduction of the first ever all women’s running event, the Crazy Legs Mini Marathon, in Central Park. When businesses heard about Fred’s courageous attempts with the marathon they wanted a piece of the action. Women’s distance running was unheard of in these days. I recently read a story in Runner’s World (RW) magazine about Katherine Switzer, the first woman to enter and complete the Boston Marathon. Katherine recounts to RW that in the late 1960’s when she started running she used to get stopped by the police when out on runs—they had assumed there was no reason for a woman to be running unless she had broken the law. Fred not only created the Mini Marathon for women only but he also allowed women to enter the NYC marathon as equals with men.

 The third thing that Fred did was probably the least significant to most but it spoke volumes to me. When Fred began running, he ran a mile and a half in 20 minutes. That’s 13.20 minutes per mile. Most able bodied college students could walk a mile in this time. Fred finished the first NYC marathon in 45^th place out of 55 runners. Fred didn’t seem intimidated by his lack of speed at all. He courageously pursued his dream of growing the running culture in as many ways as possible, despite the fact that he couldn’t keep up with any of his friends let alone the running greats of that time. How did Fred do this? How did he get two Olympic marathoners to agree to run in the first 5 Burrough NYC Marathon? How did he generate a buzz about the race that encouraged exponential growth each year? How did he serve as the race director when he was consistently a few steps ahead of the slack wagon (a vehicle which follows the last runners in a race and picks them up if they’ve decided to quit or have become incapacitated)?  It’s Fred’s slower speed that is the biggest takeaway for me. I’m not good at many things; if I were to compare my ACT scores with my friends and students I’d be at the lower end, if I were to prepare a meal some part of it would be over or undercooked, and if I were to run a marathon (hypothetically in Lincoln, NE this May) I can guarantee that I’ll finish in the bottom half. But I’m gonna try. I’m gonna lace up every other day for the next 2 and a half months and I’m gonna chip away at this big goal. In the spirit of Fred Lebow, what goal are you courageously pursuing regardless of your skill level?

Kindly,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandi Hulme

Resident Director, Kiewit Hall

Cura Personalis: A Way of Being

Hi Everyone,

Lately I’ve been thinking about how cura personalis is not only about doing but also a way of being in the world. Back in the day, we used to talk a lot about “the care of souls.” What this meant is that we tried to be mindful of the “Godfulness” of every person who we met in our day. Lately, this way of being in the world, this way of meeting every person in my day with awe and deep, reverential respect is becoming very alive for me. When I meet my students, I see the beauty of their characters, dreams, and spirits. When I meet the people in my apartment building, I respect the wonder of their lives and their clear wisdom. When I engage the sisters within my Franciscan community, I appreciate their inner joy, carefree spirits and trusted friendship.

I guess that what I am saying is that we can be “women and men for others” simply by opening our eyes moment by moment. As we meet each other every day, let us understand that each person is the dwelling place of God—God coming to us. If we open our eyes within our dorms, classrooms and departments, we will certainly also see and serve the poor, lonely and disenfranchised in our world.

Kindly,

 

Joan Mueller
Professor of Theology

In Good Company

At Creighton University, women of substance flourish in many circumstances when they bring their love of God and others to bear on their actions. Since coming to Creighton in 1997, I have been astounded by the compassion, commitment, and contributions of women who embrace wholeheartedly their relationship with the God of love Who calls them to respond to those in need. This is especially noteworthy when the very structures women find themselves part of do not always reflect or support women’s perspectives, women’s wisdom, and women’s preferred ways of relating. Women do not often characterize their work in the world as “tackling problems that need to be solved,” but as embracing those in need, and walking with others as companions on a journey. Women often excel at networking and inclusion, preferring companionship and constructive conversation to climbing, jockeying for position, or domination in a discussion. They listen carefully and value others’ feelings, even if doing so takes more time at a meeting. They ground their work in collaborative circles, gleaning their self-worth from the love they engender rather than from their positions within the pyramidic structures that characterize academic institutions. They often eschew titles and distinctions if these place them above others in their company, and will often reach to the fringes to serve the good of the marginalized. If they do get “caught” in the ever-collapsing and re-erected hierarchical ladders, they often try to weave webs of compassion to cushion the fall of those who might be harmed along the way. The best are able to navigate the high wires like trapeze artists, caring more for those who are grasping for their hands than for the adulation of the audience. Look around at the astounding women of Creighton, and behold their magnificence!

Women who are groundskeepers, professors in the humanities or business, administrative assistants, distinguished chair holders, directors of academic and service-learning programs, housekeeping and food service professionals, academic deans and vice presidents, research professors in the healing arts, nurse practitioners, coordinators of student organizations and activities, directors of programs for students with special needs, student leaders, athletic trainers, and campus ministers all have one thing in common: they live “a faith that does justice.” They look out for the least. They cherish, nurture and protect life in all its forms. They seek the God of love in the depths of human despair, and do not recoil from suffering. As women who often bear most of the responsibility of home-making, raising children, and reaching out to those in need, besides their full-time service at the University, the faith-filled women of Creighton imitate our foundresses, Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily Creighton, by finding a way to bring hope and help to their larger “family,” the Omaha community, and the world. What gets them out of bed in the morning and keeps them motivated? Where do they find their courage, strength, and resilience? They are children of the God Who is love. I am so grateful to be in their company.

 

Kindly,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Laura Weber

Director, Campus Ministry

Professor, Theology Department

Creighton Ruined Me...

Let me explain before you think "uhh why is she writing about Creighton if she hates it?"

My feelings for my experience at Creighton University are the furthest from hate. In fact, that's why Creighton ruined me. Many of you have probably heard it tossed around in regards to how once the Jesuit values are entrenched in your value system, you're ruined for life. You can't turn a blind eye to the injustices in the world, you always strive for Magis, and you attempt to care for the whole person. Not to mention you can't imagine just living for yourself, but rather "for and with others." Never again will you wonder what "AMDG" means, and I bet that in your job after graduation, you will be able to name more Jesuits than professors.

These sentiments and more are the best way to characterize the transformation that occurred in me through my time at Creighton. I can't even believe that I am a second semester senior who's time is almost up.

When I first got accepted to CU, I was looking primarily at schools closer to my hometown of Portland, Maine. The prospect of going to a school in Omaha, Nebraska (a place I had never been and didn't have ANY connections to) was terrifying. In fact, all logic told me not to go. My family is all on the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. I have connections throughout the New England states that would have provided me with internships and other building blocks for the future. Not to mention the ocean. Growing up 3 minutes away from the Atlantic is quite different than living 3 minutes away from what I respectfully refer to the Missouri River as: "chocolate milk."

But when I opened up my Creighton acceptance and found this quote on the front, you could say that my mind was made up.

"A university that will challenge you. A community that will embrace you. An experience that will change you."

So I did the naturally logical thing and accepted the invitation to go to a college 1,700 miles away where I knew absolutely no one. Yep.

I'm a quotes freak so I remember a major "oooh, ahhh" that I thought when I saw the tight writing. But over my time here, I really have come to realize that Creighton meant it when they said it. Even if it started as creative marketing copy, Creighton University really came through on this claim. I have been challenged, most definitely - both in and out of the classroom. I have been embraced more than I ever thought possible. And yes, I've sure been changed. So maybe that's a better way to say it than ruined, but whatever way you say it, it's true. And I couldn't be happier about it.

 

Kindly,

 

Christina Moore

Winter Break

Hi Everyone!

The Our Voices Blog will be going on Winter Break until the week of January 13th. Join us next semester for more thoughts from Creighton's wonderful women!

We will leave you with a few photos from the Lieben Center this semester:

Lieben Center Night Out at Defy Gravity

 

Tie Blanket Making for the Juan Diego Center

Thank you to all of our bloggers for a fantastic semester. We will see you in January!

Kindly,

Shayla Covington
Student Coordinator

Bic Lady Pens

When thinking of what to write for this week’s blog, I looked at the top of the “Our voices” page and saw the image of the pen.  Then it came to me, the Bic Lady Pens!

If you haven’t heard about the “lady pens” allow me to catch you up.  Bic started marketing a new product called “Bic for Her” pens that come in stereotypical feminine colors.  If you look on the website, Bic tells us it’s a “ball pen essentially for women!” which doesn’t explain much to me, but when I continued to look at the website I found another pen just for women.  This one is “Bic Cristal for Women” and tells me that it has a “tinted barrel thinner for a better handling for women.” (Obviously that’s been a concern for us women all these years, don’t you find yourself complaining about how difficult it is to write with a normal pen?)

Bic started marketing these pens awhile back, without much buzz around the product, until they decided to approach a potential spokeswoman.  They asked Ellen DeGeneres if she would be interested and I’m guessing you can imagine how that went over.  If you can’t imagine, you can check it out online http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCyw3prIWhc

While I think Ellen is hilarious and justified in mocking those pens, it made me think about other products that are marketed “for her” that don’t serve any special purpose.  For instance, pink tools.  Sure, I appreciate that some people want to buy tools that are pink because they like the color, but after doing a quick search online, all the pink tools I found are sold as “ladies tool set” or “tools for women.”  Interestingly enough, I also found a website for “Tomboy Tools” where you can host a tool party for your female friends and they can learn how to use tools and purchase items.  All in pink of course. 

I did a little research and it appears that many items that are marketed just for women also cost more than the regular product.  According to a 2010 Consumer Reports study, equivalent items in a drugstore (like shampoo and deodorant) cost more if they are specifically marketed to women.  The reason is often special packaging, different scents, etc.  But often the same product with a different look costs more.  This seems pretty ridiculous, yet people are obviously buying the products.

So what’s the solution?  I think it all comes down to choice.  If you haven’t seen the documentary Miss Representation (the Lieben Center has a copy!), there’s a part in the film that addresses women’s buying power.  According to the documentary,”86% of the purchasing power in this country is in the pockets of women.”  That’s a pretty large percentage, and it tells me that if women aren’t buying your product, it probably won’t succeed. 

I think there are plenty of products marketed toward women that I currently buy, including shampoo, body wash, and razors.  But that’s my choice as a consumer.  Just like I have the choice NOT to buy products that I don’t think are necessary, like lady pens. 

Is there a product out there that you think is ridiculous to have “for her?”  I’d love to hear it in the comment section!

Kindly,

Allison Taylor

Many Voices, One Forum: CSW Fall Forum

“A feminist conceptual model of leadership ‘rests in the assumption that leadership manifests itself where this is an action to bring about change in an organization, an institution, of the social system-in other words, an action to make a positive difference in people’s lives.  Leadership, then, is conceived as a creative process that results in change’” –Helen Astin and Carol Leland

Leadership, as mentioned above, was exhibited on campus last week.  The Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) hosted its fourth annual event, the Fall Forum. 

Historically, the CSW has sought to hear the voices of the Creighton Community.  In 2010, the committee decided to assemble a group of women on campus and hear their concerns.  Professor Christine Wiseman and Sr. Maureen Fey helped facilitate the day.  Faculty, staff, students and administrators voiced their opinions on the culture of Creighton and how women played a role on campus.  They gathered and eight themes emerged as characteristic of Creighton in 2010:

·         Lack of Communication

·         Lack of Mentoring and Networking

·         Women are Not at the Table

·         No Central Location/Person/Advocate

·         Family Concerns

·         Need for Education

·         Work Life Imbalance

·         Lack of Role Modeling

From these themes, Summit attendees chose to sign their name to a report submitted to Fr. Schlegel and campus.  The CSW worked the following summer to create a strategic plan, or a way of proceeding, based on the needs identified.  They have been working diligently to address a culture shift on campus ever since.

Last year, CSW recognized the need to listen to the community once again.  With new university leadership, a paid parental leave policy adopted, a new office of Equity and Inclusion on campus unveiled, and a campus climate survey conducted, the CSW knew it was time to bring campus back together to take the pulse of our community.

The Committee sought to open the lines of communication by presenting climate survey results.  They aimed to empower participants with information as they learned about communication and gender.  They wanted to listen to concerns so that they can set the agenda for the CSW to do additional advocacy work on campus.  And they wanted participants (student, staff and faculty) to network informally at lunch and through optional book clubs.   Throughout the day, many voices came together in one forum!

As the day wrapped, additional themes gathered by listening to participants were shared.  Much work is yet to be done, as several themes appear strikingly similar to the 2010 report.  The CSW is compiling the data from the day and will issue a summary report to Father Lannon and campus.  This data will be used to set the future agendas for the committee.  I encourage you to visit the Committee’s website to review the fall 2012 report, once published: www.creighton.edu/women. 

As a Creighton community, we are called to be agents for change.  I pray that the Committee continues to collaborate with the Lieben Center, Women in Medicine and Science, Women and Gender Studies and many others throughout the community to engage in the “creative process” and advocate for the status of women at Creighton.

 

Kindly,

 

 

Michele Starzyk

Assistant Vice President for Student Life

CSW member