'Women of Commitment' at BYU

PROVO — The stories of 32 women who have worked at, attended or contributed to the rich history of BYU fill out the pages of "Women of Commitment, Elect Ladies of Brigham Young University" compiled by Marian W. Jensen but often written by the subject's children or colleagues.

The stories range from a memorial to the author's mother, Alice Ludlow Wilkinson, to vignettes about the wives and mothers of presidents: Patricia Terry Holland, Janet Griffin Lee, Marilyn Scholes Bateman, June Dixon Oaks. Women of stage and theater such as Mary Bee Thompson, Barta Heiner and Janie Thompson are venerated.

Some of the women have done great and notable things that drew press attention while others have led simple lives of quiet dedication and service.

Jensen said choosing whom to include in the book was "very, very, very difficult."

A committee helped provide Jensen with a working list which she then winnowed down.

"It was hard because there are so many, many good women at BYU," she said.

The book makes for good skimming and fine reference material.

The profiles are short yet capture the spirit of the subjects whether they be a doctor, a secretary, an actress or a teacher.

Most have gems of anecdotal information: Alice Ludlow Wilkinson describes arriving in Washington, D.C., with her husband with less than a dollar between them; June Dixon Oaks talks about the first and only woman to give birth while living in the president's home at BYU; Patricia Terry Holland describes going out in disguise to buy frozen pizza and pot pies so BYU students wouldn't think she was a slacker in the kitchen.

There are stories of romance, rocky first dates, tests of faith, career challenges and stories of personal sacrifice.

A number of the subjects are like old friends because the names and faces are familiar.

All are delightful to meet.

The book is available at the BYU campus bookstore, at Sam Weller, Benchmark and Frost bookstores or by special order through Deseret Book.

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com