PRIYA SHARMA Dr. Michele Hamilton,
co-director of UCLA’s clinical heart failure program, speaks at the
Bruin Belles’ conference.
By Marion Wise
Daily Bruin Contributor
Earnest and enthusiastic speakers engaged an audience of about
300 at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom on Saturday, discussing
women’s leadership, and particularly, the need for
change.
Speakers at UCLA’s Fifth Annual Women’s Leadership
Conference, called “Mechanisms for Change,” addressed
issues of feminism and the difficulty of juggling a career with a
family.
“I actually think the word “˜compassion’ is the
strongest term for a leader,” said keynote speaker, actress
Jamie Lee Curtis. “(Leadership) is the ability to combine
ideas and thoughts with listening and compassion.”
The event, put on by the Bruin Belles Service Association, and
sponsored by the Betty Ford Center and UCLA’s Center for
Women and Men, featured three speakers, an interactive panel
discussion, opportunities to attend two of six workshops, a
resource fair and lunch.
As officer of women’s leadership for Bruin Belles,
fourth-year English student Rachel Schwarzlose chaired the event,
which she started planning for last August.
“I think people gained new perspective from the speakers
who came today,” Schwarzlose said.
Chancellor Albert Carnesale, who gave the welcome address, spoke
of the need to emphasize women leaders.
“Gender equality is an issue of substantial concern at
universities, particularly at UCLA,” Carnesale said to the
crowd. “We need leaders ““ women and men ““ in
every occupation.”
Fielding questions from the audience about society’s
negative perception of feminism, panelists attempted to redefine
the term.
“Feminism is belief in the social, political and economic
equality of women and men,” said Tina Oakland, director of
the Center for Women and Men. “Women have much they can learn
from men, and men have much they can learn from women.”
Fourth-year women’s studies student Ellie Shin was glad
the panel addressed the new perspective of feminism.
“I want women to have a different view of feminism,”
Shin said. “Feminists are not these horrible man-haters, but
people trying to fight against oppression.”
Another key issue for speakers and students was the role of
family in the lives of working women.
In the workshop, “Career Development as a Woman in
Science: A Lifetime Pursuit,” Katherine Sullivan, a research
fellow at UCLA’s Department of Neurology, spoke of
maintaining a balance.
“I actually was a better mother working part-time,”
Sullivan said. “It’s a challenge, but you can do it.
You can combine children and career. The most important thing is to
do what you like.”
The third speaker, Dr. Michele Hamilton, co-director of
UCLA’s Clinical Heart Failure program, said the most frequent
question she receives from young women entering the medical field
is how she is able to combine her professional life with her family
life.
“The number one thing is having the husband/father take a
more involved role than usual,” Hamilton said.
She said other helpful aspects are being able to provide good
day care services, having a supportive family and being able to
negotiate one’s work schedule.
In line with the common theme of change, speakers discussed
mental health and overcoming addiction.
In the workshop titled “Women and Healing,” two
Catholic nuns shared their personal experiences with alcoholism and
their work in recovery clinics.
“Alcoholism and drug abuse is a disease. We have inherited
a gene that helps us predispose alcohol,” said Sister Ada
Geraghty, a recovering alcoholic. “I think it’s a
disease that we don’t like to talk about. There’s a
stigma attached, especially for women.”
Sister Monessa Overby, who grew up with alcoholic parents and
now works for the Betty Ford Center, addressed addiction in more
general terms.
“What is it in your life right now that you wish you were
doing differently? It could be a very small thing. If you’re
ignoring it, it’s going to get bigger,” she said.
Curtis, who has admitted to alcohol and drug addiction in the
past, spoke of prioritizing.
“I was nowhere. On the outside, I had everything I could
ever want,” Curtis said. “I don’t want to indict
my career, but I can tell you this: I don’t think we can have
it all. I think we have to make choices.”
“My life is my family. I have changed my life for the
better,” she continued.
Curtis concluded her speech with a quote on change.
“That’s all there is in the world: Did I learn to
live my life wisely and love well? All that is important is that
you changed. Because learning to live wisely is
changing.”