Scott says she and Thatcher took turns being bored and giving up on the book. When one was sick of the project, the other one would rally and read revisions and call the authors to urge them on. Three authors and the original photo editor died during the 22 years the book was in production.

Scott names the historians who passed away: Mary Clark and Lois Kelley died before the book's publication was assured. Their families turned their original papers over to Scott, who finished Clark's chapter and found another author to work on Kelley's. Cary Stevens Jones, the book's original photo editor, died young, of cancer, Scott says sadly.

Helen Papanikolas died most recently. When Scott called her to say, "Utah State University is interested in publishing our book," Papanikolas was glad. But she also said she was going through chemotherapy and didn't have the energy to work on her chapter.

Scott remembers the last e-mails she got from Papanikolas. As it happened, Scott's mother was about to begin chemotherapy and Papanikolas offered advice and encouragement.

Thatcher also has dearly held memories of Papanikolas — of her generosity and her accepting nature. Papanikolas mentored a generation of local Ph.D. students, Thatcher recalls. Thatcher remembers how she and her friends used to tell each other, "When we grow up, we want to be just like Helen Papanikolas."

Scott and Thatcher are happy to announce the proceeds of "Women in Utah History" will go to fund a history prize named in honor of Papanikolas.

To be considered for the award the author must be enrolled at a university or college and the paper must address some historical aspect of women's lives in Utah. For details, call Thatcher at 533-3574.

If you go ...

What: "Women in Utah History: Paradigm or Paradox?" lectures

When: Wednesday through March 29, noon on days listed below

Where: Zephyr Room, Utah State Historical Society, 300 S. 455 West

How much: Free

Phone: 533-3500

Web: history.utah.gov

Schedule

Wednesday: "Images from 'Women in Utah History,' " Susan Whetstone, photo librarian, Utah Historical Society

March 8: "From Schoolmarm to State Superintendent: The Changing Role of Women in Utah Education, 1847-2004," Patricia Lyn Scott, consulting archivist, Westminster College

March 15: "Women in Politics: Power in the Public Sphere," Kathryn L. MacKay, associate professor, Weber State University

March 22: "Conflict and Contributions: Women in Utah Churches, 1847-1920," John Sillito, archivist and professor, WSU

March 29: "Gainfully Employed Women in Utah," Miriam B. Murphy, historian and writer, former associate editor of the "Utah Historical Quarterly"

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E-mail: susan@desnews.com