Thu, Jan 08 2009
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Published October 31, 2008 07:59 pm - By Joe Zentis Life Stories “To boldly go where no man has gone before ...” was the mission of the Star Trek’s fictional starship Enterprise “To boldly go where no woman has gone before?” is an accurate description of the commitment of real-life women who have boldly entered traditionally male-dominated bastions, such as educational and political organizations. LIFE STORIES: Yvonne Hassell toured world, improved her community Yvonne Hassell, West Middlesex By Joe Zentis Life Stories WEST MIDDLESEX — EDITOR’S NOTE: This is another installment in our twice-monthly series “Life Stories,” profiles of everyday people who lend us insight into life and times in Mercer County.
“To boldly go where no man has gone before ...” That was the mission of the Star Trek’s fictional starship Enterprise, as any Trekker knows. Even most non-Trekkers know that, since the phrase has become integrated into our modern culture. OK, so how about, “To boldly go where no woman has gone before?” Not surprisingly, this variant has been used in many contexts, such as the tag line of a brief 1990s TV series called “Almost Perfect.” It told the tale of a fictional woman TV producer struggling to make it in a profession dominated by men. Remember that one? No problem. Neither does anyone else. However, the variation of the Star Trek phrase is an accurate description of the commitment of real-life women who have boldly entered traditionally male-dominated bastions, such as educational and political organizations. Now, that might not sound as romantic or exotic as exploring imaginary planets in a fictional universe, but it takes a lot more serious courage and determination – and it’s a lot more important. Take, for example, Yvonne Hassell of West Middlesex, who, in the early 1970s, ran for election to the all-male West Middlesex School Board. That happened because she had – and still has – a simple, fundamental, internal drive. “If I see something wrong, I’ve got to speak up,” she says. “I can’t let it go.” In fact, she has taken the initiative when things weren’t necessarily wrong, but just not as good as they could be, such as West Middlesex High School’s football field. Yvonne was born in Wheatland in 1931. Her father, Frank Karr, was chief of police at the Carnegie Steel plant. Her family lived in company housing by the curve on Broadway, across from the old railroad roundhouse. “We moved to Sharon when I was going to start first grade and my brother was going to start high school,” she said. “It was a long walk from our house to Farrell High School.” Perhaps it was in school during World War II that Yvonne developed a willingness to be involved in community service. “We were allowed to get out of school to aid in the war effort,” she said. “We went up and down the streets pulling a wagon, loading up the scrap that people put out.” In high school, she belonged to Tri-Hi-Y, the YMCA club that conducts service projects that meet local needs. Typical club activities include community trash pickup, sponsoring teacher appreciation week, distributing voting reminders, Toys for Tots drive at Christmas, assisting the blood mobile, school cleanup, providing invocations at ball games and other special occasions, and raising and lowering the flag at school. 
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