MESSAGES September 2025
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 on Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m., outside in the fresh air at The Shelter at Viele Lake South Boulder, Harlow Platts Park, 1360 Gillaspie Drive
Enjoy coffee and finger food, information, and sign-ups for our 20+ Interest Groups, a schedule of our exciting lectures for 2025-2026, ample parking, and best of all, we will see each other again after a long summer holiday!
No registration needed! Just come at 10:30 a.m., bring a camp chair or two, and relax and enjoy.
See you September 9!
President’s Message
Hello to the members of the University Women’s Club. I’m Andie Kutinsky, and I’m lucky to be serving as your President for the 2025-2026 year. This year is shaping up to be another banner year at UWC in the mission of sisterhood and service.
What can you anticipate? The interest groups available to UWC members are varied and exciting. The speakers for our Lecture Luncheons are going to be real showstoppers. The Opera Brunch should be very popular as Maestro Carthy will tell us all about the behind-the-scenes work that went into the making of this year’s offering. We are on track to support another six nontraditional students who will be honored at our annual Scholarship Luncheon at the Boulder Country Club. While one of our goals is to continue to raise funds for scholarships, we are certain to have fun doing it.
I’m lucky to have a Board made up of new and returning members to help us be even more responsive and efficient in getting information to you. I will be available to you by phone, text, email, or in person and hope to meet each one of you at one of our scheduled events. I truly encourage you to make new friends while enjoying our activities, or bring other friends with you and encourage them to join! Get out there and be active! Have fun.
Andie
Andie Kutinsky
UWC President, 2025-2026
UWC Notes
The Time to Renew Your UWC Membership is NOW!
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 –
Invite your friends to UWC Membership and, if you are so inclined, make an additional donation to the UWC scholarship fund – available on 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
- UWC Membership Directory
- Interest Group activities
- MESSAGES newsletter to keep you informed of all the UWC activities.
Transitions – a personal note
It has been my pleasure to serve as Membership Chair for the last two years. This Fall, I am moving to Seattle (please come visit!) and Carol Etges will be Membership Chair. In this role, she will record all renewals and new memberships, keep track of donations for listing in MESSAGES, create the Membership Directories, and serve as your membership resource at uwcmembershipchair@gmail.com. Welcome Carol!!
Merry Bullock
Membership Chair
Lecture Luncheons
Click to see the complete list of 2025-2026 luncheons and links to register.
We are excited to share our 2025-2026 lecture luncheons that cover a wide variety of topics presented by exceptionally knowledgeable speakers. New this year, rather than the February lecture when parking is a challenge, we will hold a lecture in May when parking should be easier after the students have left campus. The location of all five lectures will be Room 235 in the University Memorial Center, located at 1669 Euclid Avenue at the corner of Broadway and Euclid on the CU campus in Boulder.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – 10:30-1:00
Judy Amabile – State Senator
Representing Senate District 18 (Boulder, Louisville, Superior, Niwot, and Gunbarrel)
Constructive Disagreement and Bona Fide Progress
State Senator Judy Amabile represents the people of District 18 and previously served as State Representative in District 49. She earned her BA and MBA from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Her legislative work has focused on improving treatment for serious mental illness, addressing injustice in the criminal justice system, enacting gun safety legislation, and making communities more resilient to the climate crisis. She is a member of the Joint Budget Committee and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Constructive Disagreement and Bona Fide Progress
Come to this lecture to hear the Senator’s vision and priorities for the future, goals she hopes to achieve in particular areas, and her proposed solutions to ensure desired outcomes. We look forward to hearing about her hopes for Colorado’s future.
Senator Amabile will challenge the idea that our society is irreparably divided and share examples of substantive problem solving happening all around us. She will discuss successful policy making in the Colorado General Assembly and her approach to alliance building. The Senator also will share ideas for improving constructive disagreement and encouraging dialogue between opposing sides.
Click here to register for Lecture Luncheon #1.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – 10:30-1:00
Sarah Kozloff, Vassar Film Professor Turned Novelist
Movies that Changed Society
Sarah Kozloff holds a BA from Dartmouth College and a PhD from Stanford University. She served as a Professor of Film at Vassar College for more than 30 years, specializing in American film. As an academic she has published five books and numerous shorter pieces; as a novelist she published an epic fantasy series entitled The Nine Realms. After moving from the Hudson Valley of New York to Arvada, she has been enjoying teaching adult education courses in local venues.
Movies that Changed Society
Although the famously blunt producer Sam Goldwyn once said, “If you want to send a message, use Western Union.” On the contrary, American movies frequently address topics of great public controversy and attempt to influence viewers. Dr. Kozloff will survey some significant examples of influential movies such as The Grapes of Wrath (1940), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), and Philadelphia (1993), to analyze how the filmmakers use their medium to sway audiences to their point of view.
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Roxanne Bailin, Former Chief Judge of the 20th Judicial in Boulder County
You Be the Judge: A Case from the Real World of Sentencing
Roxanne Bailin retired after completing a 30-year judicial career and serving as the Chief Judge of the 20th Judicial in Boulder County from 1998 to 2013. As Chief Judge, Judge Bailin oversaw the administration of the courts and probation in addition to her duties as a district court judge.
Judge Bailin received many awards during her tenure, among them the Colorado State Judicial Branch Outstanding Judicial Officer Award, the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Judge of the Year Award, the American Board of Trial Advocates Judicial Excellence Award, the Boulder County Bar Association Beyond the Gavel Award for Extraordinary Service to Boulder County, and the Colorado Judicial Institute Judicial Excellence Award.
You Be the Judge: A Case from the Real World of Sentencing
People who attend this lecture will become aware of the many factors that can go into a sentence and achieve a better understanding of the criminal sentencing process.
Judge Bailin will present a real world, Boulder County criminal case. She will describe the case in detail and the possible sentences for the case. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to vote for the outcome they prefer having heard only the facts as presented and the possible sentences.
After the vote, Judge Bailin will present all the additional information available to the judge at the time of sentencing including the psychosocial evaluation of the defendant. Members of the audience will then have a second opportunity to vote for their preferred outcome.
After the second vote, Judge Bailin will encourage a discussion of the reasons audience members did or did not change their minds when they voted the second time.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Stephen Swenerton, President at Swenerton Consulting
The Real Story of International Migration
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.
The Real Story of International Migration
There is no hotter topic internationally now than immigration. Steve will review many aspects of migration as it is happening now. Millions of people are being forced from their homes, while millions of others are migrating for economic improvement. In this overview, we will learn what is happening and why. Many surprising facts will be presented that will help clarify what we see in the news.
Thursday, May 21, 2026 – 10:30-1:00
Ilene Naomi Rusk, PhD, CPsych, Director, Center for Brain and Mental Health
A Roadmap to Brain Health for Optimal and Joyful Longevity
Dr. Rusk is Co-Director of the Healthy Brain Program in Colorado where she serves as coordinator of the rehabilitation and trauma treatment programs. With a PhD (Psychology, Neuropsychopharmacology), she has authored numerous papers in the areas of psychology, neuropharmacology, and neuroscience. She speaks globally about Polyvagal Theory, brain health, stress, resilience, and nervous system wellness. She is focused on empowering women’s longevity and wholesome aging, cognitive health, and emotional health.
A Roadmap to Brain Health for Optimal and Joyful Longevity
Dr. Rusk will share her data-driven lifestyle pillars for brain and emotional health and the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals for cognitive health and dementia. She will share solutions to memory problems and suggest ways to create flexibility in the nervous system for health of the brain, body, soul, and mind. She will enlighten us with practical tools and a roadmap for optimizing joy, brain health, and emotional health.
Honors Reception in Pictures
Scholarships
Message from the Chair
Would you like to serve on the Scholarship Committee in 2026?
I am seeking to add two people to our committee. Each year the committee awards scholarships to CU Boulder students. They are nontraditional undergraduates returning to school after a gap in their education. They must have graduated from high school or obtained a GED more than six years prior to applying for our scholarships. To qualify they must demonstrate academic merit with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Financial need must be proven. Service, initiative, community involvement, leadership, and employment are considered. After selection is complete, the students will be honored at a luncheon on April 14, 2026.
At year’s end, the treasurer lets me know the amount of the UWC member donations available to be directed toward our scholarships. Member donations determine the number of scholarships we can provide each year. In the recent past, we have awarded each student $5,000 to be used in the following academic year.
Our committee members’ responsibilities will begin in January of 2026. We will meet with the CU liaison once for a brief training session before classes begin or shortly after the spring semester begins on January 8. At that time, we will learn how to gain access to the university platform to review student applications.
In addition to the above-mentioned information, the students submit answers to two essays, one asking about their future career plans and the impact they hope to achieve. The second essay asks about their unique perspective and the way in which their career goals might impact the future in a positive way. An optional essay gives each student the opportunity to share their family and personal challenges. The applications are then scored by the committee members. Throughout the review process the committee protects the confidentiality and privacy of all students’ information.
Once the evaluations are completed, the committee meets to make final selections of the scholarship recipients. Also, each committee member will choose a student to present at the Scholarship Luncheon. That involves meeting with the student, helping them prepare a biography, and introducing them at the event.
Committee members are most active with their responsibilities from January through April. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity to serve UWC, please contact me. I find it very meaningful to help nontraditional students overcome adversity to pursue their academic and lifetime goals.
Jean Manifesto
jam at jeanmanifesto dot com
Scholarship Committee Chair
Support Scholarships Through Grocery Shopping!
If you shop at King Soopers, Safeway, or Albertsons, you can easily participate in their community award programs where 5% of your purchases will be donated to UWC to support our scholarships AT NO ADDITIONAL 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!
Donations to the Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Donations (May-July 2025)
Judith Auer
Jennifer Bohlin
Laura Border
Merry Bullock
Barbara Christoffersen
Margot Crowe
Karen Diamond
Catherine Ertz
Janet Freeman
Linda Fulton
America Online Giving Foundation
Helen Goldman
Kathy Halm
Shirley Harkess
Nancy Helmuth
Sandy Johnson
Jacqueline Kilburn
Andrea Kutinsky
Rory Laiho
Jane Laughlin
Patty Ludke
Cindy Meyer
Mary Morgan
Sandra Mullins
Jean Nelson
Sara Noah
DeAnn ODonovan
Linda Ortiz
Becky Palmer
Jyotsna Raj
Katherine Randall
Sandra Reynolds
Marge Riddle
Kathleen Salzberg
Donna Seaman
Joyce Spencer
Helen Williams
Stephanie Wrotny
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 (2026-2027). The elected persons attend board meetings for one year as “elect officers,” to become familiar with the tasks of the executive positions, and to be available as back-up. They then serve the following year (2027-2028) 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: 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 Janet Brewer, Chair of the Nominating Committee (dtbjhb at aol dot com).
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, 2026. 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?
As you can see from the above chart, Generation Z students enrolled in the University of Colorado, Boulder campus, have had a lot to deal with in their short lives, in addition to being a student.
- The Great Recession: 2007-2009 considered by the International Monetary Fund to have been the most severe economic and financial meltdown since the Great Depression.
- Terrorism: both local and global reports collected by the State Department are unsettling at best.
- Technology: an explosion of technology and Artificial Intelligence.
- COVID-19: I would also add the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the global deaths now exceed 3.4 million beings.
It’s quite possible that many of our CU students have been personally impacted by one or more of these ‘defining moments.’
Where are you on this chart?
We are all impacted by these ‘defining moments.’ In fact, many of us are impacted by the ‘defining moments’ listed above for the Silent Generation, Boomers, and Generations X, Y and Z. I think it’s pretty clear that we all could benefit from a Community of Support undergirding our mental health.
What are the takeaways for UWC membership and programming?
- We all have lived through a lot during our lifetimes! Many of us have been impacted personally by one or more of these ‘defining moments.’ We need to give ourselves and others some grace and understanding when everyday life becomes too much.
- The UWC offers many ways to become part of a supportive community through its programing, interest groups, and commitment to be a helping hand for non-traditional students trying to make a positive difference in their lives and their world.
- At one time or another, we all could use a mental health break, so let’s all work to make this year a time to support one another both through our relationships in UWC and in our larger communities. Pass the love forward.
World Mental Health Day
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 is “Community: Supporting Mental Wellbeing Together.”
This theme emphasizes the importance of creating supportive and inclusive communities to promote mental health and well-being. It encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to work together to reduce stigma, provide access to quality mental health services, and foster a culture of mental health awareness.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10th.
Member Acknowledgements
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
It is with sadness that we acknowledge the recent loss of three of our members:
- Charlotte Corbridge
- Martha Andrews
- Karen Diamond
Details honoring their passage are here.
As information to members, and to remember those who have passed away, UWC includes an ‘In Memoriam’ section on the website. This section honors those UWC members that we know about who have died since 2020.
If you are aware of UWC members who have left us, please let Joyce Spencer, webmaster (jjandbobs at msn dot com) and Tam Van Spriell (tamvanspriell at gmail dot com) know the member’s name for prompt inclusion on our website and in future MESSAGES.
Interest Groups
Interest Groups Information
- Bicycling – Meets weekly on Thursdays from May through October. We start with a couple of shorter rides and work up to around 20+ miles each ride. We have a couple of levels of riders, but faster riders will wait until all riders catch up. Electric bikes are welcome. Chair: Sandy Bainbridge 970-584-0311.
- Book Group – Afternoon – Fourth Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. mostly at members’ homes or on ZOOM. Vaccinations required. Chairs: Mary Anna Dunn 720-355-8174; Mary Clough 303-522-8692.
- 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: Beth Rauch 303-746-2983; Kathleen Salzberg 303-499-3128. 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.
- Hikers and Slow Hikers – Every Friday 9:00 a.m., September to May; 8:30 a.m. June to August. Meet at the north end of the 29th Street underground parking garage to carpool. Chairs: Joan (Joanie) Cardone 303-263-7823; Frieda Holley 303-499-3733. Please note: Dogs are not allowed on UWC hikes.
- 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. This group will no longer exist without new leadership. For more information: 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. Looking for new chairs.
- 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. Chair: Carmen Caver 803-606-5619. Needs co-chair.
- Theater Goers – Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company matinees. Acting Chair: Cindy Meyer 713-256-9185.
Let’s Go See a Play Together!
The Theater Goers group will see five Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) plays together in 2025-26. Please join us for these Sunday 2:00 p.m. 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
August 17: Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler
October 19: The Thin Place by Lucas Hrath
December 7: Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan MacMillan w/ Jonny Donahoe
February 22: Brooklyn Laundry by John Patrick Shanley
May 3: Mary Jane by Amy Herzog
Please contact interim chair Cindy Meyer for details about 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 dot net.
For additional details, click here.
Happy Hour/Tea Time Conversations
We invite anyone and everyone to join us on the second Tuesday of each month for our Happy Hour/Tea Time. These Zoom meetings occur 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. We each have time to talk to the group about a topic in our personal lives or within our philosophies. It’s an opportunity to get to know fascinating women on a much deeper level.
Contact Andie Kutinsky (drandie at gmail dot com) to get on the mailing list.
Interest Group News
Interest Groups Chairs
Pictured are the chairs of our Interest Groups at an informational gathering hosted by Lois Linsky.
Hiking Group
Picture from our hike last week – June 27 – at Button Rock near Lyons. Hikers left to right: Shirley Harkess, Char Rasmussen, Ruel Page, Marie Dacey, Frieda Holley. We encountered a rattlesnake—which added some excitement—and a deer. Luckily no one was bitten. The pictures were taken by Carol Green.
Second Monday Book Group
A photo of the Second Monday Book Group when we met in May at Karen Bell’s house for good conversation and tasty treats.
Executive Board
Officers
President – Andie Kutinsky
Past President – Anne Hudson
Secretary and President Elect (2026-2027) – Sharon Nehls
Secretary Elect (2026-2027) – Betty Johnson
Treasurer and Treasurer Elect (2026-2027) – Frieda Holley
Board Members
Acknowledgements: Donations made “in honor of” – Joyce Spencer
Advisory/Parliamentarian – Frieda Holley
Honors Reception – Anne Hudson, Andie Kutinsky
Interest Groups Chair – Lois Linsky
Margaret Willard Award Chair – Andie Kutinsky
Membership Chair – Carol Etges, (Merry Bullock until October)
Membership Coffee – Lynne Barnett
MESSAGES Co-Chairs
Editor – Tam Van Spriell
Copy Editor – Kathleen Salzberg
Technical Editor – Carol Etges
New Member Event – Shirley Harkess
Opera Brunch – Sandy Johnson
Photographer – Sydney Hoerler
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 – Lynne Barnett
Non-Board Positions
Document Repository – Diana King
Email Communications – Andie Kutinsky
Historian/Yearbook – Karen Neff
Nominating – Janet Brewer
Calendar
UWC Calendar for 2025-2026
September
- 09 Tuesday, Membership Coffee, 10:30 a.m., Viele Lake and Harlow Platts Park, South Boulder
October
- 07 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #1, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
November
- 11 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #2, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
December
- No scheduled events – Happy Holidays!
January 2026
- 13 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #3, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
February
- No scheduled events
March
- 08 Sunday, Opera Brunch, Center for British & Irish Studies, Norlin Library
- 17 Tuesday, Lecture Luncheon #4, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235
April
- 14 Tuesday, Scholarship Luncheon, Boulder Country Club
May
- 21 Thursday, Lecture Luncheon #5 and Margaret Willard Award Presentation, 10:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m., UMC 235