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News and Views
Fall 1998 Volume 8, Issue 2
In the Spotlight
Polly French Doughty, Friend of Women's Studies
Polly French Doughty, local activist, has been a supporter of Women's Studies since the program's earliest days. For 10 years she has served on various committees, assisted with fundraising, and supported many of the programs and events sponsored by the Center.
Polly Doughty first became affiliated with Women's Studies at UF as the result of her community activism in women's issues. She had worked with many women (and men) in Gainesville to push for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in Florida. Doughty was known for her ability to work with many community leaders and was "fearless" in asking for funds and for lobbying efforts (such as calling state legislators to urge them to vote for equality). Though her efforts helped change the vote of the two senators representing this district, the ERA failed in Florida and the U.S.
Later, when Dr. Linda Wolfe became the director of Women's Studies (1989-1991), she asked Doughty to serve on the executive committee. Two of the main challenges they faced were increasing publicity and, of course, with a limited budget, obtaining outside funds. At the time Women's Studies consisted of one office, a small library, and an annual budget of $3,000.
Doughty's major contribution to the growth of the program was her ability to bring together women in the community who shared a common interest in furthering the small, but strong, program. Her networking efforts resulted in the inception of many events, some of which still occur today, including the annual book sale fundraiser at Goerings' Book Store which has been a tradition for the past six years.
Another of Doughty's fundraising efforts resulted in a cocktail reception at the home of President and Mrs. Lombardi, an opportunity to network with both faculty and community people. (Doughty who had developed the invitation list and collected the funds, missed the reception because a flat tire caused a six hour delay on a return trip from St. Petersburg!)
The newsletter, which began as a four-page photocopied publication, became a useful tool to reach out to people in the community for their support, and thus began the drive for Friends of Women's Studies memberships.
In an attempt to encourage research in the area of Women's Studies, Dr. Helga Kraft (director from 1991- 1995) and Doughty initiated a scholarship in honor of the first director of Women's Studies at UF, Irene Thompson. Each year a student is honored with this merit scholarship.
In addition to her work here, Doughty has been active in several regional and state organizations, including the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women (now known as the Florida Commission on the Status of Women) under then Governor Bob Graham. In 1980 she chaired the first conference "Women as Victims: An Awareness and Prevention Seminar" which continues to receive support from area law enforcement agencies. Today the annual seminar attracts between 400 and 500 participants each year. This year's conference is called "Women and Men: Moving Beyond a Culture of Violence."
As president of Friends of Women's Studies, Doughty continues to bean active and integral program supporter. She remains a member of the executive committee under the leadership of current director, Dr. Sue Rosser, and has been helpful in introducing Rosser to members of the Gainesville community.
Today, with the tireless dedication of Women's Studies supporters, our program has more than quadrupled in size. We dedicate this column in honor of Polly Doughty's many contributions.
