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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 16, 2007
For more information contact:
Diane Moser, Wyoming Business Council, WCWI Ex-officio
307.777.2848
Willadeen Chamberlain
320 West 25th Street, Ste. 318
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Phone: 307.631.6527
Chamberlain named 2007 Wyoming Woman of Distinction
CHEYENNE – Willadeen Chamberlain will be honored as the 2007 Wyoming Woman of Distinction during a luncheon held at Little America in Cheyenne at noon on Sept. 7.
The Wyoming Woman of Distinction Award is sponsored by the Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues (WCWI), which was formed with the mission of improving the quality and equality of life for Wyoming Women. WCWI focuses its actions on the needs and concerns of Wyoming women in the following areas: (1) employment practices, (2) educational opportunities, (3) home and community, and (4) legal rights and responsibilities.
This “once in a lifetime” award celebrates those who have had a significant impact on women and families in Wyoming with regard to education, community, health and legal issues.
Assisting women in advancing themselves is a personal and professional passion for Chamberlain, who recently retired as the Vice President of Student Services at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) to start her own counseling service – The Willadeen Chamberlain Christian Counseling Service. Chamberlain has worked with the school since 1980 when she joined it as an instructor at the reading academy and has held the titles of instructor, counselor, Interim Dean of Student Services, Director of Counseling and her current title of VP of student services.
“My passion is certainly mentoring and being available to work with women and then just enjoying raising three daughters and being a part of their challenges and successes. That has been an absolute joy,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain is a mother of three daughters - Lori Perry, Lashelle Brant and Lyndi Gilliam – and has been married to Dr. Peter Newell for the past 23 years. She owns Bachelor’s Degrees in social studies, english and elementary education from John Brown University in Arkansas and a Masters of Education in counseling from the University of Wyoming. In her position at LCCC, she administered grants targeted at the advancement of women including the Displaced Homemakers/Single Parent/Woman in Technology Grant. The grant provides support services to over 80 students per semester and helps students with tuition, fees and books as well as personal services like childcare, transportation and tutoring. She also facilitated two Carl Perkins Vocational Education Grants, which address training for women in the community.
Chamberlain was nominated for the award by Dr. Darrel Hammon, the president of Laramie County Community College. Hammond wrote that, “No matter what meeting I attend with her… I have been immensely impressed with her caring, yet professional attitude toward her staff and students and the lengths she goes to help them grow and progress.”
He added, “I have heard these words – or some facsimile – on other occasions since being here (at LCCC), ‘If it hadn’t been for Willadeen, I would not have made it through college.’”
“As we are embarking on our careers or just enjoying life, we forget sometimes how important it is to celebrate our accomplishments. It is nice opportunity for me to do that and be present with others who have received awards such as this,” Chamberlain said. “Celebrating our accomplishments is most important.”
She has been a member of the Colorado and Wyoming Association for Women in Education for 15 years and is currently the organization’s president elect. She is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, as well as the National Association of Women in Education among other groups.
“Willadeen is extremely deserving of the award and has been instrumental in helping women obtain an education during her career at LCCC and has always had a heart for women’s issues and a long history of being a worker within the community,” said Dr. Michelle Aldrich, a member of the WCWI.
Outside the office Chamberlain is the leader of a ministry in the religious community that focuses on womens’ spirituality and personal growth. She has also been a trustee for several boards including groups which have lent support to the causes of eradicating domestic violence and alcohol abuse.
In addition to Chamberlain, there were 10 other women from around Wyoming nominated for the 2007 Woman of Distinction Award. The list was made up of: Ruth Benson, U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen, Roxanne L. Friday, Judith A. Fuller, Maggi Maier Murdock, Marcia Patton, Deborah J. Nagle Smith, Christine Stocks and Diane Wolverton.
Tickets for the event are $20 and reservations for the luncheon can be secured by contacting Diane Moser at 307.777.2848 or by sending in a reservation and payment to Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues in care of the Wyoming Business Council at 214 W. 15th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001 no later than Sept. 1.
The WCWI is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine Judicial Districts in addition to four at-large members and one ex-officio member of the Wyoming Business Council. The WCWI is a Governor appointed council.
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