LEADING LADIES AN INDEPENDENT SERIES • PART 2
WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Whether you call Libby Gibson the Town Administrator or the Town Manager, she is unquestionably the island's quintessential leading lady. But although she is at the top of the ladder,

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent District Court Clerk/Magistrate Roxana Viera (L.), Clerk of the Courts in the Superior Court Pat Church, and Probate and Family Court Register Sylvia Howard.

so to speak, there are many women in primary island government roles who head important

town departments. Women's recognition is far from being limited to Nantucket - Harvard named its first female president in February, and the first female president and director was recently chosen for the renowned Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. But many believe the island is unique in the sheer number of women here in influential positions.

That number prohibits interviews with each individual woman, but in this and the next installment of Leading Ladies we will talk with 11 women instrumental in local government and departments, a number that merely hints at their total involvement and contributions. This week we profile Town Manager Libby Gibson and the three women of the courts: Patricia Church in Superior Court, Roxana Viera of District Court and Sylvia Howard, Register of Probate Court.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent file Town Manager Libby Gibson

LIBBY GIBSON

The town's charter outlines 15 principal duties of the Town Administrator/Manager, including supervising town departments, preparing the annual budget and preparing the Town Meeting warrant. All town departments other than the schools, airport and water departments fall under Gibson's purview.

In 1990, Gibson began working in the selectmen's office as Assistant Town Administrator. Although she had no intention of applying when the Town Administrator's position became vacant, and said at the time she did not believe she was qualified, former selectman Cheryl Bartlett encouraged her for months until she finally applied and was named administrator in 1995. When the selectmen appointed Gibson they requested that she earn her master's degree in public administration as soon as possible, which she did in 1998. That, along with other continuing education, has been beneficial in helping her cope with growing island issues.

"One of the challenges is the scope of the job. It's huge," she said. "You have to be on top of almost everything almost all the time and it's a wide range of subjects. There are long-term projects, there are day-to-day big items that happen every year such as Town Meeting and budget preparation, but on top of that there are labor negotiations, landfill operations, sewer treatment issues, records management - I could go on and on. It's from A to Z, and working for five bosses who don't always agree on everything."

Gibson said that basically her most important roles are to ensure that town government is operated efficiently, effectively and properly, but also to be approachable so that the public feels they may express their concerns and suggestions. Juggling all that, as any working mother knows, can be difficult if a woman has young children. Gibson has two, and she said there are times when she has to leave her office during the day to care for them and return at night to finish her work.

"Sometimes I wouldn't mind being the assistant again. Sometimes it does seem a lot easier," she said. "Other than that, I really enjoy what I'm doing and hope to continue."

PAT CHURCH

The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with damage requests exceeding $25,000, with criminal felonies and equity cases.

Church was hired as a clerical worker in the Superior Court office in 1978. After Gertrude Whelden, the first female Clerk of the Courts here, passed away in 1980 Church was appointed as Clerk by the Supreme Judicial Court, and in 1982 she was elected as Clerk of the Courts. Now in her fifth consecutive term that expires in 2012, Church could also serve as Clerk for the SJC if it sits on Nantucket. She views two of her key roles as serving the public and preserving the records for posterity.

"Court files are forever," she said.

Among her greatest challenges has been to convince the mainland administrative offices that for many reasons, including its location, the island's court cannot be run like the larger off-island courts.

"Statistics, caseloads, fiscal responsibilities - it's everything. It took a while for the powers to realize Nantucket would have to be run differently from other counties," she said, noting that men outnumber female court clerks.

"But even if the majority of the clerks are men, they aren't as involved in the day-to-day basis as in an office like this. They aren't as hands-on as you have to be in a small county. In this county there's me and then there's Mary (Adams, her assistant) and we have to do it all.

"I'm 62 and I'm eyeing the future to some extent," Church said of considering another term. "I'm not looking to sit and read the newspaper every day. When I do retire I'll probably do something else, but as a career this was a pretty good shot and I'm fortunate to have held the position for so long."

ROXANA VIERA

The District Court has jurisdiction over civil, criminal, small claims, non-criminal vehicle and bylaw violation cases and abuse prevention orders.

Viera began with the District Court in December 1977 as Deputy Assistant Clerk, was appointed in 1991 as Acting Clerk/Magistrate and in 1992 was given a lifetime appointment as Clerk/Magistrate by then Gov. William Weld. Trying to stay ahead of the increasing volume of paperwork her office handles and perform her administrative duties at the same time are among Viera's greatest challenges.

Her roles are all important and include but are far from limited to the responsibility to maintain accurate records, hear and issue processes for summonses and arrest and search warrants, conduct small claims trials and civil case management conferences, conduct bail and probation detention hearings and arraignments in the absence of a judge and prepare her office's budget.

"When I was first appointed there were very few female clerk magistrates and now there are many more. There are more women in the workforce today and they work hard and are willing to assume responsibility," she said. "This job has been very good to me. It has been interesting, challenging, rewarding and at times frustrating, but that's like any other job. Things are always changing so you're always learning something new. The district court is very good about continuing education and professional development. I've served on many committees of the Supreme Judicial Court."

SYLVIA HOWARD

The Probate and Family Court has jurisdiction over cases dealing with adoption, divorce, co-conservatorship, guardianship of equity cases, wills and estates.

Howard had been working for the Historic District Commission and the island's Building Department when Phyllis Visco became Register of the Probate Court and needed an assistant. Visco hired Howard in 1982, and when Visco stepped down Howard stepped up and was elected as Register 12 years ago. Now in her second term, she has found that keeping pace with changes of law is among her biggest challenges.

"To me, it is being able to help the public because a lot of the cases are so difficult and many involve a house. If a couple gets divorced and they can't buy each other out they have to sell and move off the island," she said. "It's also keeping up with the monthly workloads for each session, then being ready for the next session. There is a tremendous amount of paperwork. Keeping up with the paperwork is awful."

Howard explained that under the statute she is technically the keeper of the record, but in reality her roles are more encompassing. "When people come in we do everything, and with people who don't speak English you have to help them fill out the paperwork. Our work is really different from what the statute says, but how else can you help someone? And more people are coming in pro se (representing themselves) so you have to explain everything."

Howard said there are only three female Probate Court Registers in the state's 14 counties and that she and the Vineyard's Register are the only two who are not attorneys. It is clear to her that women play an outstanding part in this community and she is happy to be a part of that profile.

"Women are the driving force here," she said. "A lot of women rise to the elected offices and with the nonprofit organizations. I think women are the driving force and are trying to make a living on top of their volunteer work. I like what I do. I feel I do a good job and I feel I can help people. I feel I'm very satisfied with what I do

and I'm happy in my position." I

Next week's presentation will include: Finance Director Connie Voges; Assessor Debbie Dilworth; Town Clerk Catherine Stover; Pam Meriam, Administrator of Our Island Home; Jennifer Ferreira, Register of the Registry of Deeds; Kate Hamilton Pardee, Executive Director of Visitor Services; and Paula Leary, Administrator of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority.