Virtual Conference Looks at America’s Most Pressing Issues

Thursday, October 8, 2020 

STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

A CIA operative, the CEO of “Girl Security” and others will discuss some of the most pressing challenges confronting America take in a virtual program hosted by Conversations with Exceptional Women.

The program, titled “America Reimagined,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, Oct. 16.

“That theme promotes curiosity and creative thinking and provides our extraordinary speakers an opportunity to take stock of America and what it might look like under different conditions and policies,” said David Adler, who heads up the Alturas Institute, which organizes the conference each year.

Tickets are $20 and go on sale at 10a.m. today—Thursday, Oct. 7, at www.alturasinstitute.com. . Teachers and students may attend the virtual program free of charge by emailing Alturasmedia@alturasinstitute.com.

Speakers include: 

• Diane McWhorter, Pulitzer Prize winning author of “Carry Me Home,” who will discuss “Civil Rights and Racism in America: The Learning Curve.” Her book focuses on Birmingham, Ala., and the Climatic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution. She is also the author of “A Dream of Freedom,” a young adult history of the civil rights movement.

• Amy Harder, Axios reporter on energy and climate change, who will discuss “Climate Change and American Politics.”

• Gina Bennett, CIA Counterterrorism analyst and author, who will talk about “Election Security in November 2020.” Bennett, who has been in the intelligence community for 30 years, was featured in the Showtime documentary “Spymasters,” the HBO documentary “Manhunt” and the PBS documentary “Makers: Women Who Make America.” She appeared on the cover of Newsweek’s issue on “Women in CIA” and wrote the book “National Security Mom.”

• Lauren Bean Buitta, founder and CEO of Girl Security,” who will discuss “Election Security in November 2020.” Her Girl Security is a first-of-its-kind model designed to empower girls in national security.

• Dr. Joanne Freeman, prize-winning Yale historian, who will discuss “The Implications for American Democracy of a Peaceful Transition of Power.” Recognized as an expert on Alexander Hamilton, she also wrote the book “The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War.”

• Dr. Lara Brown, director of the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University, who will talk about “The 2020 Presidential Election and the Future of America.” Considered an expert in presidential campaigns and elections, she has written blogs for The New York Times, Politico, The Huffington Post and others.

• Dr. Caroline Heldman, professor at Occidental College and television analyst for such news outlets as Fox News, who will discuss “The 2020 Presidential Election and the Future of America.” She was thrust into the spotlight after she and others alleged sexual harassment against Fox News Anchor Bill O’Reilly. She works with multiple organizations to help victims of sexual assault and rape.

• Soraya Chemaly, executive director of The Representation Project, who will discuss “Current Challenges in the Pursuit of Gender Equality.” She is the author of “Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger.”

ALTURAS INSTITUTE HONORS RUTH BADER GINSBURG

The Alturas Institute had planned to host a talk by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past summer in an event that was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. Ginsburg had without hesitation agreed to headline the 2021 Conversations with Exceptional Women before she succumbed to metastasis of the pancreatic cancer that took her life at 87.

David Adler, who founded The Alturas Institute, called her a “towering legal giant, champion of gender equality and equal protection for All Americans, a cultural icon and inspiration to millions of women.”

He noted that she dictated to her granddaughter—Laura Clara Spera—that her most fervent wish was that she not be replaced until a new president was installed.

“The principal concern behind her wish, undoubtedly, was to protect the Court’s independence, to save it from being roiled by the politics of a presidential nomination with six weeks left before the November 3 election,” he said. “Justice Ginsburg’s wish has not been honored; indeed, within a few hours of her passing, President Donald Trump and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared their intention to fill her seat ‘without delay.’  Their announcement has triggered a heated national debate on the propriety, equity and wisdom of such immediate action.”

In response David Adler presented a talk titled “Storm Center: Threats to the Court’s Independence as Trump Fills Justice Ginsburg’s Seat.” The program can be accessed in the Alturas Institute’s archives and on YouTube.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

BY KAREN BOSSICK

When Wood River Valley women pencil in their votes on their ballots today, they will be taking part in a time-honored ritual that was only granted to women 100 years ago.

“We’ve traveled a long way in the last 100 years with 10 million more Americans becoming eligible to vote with the ratification of the 19th amendment in June 1919,” says Constitutional Scholar David Adler. “But why did it take so long? It’s because women were dealt their cards from the bottom of the deck.”

The centennial of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote is near and dear to Adler’s heart.

The United States’ European allies gave women the right to vote before this country did. PHOTO: Wikipedia Commons

He discussed the fascinating tale of how women got the vote--a story punctuated with intrigue--at a presentation at Ketchum’s Community Library. And he talked about it during the annual Conversations with Exceptional Women conference held by the Alturas Institute in September.

American women could not buy or sell property during the nation’s infancy. They were “under the cover” of their husbands, thanks to old English law.

“The thinking was that women didn’t need to speak for themselves—their husbands could,” Adler said. “A woman’s place was to have children and keep hearth and home. Politics were considered too dirty for fragile women.”

Women didn’t necessarily agree.

None other than Abigail Adams told her husband John, the second president of the United States, “Don’t forget the ladies,” as he headed out to craft a new nation at the Continental Congress.

He—and others—did forget, or dismiss, the ladies. And 70-some years later in 1848 women rallied to hold the first national convention to promote women’s rights at Seneca Falls, N.Y. “A few good men” also attended, including Frederick Douglass, the former slave-turned-abolitionist, noted Adler. 

They penned something resembling the Declaration of Independence, saying that all men AND women are created equal and that women should have the right to vote.

That, too, was ignored by the men in power. But Susan B. Anthony managed to turn the tables when she convinced U.S. Sen. Aaron Sargent (R-Calif.) to introduce women’s suffrage to Congress during a long train ride from California to Washington, D.C., in 1872. But, again, white males had no interest in passing the Susan B. Anthony amendment when it was finally introduced in 1878.

Out west it was a different matter. The first territorial legislature of the Wyoming Territory granted women suffrage in 1869, with a Laramie woman becoming the first to cast a vote in September 1870. Colorado followed suit in 1893 and Utah and Idaho in 1896.

“The men outnumbered the women 2-1 in the state of Wyoming in the late 19th century. And they thought giving women the right to vote might attract more women to the state,” Adler said.

By the 1916 election, 16 states had given women the right to vote, prompting Woodrow Wilson to realize that he and others could be defeated if they did not support it.

In 1918 he delivered a speech noting that women had filled the jobs of men who had gone to war, their  performance critical to the nation’s security, and so they deserved the right to vote. Moreover, he added, women—not men—had given birth to those serving in the army.

Congress passed the amendment but it needed 36 states to ratify it. With 35 states saying “Aye,” all eyes turned to Tennessee. as the only one left that could take a vote that year.

Connecticut, Vermont, North Carolina and Florida refused to consider the resolution. And the rest of the Deep South was entrenched against it.

The Tennessee governor called a special session and armies of suffragettes and anti-suffragette lobbyists invaded the Volunteer State. The War of the Roses erupted as lobbyists from Jack Daniels showed up, pouring plenty of liquid bribes against the amendment for fear women would continue prohibition if they got the right to vote.

In fact, bribes to vote against the amendment became so prolific that suffragettes were placed at railroad stations to turn back anyone approaching an amendment supporter with a suitcase.

“Those against felt the passage of the 14th amendment giving black Americans the right to vote had put them under the subjugation of blacks,” Adler said. “We will not let Tennessee be terrorized by women, especially black woman, they said. Let’s not let down our southern neighbors, they said. Women have a place—it’s in the home. If they vote who’s going o be at home to raise the children?”

At one point, the governor thought he had the vote only to have the speaker of the House change his mind after being offered the promise of governorship if he would keep the amendment from being passed.

On the eve of the vote, anti-suffragettes sent fake telegrams to amendment supporters telling them, they needed to return home because their wife or child was on their death beds.

When one amendment supporter received a telegram that his wife was dying, the House minority  leader arranged for a wealthy man to charter a private train so the legislator could get home and, if his wife was okay, return in time for the vote.

When another received a telegram that his baby was dying, another private train was chartered for him so he could sneak out at night, rush home and rush back.

 As the vote neared its conclusion, it was tied 48-48, despite lobbyists who had been allowed to come forward, Jack Daniels in hand and money in their pockets.

The tiebreaker was a 24-year-old named Harry Burns, who had been the youngest ever elected to the legislature.

He wore a red rose on his lapel signifying his opposition to ratifying the amendment. And he had voted against it twice during earlier roll calls.

But, when it came his time to vote this time, he blurted out a quick “Aye.” And with that the 70-year battle for suffrage came to a close

“In his suit pocket was a letter from his mother Febb E. Burn in which she asked him to ‘be a good boy’ and vote for the amendment,” Adler said. “She wrote, ‘As you know, I’m an advocate for the 19th amendment. I hope you will do the right thing and vote for America.’” 

Teton Toyota wins Gender Equality Award

Teton Toyota has been named the winner of the Alturas Institute’s 2019 Susan B. Anthony Award for its promotion of gender equality. The Susan B.Anthony Award, named for the iconic champion of women’s rights, honors an organization in Idaho for its programs and policies advancing the careers of women and the cause of gender equality.

Teton Toyota was hailed by the Alturas Institute President, Dr. David Adler, for its “genuine commitment to promoting women to management and leadership positions within its company, and for fostering an environment for the professional growth and careers of women in an industry historically dominated by men.” Adler added, “Mario Hernandez, the owner of Teton Toyota, in both his personal and professional life, has long been a proponent of leveling the field to facilitate the pursuit of gender equality. His commitment to that goal is exemplary, and he stands out as a leader whose management methods are truly worthy of emulation.” Teton Toyota was distinguished among other finalists by its promotion of women to top leadership positions, its generous family leave program and its program to reimburse parents (often single women) for the cost of their child’s tuition at colleges and universities.

Alturas Institute Postpones “Conversations with Exceptional Women”

In response to the current global health crisis, we deeply regret to inform our audience that The Alturas Institute’s 2020 edition of “Conversations with Exceptional Women” will be postponed until the summer of 2021. We are working with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to confirm a date for her participation and will provide a date certain, as soon as possible.

We have agonized over this decision, but our overriding concern in these challenging times has been the health and safety of our audience, speakers and staff and, indeed, the entire valley. At bottom, the prudential requirements of social distancing, and the societal need to remain steadfast in protecting the health and welfare of fellow citizens, preclude our gathering until next summer. We apologize for any inconvenience that our decision may have caused, and sincerely wish that it could have been otherwise.

As patrons of our event, we would like to offer you three options.  First, if you wish to hold your reservation for 2021, with ticket intact, do nothing. Second, if you would like a refund for your ticket, with the understanding that your seat will be available for purchase by other patrons, let us know.  If you would like a refund and purchased your ticket from The Argyros, contact boxoffice@theargyros.org If you purchased your ticket directly from The Alturas Institute, contact david.adler@alturasinstitute.com. Third, we would be very pleased to convert your purchase to a tax deductible cash donation to The Alturas Institute, with the understanding that we will hold your reservation for 2021 and facilitate your purchase of a ticket next year.

Please continue to check our website for information about the dates for “Conversations with Exceptional Women” in 2021. We look forward to presenting a stellar lineup featuring, among others, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Pulitzer Prize, as well as leaders from the worlds of national security, film, journalism, finance and sports.

VanderSloots receive Adams Award from Alturas Institute

Nate Eaton, EastIdahoNews.com

Local   Published at 6:00 am, February 2, 2020  | Updated at 7:43 am, February 2, 2020

Frank VanderSloot, Belinda VanderSloot, and Dr. David Adler

IDAHO FALLS — Frank and Belinda VanderSloot were honored Saturday night by The Alturas Institute for creating a consumer protection fund that defends Idahoans from excessive attorney fees in medical debt collection cases.

The couple was presented with the John and Abigail Adams Award, which is meant to reflect the mission of The Alturas Institute to promote equal protection of the law.

Dr. David Adler, president of The Alturas Institute, presented the VanderSloots with the award and praised their efforts in establishing the Idaho Medical Debt legal defense fund.

“The VanderSloots have called upon the Idaho legislature to pass meaningful legislation that protects Idahoans,” Adler said. “I predict it will be passed into law and surrounding states will look to it as an example in creating their own legislation.”

The VanderSloots created the fund last year following a series of EastIdahoNews.com stories about aggressive medical debt collection practices in eastern Idaho. They have contributed $1 million to represent more than 200 citizens embroiled in debt collection cases.

“There are so many other people deserving of this award and we are honored to receive it,” Belinda VanderSloot said.

Frank VanderSloot explained he and his wife became passionate about this issue after a Melaleuca employee experienced major legal problems and fees over a medical bill she claims she never received. VanderSloot said he and his team have heard hundreds of stories of people in similar situations who don’t know where to turn for help.

“Belinda and I did what anybody else in this room would have done,” Frank VanderSloot said in accepting the award. “We have been blessed with resources more than I ever could have imagined and we want to use those resources to help others.”

The Melaleuca CEO was in Boise earlier this week where he met with several lawmakers to explain the proposed Idaho Patient Act. The law would provide medical practices and hospitals with specific guidelines on how they bill patients, and how they collect on unpaid or delinquent debts. It would also cap attorney fees in medical debt cases.

Ryan Nelson, Circuit Court Judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Bart David, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, also spoke at the event.