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Meet Our

Board Members

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Jean Watkins

Founder/Board Chair
Jean has held varied positions in several fields before and after retirement.
The common thread has been empowering women, starting in the 1960s, when she was the first woman to be promoted into an engineering position in a major corporation, breaking many barriers and paving the way for other women to achieve their dreams.
Jean runs a scholarship program for members of her extended family here and in England and supports a program in Texas to break the cycle of incarcerating women by empowering them to get jobs and become independent when they get out of prison.
She believes the first step in empowering others is to empower yourself, and makes each day more valuable by learning from the people she meets, the courses she takes, reading books at the Center, and doing independent research.
Most important to Jean is to be a good role model for her granddaughters on what is possible if you love the person you are meant to be, and share that love with your family and your community. The greatest impact she can have on the younger generation is to set a good example.
Mesquite is part of Jean’s heart and she is very proud to call the people she has met here her friends. She thanks the women and men who volunteer and support the Women’s History and Culture Center for turning one person’s dream into a reality for an entire community.

Reenie McFarland

Secretary

My husband and I moved to Mesquite in February 2018 and one of the first people I met was Jean Watkins. She was speaking about the Showgirls and took me to see the Women’s Center, which was in its infancy.

I have been so impressed with what has grown from her vision that I wanted to help in some way. The Secretary position allows me the opportunity to volunteer and provide a service for this amazing organization. 

I appreciate all the wonderful people who have worked to make this center a reality!

Carol S. Saldivar

Past President
I am originally from Detroit, MI and left there in 1981 to join the US Air Force. When I was honorably discharged in 1985, I moved to Layton, UT, and lived in several cities near there for 32 years.
My husband of almost 25 years and I have a son, a daughter, and 4 beautiful granddaughters. Can’t forget our 3rd little rescue Schnauzer, Pretty Girl.
I enjoyed a 25 year career as a Corrections Sergeant for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. We purchased a home here in Mesquite in 2016 and moved here full time in May of 2017. We hit the ground running and I have volunteered at Mesquite Works and currently serve as a volunteer at the Mesquite Veterans Center, where I was fortunate to meet Jean Watkins.
I have been volunteering at the WHCC since July of 2018 and find it to be most rewarding in so many ways. I currently volunteer and serve as Volunteer Coordinator/Facebook Admin/Volunteer Alternate for WHCC.
I believe in the vision of uplifting and empowering women, young and young at heart ❤, and the quest to keep many great women in history’s awe-inspiring accomplishments alive.

Life Outlook: Gotta laugh every day! Treat people kindly, no matter what they can or cannot do for you