This month we are featuring two of our Named Branch Gift Honorees, Nancy Lawrence and Marty McKnew.  These two amazing ladies have close to 100 years of AAUW membership and achievements to their names.

Nancy Lawrence has been a member of our branch for more than 50 years and has been active in giving her whole life.  In our branch she has been finance officer, newsletter editor, president twice (a total of four years), book group member, and HUGE supporter of Tech Trek.  In my last six years on the board I have only met her once and spoken to her on the phone once, but her name and generosity come up all the time.  As I worked on this I was surprised to find we live in the same neighborhood, and I hope to get to know her better.  Besides all she has done for our branch and AAUW at large, Nancy has found the time and energy to work with the Girl Scouts, the Crocker Art Museum, and the Sacramento Public Library Foundation.  Thank you, Nancy. Women like you make AAUW the prestigious organization it is today.

Named Branch Honoree Marty McKnew

Marty McKnew has been active in AAUW for more than 30 years. I have had the pleasure of working with her on the board for four and a half years, and we are continuing together for another year.  Marty started in the Salinas Branch, where she was president in 1986-87.  She has served in many positions for AAUW-CA, including Central Coast District Director, Nominating Committee, Northern District Director, Educational Foundation Committee, and she is an AAUW Legacy Circle Member.  In our branch, Marty has served many years in various Funds Director positions, nominating committee, and she was branch president in 2009-10.  Her devotion to our national mission and programs was publically recognized when she was named the AAUW California 2012 Named Gift Honoree.  Additionally, she has worked tirelessly on the past three branch fundraisers, helped anyone who calls and needs an assist, and single-handedly published our newsletter one month when we lost our coordinator suddenly and had not found a replacement.  And, just like Nancy, her efforts and generosity are not limited to AAUW.  Somehow Marty has found the time and energy to travel extensively with Friendship Force (international travel group) as well as being their president for the past two years.  Additionally, she has been a docent at the California State Capitol since 2000 and was president of the docents from 2008 to 2010.  Thank you, Marty, for your willingness to always step up and do a stellar job!