Women's leadership expert Lovelady to speak Oct. 1

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Arranged by its women's and gender studies program and its American Association of University Women student organization, Northeastern State University will host "The Status of Women in Leadership in Oklahoma" on Oct. 1.

The lecture is at 6:30 p.m. in Room 614 of the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center and will be carried via ITV to NSU-Broken Arrow in Room 114 of Liberal Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.

"We are very happy to welcome Sheryl Lovelady to our campus," said Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford, founding director for women's and gender studies and faculty co-sponsor for AAUW. "We know that having conversations about marginalized people and leadership will help advance the mission of the university. We want all of our students to know that their voices are important."

Lovelady, director of the Women's Leadership Initiative at the University of Oklahoma Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, is special guest speaker.

"The mission of the Women's Leadership Initiative is to inspire women to become engaged in politics and public service," Lovelady said. "Although women are more than half of the electorate and more than half the population, Oklahoma ranks 48th in the nation for women serving in the state legislature."

Lovelady coordinates civic education programs that address the historical under-representation of women in politics and public service. One such program is NEW Leadership, an intensive, five-day institute that includes the top undergraduate women from colleges across Oklahoma.

Amber Fite-Morgan, assistant to NSU President Steve Turner and general counsel for the university, participated with the inaugural NEW Leadership class in 2002 and served as a faculty in residence for the program in 2012.

"NEW Leadership is undoubtedly the most empowering and influential leadership program I have attended," she said. "The relationships and bonds, networking opportunities, leadership skills and knowledge gained are priceless and I utilize them every day."

Lovelady will discuss the need for more women in leadership roles during her lecture at NSU.

"Women are taking their place as leaders in all areas of life," she said. "Their voices are needed on city councils, school boards, the state legislature congress and on public boards."

A former communications director for the City of Tulsa, Lovelady serves as president of the Gordon Cooper Technical Center Foundation. She is also on the board of directors of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and the Jasmine Moran Childrens Museum.

She has served on the executive staffs of the Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Chairman and Senate President Pro Tempore. In 2012, the public relations firm of Schnake Turnbo Frank named her president of its Oklahoma City office.

For more information about "The Status of Women in Leadership in Oklahoma" contact Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford at 918-444-3608.