President’s Message

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome to the 77th year of the Prescott Branch of AAUW.  I am excited to be your new President, and I look forward to working with all of you, hearing your suggestions, and seeing your initiative and action. I know you all have great ideas just waiting to be put forward.  

Your first opportunity to jump in will be at our September general meeting on Saturday, September 13. We will continue to hold our meetings at the Hope Lutheran Church, located at 231 Smoke Tree Lane, Prescott. Interest Groups will offer information to entice you to their gatherings and Melissa Orr, Director of the Prescott Public Library, will be our speaker.  

My goal for AAUW-Prescott this year will be to CONNECT. While I hope to create connections with all of you, I am also keen on connecting with the greater Quad City community. I want to see our (new) AAUW banners flying at community events, and I would like to see us sponsoring some of those events. When I open the morning newspaper, it would be a pleasure to see an article about AAUW giving scholarships to area students.  

Of course, this sort of connection will require volunteers, and I hope you and your fellow members will be inspired to step up to the plate. C’mon in! The water’s wonderful— I think that’s a mixed metaphor 🙂 

One of the greatest and most rewarding opportunities for volunteering this year is to raise your hand and say “YES” to becoming this year’s President-Elect. I promise you will enjoy the experience, and you’ll have an entire 12 months to learn the job of the President. Our past President, Miriam Haubrich was an excellent mentor for me, and I believe she taught me well. 

The Program Chairs have created an interesting lineup of speakers for the coming year, and I hope to continue the field trips we introduced last year. Of course, there are always Interest Groups to join; whether you’re into hiking, reading, or joining others for a lunch at a local restaurant, AAUW offers active, social and educational opportunities. Please join us as we begin this new year at AAUW-Prescott.  

Upcoming Programs

General Meeting: Saturday, September 13, 2025

Join Melissa Orr, Director of the Prescott Public Library, for an exciting conversation about how the modern library is more than shelves and silence—it’s a vibrant, evolving space that offers resources for learning, entrepreneurship, wellness, creativity, and connection. From digital collections to lectures, early literacy to lifelong education, Prescott Public Library is meeting the diverse needs of today’s community—and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. This talk will explore how the library is embracing technology, inclusivity, and innovation while staying true to its mission of free access to information and opportunity for all. Discover what’s new, what’s coming, and how you can be part of this next chapter.

As director of the library, Melissa leads with a focus on community connection, innovation, and lifelong learning. With over 28 years of experience across school and public libraries, she brings a deep understanding of how libraries support education, equity, and access at every stage of life. Melissa holds both a Master’s and a Specialist’s degree in Library Media and Instructional Technology from the State University of West Georgia and has dedicated her career to shaping libraries into dynamic, inclusive spaces that empower individuals and strengthen communities. She is an advocate for literacy, digital inclusion, and lifelong learning, and believes that libraries are not just places to borrow books, but hubs for opportunity, creativity, and connection.

General Meeting: October 11, 2025

Our October program will feature Noel J DeSousa, the board co-chair of the Imagination Library of the Prescott Area (ILPA), a local affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL). 

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books, free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library of the Prescott Area serves 22 Zip Codes in western Yavapai County. Local ILPA maintains a current enrollment of just under 3000 children.

The Prescott Area ILPA is a local affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL). Since retiring in 2010, after spending 40 years in public education as a teacher and school principal in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, Noel and his wife, Nancy Christie retired to Prescott in 2011. Since then he has been active in the Prescott-Caborca Sister City organization and local and state-wide Rotary club programs. It was through funding provided by the three local Rotary clubs that the Imagination Library of the Prescott Area got its start in 2019.

Noel J DeSousa’s affiliated organizations also include Frontier Rotary Charitable Fund (FRCF); Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp  (RYLA); Prescott-Caborca Sister City Committee; “Village Idiots” – SW Prescott Chapter; and the Prescott Amateur Guitarists Enterprise.

---

GENERAL MEETING LOCATION: Directions to Hope Lutheran Church, 231 W. Smoketree Lane, Prescott, Arizona 86301. Smoketree Lane can be accessed from Willow Creek Road or Prescott Lakes Parkway. Our General Meeting will be held in the Friendship Hall to the left of the main building. There is sufficient parking for all.

AAUW Prescott Business

Officers and Interest Group Leaders are the backbone of AAUW Prescott. We have 6 openings in these listings– please consider volunteering! You’ll have support and an opportunity to contribute to our branch and our community. Please contact Jeanette Sletten or any of the board members who have vacancies (*) for more information.

Current List of Officers 2025-2026

ELECTED OFFICERS
President: Jet Sletten
*President-Elect: Vacant
Program Co-VPs: Kimberly Richards/Breeanya Hinkel
*Membership Co-VPs: Vacant/Vacant
Recording Secretary: Cathy Cunningham
*Corresponding Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Elaine Poole
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Archivist: Liz Bailey
Advocacy Coordinator: Penny Briner Ewell
Communications Co-Chairs: Lenore Hemphill/ Janet Orr
Dignity Health Council of Electors Representative: Julie Cargill
*Directory Co-Chairs: Lenore Hemphill/Vacant
*Hospitality Chair: Barb Michelman
Parliamentarian: Edi Taylor-Richards
Public Relations: Vacant
Scholarship Co-Chairs: Kellie Klosterman/Sonya Tenney

Interest Groups
www.aauwprescott.net/interest-groups/
Book Groups
–3rd Monday Afternoon: Debbie Thomas
–1st Wednesday Afternoon: Jennifer Bradley
–4th Wednesday Morning: Laury Shane/Julie Cargill
–Prescott Valley: Susan Goe
–Prescott Evening: Lenore Hamphill
Bridge for Experienced Players: Tamara Voss
Genealogy Group: Melinda Anderson
Great Decisions Groups
–4th Wednesday Afternoon: Stephanie Brown
–2nd Thursday Evening: Gail Shay
Hiking: Sharon Novak
Lunch Bunch: Margie Crider
Mah Jongg: Laury Shayne/Edi Taylor Richards
Photography: Chris Maxwell/Gail Shay
Singles: Carol Dosse

---

Archives

Calling For Volunteers!

AAUW National

What is AAUW all about?

Since its first meeting in 1881, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and over 800 college and university partners. Throughout our history, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political.

In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There are no barriers to full participation in this organization based on gender, race, creed, age,  sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.

Take Action
Together, we can defend the rights of all women and ensure that education remains a powerful path to equity and opportunity.

AAUW Two-Minute Activist Alerts
Join AAUW advocates in the fight for equal pay, equity in education, paid leave, protections against sexual harassment and more. Sign up at to get regular alerts on when and how to engage, including sending letters to your legislators, writing letters to the editor, and other timely calls to action. Click here to get started or click on the picture.

YOU HAVE A SAY!
Are you concerned about legislation focused on women’s issues? Signing up for the AAUW National Action Network is one way to stay informed about issues. Read the AAUW National article above for more information about being a Two-Minute Activist.

AAUW National Honors AAUW Prescott

The Prescott Branch has earned a Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming and Communications & External Relations Star in the AAUW National Five Star Program for FY 2025.  Follow the link and click on Policy to see our branch!

This achievement reflects our branch’s commitment to advancing gender equity and aligning our programs, advocacy, and sustainability efforts with AAUW’s strategic priorities. Thank you to all who have contributed to our ongoing success.  

Advocacy Activities

Greetings and welcome to a new year of advocating for women and girls as we strive for equity!

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
The Advocacy Coordinator is the liaison between the AAUW Board, the AAUW-Prescott Membership, and AAUW Arizona. Many of our members volunteer each year to support initiatives such as Voter Registration and the Reality Store. There is always more to be done! Please consider joining a small committee of members interested in furthering our advocacy work. Whether you are interested in educational legislation or housing/food security for women college students or a host of other possibilities, please sign up for the Advocacy Committee to continue to rebuild our AAUW programs. You may sign up at our General Meeting in September or with this link Advocacy Committee. I look forward to hearing your ideas!

ADVOCACY EMAILS
Often, there is advocacy news that needs action before the next Thumb Sketch. This might include news about legislation, school board happenings, or volunteer opportunities. If you’d like to receive advocacy alerts, please sign up for the Advocacy Email List. Members who signed up in the spring, need not sign up again. There will be a sign-up sheet at the September meeting, but you may also sign up with this link:  Advocacy Email.

ADVOCACY INITIATIVES
-Continued audience for Reality Store
-Continued outreach to other local organizations focused on women and children
-Continued participation in local events to increase AAUW visibility
-Continued focus on local and state initiatives that align with AAUW mission
-Development of a new mentoring program and other community action initiatives
-Support AAUW-AZ goals focused on education, health care, and women in leadership

STATE PRIORITIES
-Economic Security for Allen Family Trust women
-Equal access to quality public education for all students, including access to diverse materials
-Social and racial justice for all members of society
-Increased representation of women in leadership roles
-Equally available health care for women including reproductive rights

ALZHEIMER’S WALK
The Advocacy Committee has formed a team to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year. As you might recall, AAUW-Prescott was fortunate to have Alexis Ramirez, former community engagement coordinator, speak to our branch the past two years.
Alzheimer’s by the Numbers
1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia;
7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s, and 11 million are unpaid caretakers for someone suffering with Alzheimer’s;
2/3rds of those living with Alzheimer’s are women;
2/3rds of caregivers are women.

Here is a link to sign up for our AAUW team. Won’t you step out with Advocacy to help bring attention and monetary donations to this worthy cause?

CITY COUNCIL
Prescott will have a runoff election in November for the three open city council seats. The League of Women Voters will have voter information at the Farmer’s Market in Prescott on September 13th and 27th. Stay tuned for information on upcoming forums for the candidates.

Membership

We Need Greeters for Our General Membership Meetings!

The Membership Committee is seeking friendly, welcoming volunteers to serve as Greeters at each of our Monthly General Meetings. This is a wonderful way to get involved, meet new members, and help everyone feel included.

Greeter Responsibilities:

1. Warmly welcome all guests and members as they arrive.
2. Set up the Membership Table with:
   –A sign-in sheet for guests
   –Blank name badges
   –Name badges for new members
   –Other pertinent information as needed

3. Count the number of attendees and report the total to the President and Program Co-VPs.
4. Communicate with the Membership Co-Chair regarding meeting-specific items to be completed and follow up after the meeting.

If you enjoy meeting people and want to contribute to the success of our branch meetings, please consider volunteering as a Greeter. Your support ensures our gatherings are warm, welcoming, and well-organized.

To volunteer or learn more, contact the Membership Committee. We’d love to have your help!

Scholarships

A Year in Review!

For the Opportunity Fund, we raised:
• $160 with the opportunity drawing at the November meeting
• $1,941 during the holiday brunch in December
• $265 with the opportunity drawing in March
• $218 at the book sale in May
Total Raised: $2,584

We have given Opportunity Awards to the following recipients:
• Aliah Connolly – MA Education – Prescott College – $500
• Natalia Khudokonecko – MS Counseling – Prescott College – $455.12
• Athena Alvarez – Admin of Justince – Yavapai College – $500
Total dispersed: $1,455.12

The following students from Yavapai College received the Mary Alice Moulton scholarship for 2024-25:
• Avery Liggett – $2,000
• Ashley Darling – $1,500
• Violet Lowe – $1,500
Total dispersed: $5,000

For the Centennial Fund, we awarded
• Anamarie Ostrov – Associate of Science with a 3.6 GPA
• Gretchen Munk – AAS in Engineering with a 3.5 GPA
• Marley Kewenvoyouma-Esplain – AAS in Applied Pre-Engineering with a 3.45 GPA
Total dispersed: $4,882

Total of all Scholarships given out: $11,227.12

Interest Groups

Photography Group

Do you love Photography?

We do, too! The AAUW Photo Group is dedicated to improving and sharing our photography. Come join us on Zoom on the Third Thursday of every month at 10 am—all levels of skills are welcome.

• We are a congenial group that is very supportive and friendly
• We offer gentle critiques
• We present our own tutorials, prepared by our own members, to inspire others and introduce new techniques or ideas.

Contact Chris Maxwell or Gail Shay for more information. Check us out on our Photo Group webpage and enjoy these three examples of some of our members’ work.

(Photos from left to right) Melinda Anderson; Gail Shay; Martha Court.

---

Great Decisions

AAUW’s 4th Wednesday Great Decisions Group Recruiting Members 

In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.
—John F Kennedy

The 4th Wednesday Discussion Group, sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, is now welcoming new members to our group. Each month starting in January, we read a chapter, view a video, and gather in homes or by Zoom to discuss a variety of topics.
The topics below reveal our discussions in 2025.
#2 Evolution of US Leadership in Global Economy
#7 AI and American National Security
#5 International Climate Cooperation
#3 Navigating US-China Relations in Tense Times
#6 The Future of NATO and European Security
#1 America at a Global Crossroads
#4 India: Between China, the West, and Global South
#8 American Policy in the Middle East
Are you curious? Contact Stephanie Brown

---

Book Groups

Third Monday Book Group Now Accepting New Members
Meetings at 1:30 pm on the 3rd Monday of the month, on Zoom. Group Leader, Debbie Thomas. Click here for our webpage!

Our group continues to meet on zoom and we like it that way! We’ve been meeting for over 10 years, but would love to welcome some new members! Our books are chosen once a year and hostesses chair the meetings. Here’s a sampling of what we are reading this year.
We have had so many good book suggestions this year, we had to carry some over for 2026. As yet, they have not been assigned dates or hostesses yet. A list of upcoming books are below this chart.

Date/Time	Book	Author	Hostess
January 29. 2026	The Briar Club	Kate Quinn	Melinda
February 26, 2026	The Wishing Game	Meg Shaffer	Natalie
March 16, 2026	Demon of Unrest	Eric Larsen	Debbie
April 20, 2026	Miss Benson’s Beetle	Rachel Joyce	Gail
May 18, 2026	Playground	Richard Powers	Cindy
June 15, 2026	The Guncle	Steven Rowley	Jane

Upcoming books for 2026:
Playground by Richard Powers
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
The Guncle by Chris Whittaker
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Steven Rowley
Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.

---