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Sophomore's quest brings Dee Dee Myers to campus

Photo courtesy of deedeemyers.org

A couple of years ago, Kristin Sippel’s mother gave her a copy of Dee Dee Myers’ book Why Women Should Rule the World. “That title is so you,” her mother told her.

Sippel, a Marquette sophomore triple-majoring in political science, women’s and gender studies, and communication, was enthralled by the story of Myers, who was White House press secretary during President Clinton’s first term. “This year I heard it was the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette, and I thought, what better speaker than the first woman to be White House press secretary?” she says.

So the enterprising sophomore decided to make it happen. She first contacted Myers’ agent and then began her eight-month quest to cobble together Myers’ speaking fee. She enlisted the support of Empowerment, a feminist student organization, and through meeting after meeting, e-mail after e-mail, built a coalition for her cause. She eventually received financial support from 14 sponsors.

“It was definitely a lot of legwork to get the financing,” Sippel says. And even she wasn’t sure that the goal was attainable.

“There was always a little bit doubt. It was a huge undertaking, and people would say, “That’s great if you can get her here,” but there was always that ‘if,’” she says. “But I never gave up because I was determined to make it happen.”

Rana Altenburg, Arts ’88, Marquette’s vice president for public affairs, says it’s not easy to bring a speaker of Myers’ caliber to campus, and she was impressed by the sophomore’s persistence and drive.

“Kristin brought this opportunity to the university,” says Altenburg, who is also co-chair of the Centennial Committee. “The numerous supporters of the event helped open doors for her that she could not open herself. And that’s exactly what the centennial celebration is all about — celebrating the role of women and helping to open doors.”

Myers will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 29 in the Alumni Memorial Union, followed by a book signing. The event is free and open to the public, although tickets are required. Learn more.

The event’s coordinating sponsor is Empowerment. Additional sponsors include Marquette University Student Government, the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Student Development, the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette Fund, the Les Aspin Center for Government, the Office of Public Affairs, the College of Communication Student Council, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and the Residence Hall Association.