Woman's Educational Aid Association

Women Investing in Women

2022 WINTER BRUNCH

WEAA SOPHOMORES

The class of 2024 met with their board mentors at the Blind Faith Cafe in Evanston on February 27th for their 2022 winter brunch. Three of the seven scholars were able to attend. (left to right sitting: scholar Chidera Olewuenyl, and board members Marti Ross Bjornson and Helen Gagel; left to right standing: scholars Katelynn Nguyen and Taylor Bird; and board member Jacqueline Shim Bryant)

The first year, junior and senior classes met via Zoom this year. We all look forward to in-person meetings for the 2023 brunches.

SCHOLAR NEWS

Katelynn Nguyen -

Class of 2024

NU and WEAA scholars work beyond the campus. Katelynn Nguyen, a sophomore, collaborated with the Shedd Aquarium in

Chicago. In the fall of 2021 she participated on a team that was asked to assist the Shedd Aquarium to redesign the exterior of the building to include an outdoor classroom and a dining and event space. Katelynn played a major role in developing storyboards and art concepts for the project. The team was invited to the Shedd to celebrate their work when the project was completed. The photo of Katelynn was taken in the museum’s campus park.

Kaniya Hester -

Class of 2023

Kaniya Hester (standing in the photo) participated in the Bilingualism and Psycholinguistics Research Group. This project focuses on bilingualism, multilingualism, and linguistic diversity.

https://bilingualism.northwestern.edu/

YOUR STORIES ARE IMPORTANT

WEAA would love to hear from alumnae and current scholars. Let us know about your work, study projects, events, travel and interests. We would like to share your story in our upcoming newsletters and on social media. You may send your photos and stories to weaa1871@gmail.com and we will share them with WEAA board members and scholars.

Your story can inspire others. We look forward to hearing from you.

LILY LEE - CLASS OF 2025

Lily Lee, WEAA first year scholar, is finding her way at NU. Her love of jazz has led her to sharing music over the airways. Join Lily every Tuesday morning on station 89.3 FM from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Let jazz with Lily start your day.

ALUMNAE ON THE MOVE

Kimberly Collins -

Class of 2020

Kimberly Collins, an NU and WEAA alumna, graduated in 2020. She has returned to NU and is now in her first year of medical school at Feinberg. We are happy to see Kimberly pursuing her dreams. WEAA celebrates her successes.

Esther Taylor -

Class of 2004

Esther Taylor graduated from NU in 2004. She has had a long career with the Chicago Public School system. In addition to teaching, she is an author. Esther commented, "I’m proud to announce the release of my first book, Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self Love and Acceptance. It’s coming Spring of 2022. This book is full of lessons I’ve learned on my path to healing from domestic abuse and abandonment, and strategies to heal yourself from past relationship trauma through the power of love." Congratulations, Esther.

Sara Gammage - Class of 2003

Sara Gammage graduated in 2003 with a degree in Communications (Theater major). Sara completed advanced studies at Kent State University in 2019 with a Master of Library and Information Science degree. Home is Chicago for Sara, where she works as a freelance stage manager.

Covid changed theater work in 2020 and 2021. Sara attended the University of California in 2020 to acquire a paralegal certificate that enabled her to work as a paralegal through the pandemic. She is back to her theater work in Los Angeles on the production of Hamilton.

Theater productions are back. The next time you find yourself enjoying a theater production check the credits and you may see Sara Gammage’s name.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCHOLAR SPRING DINNER - MAY 15, 2022

The WEAA annual spring dinner will be held on May 15, 2022 at the Farmhouse in Evanston. We are looking forward to seeing scholars after a long, confining two years of Covid isolation.

ESC RE-EVALUATION

WEAA completed its strategic planning in 2021. We have engaged the Executive Services Corps (ESC) to re-evaluate the organization's work based on our strategy plans. We thank board members and scholars who are participating in the 2022 ESC interviews: Vanessa Bush Ford, Marcelle Fullwood-Pakalnis, Rona Peitrzak, Agnes Roach, Carolyn Utech, and Dolores (Dee) Farris; and scholars Sara Fernandez, Unsun Lee, and Abigail Neufarth. The ESC will report their findings at the WEAA July 5, 2022 board meeting.