On November 12, 1975 the Poughkeepsie Branch held a dinner at the Vassar Alumni House to commemorate the International Women's Year and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of our branch. Eight women were honored for outstanding service to the residents of Dutchess County. Since that time, the Poughkeepsie Branch AAUW has selected a local woman to honor as our Woman of the Year. These women exemplify the goals stated in AAUW's mission statement:
The American Association of University Women advances equity
for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
We invite you to nominate candidates for consideration of this honor using the form linked below to print, fill in and mail. Your nomination will be in consideration for two years from the date you submit the form to one of the Woman of the Year Committee Co-Chairs: Margaret Ouart, 26 Broad St, Fishkill, NY 12524 or Gail Sisti, 313 Forest Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589
Woman of the year Nomination Form>>
From The Branch, March 1991:
Selected for her exceptional record of community involvement, Trudie Evangelou is a woman who has made a difference.
As a volunteer, Trudie has worked with Planned Parenthood, Zonta, Newcomers, Community Concerts, Encore, Family Counseling, George Washington Carver Fund, United Way, Mental Health Players, Coalition for Aid to Battered Women, and the Dutchess County Committee Against Racism. Professional positions have included Administrator of the Unitarian Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, Executive Director of the Dutchess County Girl Scouts, and Director of Administrative Services at the Poughkeepsie Day School.
Perhaps most inspiring is Trudie's gift for turning personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others. A cancer patient for many years, Trudie counsels other cancer patients and speaks to groups at Dutchess Community College and SUNY New Paltz. After her son Scot died in 1985, Trudie and Scot's brothers founded the Scot Altmann Memorial Council to aid troubled youths.
When a friend was diagnosed with cancer, Trudie wished for her: "Faith in yourself, courage, and a brass ring to reach for."
We admire Trudie's compassion and her own considerable courage, faith, and self-confidence. We offer Trudie Evangelou the honor of AAUW Woman of the Year as our special brass ring; we wish her many more to reach for.
Trudie was honored at the meeting on March 13 at the Community Room of the Poughkeepsie Galleria
.