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Scholarships Totaling $3,500 Awarded to
Our 2022 Recipients
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Emmelia Ashton attends Colorado School of Mines and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. She is active in the Undergraduate Student Government, Society of Women Engineers, Colorado School of Mines Materials Advantage Chapter, and plays Women’s Club Rugby. Emmelia is a research associate on the Transdisciplinary Nanostructured Materials Research Team, where she is a project lead on a research project involving Iron-Nitrogen magnetic nanomaterials. She currently works with a team of engineers to design and implement a projector system utilizing a Raspberry Pi4B interface and solar power to bring enhanced educational tools into refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya, promoting educational equity for women. In her free time, she enjoys being active outside, reading, cooking, the arts, and finding ways to help others through volunteer service. Emmelia received a $1,000 scholarship.
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Sreeya Kairamkonda is currently a Junior at Colorado State University pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences. After graduating, she hopes to go to medical school and become an OBGYN. Throughout her time at CSU, Sreeya has been heavily involved with different activities on campus including working in a lab focused on DNA replication and creating Club Heartbeat whose members play music for residents in hospitals and retirement homes. She is passionate about creating safe and welcoming STEM environments for everyone. Sreeya is involved in Sigma Pi Meitnerium, a national organization for women in chemistry and involved in their scholarship, mentoring and diversity dialogues focused on high school girls and those in marginalized communities. She is dedicated to reaching her goals and focusing on her passions. Sreeya was awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
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Emily Sanchez is a Junior at Harvard University studying Integrative Biology and Global Health and Health Policy. She is involved in conducting research on health disparities of rheumatic diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and is the leader of the Pre-College Research Institute and the Latina Empowerment and Development Conference with Harvard's Latinas Unidas. Emily is passionate about mentoring first generation low income and underserved high school students through organizations such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the Harvard pre-orientation First-Year Retreat and Experience program. Emily previously interned for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and will be working full-time as a global health consultant for McKinsey and Company after graduation with the ultimate goal of attending medical school. As a Colorado native, Emily enjoys being outdoors, hiking, running, and biking for fun. Emily was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
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Thanks to our 2022 Longmont Community Foundation Scholarship Committee members - Janell Flaig and Ginny Black. What excellent selections!
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Think Local! Vote in the Primaries on June 28
Commissioner is an important position, with much influence on our daily lives and those of the women we advocate for. Living wage for county employees, early childhood education supports, workplace fairness, affordable housing and environmental issues are all in their purview.
For Democrats: District 3 candidates are Ashley Stolzmann, current mayor of Louisville, and Elaina Shively, who oversees restorative justice programs for the Boulder County District Attorney. Watch for upcoming debates.
For Republicans: US Senator, Governor, and Secretary of State, have primary contests. but there are no candidates for District 3 commissioner.
Think back: AAUW-supported bills were successful this year.
A selection: The Reproductive Health Equity Act, guaranteeing women freedom of choice in Colorado; Don't Tax Dignity, removing taxes on tampons and other essential hygiene products for all ages; three mental-healthcare-related bills; and Programs to Support Healthcare Workforce with tuition, fees, and training institution funding.
Favorite quotes from our three local legislators at their 2022 Legislative Session wrap-up: "We've shown that legislation is a team sport!" (Karen McCormick); "I'm proud that fully half of my bills were bi-partisan" (Tracey Bernett); and Sonya Jaquez Lewis' remarks on thinking ahead (below).
And don't forget to celebrate the women in our group who attended the rallies in mid-May to encourage the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade. Longmont and Boulder each had large crowds who marched in support.
Think ahead: Want to help those great bills that didn't pass this year?
Sonya suggests testifying for your favorite bill next year. It's easy - they will continue to allow Zoom testimony. Training is available through a local organization (ask your Public Policy Chair for details).
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Carol Cook, a longtime member of our branch, passed away on May 30 at the Hover Green Houses at the age of 76. She had a 30 year career in education; as a teacher and a principal. Carol was the principal of Northridge Elementary School from 1990-2003 and had a real passion for kids and learning. She created a strong community between teachers, parents, and students.
Carol’s other passion was animals, especially dogs and horses. She fostered many shelter dogs from the Humane Society and especially loved and spoiled her St. Bernard dogs. It was not uncommon for Carol to show up for a party with her dog. She was a former board member of the Longmont Humane Society.
In retirement, Carol loved to travel. She took many trips with Kathy Williams, another branch member. She was a chaperone for a group of Longmont teenagers to Chino, Japan as part of a student exchange.
A member of AAUW Longmont since 1998, she loved working the Book Fair sales, attending our meetings and participated in Gourmet group for several years. Her most recent position was Courtesy Chair for the branch.
She will be missed by many friends, the education community in Longmont and her fellow branch members. A book will be contributed to the Longmont Library in Carol's memory.
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Mary Webber will send cards to members or immediate family members who are experiencing difficult times, illness, or death and helping to arrange transportation if needed. If you have a concern or recognition to share please contact Mary.
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FROM THE BOARD
Kathy Hall
Administrator
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As our fiscal year comes to an end on June 30, it’s a wonderful time to pause and take stock of what our Branch has done over the past 12 months. There are lots of highlights this year.
- We have welcomed 10 new members
- Experienced great participation in our programs and interest groups
- Expanded the reach of our committees into the community
- Supported our Branch and the national organization financially
There is a lot more to be proud of and you can find a more expansive list in the annual report we prepare each June. Please take a few minutes to take a look at all our accomplishments.
The Board cannot even describe how much your participation is treasured.
Cheers to a great 2022-23!
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Our Branch Awarded $3,500 in Community Action Grants
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El Comité was granted $1,000 to support its English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These unique classes include an assessment test to determine the level placement of the student, use laptop computers in the classes, and implement Civics Lessons into the sessions. All of the classes are taught by accredited ESL teachers and use a state-certified curriculum. Many of the students in these classes are focused on getting their GED or becoming a US citizen. Women make up 75-80% of the participants in these programs.
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From Nest to Wings was awarded $750 to expand their video library that focuses on terms and issues for 1st generation college applicants as part of the varied educational offerings to these students by Nest. This nonprofit educates on how to maximize high school, the different forms of higher education, the college application process, financing college, and the first-year college experience. Expanding the video series to help students more easily understand the language created around the high school to college experience through the online media they are so used to accessing is crucial. This nonprofit is particularly sensitive that their products support all women in education.
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Open Door was granted $1,000 to support childcare expenses for students at their facility. Open Door provides affordable ESL academic classes. Students in these English classes receive college-prep instruction as well as job enhancement skills, like interviewing, resume and scholarship essay writing, and computer skills. Open Door offers a unique High School Equivalency program, with both paper and computer options, in both English and Spanish. The center sees education as the great equalizer and offering childcare during the classes further equalizes opportunities, particularly for women.
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Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley received a grant of $750 to support the Athletes as Leaders (AAL) program, within its multi-pronged Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program, to address the root cause of teen dating violence. AAL applies a Positive Youth Development approach for female youth to participate in education, awareness raising and leadership development. Coaches who participate in this program will nominate an exceptional female athlete who not only completes the program, but also excels in positively changing their environment. These monies will be offered to the student as an educational scholarship.
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Thanks to our 2022 Community Action Grant Committee members - Nancy Bruington, Sherry Cross, Sue Hughes, Gayle Rainey, and Kathy Williams - for their great selections this year.
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GOURMET DINNER GROUP NEWS
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Good news - We will be having our annual Summer Picnic this year in August. Kathy and Bruce Hall have graciously offered their yard as the venue.
For those of you who like to cook, eat, converse, know that you are always welcome to join this group. We meet about 4 times a year in members’ houses, and all participants prepare part of the meal.
A May 21st email was sent from Gayle to all new and present members of the Gourmet Group. Search for the email and please respond ASAP, so we can continue planning.
If you cannot locate the email or are unsure of your response, just send Gayle an e-mail and she will respond. We'd love to have anyone who is interested join us for a wonderful meal on a gorgeous summer evening.
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COFFEE AND CONVERSATION UPDATE
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This informal group meets the second Wednesday of the month, at 9:30. Since the weather is welcoming (and COVID levels are again high) we will meet, beginning June 8th, under our umbrella of trees in the NW corner of Roosevelt Park, at the corner of Bross and 8th. We'll return to the Java Stop in the fall. Until then, grab your chair and beverage and meet for good company and good conversation.
Since we enjoy each other’s company, and to accommodate those who can’t make it the 2nd Wednesday, we would like to add a second meeting during the month - different day, different week. Please send your suggestions to Nan Andersson.
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As you know, we live in a beautiful part of the world and our mountain, plains, and prairie offer fabulous opportunities to enjoy America, the Beautiful. AAUW Longmont began a hiking group over a year ago with plans to hike every month: rain, snow, sun, heat were not to stop us.
And that worked until it got really cold, and more of us began to travel again. We have missed a couple of months, but generally have hit the trails on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We have been to Rocky Mountain National Park, to Rocky Flats, Mount Sanitas, Button Rock, and other wonderful trails. Our numbers have ranged from 4 to 8, and we have done 4 - 9 miles. Nothing too strenuous, and generally we have been finished by noon, and even sometimes stopped for lunch.
If some exercise and members' company sounds like a good idea once a month on trails in the area, please email and let us know you'd be interested in joining us whenever you are available.
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All Branch members are welcome to attend. It's never too late to join.
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Wednesday, June 8, 9:30 am
Wednesday, July 13, 9:30 am
Roosevelt Park - corner of 8th and Bross
Contact: Nan Andersson
CURRENT ISSUES & ADVOCACY (CI&A)
Monday, June 20 3:30 pm
On Zoom or in-person - contact Nancy for link or location
Contact: Nancy Holt
EVENING BOOK GROUP
Thursday, June 16, 7:00 pm
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Host: Kathy Hall
Thursday, July 21, 7:00
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore
Host: Bev Schrenk
Contact: Bev Schrenk
GOURMET DINNER GROUP
Contact: Gayle Rainey to join us for the August dinner.
HIKING GROUP
Thursday, June 9 and July 14
Contact Darcy Juday for departure time and more route information.
MEMOIR WRITING GROUP
Monthly on 1st Thursday, 4‐5:45 pm via Zoom
Contact: Mary Webber
STUDY GROUP ON RACISM AND ANTI-RACISM
Tuesday, July 12, 1:00 pm
Via Zoom
This group meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 1:00 pm unless otherwise indicated. If interested, contact the group via email.
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