MESSAGES September 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Upcoming UWC Events
Membership Coffee
Greetings, UWC members, and welcome to an exciting NEW YEAR.
We begin with our annual complimentary Membership Coffee
Tuesday, September 10, 10:30 a.m.
outside in the fresh air at The Shelter at Viele Lake
South Boulder, Harlow Platts Park,
1360 Gillaspie Drive.
Map showing location of Harlow Park
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello University Women’s Club Members, and welcome to our new year of excellent events, interest groups, and lectures! As your new president for 2024-2025, I am inspired to promote our mission of funding scholarships as well as our vision of promoting fellowship among Boulder area women. I am profoundly grateful for the leadership provided by Board members, past and present, who served UWC with dedicated intention and verve!
Contacts and re-connections will start happening when our new year begins on September 10 at the Membership Coffee at Viele Lake Park in Boulder. At this complimentary event you can establish or renew your membership and join one of our fun and friendly Interest Groups.
Please feel free to invite a friend!
Continue to invite friends to our Lecture Luncheon series, which begins in October. The reasonable cost for these delicious luncheons plus the expert lectures should be inspiring to everyone! You will find the scheduled speakers, dates, and times of their lectures in this issue of MESSAGES. It’s easy to register for all of our events on our dedicated website: www.boulderuwc.org. While you’re there, I encourage you to explore the photographs, history, contributions, inspiring stories of our scholarship winners, relevant information about the University of Colorado, and so much more. So many ways to become active participants!
The five Lecture Luncheons are followed by the special Spring events: Opera Brunch featuring a catered buffet and expert commentary, Scholarship Luncheon (wait until you hear the moving stories of our scholarship recipients), and the Honors Reception, where we present the Margaret Willard Award to a valued and deserving community leader and laud our own.
I want to get to know you, and look forward to seeing you at these events, which are the fruits of all the dedicated work that this fabulous Board has created. Hope to see you in September and beyond!
Anne Hudson
President, 2024-25
UWC NOTES
Time to Renew Your Annual UWC Membership
The time is now!! The UWC “year” for membership runs from August – July. This means that September is the ideal time to pay your dues for another full year of UWC activities. Membership dues remain at $35 and include a $5 donation to the scholarship fund. It is easy to renew your dues –Just click on this link. You can pay via credit card or check. Read the instructions and complete the membership form on the UWC website.
And while you are at it –
Tell us the names of friends to invite to UWC Membership (you can fill these in on the membership form), and if you are so inclined, make an additional donation to the UWC scholarship fund – also available from the Membership form!
UWC Membership brings you so many benefits.
- September Membership Coffee/Tea
- Five lecture luncheons beginning in October
- Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations via Zoom
- Opera Brunch
- Scholarship Luncheons
- Honors Reception
- UWC Membership Directory
- Interest Group activities
- MESSAGES newsletter to keep you informed of all the UWC activities.
Thank you for taking the time to renew your UWC membership and for your donation to the scholarship fund. We look forward to seeing you at upcoming UWC events.
If you have any questions regarding UWC Membership, please email Merry Bullock, Membership Chair at uwcmembershipchair@gmail.com.
Lecture Luncheons
See ist of all Luncheons and links to register here
October 9, 2024 – 10:30-1:00, UMC 235
Jessica Robblee – Producing Artistic Director of BETC
Growing Where You are Planted
Jessica Robblee is the Producing Artistic Director of the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC). BETC has presented top-quality performances for the past seventeen years to entertain and inspire audiences with meaningful impacts beyond the stage. Recently Jessica was honored with the Henry Award for Best Actress in The Belle of Amherst, the True West Award for Frankie and Johnny, and the Westword Award for Best Comic moment in The Moors.
Growing Where You are Planted
Jessica will provide a window into the scrappy, heartful, and comedic cultivation of a Colorado theatre career. Having studied theatre at the University of Northern Colorado, Davidson College, and various training intensives, she has a variety of skills, including clowning, writing, teaching, instructional design, as well as singing and dancing. By attending this lecture, you can also learn about upcoming BETC productions and put the dates for the rest of this season’s shows on your calendar.
November 12, 2024 – 10:30-1:00 IMC 235
Stephen Swenerton – President at Swenerton Consulting
Can China Survive Its Challenges?
Stephen Swenerton has a BA in Political Science and an MBA in International Business. He managed sales and marketing operations for three residential building product companies in the U.S. and internationally for 40 years. He was also an international sales and marketing consultant and made more than 60 trips to China, Taiwan, SE Asia, and South America.
Can China Survive Its Challenges?
The economic miracle that China has executed in the last 40+ years has been the most impressive in world history in such short a time. However, despite visionary leadership starting with Deng Xiaoping, China now faces serious internal difficulties, as well as international ones. How will this massive country deal with all of these issues and can it be successful with the current leadership concentrated in the hands of one man? Stephen will present China’s most pressing challenges and what the near-term future looks like.
January 14, 2025 – 10:30-1:00 UMC 235
Dr. Mike Simpson – Professor of Space Policy and Law
The Next Space Age
Dr. Michael Simpson is the past Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation and former President and current member of the International Space University Board. He has also been President of Utica College (now Utica University) and the American University of Paris with a combined total of 22 years of experience as an academic chief executive officer. He holds an appointment as Professor of Space Policy and International Law at ISU and has lectured frequently for the Geneva Center for Security Policy. He is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, a member of the International Institute of Space Law and a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Space Commerce.
The Next Space Age
Not ALL of us are old enough to have watched the Space Age dawn as Sputnik crossed the night sky, but all of us have benefitted from the insight and services that have followed. We have learned about microgravity, been to the moon, we have a space station, and we are able to monitor and study how space travel affects us with Scott and Mark Kelly. What do we have to look forward to in the future? Dr. Simpson will give us a glimpse of how a new space age is evolving that can bring even greater benefits – IF we care enough to do it right.
February 18, 2025 – 10:30-1:00 UMC 235
Jena Griswold – Colorado Secretary of State
Colorado’s Future
Jena Marie Griswold is Colorado’s 39th Secretary of State. She was first elected in 2018 as the youngest elected Secretary of State in the United States. She was reelected to the office in 2022. Secretary Griswold grew up in a working-class family in rural Colorado and was the first person in her family to attend a four-year college and then law school. Since taking office, Secretary Griswold has overseen nine statewide elections, protected Coloradans Constitutional right to vote, and supported the State’s business community by cutting red tape and the cost of starting a business. Prior to being elected Secretary of State, Griswold practiced international anti-corruption law, worked as a voter protection attorney, and served as Director of the Colorado Governor’s D.C.
March 11, 2025- 10:30-1:00 UMC 235
Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss- CU Law School
Law Schools, Law, and the Legal Historical Moment
Lolita Buckner Inniss is the 17th dean, the second woman dean, and the first Black dean of the University of Colorado Law School, where she is also Provost’s Professor of Law and an affiliate of the Center for African and African American Studies. As Dean, she has broadened access and equity for students, filled vital teaching needs by hiring one of the most accomplished and largest cohorts of faculty in the history of Colorado Law, and shepherded one of the largest clinical gifts in the history of the school. She has authored scores of articles, essays, and the prize-winning legal history book, The Princeton Fugitive Slave: The Trials of James Collins Johnson.
Law Schools, Law, and the Legal Historical Moment
Though much has changed in law schools and in the general endeavor of law over the past several decades in the U.S., at the heart of law school and the broader legal regime in the 21st century are practices and norms that were developed well over a century ago. The legal past, whether in instances deemed victorious or vanquishing, shapes the present and ultimately our future. How do we reconcile the up and down arcs of law schools and of law more broadly while preparing for the legal future? In other words, how do we live in what Dean Inniss has termed the Legal Historical Moment: an ongoing recognition that the triumphs and traumas of the legal past help us to reform our present and form our future?
Happy Hour / Tea Time Conversations
Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations – a great way to get to know new UWC members, and a great way get to know old friends better. We meet via Zoom for about 50 minutes to an hour starting at 4:00. Contact Andie Kutinsky (drandie305 at gmail dot com) to reserve a spot for this conversation if you are not already a “regular.”
Beginning in September we will meet from 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. each Monday. Topics will be announced every Friday to give you the weekend to think of great stories from your past or wishes for your future to share with the group.
Hope you will join us for what are sure to be lively conversations!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Message from the Scholarship Chair
UWC Scholarships target non-traditional students enrolled at the University of Colorado, individuals who have experienced a significant interruption in their educational journeys, and also have overcome significant adversity in their lives.
This year the Scholarship Committee is happy to welcome two new members.
- Becky Batizy is a long-time Boulder resident. She is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Her community service embraces a passion for educating and empowering women of all ages. As an active member of UWC, she is a member of our cycling community. In addition, she actively supports the University of Colorado’s annual Conference on World Affairs.
- Ruth Hamann recently moved to Boulder from Summit, New Jersey. She retired from a career as a reference/instruction librarian at Passaic County Community College and has experience working with many “non-traditional” students. Ruth also has taught English as a second language to college students.
Both of these woman will bring valuable experience and perspective to the committee. They will be joining Joyce Bograd, Kathleen Salzberg, and Jane Cummings to review and select our 2025 scholarship recipients.
Jean Manifesto
UWC Scholarship Chair
Save the date!
The University Women’s Club Annual Scholarship Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Boulder Country Club.
Join University Women’s Club friends as we honor the 2025 scholarship recipients with the theme, “On the Path to Your Future.”
Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Support Scholarships Through Your Grocery Shopping!
If you shop at King Soopers, Safeway, or Albertson’s, you can easily participate in their community award programs, and 5% of your purchases will be donated to UWC to support our scholarships AT NO COST TO YOU! You can really make a difference.
With the King Soopers Community Rewards program, you can go online one time and link your King Soopers Loyalty Card to the UWC Account. UWC will automatically get 5% without your having to do anything else. Directions for signing up can be found here https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards.
If you shop at Safeway and/or Albertsons, you can use a Safeway Community Giving Card when making your purchases and UWC will earn 5% every time you reload your card. To request a Safeway Card be mailed to you or to seek assistance to register for these program, contact Board Member, Norma Portnoy at normaporrtnoy1112 at gmail – dot – com.
Please click here for instructions regarding both programs.
Thank you for participating in these programs to support our scholarships!
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Elected UWC Board Positions
The UWC Nominating Committee is tasked with recommending nominees for President-Elect, Secretary-Elect and Treasurer-Elect to serve on the UWC Board next year (2025-26). The elected persons attend board meetings for one year as “elect,” to become familiar with the tasks of the executive positions and to be available as back-up. They then serve the following year (2026-7) as President, Secretary, or Treasurer…
Here is a brief description of each position:
- President: Serves as the UWC figurehead and provides overall executive leadership. Chairs the Executive Board and provides supportive leadership to Board decisions and Board members.
- Secretary: Attends and takes minutes at all Executive Board Meetings and General Membership Meetings.
- Treasurer: Is responsible for the oversight, management, and reporting of UWC finances including bank account maintenance, financial transaction oversight, budget development, monthly financial reporting, and all tax filings. The treasurer does not need to be a CPA for this role. However, good bookkeeping skills, and skill with Excel and QuickBooks are ideal.
If you would like to be considered for one of the “elect” positions or would like to recommend someone, please contact any member of the Nominating Committee which consists of Kathy Randall, Chair and General Membership Representative; and Frieda Holley and Andie Kutinsky as Board Representatives. If you would like more information, please contact Kathy Randall.
Margaret Willard Award
Margaret Willard was the first president of the Faculty Wives’ Club, which became our University Women’s Club. Each year we present the Margaret Willard Award to someone who exercises initiative in her endeavors and in doing so brings honor to all women and/or to our University of Colorado Boulder Campus.
Please submit a nomination by March 1, 2025. Nominations consist of the nominee’s name and a brief description of why they are deserving of the award. The form can be accessed here.
Questions? Contact Andie Kutinsky, Chair, Margaret Willard Award (719-492-7967)
DID YOU KNOW?
Do we have a worldwide loneliness epidemic?
In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued a report that drew attention to an epidemic that affects 1 out of 2 American adults. Half of us are lonely. Loneliness and social isolation, Dr. Murthy says, are urgent public health concerns, more widespread than smoking, diabetes, or anxiety.
Number of close friends had by adults in the U.S. in 1990 versus 2021
Published by Michele Majidi, a researcher at Statista
According to a survey conducted among adults in the United States in May 2021, 12 percent of respondents said they had no close friends. This marked an increase compared to a three percent share of U.S. adults stating the same thing during a survey conducted in 1990. Conversely, the percentage of Americans who said they had 10 or more close friends decreased from 33 percent in 1990 to 13 percent in 2021. The decrease of larger friend groups went hand in hand with a rise of adults stating they had between one to four close friends.
A stateside social recession?
Americans marrying later, working longer hours, and having become more geographically mobile are some elements posited as potential reasons for the nation’s increasing loneliness – all this without mentioning the far-reaching consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How does the rest of the world fare?
In a worldwide study conducted with 30,636 people from ages 18-74, the following age groups reported negative effects on wellbeing from feelings of loneliness in 2022: 18-24 (59%); 25-34 (54%); 35-44 (47%); 45-54 (39%); 55-64 (32%); 65-74 (22%). It’s very interesting that according to this survey, loneliness decreases with age.
Which are the happiest and least happy countries in the survey?
Participants were asked: “How often do you feel lonely?”
- Netherlands: Often/Always/Some of the time – 15%; Hardly ever/Never – 55%
- United States: Often/Always Some of the time – 31%; Hardly ever/Never- 41%
- Brazil: Often/Always/Some of the time – 50%; Hardly ever/Never – 28%
What are the takeaways for UWC membership and programing?
- We should encourage our members to be especially aware of the level of loneliness that our 18-24 year olds (59%) experience – whether they be our grandchildren or students at CU. (As an aside, many of the young adults who have committed shootings of late have been described as ‘loners.’ )
- We should continue to promote participation in our Interest Groups. When people connect on a meaningful level, I believe that they are less likely to feel lonely. (Based on the above data, 1/3 of those surveyed in the United States stated that they feel lonely often/always or some of the time.)
If you have additional ideas about programing that would impact the loneliness quotient of our membership or others, please reach out with suggestions to Tam Van Spriell, 303-543-7424.
Statista is a research organization of 200+ experts conducting research in 160 countries covering 80,000+ different topics. Their stated goal is to help their clients make the best decisions by extracting meaningful insights from an abundance of available data.
Member Acknowledgement
Membership Courtesy
If you know of a member who would appreciate a card, note, or any personal contact due to illness, death, or other reasons for support, please inform UWC at boulderuwc@gmail.com with “Acknowledgements Chair” in the subject line.
Members in Memoriam
As information to members, and to remember those who have passed away, UWC includes an “in Memoriam” section on the website. This section will honor those UWC members who have passed away in the current year. If you are aware of UWC members who have left us, please let Joyce Spencer, webmaster, (jjandbobs at msn dot com) know the member’s name.
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest Group News
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies – July
We met on July 14 at Cinemark to watch Fly Me to the Moon. Ruth Harvey, Linda Groth, Sharon Nehls, Berry Todd, Betsy Crosby, Marge Riddle, Elaine Leass, Kathleen Newton, Joyce Bogard and Dorothy Coltrin attended. Several of the members went to BJs for a discussion following the movie. Most of us thought it was a really fun way to spend a hot afternoon.
Hiking
Hikers starting from the front (right) Joanie Cardone, Michele Harvey, Kathleen Salzberg, Frieda Holley, Janet Freeman, Shirley Harkess, Sue Rapp, and Char (Charlene) Rasmussen. We are on the Canyon Loop Trail at Betasso Preserve.
Garden Group
The Garden Group met at new member Nancy Helmuth’s home to see her garden and enjoy a potluck indoors because of the heat. In photo: Susan Rapp, Linda Hultman, Nancy Helmuth, Linda Nordberg, Jean Rohrschneider, Jyotsna Raj, Jane Etzel, Ramona Rousch, Frieda Holley.
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies
We went to see “Join or Die “ at the Dairy Arts Center, followed by a discussion at Aloy Thai. Left to right, Ruth Harvey, Sherry Woodruff, Phyllis Schwartz, Joyce Bograd, Jyotsna Raj, and Dorothy Coltrin; also Carmen Caver attended.
Let’s Go See a Play Together!
The Theater Goers group will see five Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) plays together in 2024-25. Please join us for these Sunday 2:00 matinees followed by conversation and reflection at the Dairy (and in February at The Nomad Playhouse). You and a friend/partner may purchase individual tickets from the BETC website, or you may schedule your season subscription for these dates
October 27: The Ballot of Paola Aguilar
November 17: Enemy of the People
December 15: Little Women
February 23: Hope and Gravity (at the Nomad Playhouse in north Boulder)
April 20: The White Chip
Please contact interim chair Cindy Meyer for details, a 5% UWC Theater Goers discount code for individual performances, and to be added to the e-mail list. Also, please contact Cindy if you would be willing to help organize additional plays for the fall, at 713-256-9185 or cfmeyer at sbcglobal.net.
Interest Groups Information
Bicycling – Meets weekly on Thursdays from May through October. Chairs: Gail Smith 303-960-5004; Susan Lee 303-974-8969. We start in May with a couple of shorter rides and work our way up to around 20 miles. We have several levels of riders, all are welcome. Several of our riders have E-bikes. We stop either midway or at the end of our rides to enjoy coffee, snacks and friendly conversation.
Bicycling – Easy Riders –Chair Rebecca Batizy 303-601-9956 or Rebeccabatizy at gmail dot com. Contact chair for current information about meeting dates and times. New members welcome.
Book Group – Afternoon – Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at members’ homes or on ZOOM. Vaccinations required. Chairs: Mary Anna Dunn 720-355-8174; Lois Linsky 303-499-2689.
Book Group – Biographies – Third Friday at 3:00 p.m., in person. Chair: Mary Pierce 303-360-0157.
Book Group – The Original Book Group – Formerly Evening – Second Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Meetings held in members’ homes. Chairs: Judy Thompson 608-469-6883; Judy Reid 303-746-2983. This group has been meeting continuously since the 1950’s.
Bridge Group – First Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Chair: Karen Neff 303-494-0467.
French Conversation – All Speaking Levels – Dates and times to be determined. Chair: Zdenka Smith 303-330-2856.
Games Group – It’s Anyone’s Game – Board and card games. Third Tuesday from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. at home of Chair in Louisville. Contact chair to join. Chair: Kathleen Newton 720-548-8661.
Garden Group – Third Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Chairs: Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831; Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788.
Golfing – For the Casual Golfer – 1:00 p.m. every Thursday at various golf courses, new members welcome. Chair: Susan Planck 303-499-3916.
Hiking and Strolling – Every Friday 9:00 a.m. September – May; 8:30 a.m. June – August in person. Meet at southern end of the east side of covered parking lot opposite the lower-level east entrance to the former Macy’s. Chairs: Joan (Joanie) Cardone 303-263-7823; Frieda Holley 303-499-3733.
Italian Conversation – Wednesday, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. Chair: Maxene Wilson 303-530-4619.
Music – Second Monday afternoon of most months in members’ homes, providing a venue for musical performers to meet and share their love of music in an intimate setting. Chairs: Berry Todd 303-442-9083; Tula Roberge 303-443-2509.
On the Road Again — Occasional in-person road trips. Chair: Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
Out to Lunch – Usually Fourth Wednesday, at noon at various local restaurants. Chairs: Jean Rohrschneider 720-542-9788; Jyotsna Raj 303-447-8831.
Readers’ Theater 2 – Third Monday 4:00 p.m. at the Boulder Library. Chairs: Patty Ludke 303-817-1020; Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
Spanish Conversation Advanced – Contact chair for details. Chair: Diana King 303-803-4583.
Sunday Afternoon at the Movies – Usually second Sunday, to see movies at a theater in Boulder or nearby theater. Chairs: Sharon Nehls 303-494-5778; Carmen Caver 803-606-5619.
Theater Goers – Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company matinees. Acting Chair, Cindy Meyer 713-256-9185.
Groups that are at capacity
- Book Group – The Bookies – Kathy Randall 303-746-4528.
- Book Group Small – Fiction and Non-Fiction, Joyce Bograd.
- Book Group – Second Monday, Janet Evans.
- Book Group – Mysteries, Betty Barnes.
- Bridge Group Intermediate level – First Wednesday Chair: Karen Neff
To start a new interest group requires at least five members including a chairperson.
If you are interested in starting a new group please contact the Interest Group Coordinator for more information: Lois Linsky Interest Group Coordinator, 303-499-2689.
To form a new book group, contact Kathy Randall, 303-746-4528.
Send your photos for MESSAGES!
Send your interest group photos and/or photos you have taken of Boulder and surrounds for inclusion in MESSAGES – send to MESSAGES editor Tamera Van Spriell at boulderuwc@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Officers
President – Anne Hudson
Past President and President Elect – Andie Kutinsky
Secretary and Secretary Elect – Sharon Nehls
Treasurer and Treasurer Elect – Frieda Holley
Board Members
Acknowledgements: Donations made “in honor of” – Joyce Spencer
Advisory/Parliamentarian – Frieda Holley
Honors Reception – TBD
Interest Groups Chair – Lois Linsky
Margaret Willard Award Chair – Andie Kutinsky
Membership Chair – Merry Bullock
Membership Coffee – Lynne Barnett
MESSAGES Co-Chairs
Editor – Tam Van Spriell
Copy Editor – Kathleen Salzberg
Technical Editor – Merry Bullock
New Members – Shirley Harkness
Nominating Committee – Kathy Randall
Opera Brunch – Sandy Johnson
Programs
Chair – Norma Portnoy
UMC Liaison – Tam Van Spriell
Registration – Lynne Barnett
Scholarship Committee Chair – Jean Manifesto
Scholarship Luncheon – Jonette Lucia
Website – Joyce Spencer
Zoom Masters – Merry Bullock, Lynne Barnett
Non-Board Positions
Document Repository – Frieda Holley
Email Communications – Diana King, Coordinator
Archives/Historian – Karen Neff
Photographer Coordinator – Berry Todd
Looking for an opportunity to serve on the UWC Executive Board?
Honors Reception Chair
If you enjoy planning a party, you might be the perfect candidate for this position. When we are able to meet in person, the Honors Reception is an opportunity to gather at the end of the academic year to enjoy finger foods, conversation with your friends, and to recognize past and present members of the UWC who have demonstrated outstanding service to our organization. Any candidate for this position should have good people and project management skills and enjoy planning a large event.
Contact UWC President Anne Hudson at 720-536-5654 if you are interested in serving in this capacity.
CALENDAR
UWC Calendar 2024-2025
September
Tuesday, 10 September 2024 – Membership Coffee – 10:30 a.m., Viele Lake and Harlow Platts Park, South Boulder
October
Wednesday, 9 October 2024 – Lecture Luncheon #1
Sunday, 29 October 2024 – New Member Wine and Cheese
November
Tuesday, 12 November 2024 – Lecture Luncheon #2
December
No scheduled events – Happy Holidays!
January, 2025
Tuesday, 14 January 2025 – Lecture Luncheon #3
February
Tuesday, 18 February 2025 – Lecture Luncheon #4
March
Tuesday, 11 March 2025 – Lecture Luncheon #5
Sunday, 16 March 2025 – Opera Brunch
April
Tuesday, 15 April 2025 – Scholarship Luncheon
May
Tuesday, 13 May 2025 – Honors Reception
Photos courtesy of Anne Hudson.