Following a lovely potluck dinner with fellowship and conversation, President Nicky Stanke addressed the group of 33 in attendance at the June Celebration Picnic. She welcomed all including new member Judith McGunegle, who only recently moved to Kansas City and just joined our branch at the picnic. When Judith was asked how she knew about the KC Branch and about the evening’s event, she answered that she found the information on our website.

Prior to introducing the two Centennial Scholarship winners, Nicky read an inspiring email from 2013 Re-Entry and Centennial Scholarship winner Crystal Wolfe. She sent her regrets about being unavailable to join us, but she is currently at NASA doing an internship. Crystal, majoring in Engineering at UMKC, expressed her appreciation to AAUW for awarding her two scholarships last year.

Nicky then introduced the two 2014 Centennial Scholarship winners—Lizbeth Lopez Shields and Sunday Hatten – and asked each woman to tell a little bit about herself.  Lizbeth, attending with her husband and two children, said she is working toward a degree in Nursing and Social Science at Maple Woods Community College.  She thanked AAUW-KC for its generosity.  Sunday said she attends Penn Valley Community College and is the mother of seven children, with the added remark that it requires much dedication and determination to return to school.  She complimented us on the history book published in 1993, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Kansas City Branch. Sunday said she was most grateful for the scholarship.

Nicky said it was her honor to announce the two “Named Gift” recipients … Pamela Burke and Renee Carlson.  The number of annual recipients for each Missouri Branch is determined by the per capita contributions for the program year.  Nicky commended Pam and Renee, the Program Co-Vice Presidents this past year, for the many superb programs that they planned and presented to the Branch in 2013-2014.

She then gave her remarks as outgoing President.  Nicky shared our sadness at the loss of our dear friend and member, Gloria Bandstra; but remarked that Gloria would have wished for us to go forward in our efforts to attain equity for all women.  She thanked the many women who helped and supported in her journey:  Carrie Maidment and Pam Chaudoin—Thorpe Menn Literary Awards Luncheon; Jane Crigler and committee—Irene Wagy Awards Luncheon; Earline Bentley and Dana Perry—100 High School Girls Scholarship event; Stephanie Holthaus—Re-Entry Chair; Joanie Shores and Jane Crigler—Public Policy; Ardy Pearson—Branch History project; Ellen Johnson and Stefanie Hatfield—Finance Chair and Finance Officer; Earline Bentley and Sara Pedram in their efforts to recruit and retain membership.

Additional “celebration” comments included: In 1939 at the AAUW National Convention, the attendees rejected the ERA–but the good news is we’re still working to get it ratified. She commended Jane Crigler and Joanie Shores for their tireless efforts in this regard. In the past 20 years we have donated $57,000 to the AAUW funds. She thanked Stefanie Hatfield, Dana Perry and Ellen Johnson for their many creative ideas to raise funds for the Dollars for Scholars program, and most recently, Dana Perry’s project of selling tickets to the film “Wadjda” and to the KC Women’s Chorus spring concert, with portions being contributed to Dollars for Scholars. She thanked Marian McClellan and Carrie Maidment for compiling, editing and publishing the monthly AAUW newsletter with superior guidance from Linda Berube.

The drawing for the two raffle tickets to the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater (contributed by Winnie Weinrich) was then held. The lucky winner was Maureen Hurley, who thanked Winnie for her generous contribution and said she enjoyed theater. Marian McClellan won an AAUW bag of goodies for having paid her 2014-15 dues by June 5.

Nicky Stanke called Linda Berube to the podium and presented her with an appreciation gift for her two years of exemplary service as AAUW-Missouri State President, with a round of applause from the audience.

Linda in turn presented Nicky with a special gift of appreciation for her leadership in 2013-2014.  She then presided at the Installation of Officers for 2014-2015 with special proclamations and gifts for each officer. (See listing of officers in “About Us”.)

Nicky then turned over the gavel to 2014-15 President Winnie Weinrich. She was wearing an expansive purple hat and began by reading several quotes by Bella Abzug. Winnie shared her top three goals as president:

1) Exceed 110 in membership.

2) Offer our Homecoming event in September to former members and invite them to return to AAUW-KC.

3) Identify four college girls (and help with expenses) to attend NCWSL in June 2015.

Other business and announcements:  Linda Berube reported that 11 members and four students are registered to attend the regional conference June 14-15 at Four Seasons Lodge (Lake of the Ozarks). Corinne Mahaffey requested that anyone who has AAUW archival items to please contact her. She will pick up the items or photograph them for Branch historical records.  Joanie Shores announced the annual KC Women’s Equality Week is scheduled for August 24-29 and that volunteers are needed.

On April 6th the 100 High School Girls annual scholarship award program honored 100 young ladies from area high schools on their academic success. The event was held at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center in Kansas City. Three young ladies were awarded scholarships for their community service, leadership skills and academic success. Pictured left to right: Dixie Robinson from Northeast High School plans to attend Avila University to study Advertising and Public Relations; Candace Cunningham from Center High School plans to attend the University of Missouri Columbia to study Occupational Therapy; and Cynthia Odu from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study Computer Science. Thank you to our guest speaker Barbara (Barb) Shelley, a columnist for the Kansas City Star and advocate for the education of girls and women. 

On April 19th the InterBranch Council presented the annual Reentry Woman of the Year scholarships to six women who best exemplify the courage, effort and perseverance to return to the classroom after an absence of five or more years. Pictured above, left to right: Ashley Parker, MCCC Longview; Donna Young, UMKC; Angela Blackmon, MCCC Penn Valley; Rachelle (Shelly) Hardin, MCCC Blue River; Sunday Hatten, MCCC Penn Valley; and Rebecca Lassiter, MCCC Longview. Everyone enjoyed a delicious brunch at Unity Village and left inspired by the stories shared by the honorees.

Authors, members and guests gathered at the KC Central Library for the 35th Annual Thorpe Menn Literary Excellence Award on Oct. 5. The award was established in 1979 by AAUW-KC to honor Thorpe Menn, longtime book editor of The Kansas City Star, who supported all aspects of Kansas City’s cultural life, especially local authors and artists.

The 2013 Award was presented to Samuel Arbesman for his book The Half-Life of Facts.  The finalists were: Hughes Keenan, The Harvest Is Past and Debra McArthur, A Voice for Kanzas. Congratulations to all 17 nominated local authors!

“35 Authors: Where Are They Now?”, a special tribute to the past winners, was presented by guest speaker Vivien Jennings, president of Rainy Day Books. The tribute was a compilation of author interviews, research and a video produced by event and reading committee members.

We are already making plans for the 36th event in October 2014.  If you would like to nominate an author for the 2014 award, please visit “Thorpe Menn” under the “Events” tab for qualifications and submission details. Or you may contact Linda Daugherty at (913) 449-1130 or lindadaugherty2000@yahoo.com.

One wonders what it must have been like back in 1920 when women gained the vote. I can only guess at the excitement, the strong sense of camaraderie, the pure joy felt by those ‘pioneering’ suffragists! Some nine decades later, Aug. 25, 2013 at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza, like-minded women gathered to again celebrate that historic date. The kick-off Rally was titled “Women’s Equality:  Pushing Back/Marching Forward”. Despite the hot weather, all were inspired by speakers, music, the Wall of Women’s Achievements, and the Call to Action.

AAUW-KC held a tabling event promoting the 3-State Strategy:  ERA, the Equal Pay Day Rally to be April 8, 2014, and a membership drive.

Sponsoring WEW were 20 organizations including AAUW, League of Women Voters, Greater KC Women’s Political Caucus, KC Public Library, KKFI Community Radio and many others. Additional events were scheduled throughout the week.

On Aug. 27, AAUW-KC and LWV, KCJCP partnering with the National Archives, hosted a panel discussion on “3-State Strategy:  Understanding Equal Rights Amendment Ratification”. Our distinguished panelists (pictured above) responded to such questions as:  Why is the ERA not ratified yet, and what is the 3-State Strategy? Why do women need it more than ever now and what can we do to enable ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment? The evening concluded with a Q & A session and engrossing, lively discussion.

New and renewing AAUW members gathered at the Waldo Branch Library for the annual Fall Fling Membership Kick-Off event. Thanks to Renee Carlson, the meeting room was transformed into a café-style setting, perfect for lively conversation among the members and guests.

Board Member and MO State President Linda Berube gave a run-down of all the activities currently underway at the State and National AAUW levels; Branch President Nicky Stanke did the same for Kansas City’s year.

Doretta Perna came as a guest and left as a member – Welcome, Doretta! Past member Marilyn Bables also attended and was greeted warmly at the prospect of her rejoining.

The three-state strategy to ratify the E.R.A. was the most discussed initiative of the morning, and those present were invited to sign the petition urging its ratification. The petitions will be gathered and sent on to Jefferson City as the momentum builds.