Women’s voices can make a profound difference in their communities, creating healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable environments for everyone. In this Women’s Week session of Reframing the Conversation, our panelists will share lessons learned from navigating world advocacy, civic engagement, and policy to impact real change in Utah. We’ll explore the unique challenges women face in the region and the importance of breaking ground and being present in policy spaces. Finally, we’ll celebrate the power of women in decision-making positions and government roles—and we’ll get inspired to start a women’s leadership movement.
Reframing the Conversation is a monthly hybrid series. Attendees can join in person at the Hinckley Caucus Room (GC 2018) or virtually on the Reframing the Conversation webpage. For questions about this event, please contact edi-events@utah.edu.
This event is part of Women’s Week: February 27 – March 3, 2023.
Women’s Week is an annual, weeklong event focused on gendered issues and challenges faced in today’s socioeconomic and political climate, intersectionality, and cultural movements. Women’s Week 2023 events will investigate when public policy becomes personal, and explore what this means for us as individuals, citizens, and participants in a diverse democracy.
Women’s Week 2023 is planned in partnership with various organizations across the University of Utah and sponsored by 
Moderator
Morgan (she/her) serves as the associate director of the Hinckley and manages the local and legislative internships. She also contributes to the Hinckley’s political analysis and research. Morgan is a former Hinckley intern and holds a PhD in Political Science from George Washington University.
Panelist
Diane Bahati (she/her) is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. She is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who plans to attend law school after her undergraduate degree. She is also doing a legislative internship through the Hinkley Institute with the Utah League of Cities and Towns and The Utah System of Higher Education.
Panelist
Tashina Barber is a citizen of the Diné nation belonging to the Near the Water Clan people, born for the Folded Arms people, hailing from Rock Point and Chilchinbeto, Arizona. Barber is the Program Manager in the American Indian Resource Center where she works on programs and initiatives focused on Native students. She obtained her Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs from the University of Utah. Her work focuses on Native American students in higher education and the necessity to incorporate retention programs that encourage the cultural values of Native people.
Panelist
Mary Catherine Perry (she/her) is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs at The Policy Project where she has worked on the team’s most recent efforts, the Period Project and the Teen Center Project. Mary Catherine helped draft, advocate for, and implement legislation that requires all of Utah’s public and charter schools to offer free period products to K-12 students. Mary Catherine received a B.A. in English and a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University where she developed a love of advocacy and sound policy. Mary Catherine began her career with the Utah Legislature at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel where she worked analyzing policy, conducting research, and drafting legislation. Mary Catherine has spent 25 years volunteering in public schools and on nonprofit boards dedicated to helping women and children in the community. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and four children.
Panelist
Amber Stargell (she/her) is a Deputy District Attorney for the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and a graduate from the University of Utah – S.J. Quinney School of Law. She is experienced in areas of Criminal Litigation (both prosecution and defense), Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Estate Planning. Prior to law school, Amber specialized in the fields of public relations, communications, research and writing. Her vast career expertise makes her a powerful and dynamic force – inside and outside the courtroom.
Amber is an Ohio native and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Bowling Green State University. At 23, Amber started her career as a Public Relations Assistant at Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo. Soon after, Amber quickly progressed in the non-profit industry. She wrote press releases, media briefs, and organized fundraising events. While at Catholic Charities, Amber developed an incredible gift of writing. Her gift tremendously increased donations and interest in Catholic Charities during her employment. By 25, Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo named Amber Interim Director of Marketing and Communications. Longing to do more for her community in the legal field, Amber left Toledo to attend law school. While is law school Amber was a member of B.L.S.A. (Black Law Student Association), Mock Trial at both Texas Southern University and the University of Utah, U.C.L.I. (Utah Center of Legal Inclusion), a student member of the African American Doctoral Program, recipient of the 2019 U.M.B.A. (Utah Minority Bar Association) Academic Scholarship Award, elected 1L secretary of the Student Bar Association, intern for DAPP (Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program), and an advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Amber is currently a member of the National Bar Association, U.C.L.I., U.M.B.A., the Alta Club, Recording Secretary for the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure Advisory Committee, Women’s Bar Association, mock trial coach for local junior high school and high school students. She is also the first ever Recording Secretary for the developing Utah African American Bar Association. She currently holds a license within the Utah State Bar, the Federal Bar and is certified to practice before the 10 th Circuit Court of Appeals. When she’s not in a courtroom or in meetings, she loves to brunch with her friends, hike, and talk on the phone with her family – especially her grandparents. Amber currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah and is a rising leader, locally and nationally.
Reframing the Conversation brings together experts from across campus and the community to spark important conversations around racism, othering and safety. While continuing to identify and remove barriers and bias incidents targeting our campus community, persistent strides towards an institution where every member is given the opportunity to be educated on equity, diversity and inclusion efforts will remain at the forefront of our work.