First, But Last?

First, But Last?

First, but Last? introduces you to the creative, intrepid and influential women all across the state of Wyoming asking them about wisdom, work and adventure in the “equality” state. This special series celebrates Wyoming as the first state to give women the right to vote! ThinkWY | Wyoming Humanities podcasts are created to capture the stories in and outside of Wyoming to share ideas, perspectives, and insights about the human experience.

Episodes

May 27, 2021 33 mins

Rebekah Smith talks about the Wyoming Women's Foundation mission, why economic self-sufficiency is important for women, and why there aren't many prominent female hunters.

"A lot of people have a personal experience with someone that inspires them to want to help make change in the state for women." - Rebekah Smith

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/first-but-last/rebekah-smith

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Jessica Bolerjack discusses why it's such an exciting time to be a woman in rodeo and what it's like being a female in the oil and gas industry.

"I've always worked in fields that were predominantly male-dominated and you have to know your stuff and you have to stand up for yourself." - Jessica Bolerjack.

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/first-but...

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Dr. Cecelia Aragon talks about founding her own bilingual theater company, which topics are covered in her theater diversity course, and the challenges faced by many first-generation American students who were born in Mexico.

"Wyoming has really missed an opportunity to really engage with the growing Latino population in the state." - Dr. Cecelia Aragon

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Lynnette Grey Bull discusses why she moved to a reservation in Wyoming, what inspired her to run for public office, and her work curbing the human trafficking of native women in the United States.

"Humility should be the center of leadership." - Lynnette Grey Bull

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/55

 

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State senator Tara Nethercott discusses the ways that COVID-19 has affected Wyoming, why she decided to pursue law, and the values of her fellow Wyomingites. 

"Rural America needs to recognize what rural America is." - Tara Nethercott

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/54

 

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Carla Mowell discusses the experience of growing up between two cultures, challenges for Spanish-speaking children in the U.S., and why she ultimately became an educator.

"Colorful characters are kind of our specialty." - Carla Mowell

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/53

 

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Mary Burman discusses why she works in preventative health, how to remove gender bias from healthcare, and the value of individual and societal policy intervention.

"Our healthcare is way more costly, it is profoundly inequitably distributed, and we have poorer outcomes than any other developed country in the world." - Mary Burman

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at...

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Susan Simpson discusses the role of libraries in a healthy democracy, how politics is like sausage making, and why women don't run for office, they have to be asked.

"There is so much to learn running for office, and so to do that and to have a job and to have a family is really challenging." - Susan Simpson

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/51

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Michelle Sullivan discusses latchkey kids, who inspires her, and how to promote women in Wyoming.

“Solutions are always better with a broader set of perspectives at the table.” - Michelle Sullivan

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/50

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Anne Mason discusses the value of the arts, the theater scene in Wyoming, and how theater supports the #MeToo movement.

"Theater is a driving tool for society and has the ability to build community." - Anne Mason

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/49

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Dr. Sandy Caldwell discusses the value of rural-based community college, what it's like to grow up on a reservation, and how education is linked to income.

"It's very important that we broaden what we mean by the definition of going to college." - Dr. Sandy Caldwell

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/48

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Nicole Hauser discusses the Cathedral Home for Children, why she wanted to be a social worker, and how to talk about sex with your children.

"I swear we learn more from the kids than we can ever impart on them." - Nicole Hauser

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/47

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Katie Hogarty discusses her passion for policy work, how foster care differs from adoption, and what it's like to grow up dyslexic.

"I have this whole beautiful community of people that have helped me end up where I am." - Katie Hogarty

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/46

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Cynthia Chace Gray explains how she ended up in Wyoming, the photographers that inspire her, and how to accommodate women in the state legislature.

"Wyoming to me is the place where I feel most connected to the Divine that is out there." - Cynthia Chace Gray

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/45

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Listen in to hear Marcia Hensley discuss her favorite characters in her book, why there aren't any failure stories of female pioneers, and why it was difficult for her to get her book published.

“You admire that kind of adventuresome spirit and I think it takes that kind of adventuresome spirit -- no matter what walk of life you're in -- to have a fulfilling life.” - Marcia Hensley

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Melissa Turley discusses the benefits of mentoring younger women, why fewer women are in local government in Wyoming, and how to make state legislature more representative of residents.

"Had I not already been in office, it would've been really difficult for me to take on a campaign with a young son." - Melissa Turley

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/43

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Listen in to Joanna Kail discuss why public media is important, what the Wyoming PBS Foundation does, and what keeps women out of politics.

“Wyoming has just such an incredible pride and camaraderie and support for one another.” - Joanna Kail

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/42

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Sue Sommers explains why she calls herself a contemporary artist, how to define book art, and ways to support women in politics in Wyoming.

"When women are doing well, a society does well." - Sue Sommers

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/41

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Listen in to learn why Kayne Pyatt's role model is her mother, how things have changed for women over the years, and how to educate young women about suffrage and women's rights.

"I get frustrated with the lack of knowledge that most young women have about where we -- me and my foremothers -- came through to get them what they have today." - Kayne Pyatt

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at thin...

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Britney Wallesch discusses the arguments for and against no-kill shelters, how the state can protect animal rights, and why there are so few women in the Wyoming Legislature.

“It is important when you're doing advocacy work to go to the place where policy is made and speak on behalf of the constituents that you represent." - Britney Wallesch

Learn more about this episode of First, but Last at www.thinkwy.org/...

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