Interview with Dorothy "Dot" Ridings, August 7, 2000

Interview Summary

Dorothy "Dot" Ridings discusses her early education, marriage and professional life. She discusses the early appointments and early organization of the committee. Ridings talks about her first meetings with the Prichard Committee, but admits she cannot recall all the details. She discusses the people she met at committee meetings. She discusses the advantages of meeting at Shakertown including the ambiance and relaxed setting. She discusses the political environment of the meetings. Ridings discusses the community college system and the inclusion of Jefferson Community College in the Metroversity system. She talks about the relationship between the committee and the media and attributes much of the committee's success to the relationship. She talks about KET making videos of all the committee meetings. Ridings talks about the social event at Spindletop when the committee submitted their report to the governor. She discusses how members of the committee then began considering the next steps in education reform by reconstituting the committee as a private institution, and about shifting focus from higher education to primary and secondary education. Ridings talks about the influence of gender attitudes among committee members and gender balance on the committee. She discusses how the committee dealt with the issue of Title IX. Ridings talks about the decision to continue the committee's work after establishing a full time staff. She discusses the succession of leadership after the death of Ed Prichard. Ridings characterizes the Prichard Committee as a "citizens" movement rather than a grass-roots movement. She talks about good relations among members of the committee, especially among the women. She talks about the state-wide citizens meetings sponsored by the committee designed to build public support for educational reform. Ridings talks about her personal recollections of Ed Prichard, whom she met when she became a member of the committee. She discusses a conflict of views between Prichard and Governor Martha Layne Collins. She talks about the committee's meeting soon after Prichard's death and the members reminiscing about him.

Interview Keyword

Prichard Committee on Higher Education in Kentucky's Future Community colleges--Kentucky Gender issues Bob Sexton Edward Prichard, Jr. John Y. Brown, Jr.

Interview LC Subject

Education--Kentucky Educational leadership Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

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Interview Usage

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