Debra McArthur of the Parkville Branch and IBC Reentry Chair hosted this virtual celebration on Saturday, April 17. Debra introduced the keynote speaker Joni Wickham, chief of staff in former Mayor Sly James’ office. Joni is the author of the book, The Thin Line Between Cupcake/Bitch: Taking Action, Driving Change and Getting Results. The title reflects encapsulating the conflict and tensions women in politics often experience in an older, white male dominated world. Her personal experiences inspired her to develop the thesis of the book which is that women should use their POWER to overcome bias vis-a-viz Preparation, Ownership, Wisdom, Energy, Emotion and Respect. She explained in detail with a slide presentation the concept of POWER and ended her presentation by congratulating the Reentry award winners and encouraging them to use their own power in the fulfillment of their goals.

Debra introduced the IBC scholarship winners, all of whom are nursing students. They include: Electra Arzola, Park University; Angela Bennet, Maple Woods; Adra Sanchez, Blue River MCC; and Tomisha Woodruff, UMKC.

The Toni Thornton Award recipients were congratulated by John Thornton who explained the background of the award, a legacy provided by his deceased wife whose name honors the award and who figured very prominently in AAUW.  The winners are Argelia Fagre-Rivas, a student at KCKCC in the respiratory therapy nursing program, and Emily Holmes, also a student at KCKCC in the nursing program.

The Reentry scholarships were awarded to two more students this year! The additional funds were provided through the gracious donation of AAUW-KC, due to the disruption in the face-to-face program for 100 High School Girls. The recipients are Amanda Kuhn and Patricia Stover, both KCKCC students. Amanda is an accounting student and Patricia is enrolled in the medical assistant program.

The program ended on a high note with congratulations to all the outstanding and deserving recipients and a fervent hope by Debra that the awards ceremony can be held in person next year!

Please join us for our joint meeting with Shawnee Mission on Saturday, February 13 at 11 a.m. on Zoom!

We will welcome guest speaker Sara Bly who will describe and answer questions about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact will guarantee the U.S. Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Compact ensures that every vote, in every state, will matter in every presidential election. The Compact is a state-based approach that preserves the Electoral College, state control of elections and the power of the states to control how the President is elected.

Questions may already arise (e.g. How can the legislation work so that the candidate with the most votes across the whole country is elected and yet not change the existing electoral college method?)  To that end, you are encouraged to submit questions beforehand to Jo Denton, jodenton@att.net or 913-449-7258.

Sara is a volunteer with the National Popular Vote organization (www.nationalpopularvote.com) and served on the executive committee for the successful National Popular Vote campaign in Oregon.

Join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81078070174

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 14, Carol Cowles, AAUW-KC Public Policy, will introduce Alice Kitchen at the weekly forum held by All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church (virtually this year).

Alice will be presenting the report that she, Patti Jachowicz, Gail James, and Carol Cowles have prepared to show Mayor Lucas and members of the City Council where we believe Kansas City ranks in addressing discrimination against women.  Click here to read the seven-page report.

This forum offers us a chance to raise the profile of AAUW as well as inform our community about the work we are doing. Here is the link for details about the forum and presenters:  https://allsoulskc.org/sunday-mornings/uu-forum-weekly/ Alice will be in good company!

The 2020 Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award event was held online on October 4th. This year’s award was presented to Andrea Warren for Enemy Child: The Story of Norman Mineta, a Boy Imprisoned in a Japanese American Internment Camp During World War II. First and second runner-ups, respectively, Shawn Pavey for his book of poetry Survival Tips for the Pending Apocalypse and Gary DeRigne for Angie’s War. Congratulations to these winning authors and all of the local authors who were nominated in 2020.

Special thanks to our keynote speaker Robert F. Sommer, author and 2019 Thorpe Menn award winner, storyteller Anita K. Parran, president of KK Charles Communications and Thorpe Menn reading and event committee members.

If you would like to nominate an author for the 2021 award, please go to the “Events” tab for guidelines and instructions. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2021.

ELECTED OFFICERS

President – Joanie Shores

President Elect – Luna Mukherjee

Membership Chairs – Hortense Burr, Pat Taylor

Secretary – Corinne Mahaffey

Finance Officer – Linda Berube

APPOINTED OFFICERS

Communications Chair – Stefanie Hatfield

Funds Chair – Ellen Johnson

Public Policy Chairs – Patty Cahill, Lee Rathbone-McCuane

SPECIAL PROJECTS

College/University Chair, Re-Entry and Women’s Center Liaison – Stephanie Holthaus

Thorpe Menn Chairs – Corinne Mahaffey, Carrie Maidment, Jane McClain, Anita Parran

Wagy Fund Chair – Ellen Johnson