Video to focus on Nevada women

     By Judy DeLoretta
     View staff writer
      The mission of Women of Diversity Productions is simple: to enhance the lives of women and of society through the publication and free distribution of educational and literary materials, including books, videos, seminars and special events focusing on empowering women.
      One new educational video, "Remembering Nevada Women," has been made possible by the full funding given last month by the Paul E. and Helen S. Meyer foundation.
      Marlene Adrian, president of Women of Diversity Productions and past professor at Washington State University, said she's ecstatic.
      "We saw a need for a research journal -- an educational presentation -- of Nevada women," Adrian said. "Thanks to the grant, the production is under way. We're featuring Judy Bayley, for which the Judy Bayley Theatre was named, and Sarah Winnemucca, a real tough woman from Northern Nevada. The third has yet to be determined."
      In fact, Adrian still is open to suggestions on the third woman to be featured in the video. She said her preference is to feature a person who's still alive.
      "We want it to be someone who is alive and who has already made her contribution," Adrian said. "I assume it will be someone older and who has done her work by contributing socially, to the community or to justice and political causes."
      Amy Meyer, president of the Paul E. and Helen S. Meyer Foundation, said she was glad to help out.
      "We decided to fund the entire video project in memory of my Aunt Pauline," Meyer said. "Marlene reminds me in ways of my aunt because of her causes. To further the promotion of women, Aunt Pauline, who died in 1994, had made a plea to the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring Belva Lockwood, one of the country's first female attorneys."
      The video, which is slated for completion in the fall, will be for sale, but also will be available at Clark County libraries, schools and at UNLV.
      "Judy Bayley was an interesting woman," Adrian said. "She became owner of the Hacienda and Frontier when her husband died. And while her business transactions weren't always successful, she became known for how much she gave to the community."
      In addition to Bayley, the video will include a tribute to Winnemucca, a Paiute American Indian who tried to make peace between the American Indians placed on reservations in Nevada and the U.S. Government.
      Included in the video will be actor portrayals of the women and a documentary.
      In addition to her latest video project, Adrian said she plans to archive her works so schools and other institutions can use them.
      "I want people who live here to acknowledge women who have made significant contributions," Adrian said. "And I'd like to see it easily accessible to everyone."
      Additional works produced by Women of Diversity Inc. include this month's "Remembering the Freedoms" program, co-sponsored by the Las Vegas/Clark County Library District and International House of Blues Foundation; Wednesday's Woman, a forum slated for March focusing on women of various ethnic backgrounds; and a video production of "The First Ladies of Nevada," which honors women based on the Smithsonian Museum of American History Exhibit of the First Ladies of the United States.
      Those interested in suggesting a woman to be featured in Adrian's film may call 341-9807.