President’s Message
Before writing this message, I reread what I wrote last year at this time. The first paragraph of last year’s message talked about what a strange year we had experienced. I wrote, “I won’t be making any resolutions; history has taught me it’s a futile undertaking. I have never, to my memory, kept a single one. Instead, I will be in the process of taking inventory of what I’ve learned this past year about myself, about my community, and consider better ways for being in the world.” This still holds true.
Because of the blessing of a vaccine, we were able, in the latter part of this year, reconnect in person. This is definitely a better way of being in the world for me. From our initial gathering in the Sculpture Garden, to the Holiday Brunch, I relished the opportunity to see you, look into your eyes, hug, laugh, and share food together. Barry Barbe’s speech about gratitude at the holiday brunch really resonated with me. If COVID taught me anything, it is appreciation for the small things that enrich my life in big ways, like family, travel, eating out, seeing friends, and being healthy, to name a few.
The other part of Barry’s talk that struck a chord with many of us was the notion of providing platforms where people have the opportunity to give and serve the community, both here and abroad. When we received the grocery store gift cards and were assigned to find those who could use the benefit, Barry’s vision of a generative philanthropy was enacted. All we could talk about at the end of the brunch was who we were going to give the cards to—creative ideas for giving were flowing like a flash flood through a desert wash. He was right, provide a platform and people will deliver. While we were milling about and saying our good-byes, Edi Taylor-Richards came up to me and pointed out something so obvious I am a little embarrassed I didn’t make the connection immediately. Edi is wise in these ways. AAUW, she explained, is the platform, and we who comprise our organization give, and give generously to the community because of it. And she is right. We have robust scholarship monies to support women going to college, and just at the brunch alone we raised more than $2,000.00 for public school library books. We volunteer, raise awareness about social issues that impact women, and provide fellowship for each other thorough our programs and interest group activities. In short, we exemplify Barry’s message of providing avenues to bring out the best of ourselves, and as I reflect on the new year, my heart is full of gratitude for all of you.
I wish for you the best of everything in the coming New Year.
General Programs–January & February
January General Meeting now via Zoom! Link will be sent to members.
January 8 Program: Immigration and Refugee Border Issues in Prescott
Keep Prescott Together (KPT) is an organization that addresses immigration and refugee issues in Prescott and seeks to improve and expand community outreach to that population. DACA recipients and local immigration activists Franceny Gardea and Sergio Gonzalez will discuss their experiences and address issues facing DACA recipients and other immigrants in our community.
Please join us on Saturday, January 8th via Zoom to learn more about this worthwhile organization.
9:00am Social time | 9:30am Announcements | 10:00am Program
Franceny Gardea is a DACA recipient and immigration activist working with Keep Prescott Together. She has been highlighted in the Prescott Courier and has spoken at local events, including Conversations on Immigration & Justice at the Border, sponsored by Prescott United Methodist Church.
Sergio Gonzalez is a DACA recipient who works for Yavapai College’s Hispanic Outreach in Admissions, helping those Undocumented have access to Higher Education. A Prescott Local, he has organized around issues of Immigrants’ Rights.
Please Note: February Meeting venue MAY change due to COVID concerns. Members will be emailed to announce any change.
February 12 Program: Understanding Racism in the Quad Cities
With the rise nationally of Black Lives, questions of policing methods and racism have been in the spotlight recently. Calls to reform or to defund the police are being heard across the U.S. while others are defending the status quo. The conversation about policing methods and responses to a wide variety of issues involving contact with the public continues.
On Saturday, February 12, Prescott Chief of Police Amy Bonney and Yavapai College Chief of Police Ty Payne will discuss these and other policing issues as they relate to Prescott and the surrounding areas.
Amy Bonney was born and raised in Prescott and has served the PPD for 23 years. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of progressively responsible roles before being named Chief in 2021.
During her career, Bonney was awarded the Medal of Valor, Sworn Officer of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and multiple other departmental and community awards. She is involved in the Prescott and law enforcement communities, serving as President of the Kiwanis Club of Prescott; the 1st Vice President of the FBI National Academy Associate, Arizona Chapter Board of Directors; the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police Training Committee; the Arizona Leadership and Development Program; the Boys and Girls Club Safety Committee; Prescott Women Who Care, and American Lutheran Church, among others.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Northern Arizona University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix, and graduated with the 257th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Chief Ty Payne began his career in law enforcement in the United States Army, Military Police Corps. He has served with the Chino Valley and Prescott Valley Police Departments and now serves as Chief of Police for Yavapai College.
Chief Payne has trained in building communication skills and counseling, hostage/crisis negotiations and resolving violent critical incidents through communication and has earned certifications in Hostage Negotiations and Mental Health First Aid.
As a training officer, Chief Payne works to instill the importance of active listening and communications skills in his students and officers, and to maintain public trust through interactions and teaching. His team works with the Law Enforcement Justice Center, and the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy. As an instructor at the College, he teaches his students how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Please join us at Yavapai Community College Library for this interesting and timely discussion. (Notifications will be sent if this meeting will be conducted using Zoom.)
AAUW Business
Tax Deductible Benefit for AAUW Members
This is just a reminder that a portion of your National AAUW dues is tax deductible for the year 2021.
If you paid the full amount of $98 for the year 2021-22 you may deduct $59.
If you joined in a Shape the Future event and paid ½ price dues to National, you may deduct $29.50.
Update on Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Arizona
In 2021, Arizona legislators blocked a vote over whether our state should ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. Opponents of the ERA argued that there are already sufficient laws to guarantee elements like equal pay for women. Supporters argued that statutory protections against gender discrimination are not enough.
Representative Justin Wilmeth (R-Scottsdale) questioned the proposed vote, as the deadline set by Congress to ratify the ERA expired in 1982. However, Representative Pamela Powers Hannley (D-Tuscon) stated that the U.S. House had already approved a measure to retroactively eliminate that deadline.
Were ratification of the ERA to occur in Arizona, it is unclear as to whether or not it would have any legal meaning. While Virginia lawmakers ratified the ERA in 2020, making it the necessary 38th state for approval, five other states have taken action to revoke their ratifications. Any court ruling on the validity of those actions could make action in Arizona relevant.
Scholarship Fundraiser a Success
The Co-Chairs the Scholarship Committee, Sandra Bennett and Julia Appletree
would like to thank everyone who worked on the Art On and Off the Wall project. We would especially like to thank the members who purchased the guide.
We earned over $1,450 for our Centennial Scholarship, and we have plans to increase the amount of the award in the near future. As of Dec. 31, the guide is no longer available, but watch for re-issues of Art On and Off the Wall and last year’s Victorian Stroll this spring.
Annual Red Envelope Drive Benefits PUSD School Libraries
Thank you for your generous contributions to our 2021 Red Envelopes to benefit the PUSD elementary school libraries. Thanks to your donations, to date our AAUW branch has raised over $2800.00! Because the Yavapai County Free Library District is able to purchase books at a discount through their distributor, this money will provide approximately 500 new and updated books for Abia Judd, Lincoln, and Taylor Hicks elementary school libraries. What better way to support our AAUW mission!
If you were unable to attend the Holiday Brunch but would still like to contribute, please contact Penny Briner Ewell at presidentelect@aauwprescott.net.
Perhaps Barry Barbe said it best during his inspirational talk at the Holiday Brunch — when you give people the opportunity to help, they can provide so much to so many. From a grateful heart, thank you again for your generosity.
Holiday Brunch Delightful and Inspiring
The 2021 Holiday Brunch brought together over 70 AAUW Prescott members who were treated to an inspiring presentation by Barry Barbe. We have a few pictures to share of this uplifting event.
Annual Awardees Honored at Holiday Brunch
The Rookie of the Year Award was given to Cathy Englekirk. This award honors a member who has been in the branch for three years or less. She is honored for her outstanding involvement in branch activities – usually contributing in several areas. For more information about Cathy’s impressive energy and her commitment to AAUW Prescott, click here.
Chris Maxwell was recognized with the Mover and Shaker Award. The Mover and Shaker Award honors a those who offer their time selflessly to further the work of the branch in our community and who help it grow through their leadership, special projects, and involvement in all aspects of the branch. Chris has worked tirelessly to organize, host, train, and attend many Zoom meetings these past two years—a daunting task. Working quietly behind the scenes, Chris has researched better ways to make meetings run more smoothly and helped with training is this area with communication team members and others. Chris Maxwell is truly a remarkable and brilliant member of AAUW.
Sara DeRouchey is the Ongoing Stamina honoree for 2021. The Ongoing Stamina award honors Prescott AAUW members for dedicated service and exemplary contributions in advancing our Mission: to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy with the vision of Equity for All. The Ongoing Stamina award member must have served AAUW for ten or more years. Sara has been a member of our branch for 13 years. For more about Sara’s distinctive contributions to our branch click here.
AAUW Interest Groups
3rd Monday Afternoon Book Group Ready for New Members
The “New” 3rd Monday afternoon book group will continue to meet on ZOOM through June. We have selected our books for the year and a list of them will be posted on the website. We have lost a few members this year due to schedules and health issues, so we have room for three new members. If anyone is interested in joining us, please let me know. You can find my contact information in the Directory or you can contact me at booksnew3rdmonafternoon@aauwprescott.net.
Friday Morning Book Group Zooming Along–Come Join Us!
The Friday Morning Book Group – Prescott Valley meets on the 3rd Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m. At the current time, we are having meetings via ZOOM, thanks to Marge Rubin, but hope to be back at the Prescott Valley Library next year. All are welcome, so let me know if you’d like to join in. Simply indicate your interest by emailing me (Susan Goe) at booksprescottvalley@aauwprescott.net and I will help to set you up. We have selected our books for 2022. They are:
Jan 21 Everything I Never Told You – Celeste NG
Feb 18 A Long Petal of the Sea – Isabel Allende
Mar 18 The Last Flight – Julie Clark
Apr 15 The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett
May 20 This is Chance: The Great Alaska Earthquake, Genie Chance, and the Shattered City She Held Together – Jon Mooallem
Jun 17 The Day the World Came to Town – Jim DeFede
Jul 15 The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – Kim M. Richardson
Aug 19 Transcendent Kingdom – Yaa Gyasi
Sep 16 The Lost & Found Book Shop – Susan Wiggs
Oct 21 The Plot – Jean Korelitz
Nov 18 Beyond: The Astonishing Story of the First Human to Leave Our Planet & Journey Into Space – Stephen Walker
Hiking Group – All Year Around
The Hiking Group has been active all year as our activities are outside on various trails near Prescott. Members of the group take turns identifying a good hike and leading it. Most hikes are easy to moderate and no more than 2 hours. In the winter, the start time is later around 9 a.m., whereas in the summer the hikes may start as early as 7 a.m. On November 17, the group did a loop hike in the Thumb Butte area with a stop at an old fireplace. Hikes are monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Wednesdays also are free-day use and parking days in Prescott National Forest. The next hike will be Wednesday, January 19th. Contact Laury Shayne if you are interested in receiving more information or wish to be notified about upcoming hikes.