The American Association of University Women Presents

Women Making a Difference in Humboldt County

in honor of Women's History Month

March, 1994

Humboldt Branch

• Sally Upatisringa
• Rosie Frediani
• Shereen LaPlantz
• Muriel Dinsmore
• Gabrielle Parkinson

Sally Upatisringa

Sally arrived in Humboldt County in 1969 with her husband, Vis, who teaches mathematics at Humboldt State University. A native of Medford, Oregon, she graduated from Crater High School and began work at an accounting firm. Finding the work challenging, but not enjoyable, Sally saved her money and began classes at Southern Oregon College in Ashland. She transferred to Oregon State University, and graduated with a major in education and a minor in sociology.

Sally believes the most important thing she has ever done for her community is saying yes to Helen Everett to serve on the Humboldt County Library Construction Advisory Committee. Sally coordinated the efforts of many men and women who worked hard to raise the necessary million dollars and make the dream of a modern library a reality. The project was made arduous and sometimes painful, but no one was ever willing to give up. She drives by the construction site and tells herself it only took twenty years.

The church and her faith are the foundation of her life. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church and a certified lay minister which allows her to preach in United Methodist congregations. She also preaches at the Eureka Rescue Mission once a month, and perhaps that is her most personally satisfying activity.

Sally belongs to the League of Women Voters and served on the board of directors of the State League for six years. She is affiliated with the Southern Oregon Historical Society because her place in Oregon history is important to her. She has served on the board of Redwoods United, and worked in a day camp for underprivileged children.

Travel is another of her strong suits. She helped her brother's dream come true when she accompanied him to the Grand Prix of Monaco and then toured the French coun-tryside where they found that with careful planning, a little luck, and lots of good will, people in wheelchairs can see the world. She represented her church in Bolivia, and contained her claustrophobia while traveling in a small jeep with eight other people. She and her husband have visited his native country of Thailand twice, and she declares it lovely.

She likes to read mysteries and prefers women authors. She has a small collection of teapots and a large collection of unfinished needlepoint projects. She finds quilts and quilting therapeutic. Sally and her husband have no children, but are every child's dream of an aunt and uncle.

Sally's parents taught their children to accept responsibility for making the world a better place. "We learned at a very young age that we always had something to share with others no matter what our circumstances. Volunteering allows me to do that. When I look at the work done by volunteers, I am amazed. We can accomplish so much when we work together toward a common goal. I am deeply honored to be considered one of those women--a volunteer."

Longtime Humboldt County resident Rosie Frediani is known for her devoted community service. Friends and colleagues speak with admiration and respect about her work with 4-H youth, her church, the Eureka Woman's Club, the Senior Resource Center and her faithful assistance with exercising a handicapped child.

A native of Harbor, Oregon, she attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara. A job as a switchboard operator with Pacific Telephone brought her to Hum-boldt County in 1949. Rosie says the most exciting thing she has ever done was taking the last call on the old cord board system for Pacific Telephone on September 30, 1983. She is best known for her work with the Cutten 4-H. Her happy childhood experience with 4-H prompted her to become a leader when her first child was old enough to join. Visiting nursing homes, delivering singing valentines, serving at the Rescue Mission, baking a cake each month for Juvenile Hall, playing bingo with rest home guests were just a few of her inspired projects for the 4-H Citizenship Group. "Our motto was, '4- H ain't all cows an' cookin',' " says Rosie. The group gained national recognition when they received a Colgate Youth for America Award. Involved now for 22 years, Rosie presently leads a Foods and Nutrition Group, teaching young people the basics of cooking and nutrition. When asked why she has continued to volunteer for so many years, she says, "The children's enthusiasm makes it very enjoyable."

Rosie sees a need, she responds, and she remains faithful to the task, whether it's 4-H, serving lunch at the Senior Resource Center, or visiting shut-in members of the Eureka Woman's Club. Rosie responded to a notice in her church bulletin requesting assis-tance with exercising a handicapped child, and fifteen years later she continues to assist with the exercises. She believes community involvement allows her to stay in touch with the needs of people, and that important contributions can be made in so many ways.

She is active and holds prominent positions in the Young Ladies Institute, the Italian Catholic Federation, Redwood District of the California Federation of Women's Club, Eureka Woman's Club and Humboldt County 4-H Club Council. She also belongs to the Telephone Pioneers and Eureka Sequoia Garden Club. Among her many honors are the 1993 Quota Club Women of Distinction Award, Winship Jr. High PTA Founder's Day Award and the Cutten 4-H Leader of the Year Award. Perhaps the most glowing tributes come from the friends who know her best: a very special person; thoughtful in little ways; humble; generous and giving; resourceful; a hard act to follow; everyone loves Rosie!

Rosie likes to express herself in rhyme. She delighted the Quota Club Award audience by reciting her acceptance speech in rhyme. When installing officers for the Eureka Woman's Club she did so in rhyme. Other pleasures for Rosie include playing cards, traveling, book clubs, little theater groups, and especially her family. Married for 43 years, she and her husband Alex raised four children, and now they have two grand-children. Rosie says, "Raising three daughters and a son--watching them grow up to become responsible citizens is the most important thing I've done."

Shereen LaPlantz believes in community. "You can't live in a vacuum. Unless we choose to make a positive contribution and enrich other people's lives on a daily basis, we endanger civili-zation." Shereen practices this philosophy by generously sharing her art and exper-tise with others.

Shereen grew up in the Barrio in East Los Angeles. She had dedicated teachers who supported her interest in the arts. Her parents also encouraged her by giving her memberships in two L.A. museums. Art museum openings were her first introduction to the professional art world. She loved it and resolved at the age of twelve to become part of it. While pursuing graduate studies at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Shereen met and married David LaPlantz. In 1971 they came to Humboldt County, and David joined the HSU art faculty.

Shereen began teaching Textile Art at College of the Redwoods, and became the first president of the Humboldt Handweavers Guild. She also began making baskets. Up to this time, basketry was considered a traditional craft, but some practitioners were working to establish it as a contemporary art form. In 1978, Shereen switched her focus entirely to baskets. To provide a showcase for her own work and that of others, Shereen started a magazine, The Newsbasket. Out of this experience grew Press de LaPlantz which has published on the subjects of baskets and jewelry making in book, pamphlet, poster, brochure, and video formats. Shereen has also been in-volved in the organization of exhibits and conferences. For almost a decade, she travelled the country promoting basketry as an art form. Her baskets have been exhib-ited throughout North America and in Europe, and were included in a State Depart-ment exhibit that toured Africa. As raw materials became less available, Shereen began to experiment with shaping baskets out of paper. This led to a broader interest in paper art and bookmaking. With characteristic enthusiasm, Shereen joined Hand Bookbinders of America, Pacific Center for Book Arts, Pro Libri Arte, Canadian Council of Book Artists and Binders, and other like-minded groups. Shereen is committed to sharing the information she is gathering. She has provided workshops in bookmaking at Northtown Art in Arcata, and has begun work on a how-to book on the subject.

Shereen and David share their studio/home in Bayside with Menuki Shibuichi, a very personable chow-chow. After two-plus decades of busy and productive personal and professional schedules, and after twenty-four years of marriage, Shereen and David recently found the time to take their first week-long vacation to Vancouver. Having enjoyed that leisure time, they are planning a trip to New Zealand in the near future. Meanwhile, Shereen continues to contribute to and enrich her adopted community. She enthusiastically accepts invitations to speak to clubs and organizations, and in schools. One of her most satisfying workshops was at Dows Prairie School working with children making baskets. She also works as a consultant to individuals, advising them on the nuts and bolts of putting together a portfolio or starting an art business. "It's exciting to help others gain the skills, tools, and the confidence they need to make their dreams come true."

Muriel Dinsmore is a native Californian as were her parents. She was born in Eureka at the original St. Joseph Hospital. She grew up in Rio Dell, and graduated from Fortuna High School. She received her B.A. in Business from Humboldt State University. Later in life, she received her M.A. in Education, one of her most exciting achievements. Since 1980 Muriel has been employed as Director of the College of the Redwoods Foundation, Public Affairs/Foundation Office. She is responsible for various functions of the CR Public Affairs Office, directs the CR Foundation, the CR League and Endowment Board.

Previously, she was a correspondent and feature writer for the Humboldt Times. She became a well-liked columnist for the Times-Standard, and received editorial support in the "People Section" to publish and elucidate on women's issues at the local, state and national levels. Other work experiences include free lance writing and accounting. Muriel states, "My favorite job is whatever I am currently doing."

An outstanding volunteer, she has served on government panels and committees. She was a member of a regional juvenile justice review committee for a report to the state. She was appointed to the freeway alternative committee in 1970. She helped advertise Eureka during the 1976 Heritage Bicentennial Fair.

Muriel was one of the founders of the Humboldt Arts Council, and served as president. She was also president of the first Friends of the Redwood Library organization in Humboldt County. She facilitated the founding of the Fortuna Arts Festival, and served as co-chair of the Eureka/Humboldt County Christmas Art and Music Festival. She was founding president of the Fortuna Friends of the Library, and was involved with the College of the Redwood Community College Site Committee.

She is an active member of the American Association of University Women, Eureka Heritage Society, Friends of the Library, Humboldt County Historical Society, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), American Pen Women, Clarke Memorial Museum; Humboldt Arts Council, Humboldt Sponsors, Community Concert Associa-tion, and Alumni Association of Humboldt State University. Muriel's late husband George, was an architect who designed the Fortuna Library and the Fortuna City Hall. She has four children; a daughter and three boys, and one granddaughter. She believes that raising her children, seeing each of them graduate from college, and enjoying their chosen careers is one the most rewarding events in her life. Another exciting achievement was helping fill the College of The Redwoods' Forum two years ago for the Boston Pops Concertmasters.

A dedicated volunteer, Muriel truly enjoys her work. She is committed to making Eureka and Humboldt County a better place for each of us. When asked how she felt about being selected for this award, Muriel said, "I am surprised and pleased."

Gabrielle is an energetic and viva-cious woman, whose enthusiasm bubbles forth when she talks about empowering people, especially women. She believes her ability to help women goes back to her grandmother, who was a single mother in the 1930's. She thinks her grandmother taught her about the importance of self-sufficiency. Originally from Alameda, Gabrielle came to Arcata in 1964 to attend Humboldt State University. "It was then," she says, "that I fell in love with the trees." She received her Masters degree in Business and a Secondary Teaching Credential. She completed additional graduate studies at San Jose State, Sacramento State, and Portland State Universities. She also has her Community College Teaching Credential, and an Administrative Credential.

Working as a business occupational teacher was her most interesting work experience. She developed and implemented the first "live" office training program through Hum-boldt Regional Occupational Program. HROP is a very successful job-skill training program for high school students and adults. Hundreds of women have successfully entered the job market as a result of this program. As Director of HROP she was involved with developing over 65 different job skill training programs. The positive effect of this program is still in evidence today.

A time of change in her life brought her to the realization that she wanted something beyond educational administration. In 1985 she founded a unique business called Career/Life Planning. She has worked with hundreds of people, helping them make successful transitions in their lives. She coauthored a book on transitions and change entitled, You can Choose Again-A Guided Journal For Making Creative Changes.

Gabrielle has worked tirelessly in her efforts to help women succeed. She has founded and coordinated a number of groups and organizations that work toward this end. These include: Women in Management, a support group for women in management positions: Business Connections, a personal marketing group for women in business that encourages them to promote themselves and their businesses; Women's Entrepre-neurs Institute, a new effort that helps women develop and successfully start their own business.

Her family is an important priority, so for the present travel is mostly to the ski slopes where she is joined by husband, Doug, a fisheries consultant; her daughter, 16 year old Trisha; and son, 13 year old Brandon. They join her in what she considers the most challenging and exciting thing she does, skiing. She recently started collecting angels because they are significant to her. She has been involved with the work of Hospice of Humboldt for many years, serving on the Board of Directors since 1985. She was named the Women in Business Advocate of the Year for 1990, an honor she received from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Gabrielle feels being married twenty-five years, having two children, remaining active in her career, and holding it all together is her most important achievement.