Wyoming Council for Women

Happy New Year from the Wyoming Council for Women!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the Wyoming Council for Women!

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming Senator Tara Nethercott, who serves Wyoming Senate District 4, in Laramie County, Wyoming.

Tara B. Nethercott serves her community and State with distinction as a Wyoming Senator and practicing attorney in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Nethercott’s Wyoming roots run deep. Her family homesteaded Wyoming in the late 1880s. Nethercott graduated from the University of Wyoming Law School where she was student body president. Upon graduation, she began private practice operating a small business for over a decade. She currently practices with tone of the oldest and largest law firms in the region. Her legal advocacy for the businesses and people of Wyoming have continued as a committed community member and state senator.

In 2022 Nethercott was named Legislator of the Year by the Wyoming Business Alliance and in 2021 Nethercott was awarded Legislator of the Year by Wyoming County Commissioner’s Association. She is a graduate of the Council of State Governments Western Leadership Academy, Leadership Wyoming, and Leadership Cheyenne. Nethercott is also an alumnus of the National Security Forum Air War College.

Nethercott was elected to the Wyoming Senate in 2016 from Laramie County. She is the current Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and previously she served as the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman.

She is proud of her legislative work during her tenure as a Wyoming State Senator, sponsoring and passing key legislation such as Bachelor degree opportunities for Wyoming’s community colleges, mental health injury coverage for first responders, fraud control, strengthening antitrust laws, and bringing the Wyoming Women’s Suffrage Pathway highway designation to the state.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming State Senator Wendy Schuler, who serves Wyoming Senate District 15, in Uinta County, Wyoming.

Senator Schuler serves as the Chairwoman of the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee. She is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Schuler was born in Evanston, Wyoming, and prior to representing the people of Uinta County, she dedicated her life’s work to education. Schuler was a teacher in the Uinta County School District Number 1 for many years.

Schuler also was a dedicated coach in her community where she has more than 40 years of coaching experience and is noted for her success in basketball. Schuler also coached track and field, volleyball and basketball. She holds numerous awards for her commitment to Wyoming’s youth, including the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s 2013 National Assistant Coach of the Year.

Schuler was elected to represent the people of Uinta County in 2019.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming State Representative Karlee Provenza, who serves Wyoming House District 45, in Albany County Wyoming.

Representative Provenza serves as the Minority Whip in the Wyoming Legislature. When she’s not downtown in her district saying hello to every dog she sees, she serves on the Judiciary and Education Standing Committees as well as the Select Committee for Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. She has passed bipartisan legislation committed to preserving public land access for Wyoming’s hunters and anglers and has been instrumental in transparency and accountability measures that improve our justice system. Provenza also works tirelessly for healthcare access for Wyoming families, ensuring government transparency and accountability, and creating affordable housing options for our hard-working neighbors.

Outside of the legislature, Provenza helps communities understand their potential through the power of grassroots organizing and enjoys mountain biking, camping, and hiking (with dogs obviously) in Wyoming’s wide-open spaces.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming State Senator Affie Ellis, who serves Wyoming Senate District 8, in Laramie County, Wyoming.

Affie Ellis (Navajo) is a State Senator representing Cheyenne. She serves as the Senate Chairman of the Select Committee on Tribal Relations.

Additionally, Ellis serves on several committees and select committees including: Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources; Minerals, Business and Economic Development; Select Federal Natural Resource Management; Select Water; and Select Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology.

Ellis is the Senate Co-Chairman of the bi-partisan Wyoming Women’s Legislative Caucus, which organizes an annual Leap Into Leadership conference to encourage women to run for office.

Professionally, Ellis is a Shareholder with the law firm, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, and practices in the areas of natural resources, energy, environment, and federal Indian law.

What is the Wyoming Council for Women?

The Wyoming Council for Women (WCW) is a 14-member, Governor-appointed council with representation from each of the nine judicial districts, four at-large members and a liaison from the Department of Workforce Services. The council focuses on issues that improve the status of women in Wyoming. The WCW is funded by the Wyoming State Legislature and relies on numerous volunteer hours to carry out its work.

To learn more, visit our website, wyomingwomenscouncil.org

The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne is hosting a new exhibit featuring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW.)

The exhibit features Wyoming and national statistics on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, along with the red jingle dress worn in the opening of the documentary film the Wyoming Council for Women helped sponsor, “Who She Is.”

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building at 2301 Central Ave. in Cheyenne. The museum is free to visit and open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

New Wyoming State Museum exhibit features Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A new display at the Wyoming State Museum is highlighting information on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, or MMIW. Indigenous

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming State Representative Trey Sherwood, serving House District 14 in Albany County, Wyoming

Representative Trey Sherwood is a grassroots community builder and small business champion with 18 years of nonprofit leadership in the Equality State. Her optimism and empathy support thoughtful community collaborations and home-grown solutions to diversifying Wyoming’s economy. Sherwood is a sophomore member of the Wyoming House, serving on the Joint Appropriations Committee. In this role, she works on solutions for affordable housing, the growth of locally owned businesses and job creators, funding for education, and increased access to affordable care, mental health, suicide prevention and reproductive rights.

Whether in her day job as Director of Laramie Main Street, or on the House floor, Sherwood serves the residents of Wyoming with civility and compassion.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, Representative Wyoming House District 50 , who serves Park County, Wyoming.

Representative Rachel Rodriguez-Williams is currently assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. Rachel has held leadership roles with many organizations. Her employment and volunteer experience includes management, leadership, and cultural competency skills demonstrated in Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Prevention and Wellness Organizations. Rachel holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration. She is happiest with her husband, Chris raising their two children Abigail and Jace in Cody, Wyoming.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

Meet Wyoming State Representative Sandy Newsome, who serves Wyoming House District 24, in Park County Wyoming.

Representative Sandy Newsome is the co-owner of Newsome Investments, a company that has engaged in a variety of businesses ranging from retail to real estate. As a business owner in Cody for over 30 years, Sandy has always balanced the business’ budget and has saved money during good times to offset potential downturns. This experience has served her well as she takes on the challenges of the state’s economy.

Yellowstone National Park makes up a portion of Wyoming District 24. Tourism promotion is a passion for Sandy. She serves as chairman of the Travel, Recreation and Wildlife Committee and works hard to make sure the tourism industry stays strong in Wyoming.

Sandy also serves on the Forward Cody Board, the local economic development organization and served as chairman for three years. She has been an investor Forward Cody since its inception. She believes that local economic development organizations are key to the growth of Wyoming cities. Forward Cody focuses on retention and expansion of existing Cody businesses. It also seeks to maintain and enhance Cody’s economic status as a community.

Her family includes her husband Bob, son Wiley who is thirty-two, King Kong (the cat) and Rey Star (the horse). Sandy enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking, horseback riding and yoga.

🌟 Spotlight on Wyoming women legislators! 🌟

This December, The Wyoming Council for Women is highlighting the women legislators who serve the people of our great state. Join us as we shine a light on these dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve as a voice for their communities. 🇺🇸

“To put that into perspective: Women spent an additional month on dead-end assignments.”

Read more from the Harvard Business Review here: https://bit.ly/3su3gLv

Today is Nellie Tayloe Ross Day 🇺🇸

Nellie settled in Cheyenne after marrying William B. Ross. When her husband, elected Governor in 1922, passed away, she was chosen as her husband’s successor. Nominated by the Democratic State Convention, she defeated her Republican opponent, filling her husband's term.

As governor, she championed tax relief for farmers and pushed for transparent budgets. Though not reelected in 1926, Nellie's impact persisted. She became vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and later served two five-year terms as the Director of the U.S. Mint, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Wyoming’s economy continues its growth trend 📊

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3QYB4JX

Happy Thanksgiving from the Wyoming Council for Women.

Billie Jean King, tennis champion, was born in 1943. Billie Jean went on to win 20 Wimbledon titles and was the first female athlete in any sport to earn $100,000.

Did you know?

The Wyoming Women's Business Center's Lending Program helps entrepreneurs finance a start-up or business expansion through Small Business Lending options from $500 to $50,000.

Learn more about how to access capital through the WWBC’s lending program here:

Lending Program | Wyoming Women's Busi One of the most important aspects of starting a business is access to capital, and one of the top reasons small businesses fail is undercapitalization. Wyoming Women's Business Center Micro-Loan program helps entrepreneurs finance a start-up or business expansion. Over the past 20 years, our Micro-L...

As the holidays near, keep in mind that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. This is your reminder to take a break when you need it, talk to a friend, or seek professional help if necessary. Be kind to yourself and prioritize your well-being.

For more information about mental helath, visit Governor Gordon’s resource site for Wyoming: https://wygovmentalhealth.wyo.gov/resources

Honoring the strength and sacrifice of women veterans this Veterans Day 🇺🇸💪 Thank you to the incredible women who have served our country with dedication and bravery. Your contributions and resilience are truly inspiring. We salute you today and every day.

🎖️

What industries are growing in Wyoming in 2023?

The Research and Planning Department within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reports that in quarter one of 2023, the following industries experienced growth:

• Mining
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale Trade
• Transportation and warehousing
• Information
• Professional and technical services
• Management of companies and enterprises

The latest issue of Wyoming Labor Force Trends is available at https://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/trends/1023/toc.htm.

Don’t miss it!

Join us on Thursday, November 9, at 6 p.m., for the Wyoming Council for Women’s quarterly meeting. The meeting is virtual and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed here: https://bit.ly/3tVQaH2

For more information on the Wyoming Council for Women, visit: wyomingwomenscouncil.org

in 1967: The first African American woman was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Shirley Chisholm was elected to represent New York's 12th congressional district, becoming the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress.

Image source: Town & Country Magazine