Tri-County Student to Present Paper at National AAUW Conference

CONTACT: CILE DUNKELBERG, EXT. 2193

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/15/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Two years ago, community developer Tatiana (Tanya) Vorzakova Potts facilitated a network of rural women leaders to improve the quality of their lives and to advance the political, social and economic status of women in their small Slovakian village.

"This was a first for these women who, for years, have lived with despair and hopelessness about the future and were fearful of stimulating change," says 29-year-old Potts, now a University Transfer student at Tri-County Technical College.

She and two other colleagues will present a proposal, "Tradition and Transition: Life in Rural Slovakia for Women Today," at the American Association of University Women's Educational Foundation international symposium November 16 in Washington, D.C. (Tri-County is assisting her with some of the expenses for the trip.) Potts, Christine Weiss and Sylvia Podhajecka worked with Vidiecke Organizacia pre Komunitne Aktivity (VOKA), the only national rural development organization in Slovakia.

While in her home of Slovakia, Potts worked for an American non-governmental organization as a community developer. She received a call from a lady who wanted the village members to open the lines of communication. "I traveled to the village, and I looked at the strengths and weaknesses," said Potts. "I asked them what they wanted to change and how they could contribute. They learned together, realized their pluses and developed a business plan to develop the village. They suddenly defined the people who can help and can change things. The concept of openness is new to these women. The people organized and asked questions and made suggestions. This was the first time that had happened," she said.

Potts continued: "The root of their problem is widespread unemployment and collapse of the central power structure that provided employment and a sense of security to all citizens for over 40 years. People are not used to taking responsibility for their own future," she added.

"Despite these problems, local women leaders are most often those who take the initiative to better their communities, both socially and economically," she explained. "Without these grass roots efforts, which they themselves lead, the local economy and social fabric of the community is headed for collapse. As one member recently said, 'A year and a half ago, I was all alone. Now I have dozens of colleagues all over the country who have helped me to understand that I am part of a large group of individual women who are slowly but surely making positive changes in rural Slovakia.' "

It was challenging work, said Potts, who now resides in Pendleton with her husband. "The community now feels it has the right to change the village. They began to realize that they could improve the quality of life in cooperation with the mayor."

She began her "listening projects" in 30 villages and organized 22 reform projects. "I got positive feedback and it was really good to hear. They made the changes and were grateful. I opened their minds and helped them to change their lives in the process," she said.

Potts initially came to the United States on a student visa from Tri-County. She recently married a Clemson University professor, who began his education at a community college and a strong advocate of two-year colleges.

"English is my second language so it takes me twice as long to read and comprehend," said Potts, who maintains 4.0 grade point average.

"I've always wanted to study, and Tri-County has provided me so much," said Potts, who has been living in the United States for 10 months. "The teachers are so helpful and want you to succeed. I never dreamed I would get one on one attention from the instructors."

She left her home after high school and went to England where she worked as a nanny and took English classes twice a week for two years. She also took Russian for eight years in school, speaks Italian fluently, studied German for six years and is currently taking Spanish classes at Tri-County.

Her goal is to transfer to Clemson University to study languages and international trade.

"Tanya is an exceptional student and truly has a gift for linguistics," said Cile Dunkelberg, who serves as an advisor, counselor, friend, and general reference point for the international students on the Tri-County campus.

"Here at Tri-County we tend to get the best and the brightest international students from many different countries. Tanya's linguistic ability is far above average. We're lucky to have her on our campus," said Mrs. Dunkelberg.
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