Leigh Stephens

Gen. Mary J. Kight and Karen Duncanwood spotlighted America’s social issues last year in Women of the World (WOW) programs that featured AAUW values. Shari Beck and Gloria Yost were leaders of these programs, and Branch member Leigh Stephens published award-winning articles in the Valley Community Newspapers about both women.

Last May, Kight took part in a WOW program presenting “Women Warriors.” Kight is a branch member who in 2010, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed the first female Adjutant General of the California Military Department. She is also the first African-American woman to attain this position in the nation. In her Navy career, Kight has led U.S. troops all over the world. In retirement, she continues to mentor military troops.

Stephens’ article covering Gen. Kight’s presentation won the Third Place Award (Feature Profile) in the California Press Women’s Communications Contest.

In the fall, Karen Duncanwood held branch members and community members spellbound with her story of a young California college girl who became a Freedom Rider. Duncanwood was in one of the first groups of student activists who trained to go to Mississippi to focus media on the Civil Rights Movement. She talked of her fear facing Southerners and even police officers who wore the uniform in the day and the Ku Klux Klan sheet at night.

Stephens’ article about Duncanwood’s WOW presentation won the California Press Women’s First Place Award (Feature Social Issue) in the same contest. This article has been sent to National Press Women for judging.