HISTORY OF THE WYOMING LATINA YOUTH CONFERENCE


By Ann Esquibel Redman, Founder 
Executive Director, Dr. Cecilia J. Aragón

In 1999, I, Ann Redman, was referred to the U.S. Department of Health. The U.S. Department of Health was looking for representatives from Western States and inviting them to a Regional Conference for Latinas on issues that affect the lives of Latinas. After meeting with a staff member of the U.S. Department of Health, I was asked to bring together a committee of women to attend the all-expense paid trip to Sacramento, California. The committee consisted of: Ann Esquibel Redman, Vicki Madrid Medina, Shirley Martinez, Veronica Zuniga, Angie Hernandez Lara. The representative from the U.S. Department of Health asked that we together write a paper of statistics affecting Latina women in Wyoming as a result of domestic violence, substance abuse, incarceration, lack of education, teen pregnancy, and health issues.

 

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    After attending the 1999 conference in Sacramento, California and listening to the stories of the women at the conference, it was clear to the committee that we wanted to be able to do something to change statistics in a positive way.  After the conference, the committee convened together with other individuals.  We started meeting to discuss our goals and mission.  After much discussion we decided to hold a statewide conference for Latina students in grades five through twelve.  We decided to call it the “Power of Choice” Wyoming Latina Youth Conference to be held in Cheyenne every other year.  Due to its huge success, we were encouraged to hold the conference on an annual basis.   The first conference was in 2000, skipped one year and held every year since 2002.  Teen Advisors are part of the committee.  Their input is invaluable and some have continued as part of the general committee and are now leaders in their communities. 

     

    Teen Advisors are junior and high school students.  They provide the committee information on issues affecting their peers which helps the committee to focus on workshops currently affecting young Latinas today.  The students help with the conference, act as emcees at the banquet, assist with registration and interact with the attendees. 

     

    Originally, the conference was held as part of The Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education (HOPE).  After the first year, the conference was moved under the umbrella of Laramie County Community College Foundation.  In YEAR, the conference was supported under the 501 c 3 umbrella of the Greater Cheyenne Foundation as the fiscal agent. Laramie County Community College and the Greater Cheyenne Foundation continue to be two of our major sponsors.  

     

    In July of 2016, I met with Dr. Cecilia Aragon, Director of Latina/o Studies Program at the University of Wyoming and the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Paula Lutz and several other UW personnel to discuss the possibility of the University of Wyoming hosting the conference in the future.  Founder Ann Redman and other members of the committee felt this would be the best option for the sustainability of the conference. 


    The conference has continued to attract students from different communities in Wyoming.  Although the conference targets Latinas students, no student who may want to attend and who meets the grades four through twelve guidelines is turned away.   


    The minimal registration fee includes a Friday night banquet with a motivational speaker, workshops on Saturday which includes breakfast, lunch and two breaks, and a Saturday evening event.  Traditionally, the event has consisted of a concert featuring Latina/o artists at the Cheyenne Civic Center.  A sponsors’ reception at the Governor’s residence has been held on Friday afternoon prior to the Friday banquet.  The invitation list consists of the sponsors, committee, workshop presenters, keynote speaker, local school principals and state and local elected officials. The students choose from books donated by the Laramie County Library System, another of our community partners. 

     

    The “Power of Choice” conference changes the lives of these young women.  The lessons they learn affect their home, school, community and eventually the State of Wyoming. The keynote speakers at the WLYC are women who have achieved success in their respective fields of work despite barriers and challenges.  The opportunity for these young women to hear their stories and the opportunity to meet them creates an “I can do it” attitude.  Encourages them to pursue their education in spite of their economic status and barriers placed before them by society.  After one of the first conferences, I received an email from one of the counselors that on their way back to their community the students were on a personal aspirational high and they were talking about college, something she had not heard the girls talk about before.  At the end of our conferences, I always asked the attendees what they learned and what they planned to do with what they learned.  One young woman said she planned to return to her community and start an anti-bullying club at her school.   


    As I come close to retirement, it has been a privilege and honor to have been involved in this important program and to have met the amazing keynote speakers, conference presenters and the students.   


    -Ann Redman

    March 2016


Our Founder and Honorary Member, Ann Esquibel Redman

  • Early Life

    Ann Esquibel Redman is a native of New Mexico and the daughter of the late Gertrude Garcia Esquibel and the late Martin Esquibel. The family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming when Ann was 14 and a freshman in high school. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Parks Business College in Denver, Colorado. The law firm of Reibscheid and Machol employed Ann during her two-year residence in Denver in the late fifties.



    Ann traveled with her husband, Ralph during his twenty-year career in the United States Air Force. Their travels included tours to England and Italy in addition to several stateside assignments. He also served in Vietnam while Ann returned to Cheyenne with their two young children. During these assignments, Ann worked, raised a family and was active with the NCO Wives Club, squadron wives club and with the Catholic Women of the Chapel holding a variety of offices over the years. After Ralph’s retirement from the Air Force, Ralph and Ann returned to make their home in Cheyenne.

    In 1973 Ann returned to work full time, working for Wyoming State Government, Personnel Division of the Department of Administration and Fiscal Control (DAFC). Redman worked as Grants Review Coordinator in Governor Herschler’s Office and International Trade Assistant and Protocol Officer under Governor Mike Sullivan. Ann’s immediate supervisor during the early years of the Herschler administration was a young man named Dave Freudenthal who was Hershler's State Planning Coordinator. He later became Governor of Wyoming. She served on Freudenthal's campaign, Chaired the Official Inauguration, the first to be held outside the state Capitol and worked in his transition office.

  • Mid Career

    In 1990 Governor Sullivan appointed Ann to spearhead the State’s Centennial Celebration, attended by several foreign dignitaries. Wyoming’s Governor Jim Geringer appointed Redman to head Wyoming’s 50-50 QVC Tour, to serve on the committee of the USS Wyoming and in 1997 appointed Redman to serve on the Industrial Siting Council. The Council reviews the socio-economic and environment impacts of industrial facilities before issuing a permit for construction. Ann continues to spearhead visits to Wyoming by members of the USS Wyoming.

    Redman is a former board member of Seton Catholic High School’s Board of Trustees and United Way of Laramie County, has served on the Church Council at both Holy Family and St. Mary’s in Cheyenne. She has also been active with Cheyenne’s Cinco de Mayo Committee and an original member of the Wyoming Latina/Latino Coalition. Helped start the annual Cheyenne Hispanic Festival. Ann serves on the Advisory Council for the Foster Grandparent Program, is president of the St. Mary’s/Seton Catholic High School Alumni Association. She serves on the Laramie County Community College Foundation Board, the St. Mary's School Foundation and is president of HOPE, Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education. Ann is a Trustee of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation Board, having served on the Foundation Board for a number of years. She also served on the Professional Development Site Committee; the focus of a University of Wyoming grant to attract more students into the field of education and eventually teach at high needs schools.

    Redman served on Wyoming’s Silent Witness Initiative. The group's goal is to eliminate all deaths by domestic violence nationwide. In October 1997 she joined a group of Wyoming Citizens for a National march at the Washington Mall. The group carried the more than 30 life-sized red silhouettes, which represent women who have been murdered by their husbands or boyfriends since 1985.



    In October of 2000 Ann organized and chaired the first Wyoming Latina Youth Conference targeting girls in grades 5th through 12th. Redman founded the Wyoming Latina Youth Conference, along with other committee members who served on the Governor’s Task Force.

    The statewide conference has grown in numbers and popularity and is now an annual event. In 2016, the University of Wyoming, Latino/a Studies welcomed the WLYC under its umbrella and is now chaired by Dr. Cecilia Aragon. Ann remains as founder and Honorary Chair and continues to hold hands during this transition.




  • Later Years

    In 1996 the Small Business Administration honored Ann as its Minority Advocate of the Year.

    Ann served on the Governor’s Task Force for the 2000 Census. She was a 1999 recipient of the J. C.Penney Golden Rule Award for her volunteer work with local and statewide groups. In January 2000, Ann received the 2000 Governor’s Volunteer and Service Award for her volunteer services not only to the community, but also to the State of Wyoming. In May 2001, the Cinco de Mayo Royalty Committee honored Ann as an Honorary Queen for her years of serving as the committee’s advisor. The Committee is comprised of former Cinco de Mayo Kings and Queens. The students are selected for academics and school and community involvement and range in ages from 17 to 24. In 2007 the Cinco de Mayo Committee selected Ann as its Volunteer of the Year.


    In November 2001, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce selected Ann as the 2001 Athena Award Recipient. It was awarded annually to individuals who, in addition to professional achievement and community service, help women attain professional excellence and leadership skills. The Athena Award has been given to outstanding community leaders in Laramie County since 1995.


    In 2007 Governor Dave Freudenthal appointed Ann to serve on the Wyoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Ann serves on the selection committee for the Dick Cheney USS Wyoming Scholarship, the Curt Kaiser Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship Committee. She serves on the Board of PODER Academy, the only charter school in Laramie County School District #1.

    2009 Mayor Rick Kaysen appointed Redman to serve on the City of Cheyenne's Personnel Commission.


    August 2016, Ann was selected to receive the MALCS (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social) (Women Active in Letters and Social Change) Lifetime Achievement Award. She was nominated by Dr. Cecilia Aragon, Professor of Latina/o Studies at the University of Wyoming. In October of 2016 Ann received the 2016 Wyoming Woman of Distinction Award presented by the Wyoming Council for Women's Issues. In August 2017 Ann earned the 2017 Woman of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Wyoming Business Report.


    Ralph and Ann celebrated 60 years of marriage on August 10, 2017 and are the parents of four sons and have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Ann is the oldest of nine children. She is the sister of former State Senator Floyd Esquibel and State Representative Ken Esquibel.

  • Education

    Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Grade School, Las Vegas, New Mexico - 1950

    St. Mary's High School, Cheyenne, Wyoming - 1954

    Parks Business School, Denver, Colorado - 1956

    Leadership Wyoming Class of 2013


  • Work History

    • Valencia Restaurant, Cheyenne, WY 1950
    • Sky Trail Restaurant, Cheyenne, WY - 1950 - 1955
    • Wyoming State Archives, Lola Homsher, Wyoming State Historian - 1954 - 1955
    • Reibschied & Machol, Attorneys, Denver, Colorado - 1955 - 1957
    • Culbertson Law Firm, Greenville, SC - 1957
    • Davis Construction Company, Greenville, SC - 1957 - 1958
    • Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Limestone AFB, ME - 1959 - 1961
    • State of Wyoming Personnel Division - 1973 - 1975
    • State of Wyoming Office of the Governor, State Planning Division - 1975 - 1995
    • Governor Dave Freudenthal's Transition Team - 2002
    • Organized Governor Freudenthal's Swearing in Ceremony at the Emerson Bldg.

  • Awards

    • 1994 - SOMOS/HOPE Recognition for Service to Community
    • 1995 - Foster Grandparent Program - Award of Gratitude
    • 1996 - Small Business Administration - Minority Advocate of the Year
    • October 1998 - HOPE (Hispanic Organization for Progress and education) in Recognition of Dedicated Service
    • January 2000 - Governor's Service & Volunteer Award - Adult Volunteer
    • 2001 - Honorary Queen - Cinco de Mayo
    • November 2001, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce - 2001 Athena Recipient Award
    • 2007 Cinco de Mayo Achievement Award
    • March 2008 - Esperanza Por La Vida Marginal, University of Wyoming, Cesar Chavez Banquet - Jesse Vialpando Spirit & Service Award
    • September 2009 - Wyoming Student Leaders of the University of Wyoming - Woman of Distinction Award
    • 2016 - MALCS (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social) (Women Active in Letters and Social Change) - Lifetime Achievement Award
    • October 2016 - 2016 Wyoming Woman of Distinction - Wyoming Council for Woman's Issues
    • August 2017 was awarded the 2017 Woman of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Previous Conference

    • Catholic Women of the Chapel - Aviano AFB, Italy
    • NCO Wives Club - Aviano AFB, Italy
    • Holy Family Parish Council, FE Warren AFB, Wyoming
    • Holy Family Youth Minister, FE Warren AFB, Wyoming
    • St. Mary's Cathedral Parish Council
    • Seton Catholic High School Board of Trustees
    • United Way of Laramie County
    • Silent Witness Initiative
    • Wyoming Latina/o Coalition
    • University of Wyoming Professional Development Site Committee
    • St. Mary's Catholic School Foundation
    • Personnel Commission, City of Cheyenne
    • PRESENT
    • Holy Child Academy/St. Mary's High School/Seton Catholic High School Alumni
    • Foster Grandparents - Honorary Board Member
    • Wyoming Women's Foundation - Trustee
    • Laramie County Community College Foundation Board
    • PODER Academy Board of Trustees
    • USS Wyoming Board
    • Cheyenne Hispanic Festival, City of Cheyenne
    • HOPE, Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education
    • Wyoming Latina Youth Conference, Founder and Honorary Chair
    • Curt Kaiser Scholarship Committee
    • Blue Federal Credit Union Foundation
    • APPOINTMENTS
    • 1990 Appointed to the State's Centennial Celebration
    • Appointed to oversee Wyoming's 50-50 QVC Tour - Governor Jim Geringer
    • 1995 USS Wyoming, Governor Jim Geringer
    • 1997 Industrial Siting Council, Governor Jim Geringer
    • 2000 Census, Governor Jim Geringer
    • 2009 Personnel Commission, City of Cheyenne, Mayor Rick Kaysen
    • 2010 Census, Governor Matt Mead
    • 2007 Wyoming Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Governo

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