News Release
For Immediate Release — November 6, 2008
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Expert named to Governor's Economic Council on Women
Dr. Dena Wise, a family economics expert with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's Extension unit, has been named by Governor Phil Bredesen to serve on the Tennessee Economic Council on Women. The committee will address such issues as pay equity for women, job training, domestic violence, preventive health care and increased political participation.
Dr. Wise says the issues the Council on Women will address are timely, and she is proud to serve in an advocacy role. "During tough economic times, historically, domestic violence against women has risen," she says. "The fact that women earn less than men makes them especially vulnerable to rising food and transportation costs during this economic downturn. Also, recent data indicates that unemployment is increasing at a faster rate for women than for men. These are issues that we need to work on, and now is the time to do it."
Governor Bredesen recently appointed 63 Tennesseans to serve on various statewide boards and committees, including groups that will address needs for the disabled, environmental issues and health issues for the elderly.
"We depend on the commitment of citizens like these men and women to serve the state through its boards and commissions," says Governor Bredesen. "I am confident they have the skills, experience and knowledge necessary to become valuable members of their respective boards and commissions, and I appreciate their willingness to serve the state of Tennessee."
"It's a real honor to be appointed to this group," says Dr. Wise. "I look forward to working with the committed and dynamic members of the council to address these issues in our state."
Dr. Wise has served as Statewide Coordinator of the "Tennessee Saves" program, a UT Extension project that reaches more than two million Tennesseans a year with information about saving money and building wealth. She also is the principle author of the "On My Own" curriculum, which teaches youth about the realities of financial management. Dr. Wise is also the past State President of Epsilon Sigma Phi, a statewide organization of Extension professionals.
Dr. Wise has been with the UT Institute of Agriculture for 10 years. She holds a Ph.D. from Texas A & M University, an M.S. from the University of Georgia, and a B.S. degree from Auburn University.
University of Tennessee Extension offers outreach programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumers sciences, 4-H Youth development and resource development in all 95 counties statewide. In addition to Extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture includes the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and UT AgResearch.
###
Contact:
Chuck Denney - 865-974-7367, cmdenney@utk.edu