Four women librarians were vying for the position of Director to head up the Pima County Public Library system of the Joel D. Valdez Main library and 26 branch libraries. My husband and I attended the public reception at the Z Mansion downtown on February 23 to meet the four candidates:

Melinda Cervantes, currently Director of the Santa Clara (CA) County Library
Teresa Landers, currently Director of the Santa Cruz (CA) Public library
Gina Macaluso, Family Literary Services Mgr. at Pima County Public Library
Amber Mathewson, Library Service Mgr Lifespan Learning at Pima County Public Library

The former Director Nancy Ledeboer resigned to move to Spokane, Washington as library director there, and she worked here in Tucson since 1996. Ledeboer was recently nominated for a Leadership award at the 2nd Annual Women in Government Day hosted by the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission.

According to the press release announcing Cervantes’ hiring, she will begin effective May 14, 2012. She was named Librarian of the Year by the Arizona Library Assn. in 1997 and the California Library Assn. in 2010. Cervantes was at one time Director of the Pinal County Library District in Arizona, and has also held library management positions in Alaska, California, Ohio, and Oregon.

For photo & full press release go to Pima County News online – click here.

Welcome back to Arizona Melinda and hope you enjoy Tucson and Pima County.

On December 21 Marian Bustillos, 16, a 10th grader at Salpointe High School, was awarded $150 first prize for her sculpture Women Engineers — in the 1st Annual Pima County/Tucson Women’s Art Competition open to girls in grades 6-12.

1st Place wnner Marian Bustillos, with her sculpture

Carolina Martinez O’Daly, a 12th grader at Salpointe High School, won 2nd prize of $125 for her sculpture representing women’s challenges with work, home and health, reflecting physical disabilities.

Maria Jimenez, a 12th grade pupil at San Miguel High School, won the 3rd prize of $100 with a painting of women who have made a difference.

The purpose of the contest was to create art that represents a woman or women making a difference, or who have made a difference on behalf of other women.

The 13 additional winners were lauded for their artistic achievements in photography, digital art, recognition of the importance of mentoring and teaching by women, best revision of myth, sculpture installation, painting, ceramics, composition, portraiture and representation of gender challenging roles.

The competition was judged by a panel of artists and competition financial supporters, including the EVIA Foundation, whose purpose is to “ignite and support youth voice, infusing the community with the unique perspectives of young people” and a private foundation supporting justice and equality initiatives.

Congratulations to the three high school winners for their inspiring & creative art pieces. And thanks to the Women’s Commission for sponsoring this annual art competition.

Info on the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission: www.pimatucsonwomen.org.

Contact: Maxine Goodman
maxinegoodman17@yahoo.com
Media Director
Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission
(520) 622-0905

State Senator Paula Aboud

Meet Me at the Library: Conversations with Arizona Leaders

Meet State Senator Paula Aboud (LD 28)
When: Monday, October 24, 2011, 6:30-8 pm
Where: Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd. (south of E. 6th St.)

This month, we invite you to take the opportunity to meet and converse with Senator Paula Aboud. Senator Aboud has served in the senate since January 2006 in the seat vacated by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She serves on three standing committees, the Health Committee, Education Committee and as the ranking Democratic member of the Appropriations Committee. As a graduate of the University of Arizona and a third-generation Tucsonan, Senator Aboud is committed to maintaining the quality of life for Arizona residents and especially for Southern Arizona.

and another “Meet me at the Library: Conversations with Arizona Leaders”
coming up, Senator Linda Lopez (LD 29)
on Nov. 12, 2 p.m. at Quincie-Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St. (SW corner of Kino Pkway.)
She is also speaking at the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission on October 27 at 7 p.m. for their “How Government Works!” series.

Here’s your chance to meet both of these strong Arizona women political leaders.