Celebrating Women in Parks and Recreation — Episode 111

As we wrap up Women’s History Month, I wanted to revisit an episode
we released around this time last year, with three women who
created quite a force in the world of parks and recreation – a
group known as Women in Parks and Recreation, or WiPaR, which
started as a Facebook group for women in the field to come together
and share their ideas, struggles and triumphs. It has now grown
into a 5013 nonprofit charitable organization with a go al of
strengthening women in the field through networking, collaboration
and learning.

On this episode, you’ll be hearing from the three founding
members of Women in Parks and Recreation:


Lakita Watson, an NRPA board member, former executive
director of the Richland County Recreation Commission (South
Carolina) and CEO of WiPaR;

Katy Keller, director of Town of Pittsboro Parks and
Recreation (North Carolina) and the vice president of programs
for WiPaR; and

Melanie Scoggins, business development and retention manager
at Town of Leesburg (Virginia) and founding board member of WiPaR



I hope you enjoy this conversation as we discuss their
experiences, as well as the inspiration behind creating this
group (and now full-fledged organization). I encourage listeners
to check out their newly launched website at WIPAR.org. AND,
Lakita will be joining NRPA for an online learning opportunity
this Thursday, March 31, to discuss the WiPAR community and the
unique challenges and amazing triumphs of women in the field.


Tune in to the full episode below to learn:


The importance of women having their own space to collaborate
on ideas related to our field.

Some of the ways they are sharing the “mental load” of
invisible work that women take on in their personal and
professional lives.

What their experiences have been working through a pandemic
and what challenges have been unique to women.

What advice they would give young women in the field of parks
and recreation.

Some of their favorite stories and ideas that have come from
the Women in Parks and Recreation Facebook group, and more!



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