By Rebecca Wickstrom
Sister Sharon Samuelson will address BYU Women, an organization of full-time female faculty and staff and the spouses of BYU faculty and staff, at 1 p.m. Saturday Sept. 13, 2003 at the Alumni House.
The organization invited Sister Samuelson to speak to welcome her to BYU.
'We want to get acquainted with her,' Barrus said.
Sister Samuelson will speak about the group''s theme, from Revelations 3:8, 'I have set before thee an open door.'
For Marilyn Barrus, BYU Women president, the group''s theme was symbolized by Sister Camilla Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, who took an art class from the University of Utah in her 90s.
'That, to me, is what we are all about-ever learning and growing,' Barrus said. 'We have eternal goals to grow and progress and there is always an open door.'
BYU Women is nearly 100 years old. BYU president George H. Brimhall established the organization in 1914 to provide more consistent social support to BYU faculty. The organization expects approximately 250 members this year.
Members meet each month to listen to speakers and music in a social environment.
'It''s like a mini Women''s Conference,' Barrus said. 'It''s a wonderful opportunity for women to be edified and also get to know one another.'
Carolyn Wright, program chairperson for the organization, has assembled a diverse group of speakers this year.
'We try to find speakers with different interests. We try to really learn something,' Wright said.
Upcoming speakers include a defense attorney, an artist and a BYU professor who is also the director of a cancer research center.
In the past, members of the General Relief Society, Young Women and Primary presidencies have spoken.
'It''s nice to be inspired and feel good, but we feel inspired and good by learning something new,' Wright said.
Barrus explained the inspiration that comes from the speakers.
'We hope to somehow have a connection to the speakers that come so we are able to see the doors that they have opened in their lives and the opportunities that we have, especially associated with BYU,' Barrus said. 'There is so much learning and growth in working towards spiritual goals.'
The women also come to the meetings to have a social experience.
Jean Smith is the treasurer of the organization. She was a member of the group for two years before she left BYU. Years later, upon her return to the area in 1997, she was invited to join again.
'I love the programs and the camaraderie with the people there,' Smith said. 'I just love everything about it.'
For more information BYU Women, go to www.byu.edu/byuwomen.