WDI News Letter Fall 2013

7/27/2019 WDI News Letter Fall 2013

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Our Community

Quarter ly

During the summer of 2013,

the Women's Debate Institute

hosted its inaugural session of

the Collegiate Schol-

ars program. The ladies repre-

sented eight different universi-

ties and debate programs fromall over the country. Aniela

Butler (Michigan State Univer-

sity), Miranda Ehrlich

(University of Minnesota), Pau-

la Cheng (Emory University),

Alexis Kostun (Gonzaga Uni-

versity), Mary Grace Darmondy

(Harvard University), Melanie

Campbell (University of Kan-

sas), Margaret

Strong (Michigan

State University),

Meredith Angui-

era (Brown Uni-

versity) and Mad-

die Langr (WakeForest University) joined us

this summer to kick off the

program. The women spent

their time at the WDI discuss-

ing issues facing women in

debate and acting as instructors

for the high school tracks at the

camp. Having such a talented

group of women attend al-

lowed us to start a pro-

gram researching female

participation in debateand produce a best prac-

tices manual with strate-

gies to retain women in

debate. As the program

continues to grow, the

Collegiate Scholars will be in-

strumental in building a com-

munity of women in debate,

encouraging WDI students to

go to college, and increasing

academic scholarship about

women in the debate commu-

nity. The 2013 Colle-

giate Scholars were a fantastic

asset to the WDI and were

excited to expand and continue

the program in future summers.If you are interested in this

program, please contact Cat

Duffy or Carly Watson.

[email protected] or car-

[email protected]

Collegiate Debate Scholars Program is a Great Success !!

Womens Debate Institute Issue II Vol. 3Fall 2013

Donor Update 2

Student Board Members 2

Debate Success 2

Staff Reflection 3

College Representation 3

Apply Now for 2014 4

Inside this issue:

http://womensdebateinstitute.org/

In the summer of 2013, the Womens De-

bate Institute moved to the Audubon Cen-ter of the North Woods in Sandstone,Minnesota. Located between Minneapolisand Duluth, the Audubon Center bordersGrindstone Lake and is committed to envi-ronmental education. In addition to theWDI debate lectures and activities, camp-ers participated in low ropes courses,toured the wildlife barn, and enjoyed thelake. The 2013 WDI adopted Woody, abald eagle that fell out of its nest and wasrehabilitated at the center.

In addition to rehabilitating wildlife and

hosting educational camps, the Centerfocuses on promoting renewable energy.The Center has implemented a geothermalheat pump system, solar PV arrays, solarhot water heating, and a wind generator.The Audubon Center has a long history ofpromoting a connection and commitmentto the environment in people of all com-munities through experiential learning.The WDI is excited to partner with theCenter and plans to return in 2014.

The WDI finds a new home at the Audubon Center of the North Woods
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Once again, our amazing do-

nors helped us create an incred-ibleexperience for our debaters. In2013, the total operating ex-penses of the WDI were ap-proximately $30,000. With thehelp of universities, law firms,and individual supporters, wemet our fundraising goals.

54% of our revenue comesfrom new and long-term do-nors, including debate coaches,former debaters, friends, rela-

tives, and co-workers. Thankyou for all you do for the de-bate community! This year,

nine universities sponsored

Fellowships that provide travelsupport and link students tocollege debate teams. Wewould like to thank the Univer-sity of Iowa, Wake Forest Uni-versity, University of MissouriKansas City, Cal-Berkeley,SUNY-Binghamton, JamesMadison University, KansasState University, College of St.Benedict, and Gonzaga Univer-sity. At the WDI, each andevery donation is important

We are an all-volunteer staff,and that allows us to use 98%of our revenue to directly fund

our camp. Only 2% goes to

administration and fundraisingcosts! Your donations are usedto pay for the summer campvenue, 20 travel stipends forhigh school students, travelstipends for our CollegiateScholars, the travel expenses ofsome of our faculty, and basicsupplies for camp. Withoutdonations, the WDI would notexist. So from all of us at theWDI - thank you for yoursupport!

For more information or todonate contact Sarah Glaser at

[email protected]

A BIG Thank You to Our 2013 Donors !

2013 Students Join the WDI Board of DirectorsThe voices of our students havealways been integral to the goalsand mission of the WDI. Ac-cordingly we elect a studentrepresentative to be a votingmember in our highest govern-ing bodyThe Board of Direc-tors. Given the growth of bothour Policy and Lincoln Douglasprograms this year, the boardopted to include two stu-dentsone from each track.After reviewing several strongapplications this years boardelected policy debater LillieOuellette-Howitz (top right)from Minneapolis, Minnesota,and LD debater Alina Crouch(left side second from the bot-

tom) from Kansas City, Mis-souri. These two women repre-sent some of the finest stu-dents we have the privilegeof working with. Lillie hasattended the WDI twice andwill work to build up thedebate mentoring program.This upcoming summer sheaims to connect older andyounger high school debat-ers in efforts to increasecommunity and support withinthe high school debate circuit.

Alinas motivation was influ-enced by the self-assurance shegained at the WDI. She writesAfter WDI, my confidence inmyself as a female, as an indi-

vidual, has grown. I am nowmore active in advocating for

equality. . .subordinate groupsshould not be treated differentlyor with disrespect. . . we are allhuman beings. We are thrilledto be working with such inspir-ing women.

Our Role model

campaign

continues See

footage at :

http://

www.indiegogo.com

/projects/who-is-

your-debate-role-

model

Page 2 Our Community Quarter ly


Collegiate Debate Scholars Having Great SuccessOur inaugural class of Collegiate Scholars had a stellar debut at University of Missouri, Kansas

City, the first college tournament of the year. Collegiate Scholars Maddie Langr and Melanie

Campbell were amongst the 120 teams that competed at the tournament. Maddie, a junior at

Wake Forest University, was a semifinalist with her partner, Erica Duff, and Melanie, a senior

at the University Kansas , was a finalist. Congratulations ladies on a great showing and good

luck!
mailto:[email protected]://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://womensdebateinstitute.org/http://womensdebateinstitute.org/http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelhttp://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-your-debate-role-modelmailto:[email protected]


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Inside our Faculty: Beth Mendenhall

Page 3Our Community Quarter ly


Volunteering at the Womens Debate Institute is a way for meto stay connected with the community of women debaters. I

debated for four years in high school thenfour years at Kansas State (graduating sum-ma cum laude with a double major in politi-cal science and philosophy). During thattime I created some of my best memoriesand made some of my best friends. As aninternational relations PhD student (at JohnHopkins), I try to stay connected to debatein different ways. Coaching and judging aregreat (I am an assistant coach for JamesMadison University), but I rarely get thechance to have informal conversationsabout the activity as a whole and the every-day experiences of women making the tran-sition to college. The WDI is great because

it brings together multiple generations ofcurrent and former debaters. I have beenvery impressed by how role models come

from every generation - we learn as much from the highschool students as they learn from us, because we all havedifferent experiences and perspectives, but we also all face

some of the same challenges as women. Feminism is alwayschanging, and WDI helps us see where it has been ANDwhere it is going. The all-women educational environment isunique within debate, and the conversations and interactions itgenerates seem to have a lasting impact on participants. If onegirl feels moreempowered,more readyfor college,more excitedabout debate,or leaves withmore rolemodels andfriends, thenWDI has beenworth all the

time, money,and effort. Icannot waitto be a part ofthis organiza-tion for years.

role models

come from

every

generation -

we learn as

much from the

high school

students as

they learn

from us

In the world of collegiate policy debate, an invitation to the University of Kentucky Round Robin is the

pinnacle of competitive success at the start of the season. They only invite the nine most elite teams inthe country- eighteen competitors. This year, Kaavya Ramesh, a senior at Michigan State University, willbe participating in her third Kentucky Round Robin but this year will be different- shes the only femaleinvited.

Despite claims that policy debate has improved its sex imbalance, there are still staggeringly few femaleparticipants at the highest levels of college debate. Kaavya says she feels honored and exited to be invit-ed but hopefully, over the years, our community will be better able to retain women. We couldnt agree more.

If you have any WDI news please contact Rae

Lynn Schwartz-DuPre raelynn.schwartz-

[email protected]

Kaavya Ramesh is invited to the prestigious Kentucky Round Robin
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The Womens Debate Institute is a non-profit organization that

unites a robust community dedicated to the education of young wom-

en. Each summer we host a free debate institute for high school girlsfrom around the country. Our four day camp increases the number

of girls involved in debate, creates an environment that fosters com-

munity, and encourages young women to attend college.

Womens Debate Institute

3379 22nd Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

Join Us Next SummerAugust 9-13, 2014

E-mail:[email protected]://womensdebateinstitute.org/

Sisterhood is VocalSpeak Out !

Womens Debate Inst i tute
mailto:[email protected]://womensdebateinstitute.org/http://womensdebateinstitute.org/mailto:[email protected]

WDI News Letter Fall 2013

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