2020 20th Anniversary Highlights Interactive magazine

In this Issue 

2 From The President 

3 From The Editor 

4 Where We’ve Been 

Look back and see where our Getaways have been and what we have done. 

6 Our History 

8 FAUSA’s Active Local Groups 

Washington DC, Houston, Pacific NW, Big Sky Country 

10 2019 Detroit Getaway 

11 2020 Virtual Getaway 

12 FAUSA’s Leaders 

16 FAUSA’s Inspiring Women 

18 FAUSA’s Virtual Activity Groups 

FAUSA in Motion, Mah Jongg, Wine Time, Makers Crafts 

20 Celebrating Our Quilts 

The objectives of the 

corporation shall be as 

stated in the Articles of 

Incorporation, and shall 

include charitable and 

educational purposes 

within the meaning of 

Section 501(c)(3) of the 

Internal Revenue Code 

of 1986 as amended (the 

“Internal Revenue Code”) 

or the corresponding 

provision of any future 

United States internal 

revenue Law, including 

for such purposes, the 

making of distributions 

to organizations that 

qualify as exempt organizations 

under Section 

501(c)(3) of the Internal 

Revenue Code. 

22 Philanthropic Achievements 

27 The FAUSA Website History 

28 FAUSA’s Virtual Activity Groups 

FAUSA Virtual Book Clubs 

29 Past FAUSA Boards 

30 A Final Look Back 

Highlights Layout and Design by Rick Chizmadia 

1

From the president 

Can you believe that FAUSA has 

celebrated its 20th anniversary 

this year? What a fitting way to 

celebrate by dedicating the 2020 

FAUSA Highlights magazine to our 

anniversary. This year our publication 

will share history of FAUSA and 

inform you of our activities over the 

past year. If you are new to FAUSA, 

Highlights will acquaint you with 

the organization and some of our 

members. Please join me in thanking 

our Highlights Editor, Jane Indreland, 

who spent countless hours 

going through the archives and 

contacting people for content. This 

issue is so full of history of our organization. 

2020 has been a challenging 

year to say the least. Because of 

COVID-19 we had to curtail all in 

person meetings including 

the fall Getaway that was 

planned for Provincetown/ 

Plymouth to coincide with 

the 400th anniversary of 

the Mayflower landing. 

Members Nancy Thornley 

and Charlotte DeWitt had 

planned such a marvelous 

program, and it was a pity 

that it had to be canceled. 

In its place the Getaway 

was held virtually for the 

first time. With the hard 

work of the FAUSA board 

a very successful Getaway 

was held in its place. 

When this board first began 

its tenure, they decided to come up 

with ways to give the membership 

more value. Because of COVID-19 

we accelerated the creation of 

virtual events to better connect 

the members and give something 

to everybody: FAUSA in Motion, 

FAUSA Makers Crafts Group, Wine 

Time with Amy, FAUSA Mah Jongg, 

FAWCO Club Reunion Groups social 

hours, FAUSA Metro and Regional 

Groups social hours. We 

now have seven book groups, and 

we just began a bridge club. 

Over the past year, the board has 

continued to work on updating the 

infrastructure of the organization, 

particularly creating a document 

retention policy and FAUSA 

Archives, including documents and 

FAUSA history in Google Drive. 

Louise Greeley - Copley is heading 

this task along with the help of 

Nancy Thornley and Jane 

Indreland. Archiving 20 years of 

history is a daunting task. It is 

necessary work and fitting that we 

are doing it during the 20th anniversary 

year. 

We hope that you enjoy this edition 

of Highlights and that it gives you 

a taste of what FAUSA is all about. 

Whether you were a member of a 

FAWCO club during your expat 

life, FAUSA’s sister relationship with 

FAWCO provides our members with 

many benefits and opportunities. I 

hope you will watch our monthly 

newsletter for opportunities that 

both FAUSA and FAWCO provide. 

It has been a delight to be your 

president this past year. I have 

looked forward to all the events 

that we have produced despite 

the challenges that we faced and I 

hope that you have also. 2020 has 

been a trying year, and we are looking 

forward to a strong 2021. 

In the meantime, enjoy walking 

down memory lane in this 20th 

edition of Highlights. 

Rick Chizmadia 

FAUSA President 

2

From the editor 

by Jane Indreland 

Gathering information for the 20th Anniversary 

Highlights was a walk down 

memory lane for me. In 1999 after 12 

years in England, where I was a part 

of the AWC of London, my husband 

Terry and I returned to our home in 

Billings, Montana. The FAWCO Alumnae 

were a going concern at that time 

with a membership list and a seasonal 

newsletter, organized by Mona Garcia. 

I was delighted to find that there were 

two members within a 2 ½ hour drive, 

and the Dysarts and Lalanis have been 

dear friends since that time. You may 

read all about those early years in 

Nancy Thornley’s early history of FAU- 

SA. In 2000 FAUSA Inc was incorporated 

in the State of Texas, so we celebrate 

our birthday from that year. 

The past 20 years have flown, but it is 

interesting to look at FAUSA’s accomplishments 

in that time. There have 

been 20 Annual Meetings (including a 

virtual Getaway), and 18 quilts were raffled 

(raising at the very least $20,000). 

FAUSA gave 9 FAUSA Education Awards 

and sponsored 9 Foundation Education 

Awards. FAUSA directly donated (at a 

minimum!) to 24 charitable causes and 

sponsored 6 Foundation 

Development 

Grants. Our charitable 

donations and 

education awards total 

at least $120,000. 

This does not include 

the generosity of our 

members who have 

personally sponsored 

The Foundation’s 

awards and grants. 

They include Pam 

Dahlgren, Caroline 

Newton, Kathy Coughlan, 

Louise Greeley-Copley, 

Suzanne 

and Teresa Wheeler’s 

mother Viola, and Sue 

and Hugh Ripps. The 

generosity of FAUSA 

members never ceases 

to impress me. 

Over this time, FAUSA lost several of our 

most devoted members. In 1989 Linda 

Crowley served as the Alumnae Committee 

Representative, and she used a 

computer to establish a list of repatriated 

Americans and to publish a newsletter. 

I met Caroline Newton when 

she was the FAWCO Rep for the AWC 

of London. She some physical issues, 

but she enthusiastically participated in 

every FAUSA event possible, including 

co-hosting the Annual Meeting in Seattle. 

What more can we say about FAW- 

CO Counselor Pam Dahlgren? Together 

we organized the 1999 FAWCO Interim 

Conference in London. Pam joined 

FAUSA upon her return to the US, she 

helped with the 2010 FAWCO Conference 

in Boston. Jean Geesey was an 

early board member and attended every 

FAUSA and FAWCO event possible. 

Shirley van Ooijen was an inspiration 

as an enthusiastic world traveler and 

FAUSA/FAWCO supporter. We remember 

these ladies and other members we 

have lost through the years fondly. 

As you go through this 20th anniversary 

Highlights, I hope that the information 

and pictures bring back fond 

memories to you as they did for me. 

Jane Indreland 

Editor 

3

our history 

Where We’ve Been 

By Jane Indreland & Nancy Thornley 

President 


President@fausa.org 

(586) 994-6810 

1st Vice-President, Communications 

and Public Relations 

Liz Janson 

1stvp@fausa.org 

2nd Vice-President, Membership 

Yolanda Henry 

Membership@fausa.org 

Secretary 

Aurora Silvestri 

Secretary@fausa.org 

(847) 612-4577 

Treasurer 

Peggy Dauser 

Treasurer@fausa.org 

(425) 628-7379 

Directory of Philanthropy 

Marilee Watts 

Philanthropy@fausa.org 

FAWCO Club Liaison 

Leslie Nelson 

fawcoliaison@fausa.org 

(913) 689-0549 

Parliamentarian 


Parliamentarian@fausa.org 

(406) 670-6909 

Counselors 

Mona Garcia, Dale Koepenick, Jane 

Indreland, Louise Greeley-Copley, Lee 

Sorenson, Janet Darrow and Therese 

Hartwell 

2000 The beginning of the millennium was 

the beginning for FAUSA. Its members hosted 

the first USA based FAWCO Conference in 

Washington D.C. on March 16 - 20. In April the 

organization became FAWCO Alumnae USA 

Inc. (FAUSA), incorporated in the State of Texas. 

On May 1, FAUSA became a FAWCO Affiliate 

Member Club. The first Executive Board 

and committee chairs, led by President Mona 

Garcia, met twice more in 2000 to plan for the 

future. Jane Indreland designed the structure of 

regions and metropolitan coordinators. 

2001 Nancy Thornley organized 

FAUSA’s first Annual 

Meeting in Provincetown, 

Massachusetts, September 

27-30, two weeks after 9/11. 

Sixty attendees enjoyed the 

history, the camaraderie, 

and the lobster. The guest 

speaker was an expatriate 

film maker who had returned from Japan. Jan 

Curran began work on the first FAUSA website. 

Dale Koepenick was elected president and, 

after shepherding the group through its infancy, 

Mona Garcia became the first FAUSA Counselor. 

On December 10, 2001, FAUSA received its 

IRS 501(c)(4) designation. 

2002 On September 26–28, 

FAUSA members went west 

to Red Lodge, Montana, 

for the Annual Meeting. 

Organizers Jane and Terry 

Indreland were assisted by 

Carol and Sal Lalani and 

Priscilla and Dick Dysart. One 

highlight was an afternoon 

at the Lonesome Spur Guest 

Ranch with members of the Crow Tribe of 

American Indians. Carol Lalani won the raffle 

for the first FAUSA Quilt, which was created by 

Linda Sampson. The raffle benefited the FAUSA 

Education Award. It was administered by The 

FAWCO Foundation. President Dale Koepenick 

and FAWCO D.C. Liaison Milvia Smith participated 

in the first Overseas Americans Week, 

May 6 – 9, meeting government representatives 

about concerns of overseas residents. 

2003 Chicago was the site of 

the third Annual Meeting on 

September 18–20, organized 

by Brooke Bremner, Kay 

Miller, and Nancy Petersen. 

A highlight was the architectural 

cruise along the river. 

President Dale Koepenick 

was elected for a second 

term, and the attendees committed FAUSA to 

future charitable grants in the Western Hemisphere 

in addition to the education award. 

2003 brought a significant change to FAUSA’s 

relationship to FAWCO. The FAWCO Bylaws 

were amended to make FAUSA an “extended 

arm of FAWCO”. This change identified FAU- 

SA as a separate entity. It entitled its members 

to participate in the FAWCO Council 

and confirmed FAUSA’s position as an equal 

partner with both FAWCO and The FAWCO 

Foundation. 

2004 Dale Koepenick and 

her committee organized 

the fourth Annual Meeting 

in Easton, Maryland. Chesapeake 

Bay and its crabs created 

the atmosphere. Beth 

Hemminger, daughter of Liz 

Hemminger, won the Education 

Award. FAUSA gave 

$1000 to each of two charities – La Estancia 

Fraternidad in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Johannna 

Cecelia School in Guyana. Linda Sampson’s 

quilt, with flower blocks, raised $1200 toward 

these efforts. 

2005 The Crockett Hotel in 

San Antonio was the home of 

the 2005 FAUSA Annual 

Meeting, September 15 – 17, 

organized by Texan Mona 

Garcia and Linda Sampson. 

Linda created a beautiful autumn 

themed quilt. Members 

visited the Alamo and strolled 

the River Walk. Jane Indreland was elected as 

president and was presented with the official 

FAUSA Presidential Feather Boa from Mona. A 

dinner cruise on the San Antonio River capped 

off the meeting. 

2006 The Annual Meeting 

moved to Seattle in 2006. 

It was organized by Judy 

Ostrow with helpers 

Caroline Newton and 

Joanne Bartlemay. The Gala Dinner was a trip 

to a winery on the Washington Dinner Train. 

Bylaws changes created a Guest Membership 

category for women born outside of the USA 

and increased the Associate Membership 

category to 25%. Paula Lucas, founder of The 

American Domestic Violence Hotline, was a 

special guest. Kay Miller’s quilt, “Night in the 

Forest”, enabled FAUSA to increase the scholarship 

from $2000 to $3000.

Untitled-1 1 

10/2/17 6:51 PM 

our history 

2007 The Roosevelt Hotel, 

around the corner from Grand 

Central Station in the heart of 

The Big Apple, was the venue 

for the 2007 Annual Meeting 

managed by Liz Hemminger 

and Pam Dahlgren. Available 

were MOMA, the MET, and 

The Best of Broadway. The 

group prepared its own Gala Dinner at Rustico 

Cooking. Members voted to open up the FAUSA 

Education Award to grandchildren as well as 

members and their children. They also decided 

to propose hosting the 2010 FAWCO Interim 

Conference in Boston. FAUSA’s first Honorary 

Membership was awarded to Caroline Newton. 

Kay Miller paid tribute to the Great White Way 

by naming her quilt “Stars of Broadway.” Jane 

Indreland was elected to a second term as 

president. 

2008 Ginny and Bill Andersen 

hosted the 2008 Annual 

Meeting in Longboat Key, 

Florida. Beaches, high rises 

and circus museums set the 

tone. FAUSA began to go 

digital: creating a Facebook 

Group, using Constant 

Contact for the monthly email 

updates, moving The Quarterly on-line, and 

using PayPal. Professional web designer and 

FAUSA member Debbie Hastings offered to 

revamp the website. Attendees voted to open 

the Education Award to skills enhancement and/ 

or certificate programs. Kay Miller’s lovely quilt 

raised $1520.00. 

2009 The Annual Meeting in 

Durango, Colorado, was organized 

by Dorothy Childers. 

Especially impressive were 

the tour of Mesa Verde, 

the vastness of the desert 

sunset, and the trip to Silverton 

on the narrow-gauge 

railroad. The Quarterly 

name was changed to Highlights, reflecting the 

changes to this publication. Jane presented 

the gavel and presidential boa to newly elected 

President Louise Greeley-Copley. 

2010 On March 11th to the 

14th, FAUSA hosted the 

FAWCO Interim Conference 

in Boston. This year there 

were two FAUSA Annual 

Meetings. The first meeting 

was held in in tandem with 

the FAWCO Conference. Both groups were presented 

the FAUSA 10th Anniversary Magazine, 

edited by Diane Lange and Dale Koepenick.In 

the fall, the second Annual Meeting, called the 

Getaway, was organized in Houston by President 

Louise Greeley-Copley. Quilt Shows and cooking 

classes were Texan add-ons. Parliamentarian Lee 

Sorenson was asked to head a committee to 

revise the Bylaws and Administrative Guidelines. 

2011 FAUSA Getaway 

attendees were absorbed 

by the architecture, food 

and music of Charleston, 

South Carolina, at the 2011 

Getaway hosted by Sue and 

Hugh Ripps, October 29-30. 

At the Annual Meeting portion 

of the Getaway, Lee Sorenson was elected 

president, and the revised Bylaws and Administrative 

Guidelines were approved. 

2012 Napa Valley in early 

November was a popular location 

for the 2012 Getaway 

organized by Janet Darrow. 

All enjoyed touring the Hall 

Winery and Castello de 

Amorosa. Many attendees 

stayed for the hot-air 

balloon ride followed by a 

champagne breakfast at the Domaine Chandon 

restaurant. Kay Miller’s quilt, in wine colors of red 

and green, netted $2887, a new record. 

2013 FAUSA members “Met 

FAUSA 2013 Gathering 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

in the Middle” for the 2013 

Getaway in Cincinnati, Ohio, 

managed by Rick Chizmadia. 

Meet Us In the Middle A visit to the Underground 

Railroad Freedom Center was 

especially inspiring. The First 

FAUSA Annual Grant to be 

September 26-28, 2013 

Netherland Plaza Hotel 

voted on by the membership 

was awarded to the Girls’ Prevention Program, 

nominated by Louise Greeley-Copley. The 

revived printed Highlights was published and 

sent to all members. Lee passed the presidential 

gavel, boa, and tiara to newly elected President 

Janet Darrow. 

2014 The Garden of the 

Gods Club in Colorado 

Springs was FAUSA’s Getaway 

home in 2014, organized 

by Carol Boren and Teresa 

Wheeler. The Foothills and 

Garden of the Gods Jeep 

Tour was an exciting adventure. 

The San Francisco 

SafeHouse was awarded the 

second FAUSA Annual Grant of $2000. 

䘀䄀唀匀䄀 

㈀㔀 

䘀愀氀氀 

䜀攀琀愀眀愀礀 

一椀愀最愀爀愀 ⴀ 伀渀 ⴀ 吀栀攀 ⴀ 䰀愀欀攀 Ⰰ 伀渀琀愀爀椀漀 

伀挀琀漀戀攀爀 ⴀ 㐀 Ⰰ ㈀㔀 

2015 Yolanda Henry coordinated 

the 2015 Getaway 

in Niagara-on-the-Lake, 

Ontario, Canada. Attendees 

had an opportunity to 

experience Niagara Falls up 

close on the Hornblower, 

and gardens, vineyards, and 

golf courses on the Canadian 

side. Janet Darrow was 

re-elected president, and FAUSA had another 

first—a man became a board member when 

Rick Chizmadia was elected as first vice-president. 

2016 Organized by Dolores 

Cuellar in Scottsdale, 

Arizona, this Getaway 

included Frank Lloyd 

Wright’s Taliesin West. 

Rick Chizmadia presented 

FAUSA’s new logo in coordination 

with a similar one 

from FAWCO. The bylaws committee, led by 

Karen Snedecker, introduced bylaw changes 

directed at making FAUSA a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 

organization. This change which would enable 

FAUSA to better fulfill its philanthropic mission 

of improving the lives of women and girls 

worldwide. Dale Koepenick won the beautiful 

quilt created Kathy Coughlan. 

2017 The newly restored 

art deco Hotel Phillips in 

the heart of Kansas City, 

Missouri, was the site of 

the 2017 Getaway, organized 

by Leslie Nelson. 

Visitors were impressed by 

the World War One Museum 

tour and the exhibitions at the Nelson-Atkins 

Art Museum. The 2018 quilt was created 

from squares embroidered by refugee women 

at the Collateral Repair Project’s (CRP) Hope 

Workshop in Jordan. CRP was FAWCO’s Target 

Project at that time. The membership elected 

Therese Hartwell as president. 

Fall Getaway & Annual Meeting 

October 4 - 7, 2018 

Marriott Metro Center Hotel 

2018 In April 2018 the 

IRS approved FAUSA’s 

application for 501(c)(3) 

charitable status. Former 

President Janet Darrow 

and pro bono attorney 

Kelly Kemp guided FAUSA 

through the process. Dale 

Koepenick and Judith 

Treanor organized a Getaway in Washington 

D.C. that included a night visit to the Lincoln 

Memorial. Women’s suffrage was a focus, and 

FAUSA made a donation to the Turning Point 

Suffragist Memorial. The FAUSA name will be 

engraved on the memorial wall.

OUR HistoRY 

6 

2019 FAUSA went to Motown—Detroit, 

MI—for the 2019 Getaway hosted by hometown 

boy, Rick Chizmadia. Varied highlights 

included a dinner cruise, a tour of the Diego 

Rivera murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 

and a visit to the Motown Museum. President 

Therese Hartwell passed the official presidential 

boa, gavel, and tiara to new elected 

President Rick Chizmadia, who accepted 

them graciously. 

2020 FAUSA adapted to the restrictions 

brought on by the COVID-19 virus by hosting 

a “Virtual Getaway” developed by President 

Rick Chizmadia, First Vice-President Liz Janson, 

and Philanthropy Director Marilee Watts. 

Over 65 members registered via Zoom for the 

morning Annual Meeting and evening events 

on October 3, which included a live auction 

featuring auctioneer Carol-Lyn McElvey. The 

quilt raffle, silent and live auctions, plus generous 

donations raised a record $18,000 for 

FAUSA’s philanthropic efforts. 

FAWCO COMES HOME 

Nancy Thornley 

The idea of ‘returning home’ became a FAW- 

CO reality in the late 1970’s when Helen Cola, 

of Rome, moving back to Washington D.C., set 

up a card file of local repatriates. This group 

became known as FAWCO West. A formal 

Returning Home Committee was created 

1980. The Washington group sent back how-to 

information on credit, license plates, mortgages, 

schools, and whatever else pertained to 

adjusting to life back in the States. Guidelines 

For Returning to the USA was published in 

1983 in response to a survey and included a 

chapter on returning children. An on-going ad 

placed in club bulletins asked: “Returning to 

the USA? Don’t let us lose you.” A map marked 

the locations of FAWCO alumnae - New York, 

New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston, Washington 

D.C., Maryland, Texas and California. 

In 1989 the FAWCO Board appointed Linda 

Crowley, in Connecticut, as the Alumnae Representative. 

Using a computer, Linda expanded 

the membership file and sent out a newsletter. 

She was succeeded by Karen Burdsall. In 1995 

Mona Garcia, returning to Texas from Madrid, 

set up a more cohesive alumnae group. Dues 

were collected and a quarterly newsletter published; 

it was sponsored by a relocation service. 

It was Linda who, in 1997 in Dublin, promoted 

a first-time-ever FAWCO Conference in the 

States, in Washington D.C., to celebrate America 

2000. When this proposal, not without controversy, 

was approved, an alumnae committee 

was appointed and, with Mona Garcia as chair, 

sent off to organize the event. Twenty-one 

women - Mona Garcia, Linda Johnson, Linda 

Sampson, Jude Stalker, Linda Crowley, Kay Miller, 

Dorothy Childers, Elizabeth Bagney, Eileen 

Ploumpis, Angela Eliopoulis, Dale Koepenick, 

Jean Geesey, Dona Belt, Nancy Thornley, Helen 

McNulty, Eleanor Fina, Lisa Chase, Donna Gray 

Marilyn Richey, Shirley Van Ooijen, and Brooke 

Givot – met in Chicago on September 17-20, 

1998. The first item of business was the deposit 

to the Hotel Washington – FAWCO had not 

provided any seed money. Twenty-one personal 

credit cards, each charged $500, solved 

this immediate problem. The group met again 

in Santa Fe in January 1999, and in Washington 

D.C. the following April and October; the 

Conference on March 16-20, 2000 was one 

of the largest and best attended in FAWCO 

history. The Conference Cookbook, edited by 

Nancy Thornley, was created and sold for the 

occasion. 

FAWCO Alumnae USA (FAUSA) was incorporated 

in the State of Texas on May 1, 2000. 

Six alumnae - Mona Garcia, Jude Stalker, Kay 

Miller, Nancy Thornley, Linda Sampson and 

Pat Coker - meeting at Pat’s home in Dunwoody, 

Georgia, on June 9-14, 2000, began the 

process of defining FAUSA. They met again 

on October 12 -15 at Linda Sampson’s home 

in Dallas; Jane Indreland joined the group. 

Beginning with its purpose, the details of the 

organization were worked through – officers, 

membership, elections, dues, meetings etc. 

Nancy Thornley wrote up The Constitution, 

Bylaws and Administrative Guidelines. 

“The purpose of the Association shall be to 

facilitate the repatriation experience of its 

members and to help them maintain their 

international ties in order to bring about a 

better understanding between the United 

States and other nations.” The IRS designated 

FAUSA as 501(c)(4) when it received its tax 

exemption on December 10, 2001. (In 2016 

FAUSA reapplied to the IRS for a 501(c)(3) 

status by making a bylaw change with a new 

purpose that included a charitable dimension: 

“The Corporation shall support the repatriation 

experience by maintaining an international 

network and committing its resources to the 

health, education, environment and human 

rights of women and children worldwide.” 

FAWCO had also changed its philanthropic 

direction by targeting programs to the United 

Nations goals for women and girls. The new tax 

status was granted in April 2018. The Bylaws 

Committee was Karen Snedeker, Chair; Jane 

Indreland, Nancy Thornley, Dale Koepenick and 

Rick Chizmadia. 

The new FAUSA group considered itself 

quite autonomous, not just an appendage of 

FAWCO. It had its own name, its own constitution, 

its own bank account, its own Board of 

Directors. It even had its own charities; as FAW- 

CO was supporting projects in Africa, FAUSA 

sought out those in need south of the border. 

For FAWCO, what had been an alumnae 

committee was now designated as an Affiliate 

Club. This was unsatisfactory, as the Affiliate 

Club category had been set up as a two-year 

trial membership for American clubs overseas. 

In 2003 FAWCO amended its bylaws. FAUSA 

became its own entity, an equal partner of 

FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation.

OUR HistoRY 

1996 

2008 2009 2010 

2001 2003 2005 

2013 2017 2015 

7

Fausa’s active local groups 

News From Around the USA 

While FAUSA does not have local clubs, 

many areas have active local groups. These 

groups allow FAUSA members in a particular 

area not only to enjoy the benefits of national 

FAUSA membership, but also to experience 

a local group where people are close enough 

to meet in person. In 2020 the COVID-19 

pandemic put activities on-line making 

local activities accessible to people beyond 

the geographical metro area. The beauty 

of FAUSA active groups is that they can be 

whatever the members want. The activities 

of these groups include book clubs, social 

events, outings and philanthropic endeavors, 

depending on the desires of the members. 

If there is not an active group in your area, 

consider starting one and acting as the Metro 

Coordinator. You can find other members in 

your area in the Membership Directory in the 

Members Only section of the website. And 

you can recruit members as Priscilla Dysart 

has so effectively done in Montana (see write 

up below.) If you have questions or need assistance, 

contact the Second VP of Membership 

at membership@fausa.org. Read what 

some of the FAUSA active groups have done 

over the last year. 

FAUSA HOUSTON 

From Dena De Clute-Melancon 

With a national spotlight shining on the 

sex trafficking crisis and grooming, FAUSA 

Houston is proud to support Love People Not 

Pixels (LPNP), an anti-sex-trafficking nonprofit 

that focuses on the demand for commercial 

sex. We kicked off 2020 by hosting “Defending 

the Defenseless”, an educational and 

fundraising event during Slavery and Human 

8 

Trafficking Prevention month. FAUSA proudly 

donated $1000 to LPNP to continue educating 

men on the harm sex trafficking causes 

women – and themselves. Guest speakers 

included the director for LPNP, Joe Madison, 

and SSA Jeanette Milazzo with the Houston 

FBI field office. 

FAUSA Houston is also happy to support 

the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #9 

for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. 

Houston member, Karen O’Shaughnessy, 

worked hard to organize the FAWCO photo 

project bringing awareness to this global 

initiative. We look forward to visiting TX-RX 

Labs, a nonprofit maker-space that supports 

local innovation, prototype construction, and 

manufacturing to get small business innovators 

off the ground. We’re also planning 

a video meeting with a representative from 

Ten Thousand Villages, who seeks to provide 

industrial opportunities to women in developing 

countries. 

But it’s not all work and no play in H-Town! In 

addition to monthly lunch meetings, FAUSA 

Houston visited the Color Factory in February, 

an interactive art gallery merging color with 

scent, food, video, movement, and play. Like 

most groups, we canceled our remaining social 

activities in favor of virtual meetings, like 

book club, wine tasting, and museum video 

tours. But we look forward to hugging each 

other again soon. 

FAUSA PACIFIC NORTHWEST 

From Michelle Hendrikse-DuBoi 

PNW Region has been active on and off 

over the years. It started to gather momentum 

again in 2019 with a small core group 

of FAWCO members moving to the area. 

Through word of mouth, they were joined 

by a few other women with international 

connections. The region is geographically 

large (Oregon, Washington and Alaska) with 

a relatively small membership. Everyone 

is included in monthly updates on FAWCO 

and FAUSA but the social groups have been 

meeting in Bellevue. Prior to COVID-19, there 

was an active book club and social group. 

There were plans for monthly outings to 

museums and other local venues, a cinema 

group and possibly a walking group. The social 

group and book club continue via Zoom 

but the other activities have been put on hold 

until we are no longer social distancing. 

FAUSA BIG SKY COUNTRY 

From Priscilla Dysart and Jane Indreland 

Our two Montana Groups, Livingston/Bozeman 

and Beartooth, met a few times individually 

before COVID-19 caused us to take a 

long break. However, before it started, we 

had some individual events and our annual 

combined lunch at the historic Grand Hotel in 

Big Timber, midway between our locations. 

The Livingston-Bozeman FAUSA group enjoyed 

our usual monthly and yearly activities 

– lunches and Christmas dinner with spouses 

– until March when COVID-19 affected 

everyone’s routines. The July Zoom get-together 

was a success and will try it again in 

September. We are also planning a picnic 

in a Bozeman park with a covered pavilion, 

hoping for a beautiful fall day. 

The Beartooth FAUSA group had a chance 

to meet at Jaime Stevens’ home to see her 

weaving room before we had lunch together. 

Unfortunately, our other get-togethers had to 

be postponed due to COVID-19, but we are 

looking forward to doing some interesting 

things when the pandemic is over.

Fausa’s active local groups 


WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA 

We usually meet at a different member’s 

home each month for a homemade lunch, 

socializing and book discussion. 

To keep up with the pandemic’s ‘new normal’ 

we now meet via Zoom each month. We 

usually have about 14 members signing in 

which we originally thought would be a nightmare; 

but as it turns out, each member gives 

a check-in on what is going on in their lives 

with interaction from everyone. As coordinator, 

I do the announcements of anything 

national or local, introduce new members, 

and update any administrative matters. Then 

we get down to the book discussion, which is 

dynamic and amazingly productive. 

COLORADO REGIONAL GROUP 

Colorado Christmas Lunch 

FAUSA Regional Representatives and Metropolitan Coordinators (MC) 

Canada Region 

Regional Representative 

Yolanda Henry 

Yolanda88henry@gmail.com 

Capital Region 

MD,DE,DC,VA,WV 

Regional Rep. 

Open 

MC for Washington DC 

Dianne Lange 

langueusa@gmail.com 

Great Lakes Region 

MI,WI,IL,IN,OH,KY 

Regional Rep. 


president@fausa.org 

Great Plains Region 

MN,IA,ND,SD,ND,NE,OK,MO, KS 

Regional Rep. 

Leslie Nelson 

leslietlfj@gmail.com 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

NY,NJ,PA,CT 


OPEN 

Mountain West Region 

MT,ID,WY,UT,CO 


Tessa Wheeler 

tlbbaker@q.com 

MC for Colorado Springs 

Linda Boren 

lindacarol.boren@gmail.com 

MC for 

Boulder/Broomfield/Longmont 

Liz Janson 

lizbjanson@gmail.com 

MC for Livingston/Bozeman 

Priscilla Dysart 

priscilladysart@gmail.com 

MC for Beartooth Mountain Area 


indreland@mac.com 

New England Region 

ME,VT,NH,MA,RI 


OPEN 

MC for Boston 

Alli Allmendinger 

alli@churchillprop.com 

Pacific Northwest Region 

WA,OR,AK 


Michele Hendrikse DuBois 

michelefausa@gmail.com 

MC for Seattle 

Michele Hendrikse DuBois 

michelefausa@gmail.com 

Southeast Region 

NC,SC,GA,L,AL,TN,MS,AR,LA 


Beth Arena 

eearena@gmail.com 

MC for Atlanta 

Sue Ripps 

sripps@hotmail.com 

MC for Tampa 

Beth Arena 

eearena@gmail.com 

Southwest Region 

CA,AZ,NM,HI,Tx,NV 


Therese Hartwell 

thhartwell@yahoo.com 

MC for Houston 

Dena De Clute-Melancon 

aberdena1@yahoo.co.uk 

MC for Austin 

Elisabeth Soteroff 

esoteroff@gmail.com 

MC for Phoenix 

Jo Brandt 

jobrandt1700@gmail.com 

Pacific Region 

HI, CA 


9

2019 getaway 

Detroit Michigan 

What a wonderful time that we had in 

Detroit. We started the getaway with a 

cocktail reception at the historic Westin 

Book Cadillac, then boarded a 3 hour 

riverboat dinner cruise. Some of the 

attendees reminisced about Gilligan’s Island, 

but after the fun cruise we returned 

safely back to the hotel, which did not 

disappoint because of its central location 

and spacious rooms, meeting rooms and 

eateries. 

On Friday we toured the city with stops 

at the Pewabic Pottery Factory, Detroit 

Institute of Arts and the Motown Museum. 

We had lunch at one of Detroit’s 

legendary hot dog places – American 

Coney Island. We got to sample why 

Detroit Coney Island hot dogs were different 

than others around the USA. That 

night broke into small groups. Everyone 

who attended was surprised about what 

a hidden gem Detroit really was. Of 

course they had Rick Chizmadia as a first 

hand tour guide since Detroit was his 

hometown. 

At the annual meeting we thanked the 

outgoing board and President Therese 

Hartwell and voted in the new board 

of Rick Chizmadia, President, 1 st VP of 

Communications - Liz Janson , 2nd VP of 

Membership -Yolanda Henry, Treasurer - 

Peggy Dauser, Secretary - Aurora Silvestri, 

FAWCO Club Liaison - Leslie Nelson, 

Director of Philanthropy - Marilee Watts. 

The FAUSA Annual Grant (Banner Project) 

nominee, Veronica’s Voice, Magdalene 

KC Program, was chosen to receive 

the $2000 from FAUSA for their work to 

‘empower women to exit from, prevent 

entry into, and end demand for commercial 

sexual exploitation.’ 

That evening we had an excellent gala, 

with food stations of soul food, Polish 

cuisine, and Greek ethnic food around 

the room. The FUNdraising was success 

in the silent and live auctions, chaired 

by Marilee Watts. The night ended in a 

surprise vocal performance by Rick 

Chizmadia the secret Motown star. 

2019 Quilt 

10

2020 getaway 

Virtual On-line 

The 2020 Getaway was planned to take 

place in Provincetown, MA to coordinate 

with the 400th anniversary of 

the Mayflower landing. Unfortunately 

COVID-19 forced us to move the annual 

meeting and gala on-line. The result 

was a resounding success. We had a 

record number of members at the online 

annual meeting. Having the event 

on line allowed people who couldn’t 

travel and the FAWCO and The FAWCO 

Foundation presidents to participate. 

The Getaway was divided into a morning 

membership meeting and evening gala 

themed - Dress Up From Waist Up! 

For our first-ever on-line FUNdraising: 

the attendees were able to bid on silent 

auction items for a full week in advance 

by using a mobile fundraising platform. 

There were a mix of items and talents to 

bid on. The live auction was held in the 

evening after wine tasting led by guest 

presenter, Leslie Nelson’s sister, Jody 

Dvorak. Our fabulous auctioneer 

Carol-Lyn McKelvey led the live auction. 

We had many generous donors participating 

in the R(a)ise up for 2020 campaign 

which resulted in FAUSA raising a 

record amount of nearly $18,000. 

2020 Quilt 

11

FAUSA’s leaders 

When a FAUSA president leaves the office, 

she or he becomes a ‘FAUSA Counselor.’ 

These are remarkable and dynamic leaders 

who help steer the policies which run the 

organization today. Over the past twenty 

years we have had seven FAUSA Presidents 

become FAUSA Counselors. Each of them 

looks back at FAUSA history with a vision that 

is uniquely theirs. We asked each of them to 

tell their stories about their terms and here 

they are: 

Mona Garcia, 1999-2001 

was incorporated in the State of Texas. Mona 

served as the first president. 

Marfa, Texas, where Mona and Rudy had settled, 

was the home of historic Ft. David Allen 

Russell. In Building 98 Mona noticed murals 

painted by German POWs in WWII. Realizing 

the importance of the paintings, she founded 

the International Woman’s Foundation (IWF), 

which restored the murals and the building. 

Building 98—Hacienda del Arcon--is now the 

headquarters of the IWF and a training center 

for artistic development and healthful aging. 

At the end of her term as president in autumn 

2001 Mona wrote, “Founding and becoming 

the first elected president of this vibrant 

association of international American women 

has been a fabulous adventure for me. I have 

met wonderful women who have selflessly volunteered 

their energy, time and talent—many 

of whom have become dear friends. I know 

that FAUSA has a wonderful and bright future, 

and I will enjoy watching it grow . . . from the 

sidelines in Texas.” 

setup, establish and fund our first Scholarship 

Award under FAWCO, produce an upgraded 

Quarterly Magazine, launch our own website 

and Directory and reach out to members 

through a monthly email. Although unable to 

acquire 501(c)(3) tax status, we did receive a 

501(c)(4) designation and we pledged to continue 

our effort to reach full non-profit status. 

Along with the work we enjoyed the 

company of our fellow expats and their 

spouses at annual meetings held in Montana, 

Chicago, Easton, Maryland along the 

Chesapeake Bay and San Antonio. It was an 

exciting time for FAUSA made even better by 

the growing number of members who also 

attended 

FAWCO conferences. In fact, FAUSA became 

the single largest group at many FAWCO 

conferences staying involved with both our 

national activities and the international work 

of FAWCO. This is never the result of a single 

individual and I will always be grateful for 

the good ideas and support of the membership. 

I feel honored and appreciative of 

having served as a FAUSA President and I 

am delighted in its continuing growth and 

recognition. 

Mona Blocker Garcia, FAUSA’s first president, 

was born in Houston, Texas. She attended 

the University of Texas, where she met her 

husband Rudy at a Latin-American dance party. 

According to Mona, he was the handsomest 

and tallest man there and the best dancer 

on the floor. 

Rudy’s career took their family to Venezuela, 

Philadelphia, Lima, Peru, Dallas, Houston, 

and Madrid. While in Spain, Mona became 

the vice president and then president of the 

Madrid AWC. 

When Mona and Rudy returned to Texas 

in 1995, Mona began her involvement with 

FAUSA as the chair of the FAWCO Alumnae 

Committee. She convinced the FAWCO 

Board to celebrate 2000 by having a FAW- 

CO Conference in the United States for the 

first time. Twenty-one committee members 

hosted the event in Washington, DC. On May 

1, 2000, the Alumnae Committee became 

FAWCO Alumnae USA, Inc, (FAUSA) when it 

Dale Koepenick, 2001-2005 

Taking over as the 2nd President of FAUSA 

made me appreciate all the hard work that 

Mona Garcia, Pat Cocker, Kay Miller, Nancy 

Thornley, Jane Indreland and the other 

members of the first FAUSA Board had done. 

The challenge was realizing the many goals 

set for FAUSA within the 2001 Constitution, 

By-Laws and Administrative Guidelines and 

establishing FAUSA as a valuable asset within 

the FAWCO structure. With the help of the 

FAUSA elected officers, committee chairs 

and volunteers, we continued to expand our 

Regional Rep and Metropolitan Coordinator 

Jane Indreland, 2005-2009 

After living in England for 12 years, returning 

to our original home and family in Montana 

in 1999 was comfortable in most ways, but I 

missed the stimulation of being with people 

who had the experience of living in another 

country. Fortunately, I knew about FAUSA, and 

I made contact with Mona Garcia, who put me 

12


in touch with Priscilla Dysart and Carol Lalani. 

We bonded immediately and have remained 

dear friends ever since. We worked together 

to host the 2002 FAUSA Annual Meeting in 

Red Lodge, Montana. 

Through the years, I have had the honor of 

being second vice-president, first vice-president, 

and president of FAUSA. In 2010, we 

organized the FAWCO Interim Meeting in 

Boston, MA, with the help of many dedicated 

and hard-working volunteers. Among the 

many technological advances that benefited 

FAUSA during this time was the change from 

paper to electronic registration using PayPal. 

Our numbers increased dramatically with this 

change. 

The best part of FAUSA membership for me is 

working with and getting to know the bright, 

cosmopolitan members of the organization— 

both here in Montana and in the rest of the 

US and Canada. 

Louise Greeley-Copley, 

2009-2011 

I am really proud of the outcome of discussions 

with The FAWCO Foundation to allow 

FAUSA members and their children to apply 

for all Educational Awards and for FAUSA to 

be able to nominate a Development Grant. 

By partnering with the FAWCO Foundation 

on Development Grants and Awards, FAUSA 

members received expanded benefits and 

their donations via The FAWCO Foundation 

are tax deductible and eligible for corporate 

matching funds. FAUSA was also able to focus 

fundraising to sponsor a Development Grant 

and an Educational Award. 

During this term FAUSA completed a comprehensive 

review and restructure of FAUSA 

led by Lee Sorenson and Dale Koepenick. 

We revised and updated the FAUSA Bylaws 

and Administrative Guidelines to align more 

closely with FAWCO. 

In an effort to go paperless and reduce costs 

FAUSA established our first FaceBook page 

and put the “Highlights” magazine and the 

membership directory on our website in a 

password protected member’s only section. 

The money saved was designated to upgrading 

our website to create a “virtual clubhouse” 

by making it more interactive and user 

friendly. 

FAUSA celebrated ten years of incorporation 

by hosting the 2010 FAWCO Conference in 

Boston chaired by Jane Indreland. We then 

held an intimate getaway in 2010 in Houston. 

We enjoyed a performance of Madame 

Butterfly at the Houston Grand Opera and 

celebrated our final evening with a cocktail 

party followed by the experience of making 

our Southwestern style gourmet dinner at the 

Central Market cooking school. 2011 brought 

us to historic and charming Charleston, South 

Carolina. The event was organized by Sue and 

Hugh Ripps. 

Thank you to my dream team of Yolanda 

Henry, Linda Little (RIP), Sue Ripps, Pamela 

Dahlgren (RIP), and Nancy Thornley for all the 

hard work and moving FAUSA into the new 

decade. 

Lee Sorenson, 2011-2013 

It was a great honor for me to become 

president of FAUSA and to work with an 

exceptional board. At our first board meeting 

we set very ambitious goals for ourselves of 

renewal, regeneration and recognition, especially 

by FAWCO. They included surveying 

and serving our network of members better 

and increasing numbers by increasing visibility 

and outreach. 

Serving members better: 

1. I initiated monthly board meetings via 

Skype. 

2. Periodic newsletter replaced by monthly 

president’s news bulletin. 

3. Survey was sent out, asking for suggestions 

from members. 

4. “Highlights,” discontinued periodic publication, 

revived and turned into polished 

annual magazine of photos, articles and 

information. Published by Clint Weber, edited 

by me. Advertising defrayed costs; was used 

also as PR tool. 

Continued on Page 16 

13


Continued from page 13 

Increasing visibility and outreach: 

1. Major revision of website, and Facebook 

page updated and expanded. 

2. Two brochures created, one for returning 

FAWCO club members, one for non-club 

members. Sent electronically to all club Reps 

and several expat organizations. 

3. Logos exchanged with expat organizations 

for posting on their materials. 

4. Monthly articles sent to FAWCO and Foundation 

for their newsletters. 

Increasing membership: 

1. 2nd VP-Membership started campaign via 

Regional and Metropolitan Reps 

. 

2. Both president and 2nd VP sent personal 

welcome letters to new members. 

3. First book club, other new activities created. 

Regeneration: 

1. New special committee formed, Third 

Country Kids 

2. Philanthropy Liaison created a committee, 

structure, and set up new program of giving. 

Contributions made to our own and Foundation 

and FAWCO programs, including Target 

Project; continued co-sponsorship of two 

awards as fundraising income increased. 

3. Name of annual meeting changed to “FAU- 

SA Getaway and Annual Meeting.” 

Recognition: 

1. Relationship with FAWCO and Foundation 

clarified and deepened: FAUSA recognized 

as third “sister” arm of organization. FAUSA 

president invited for FIRST time to annual 

meeting with other 2 presidents. 

2. Members and children became eligible for 

Foundation awards and grants. 

3. Members enabled to nominate projects for 

DGs and Target Program; eligible to serve on 

Foundation board and join/chair committees 

and Task Force. 

4. Invited to present PowerPoint reports and 

workshops at annual FAWCO meetings. 

My heartfelt gratitude to board members 

Yolanda Henry, Janelle Mason, Judith Treanor, 

Priscilla Dysart, Janet Darrow, and Erica Higbie. 

Special thanks to Janet Darrow and Rick 

Chizmadia for organizing outstanding annual 

Getaways, and Rick for help putting together 

an amazing PowerPoint presentation and 

setting to music, and singing, my little jingle, 

“See the USA with F-A-U-S-A,” in Bern. 

Janet Darrow, 2013-2017 

I was elected FAUSA President in the Fall 

of 2013 at the FAUSA Getaway and Annual 

Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio (Rick Chizmadia, 

Chair) and served two terms, exiting the 

board at the same event in Kansas City (Leslie 

Nelson, Chair) in 2017. 

In the interim, we held Getaways in Colorado 

Springs (Carol Boren, Chair), Niagara-on-the-Lake 

in Ontario Canada (Yolanda 

Henry Chair), and Scottsdale, AZ (Dolores 

Cuellar,Chair). 

During the first term, with Debbie Hasting’s 

help, we completely upgraded and revamped 

our website, created the gift membership for 

FAWCO Members who were repatriating to 

the US and established a pattern of sponsoring 

both The FAWCO Foundation Education 

Award and Development Grant as well as 

supporting our own FAUSA Annual Grant. 

Our relationship with our sister organizations: 

FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation was 

strengthened with quarterly phone calls between 

the presidents of each group, keeping 

FAUSA informed and in the loop with the 

plans of the other groups and also keeping 

them up to date with our goals. 

During my second term, FAUSA joined 

FAWCO and The Foundation in re-branding 

with a new logo that emulated elements of 

the FAWCO logo yet reflected the FAUSA 

journey which brought our overseas experiences 

back to North America. 

The board established that we would like to 

make an attempt at changing our tax status 

from a 501(c)(4) to a 501(c)(3) organization. 

Previous attempts had failed, so we enlisted 

the help of Kellie Kemp, an attorney, who 

worked with our bylaws committee to completely 

redraft our Bylaws and Administrative 

Guidelines. This process took over a year, and 

the membership voted to accept the new 

documents at the annual meeting in Scottsdale. 

In February of 2017, we submitted our 

application for the tax change which finally 

occurred shortly after the end of my second 

term. Our board had laid a strong foundation 

for the coming years. 

14


Therese Hartwell, 2017-2019 

In 2005, when my husband was offered a job 

in Saudi Arabia, I could not have fully realized 

what a life-changing adventure our move 

would be. While I am happy to be back in 

the US enjoying my grandchildren, I still miss 

aspects of our life abroad. Joining FAUSA has 

made the transition from my exciting life as 

an expat to being a repatriated American so 

much smoother. 

FAWCO played a pivotal role in my experience 

living overseas and contributed significantly 

to my feeling of being a global citizen. 

I treasured the opportunity to make friends 

all over the world and to be involved in a 

coordinated attempt to make the world a 

better place for women and girls around the 

globe. Since I have been back in the States, 

this global connection has lost some of its immediacy, 

but my continued involvement with 

FAWCO and particularly my participation with 

FAUSA, have allowed me to continue to feel a 

part of the larger world. 

Being a part of an organization in which people 

appreciate the impact of living in a country 

other than the US has been richly rewarding. 

We share a language and appreciate that 

travel stories are a part of our lives and meant 

not to brag but rather to share the incredible 

opportunities we have had to leave our comfort 

zones and experience new cultures. Most 

importantly to me, my involvement with FAU- 

SA has given me the opportunity to continue 

to work with smart, committed, passionate 

women (and at least one rather extraordinary 

man!) to help create a more peaceful and 

compassionate world. My hope is that FAUSA 

will continue to bridge the transition from expat 

to repat for generations of new members 

to come, as it has done for me. 

Rick Chizmadia, 2019- 

Technically I am not a counselor since I still 

hold office. But as president of FAUSA I am 

a leader and a part of our 20th anniversary of 

FAUSA. 

When I was asked if I would accept a position 

on this board in 2013 it scared me. How 

would I be accepted as a male on the board 

of a women’s organization? After all, from the 

very beginning when I walked into the doors 

of the AWC Zurich heads were turned. I knew 

that acceptance would not be easy and only 

the more progressive members would accept 

me. As a musician who had to put myself 

outside of my comfort zone with the many 

auditions and performances, it was old hat. 

What got me interested in FAWCO and 

then FAUSA when I returned home was the 

philanthropic aspect of the organizations. I 

believe as a privileged cisgendered man, I 

have a duty to help those less privileged than 

I. Most of all I believe that all of us should be 

treated equal regardless of sex, sexuality or 

race. I have spent my lifetime fighting for the 

rights of others less privileged than I. 

For thirty years I have been volunteering for 

the Human Rights Campaign, concentrating 

on the rights of LGBTQ individuals. I spent 

nine of those years serving on the national 

board. My biggest take away from this 

experience was the need for diversity and 

acceptance of others who look different from 

yourself in all aspects of life. After all, we can 

not achieve equality until everyone has equality. 

Thus I definitely look different from all the 

members and I bring diversity to FAUSA. 

I have had the privilege to use my leadership 

skills with one of the best boards that I have 

ever worked with in my lifetime of serving on 

boards. Because of this talented group of 

women, we have been able to lead this organization 

through the challenges of COVID-19. 

We used our ingenuity to create an on line 

Getaway and auction that not only raised record 

funds, but reached more members than 

ever before. 

One of our goals for our first year was to 

increase membership and give the members 

more value and we did that by adding all 

of the on line activities that you read about 

elsewhere in this magazine. Our membership 

has never been stronger. We invited 

members to take leadership roles such as a 

newsletter editor, social media director and 

an activities director. By doing this it helps 

us achieve more and creates future leaders of 

the organization. Currently we are working on 

a complete redesign of our website from top 

to bottom. It is a huge undertaking and we 

can not wait to share it with you. 

You can read more about the 

website and get a sneak peak on page 27. 

2019-2021 Board 

15

FAUSA’s inspiring women 

KAREN O’SHAUNNESY 

From: born in Charleston, SC, grew up in 

Bavaria, Germany Lives: Houston, Texas 

Born to German parents in the US, I would later 

be referred to as an “accidental” American. 

One of the biggest insults I believe. Nothing 

is accidental about me! After we returned to 

Germany, it was natural to my parents to keep 

the American way of life in our house and 

surround my two older sisters and me with 

American culture, with Disney movies in English, 

and the American spirit that makes the 

US my home. Only now do I begin to admire 

how much my parents went through together. 

Today, as an adult, making similar experiences 

with my British husband in Houston, I understand 

how difficult it must have been. 

Moving to Germany when I was 6, my sisters 

and I found ourselves in a foreign land. My 

parents are originally from the Swiss border, 

so the dialect we speak at home, my mother 

tongue, sounds more Swiss to most Germans. 

We were considered the American family, 

because in my tiny village, we were outsiders 

and foreigners. As a child this was extremely 

difficult for me. I just wanted to belong, have 

a best friend like in the movies and be part of 

the big picture. 

I learned basic reading, writing and math in 

pre-school in the US, so when I moved to 

Germany and entered 1st grade, I had no understanding 

why I had to learn it all again. My 

confidence was shattered. Though convinced 

that I knew how to write my name in cursive, 

I was told I was wrong. I didn’t understand 

16 

there was a difference and became utterly 

insecure. 

Being a German-American dual citizen, in the 

90’s when the globalized world had not yet 

arrived where I grew up, I found myself in a 

major identity crisis, feeling more American in 

Germany, but would always be “the German 

girl” in the US. Who was I? Looking back, the 

lack of friends that were in similar situations 

from multi-national backgrounds was a major 

factor in my identity crisis that I would be in 

until adulthood. 

I left home to study Media and Film because 

my big dream as a young girl was to become 

a fashion journalist and one day work for 

Vogue. Ever since I bought my first Vogue 

magazine with my own money at the age of 

12, I was amazed by the concept of fashion 

and what it entailed. No surprise there that 

my BA thesis was about American fashion 

magazines and how they influence women’s 

identity. Afraid of being rejected by Vogue 

though, I never brought up the courage to 

actually apply for my dream job. Something I 

deeply regret still after all these years. 

However, after I returned to the US to intern 

with a designer and learn the ins and outs 

about vintage fashion, I went on to work at my 

company’s headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. 

Not knowing a living soul in the big city, I 

focused all my energy on my job for Germany’s 

biggest quality footwear retailer. 

I worked my way up, became a premium private 

label buyer/developer and later quality 

manager for the private label department. 

I traveled the world, went to fashion shows, 

scouted fashion trends in all European fashion 

capitals and visited the Asian production sites 

- a dream came true. 

Only recently did I dare to take the bold step 

to start my own small business AMASNEME 

(latin for “do you love me) for lettering and 

illustrations, creating logos, invitations and 

postcards. I was able to do this with help of a 

great network of people that I had built in my 

8 years in Hamburg. 

When I married my very British husband in 

fall 2018, I was able to design all my wedding 

invitations, signs, decorations and equipment 

by myself. 5 quick months later we moved 

to Houston for my husband’s job in oil and 

gas and now I am looking into picking up my 

creative business here in Texas. 

Though I have a fantastic relationship with 

my mother, and call her EVERY day, I think I 

appreciated the mother figures in the mature 

women in AWC Hamburg that also know me 

as a friend. Some have to be reminded that I 

could actually be their daughter. I know, especially 

for my mother, it was a great relief to 

know that I had wonderful women that could 

guide me when she couldn’t due to being so 

far away. I gained mothers, sisters and best 

friends. 

It was Tracy Moede who convinced me to run 

for Secretary within 3 months of joining the 

Club. I was only 25, single, and didn’t know 

anyone in my new home of Hamburg. Being 

involved in the board gave me a new opportunity 

that “forced” me to get out there, 

mingle and meet wonderful new people. 

The Board probably just needed somebody, 

so looking back I don’t think it was anything 

about me personally that made her ask me. 

But I felt so honored to be considered to be 

worthy of such a position. She served as FAW- 

CO rep the next following term, and along 

with the President Shawn Klug and Treasurer 

Brooke Viertel, I gained best friends that I will 

cherish for life. I learned so much about organizing, 

not only myself, my work, my thoughts, 

but how to get things done. 

In the end, it was Christine Funke that proved 

to me that a younger member, full of ideas 

and from the social media generation, could 

be considered as a valuable asset to FAWCO. 

Before that, FAWCO to me was for older 

women with money who had the luxury of 

time and extra cash to be involved. When I 

met Christine Funke at the Region 5 meeting 

in 2018, I was blown away. The more I spoke 

to Christine, the more intimidated I actually 

got, to be honest. I admire her for her kindness, 

her strength and drive and whenever I 

feel like I’m getting buried under my tasks, 

I think of her and remind myself that she is 

doing all that, in a foreign country, with two 

children, all while running her own business. 

I was so honored when she asked me to join 

her Task Force for U40 women. Me? What 

could I contribute? She is who I want to be in 

5 years.

FAUSA’s inspiring women 

KATHY DEBEST 

AWC Hamburg gave me a community where 

I finally didn’t feel like an outsider. I was one 

of them. I was surrounded by role models that 

gave me stability when Tinder, Facebook, Instagram 

and co. gave me the opposite. While 

my girlfriends outside the club were usually 

just as lost as I was, I had women that inspired 

me with their life experiences. Every young 

woman should be in a community like this. 

I often see the daughters of friends that are 

now entering their 20s and I would encourage 

every one of them to join their local club/ 

FAWCO or FAUSA as well. Though being 

raised multi-cultural is a huge asset, and is today, 

probably a lot more common and easier 

than it was when I grew up, I strongly believe 

that a support system for these young women 

can only help with any problems they might 

encounter. 

In eight years from when I first joined my club 

in Hamburg, I’ve gone from being 25, single, 

living in a strange city not knowing anyone, to 

now, 33, married, with a puppy. The women at 

the AWC Hamburg “raised” me to become 

the woman that I am today. From being there 

to listen to my Tinder-date tales, comforting 

me through painful breakups, to teaching me 

about the world, their experience, the charities 

that make differences in our city, in our 

world and in people’s lives, I have gained the 

appreciation of what is and can be done by 

women that believe in themselves and others. 

I can’t wait to explore more of the possibilities 

FAWCO and now FAUSA offer, to help others 

and those who need it more in this world. 

FAWCO’s on-line magazine, Inspiring Women, 

profiles the lives of members of FAWCO clubs 

(including FAUSA) throughout the world who 

have used their skills, talents and passions 

to make an impact in the global community. 

Each issue has a theme and includes interviews 

with club members suggested by club 

presidents and FAWCO or by members like 

you! 

To read the rest of Karen’s story you can go to 

the issue of Inspiring Women here: 

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/ 

From: Grand Rapids, MI Lives: Ann Arbor, 

Michigan 

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

My maiden name was Orlikowski. My 

Grandpa O owned a very successful bowling 

alley where three of his four sons worked. We 

were brought up as a very tight knit family. 

At one time there were 10 of us attending 

the same small Catholic elementary school. 

We spent every weekend and vacations at 

a nearby lake house and of course bowled 

together. My cousins are still some of my best 

friends today. 

I was also extremely close to my other grandparents, 

often staying with them for weeks 

at a time in Fremont, Michigan. My Grandpa 

was a self-educated businessman, meticulous 

with numbers and data, which I believe is 

where my interest in accounting came from. 

My Grandma was an exemplary independent 

working woman. Most memorable was the 

way they loved and cared for each other. 

They were married for 69 years. They instilled 

in me a deep care and concern for others. 

I supported myself, paid my own way through 

Central Michigan University and became the 

first in my family to graduate from college. 

As an accounting major, I went to work for 

Touche Ross and earned my license as a 

CPA. I went on to work for a privately held 

and quickly growing automotive supplier in 

Holland, MI and became their first woman on 

the Leadership Team. And I met my husband 

Jeff, there. 

The company that we worked for was bought 

out and brought about opportunities for both 

of us to move to the corporate headquarters 

across the state. We had three young girls 

at that point and decided something had to 

give. We made a conscious decision that I 

would stay home and raise the girls in Ann 

Arbor, MI. We totally believed that this was 

a short-term move and we’ve had the same 

house for 22 years now, although we lived 

abroad in England and Holland for a number 

of years while on assignment. 

Our daughters are now young adults, all 

graduated from university and we have one 

5-year-old grandson. They all live in the state 

of MI, Jenna back in Grand Rapids, Dana in 

Detroit and our oldest, RaeAnne, with grandson 

Landon, live just a few miles away from us 

in Saline. All are managing busy careers. 

Jeff, after attempting to “retire” twice, was 

recruited by a previous business associate 

to launch and create a business around a 

newly developed raw material. With everyone 

working, I spend several days a week taking 

care of Landon. In addition, I hold down the 

fort managing two households and a rental 

property. We, of course, enjoy a lot of travel 

and I am the family travel agent. 

To read the rest of Kathy’s story you can 

go to the issue of Inspiring Women here: 


read/63351245/inspiring-women-summer-2020 

Another FAUSA member Monica Hoeffel 

Murphy had her pictures in the Photography 

Fall 2020 issue and you can view it here: 


read/63740012/inspiring-women-fall-2020 

17

fausa’s virtual activity groups 


As a member of FAUSA there are many virtual 

activities that you can participate in. There are: 

FAUSA in Motion, FAUSA Makers Crafts Group, 

Wine Time with Amy, FAUSA Mah Jongg, FAW- 

CO Club Reunion Groups social hours, FAUSA 

Metro and Regional Groups social hours, seven 

book groups and we just began a bridge club. 

If you have any ideas of other activities that you 

would like, please contact our Social Activities 

Director at: activities@fausa.org 

FAUSA In Motion 

FAWCO started the Clubs in Motion 

initiative in 2010 to encourage its 

members to get out and be active 

while connecting with FAWCO 

friends. FAWCO collects club data 

for any activity that has three or more 

members participating. As FAUSA 

doesn’t often have the ability to do 

this together we get to do it virtually! 

In addition to any FAUSA group 

activity during the month attended 

by three or more members, one day a 

month we gather our collective FAU- 

SA movements and submit the total 

to FAWCO Clubs in Motion 

coordinator. 

Mah Jongg 

FAUSA Virtual Mah Jongg launched in May 2020. The group meets weekly and plays the National Mah Jongg League version of 

the game. The players chat on Zoom while playing together on-line at www.myjongg.net. One of the great features of playing online 

is that players can join when convenient and there is not a minimum number of players needed to play. If someone is running 

late or needs to leave early, no problem! If they only have time to “drop in” for one game, they can. 

18

fausa’s virtual activity groups 


Wine Time With Amy 

Veteran wine professional with 18 years of industry experience and a WSET Level 3 certification, Amy Patrick, led an ever-expanding 

group of 12-24 FAUSA members and partners on Saturday evening explorations of wines around the world. Starting in February, 

2020, each monthly meeting focused on a different wine or region with suggested food pairings. Guest host, Allison Burns, joined 

us for our December group. 

This group began in early March, 

2020, and has been meeting every 

other week since then for an hour 

of crafting and chatting together. 

From five to eight members gather to 

work on their own projects: knitting, 

quilting, crocheting, paper crafts, 

scrapbooking, and mending. Several 

of these members made dozens of 

masks during the COVID year of 2020 

to donate or sell to friends, family and 

non-profit organizations. 

FAUSA Makers Crafts Group 

Turn to page 28 for more activities 

19

celebrating our Quilts 

by Kay Miller 

The 20th Anniversary of FAUSA, wow! 

When we began discussing the possibility 

of people returning “home” and forming a 

group as an entity of FAWCO, we knew it 

was a daunting task, but after lots of meetings 

in many different places, we made 

it happen! After that huge milestone, 

our hearts were forever part of FAWCO 

Alumnae, USA! We continued to give our 

time and help where we could. For me it 

was sharing a hobby I loved, in the way of 

contributing a quilt to be raffled at our Annual 

Meetings. At first, Linda Sampson, was 

collecting squares and artistically arranging 

them into a pleasing quilt. I helped her as 

much as I could, but we didn’t live near one 

another. Getting members to contribute 

squares was difficult; she and I contributed 

most blocks to comprise the quilts. She 

retired, and I took over, continuing to raise 

moneys to help fund our projects. In 2006, I 

made the quilt for the Annual meeting in Seattle. 

I could do this from here in Michigan, 

so I continued. It was fun to plan a theme 

for each quilt related to the place of the 

Annual Meeting whenever I could. With 

the exception of 2010, I managed to put a 

quilt together each year, the last one being 

Niagara-on-the-Lake, 2015. I still have a 

soft spot for FAUSA, and I’m still quilting! 

HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY, FAUSA! 

2002 

Quilts Created for Fundraising for Philanthropy 

2003 

Year and Location of AGM Quilt Maker Name of Quilt 

2002 Red Lodge, MT Linda Sampson, from donated Donated Squares 

squares, Red White and Blue 

2003 Chicago, IL Linda Sampson Sunshine over FAUSA, 

Donated Blocks 

2004 Easton, MD Linda Sampson Flower Blocks 

2005 San Antonio, TX Linda Sampson Autumn Leaves 

2006 Seattle, WA Kay Miller Night in the Forest 

2007 New York, NY Kay Miller Stars of Broadway 

2008 Longboat Key, FL Kay Miller 

2009 Durango, CO Kay Miller Fall Foliage 

2011 Charleston, SC Kay Miller Baskets 

2012 Napa Valley, CA Kay Miller Colors of Wine 

2013 Cincinnati, OH Kay Miller Cabins of Democracy 

2014 Colorado Springs, CO Kay Miller Misty Morning Star 

2015 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont Kay Miller Niagara Falls 

2016 Scottsdale, AZ Kathy Coughlan 

2017 Kansas City, MO Nan de Laubadere 

2018 Washington DC Kay Miller and Leslie Nelson Blocks Refugee 

Women 

2019 Detroit, MI Suzanne Wheeler Love those Fans 

2020 Virtual Getaway 2004 FAWCO Friendship Quilt 

donated by Jane Indreland 

Sunbonnet Sue 

Volunteers 

2005 

2004 

20

DSC02802.jpg 

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1hNPSO9aK6KiXqgcK-Jp-01LcBQueluYQ 

8/24/20, 5:02 PM 

Page 1 of 1 

celebrating our Quilts 

2006 2011 2015 

2007 2012 2016 

2008 

2013 

2017 

2009 2014 2018 

21

Philanthropic achIEvements 

The Soul of FAUSA 

What is FAUSA? Think of it as a human body. 

The heart of the body are the members. The 

more members we have the faster the heart 

beats. The brain is board of directors setting 

the policies and steering the ship to make 

sure everything is moving in unison 

Think of the legs and feet as our connection 

to FAWCO. Even though we have repatriated 

we yearn to keep at least one foot back on 

foreign soil where we once lived. The arms 

and hands are our connection to The FAWCO 

Foundation which is always giving a hand 

raising money for causes around the world. 

The most important part of our FAUSA body 

is its soul. The soul of FAUSA is its philanthropic 

purpose. Over the past 20 years our 

organization has raised countless dollars 

that have been distributed in numerous ways. 

These next pages will give you an idea on 

where your FAUSA dollars have gone. 


When one Googles ‘philanthropy’ there are a 

myriad of references. I can identify with most 

of them, these in particular... 1: goodwill to 

fellow members of the human race especially 

an active effort to promote human welfare. 2a: 

an act or gift done or made for humanitarian 

purposes. b: an organization distributing or 

supported by funds set aside for humanitarian 

purposes. My role in FAUSA as the Director 

of Philanthropy affords me the opportunity to 

‘practice, share and LIVE’ the act of philanthropy. 

My background as an adopted South 

Korean infant, hand-selected by a Quaker 

humanitarian/philanthropist building homes 

for displaced Japanese & Korean citizens, 

to be welcomed into the loving home of a 

Midwestern rural family in 1956….you can understand 

why I am honored to lead FAUSA’s 

philanthropic mission. The need for philanthropy 

will always exist and I am humbled by 

the kindness, generosity and dignity I see in 

FAUSA and FAWCO members as they share 

my passion for Philanthropy! 

Marilee Watts 

22 

Pencils Down 

Liz Hemminger 

Philanthropy has been at the core of FAUSA 

since the beginning, starting with donations 

and adding our fabulous quilts for raffle, two 

programs that are still alive and well today. 

But in New York City we took things to another 

level with our first silent and live auction. In 

true FAWCO spirit, although we take the raising 

of funds to support programs very, very 

seriously….we have more fun doing it than 

any other group I have been involved with. 

We have auctioned just about everything for 

the home, jewelry, lots of memorabilia from 

the host city of a get-a-way and air…yes, you 

read it correctly….air. In Charleston, S.C., 

we raised over $1200 to support a program 

at Walter Reed Hospital to purchase gift for 

patient’s families. We bid blind on bags with 

“something” inside and one was to have cash 

as well. Bidding was spirited and the results 

showed the generosity of our members. 

That generosity has allowed our programs to 

expand to include our own award and support 

for both an Education Award and DG for 

The FAWCO Foundation. And this year – new 

ways – as we attend our virtual auctions and 

annual meeting. 

A Special Thank You 

FAUSA would like to send a special thank 

you to four members who have supported 

FAUSA’s philanthropic efforts so generously 

through the years 

. 

From the very beginning, when Carol and 

Sal Lalani offered to sponsor a vehicle to 

transport delegates from Billings to the 2002 

Annual Meeting in Red Lodge, Montana to 

the 2020 Virtual Getaway, when they matched 

donations to the fund-raising thermometer, 

the Lalanis have always been there helping 

FAUSA continue and expand its charitable 

endeavors. 

Sue and Hugh Ripps also not only made generous 

donations themselves, they multiplied 

their contributions by accessing matching 

grants from the Coca-Cola company. FAUSA 

and the FAWCO Foundation benefited greatly 

from their generosity. 

Through their financial gifts, the Lalanis and 

the Ripps have significantly helped FAUSA fulfill 

its mission to “commit its resources to the 

health, education, environment and human 

rights of women and children worldwide.”


Education Awards 

FAUSA and FAWCO Foundation 

Education Awards Sponsored by FAU- 

SA or FAUSA Members 

The FAWCO Alumnae USA Award was open 

to FAUSA members or their children. The 

FAWCO Foundation administered the award 

for FAUSA. 

1997 

FAWCO Alumnae Education Award $2000 

Marilyn Richey 

2000 

FAWCO Alumnae USA Education Award 

$2000 

Kelly Coker, Daughter of FAUSA member Pat 

Coker 

2002 


$2000 

Ashley Coker, Daughter of FAUSA member 

Pat Coker 

2003 


$2000 

Diana Wallace, FAUSA member 

2004 


$2000 

Beth Hemminger, Daughter of FAUSA member 

Liz Hemminger 

2005 

Award not picked up. 

2006 


$3000 

Carol Chiodo, FAUSA member 

2007 

No Candidates 

2008 


$3000 

Kristen Knoll, Daughter of FAUSA member 

Toni Knoll 

2009 


$3000 

Susanna Satta, Daughter of FAUSA member 

Sherry Satta 

2010 

No Candidates. The FAUSA Board made the 

decision to support a FAWCO Foundation 

Education Award. FAUSA members are eligible 

to apply for any award except the Duel 

Cultures Award. The following Foundation 

Education Awards were sponsored directly by 

FAUSA or FAUSA members. 

2011 

Shirley Van Ooijen for Teachers $5000 

Sponsored by FAUSA member Shirley van 

Ooijen. 

Gillian Edeus, Daughter of a member of AWC 

Sweden 

2012 

FAUSA Skills Enhancement Award $5000 

Carol McKeowen, Member of AWC Bern 

2013 


Therese Hartwell, Member of AWEP 

2014 


Elizabeth Sanders, Member of AWA Rome 

and FAUSA 

Viola Wheeler Arts Award $4000 

Sponsored by Viola Wheeler, mother of FAU- 

SA members Teresa and Suzanne Wheeler 

Noah McGuire, Son of AWA Rome member 

2015 


Christina Carrari, Member of AILO Florence 




Gabi Fagen, Daughter of FAUSA member 

Paulette Fagen 

2016 


Kelly Snow, Member of Chilterns AWC 




Alyssa Spaeth, Daughter of an AWBS IWC 

member 

2017 


Susanne Ollmann, Member of AWC Berlin 




Hayley Margolis, Daughter of an AWBS IWC 

member 

Humanities Award $4000 

Sponsored by FAUSA Member Caroline 

Newton Trust 

Katya Tava, Daughter of an AWC Finland 

member 

2018 


Kristin Melia, Member of Munich IWC 

Humanities Award $4000 

Sponsored by FAUSA Member Caroline 

Newton Trust 

Fintan Viebahn, Daughter of a Munich IWC 

member 

2019 


Mary Wienke, Member of AWC Naples 

2020 


Makea Motton Mathies, Member of AWC 

Hamburg 

23


FAWCO Development Grants 

FAWCO Foundation Development Grants 

Sponsored by FAUSA or Its Members in 

Whole or in Part 

2010 

The FAUSA Hope Through Education $4500 

Sponsored in part by: FAUSA 

($3,000) and AWC Zurich ($1,500) 

School Aid, South Africa 

Nominated by: Chilterns AWC 

2011 

The Coughlan Foundation Prevention and 

Treatment of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, 

HIV/Aids $4500 

Sponsored by: The Coughlan Family 

Foundation 

Awareness Katosi, Uganda 

Nominated by: AWC The Hague 

2012 

The Right to Food and Water $4500 

Sponsored in part by FAUSA 

Feeding Education, Kenya 

Nominated by: AIWC of Genoa 

Marion Olson 100th Birthday Prevention of 

HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis $4500 


Foundation 

Women for Girls-Comprehensive 

and Integrated Causerie Project, 

West Africa, enegal 

Nominated by: AWIC of Genoa 

Pam Dahlgren Educating Africa’s Children 

$4500 

Sponsored by: Pam Dahlgren 

Bequest 

Thanda Children’s Library, 

South Africa 

Nominated by: AW of Surrey 

2013 


$4500 


Bequest 

Mama Anakuja, Malinda, Kenya 

Nominated by: AILO of Florence 

The Right to Food and Water $4500 

Sponsored by: FAUSA and the 

Copley Family 

Amis des Ecoles (Friends of School), 

Morocco 

Nominated by: AIWC Casablanca 

24 

2014 

The Coughlan Family Foundation Prevention 

of Infectious Disease $4500 


Foundation 

Friedensdorf International, 

Cambodia 

Nominated by: AIWC of Düsseldorf 


$4500 


Bequest 

Mama Norah Education Center 

Nominated by: AWC of Stockholm 

FAUSA Water Runs Through It $4500 

Sponsored by: FAUSA 

The Kenya Project Clean Water 

Initiative 

Nominated by: AWC of Stockholm 

2015 


$4500 


Bequest 

Project Mwangi, Kenya 


2016 


$4500 


Bequest 

Hope Alive Foundation, Malawi 

Nominated by: AWA Rome 

FAUSA Displaced Women and Children $4500 


Casa Ruth And The New Hope 

Cooperative Project, Italy 

Nominated by: AIWC Naples 

Coughlan Family Foundation’s Support in 

Sickness and Health $4500 

Sponsored by: Coughlan Family 

Foundation 

Mothers Averting Aids, Republic of 

South Africa 

Nominated by: AILO Florence 

2017 


$4500 


Bequest 

Kenya Children Help - The New 

White House Academy 

Nominated by: AWC Bern 

2018 


$4500 


Bequest 

#Reboot Computer Literacy - A Safe 

Spaces Project - Nairobi, Kenya 

Nominated by: AWC Amsterdam 

FAUSA Effecting Change for Women and 

Children at Risk $4500 


The Pillow Project to Stop Child 

Trafficking - Murang’a County, Kenya 


Coughlan Family Foundation’s Sup 

port in Sickness and Health $4500 

Sponsored by: Coughlan Family 

Foundation 

Project WIN - Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Nominated by: AILO Florence 

2019 




Training Potties for Refugees-Greece 

Nominated by: FAUSA 


$5500 


bequest 

Tools for Equal Opportunities: 

Tutoring Disadvantaged Girls in 

Niger-Niamey,Niger 

Nominated by: AAWE Paris 



$5000 


bequest 

Water and Sanitation for New White 

House Academy 

Nominated by: AWC Bern 




Karikal-The Right to a Better Life, 

India 

Nominated by: AWG 

Langued oc-Roussillon 

Safe Haven $5000 

Sponsored in part by family and 

friends of Louise Greeley-Copley 

The Brige2Hope Academy, 

The Netherlands 

Nominated by: AWC The Hague


Charities Directly Supported by FAUSA 

2005 

The Johanna Cecilia School, Guyana $1000 

Purchased literacy tools for the 

school. 

Recommended by Jane Indreland. 

Estancia Fraternidad, Oaxaca, Mexico $1000 

Supported a hostel program 

providing room and board to 

indigent persons caring for 

their hospitalized family members. 

Recommended by Nancy Thornley. 

Networks $500 

Purchased 100 treated malaria nets 

in support of FAWCO’s NetWorks 

Project. 

2006 


Supported expanded services such 

as ambulance, a medical dispensary 

and burial assistance. 

Recommended by Nancy Thornley. 

Amazon Children’s Foundation, Ribralta, 

Bolivia $1000 

Purchased science equipment for a 

new school in the Pando District of 

Bolivia. Recommended by 

Helen Hootsmans. 

Dondraggon Wild Forest Project, Scotland 

$65 

Allowed the project to reach its 

stated financial goal. 

Recommended by Valerie Garforth. 

Grandma to Grandma, Tanzania $200 

Helped to partner American grand 

mothers with those Tanzanian grand 

mothers who are raising grandchil 

dren whose parents have 

died of AIDS. 

Recommended by founder Jan 

Mitchell. 

The American Domestic Violence Hotline 

$200 

Assisted American women and 

children living overseas who 

are subject to domestic violence, 

Recommended by founder Paula 

Lucas. 

2007 


Supported a hostel program pro 

viding room and board to indigent 

persons caring for their hospitalized 

family members. Recommended by 

Nancy Thornley. 

Dillard University, New Orleans LA $1000 

Helped the FAWCO Katrina 

Emergency Relief Fund buy a new 

study room in a campus that was 

inundated by flood water. Adminis 

trated by Nancy Thornley. 

Kids Help, Bogota, Columbia $1090 

Members purchased school supply 

kits in a joint effort with FAWCO. 

Recommend by Dolores Cuellar. 

2008 


Supported a hostel program pro 

viding room and board to indigent 

persons caring for their hospitalized 

family members. Recommended by 


Scholarship to Brenda Beyuma, The Amazon 

Children’s Foundation, The Pando, Bolivia 

$500 

Assisted her to finish her education 

to become a licensed physical 

therapist. 

Helping Hands Korea $500 

Supported Helping Hands Korea 

which addresses the plight of North 

Korean refugees. 

2009 


Supported a hostel program 

providing long-term housing 

for chemotherapy patients and those 

with high-risk pregnancies. Recommended by 


El Maestro En Casa, The Amazon region, 

Bolivia $2000 

Helped finance an adult literacy program 

broadcast by radio to the tribal families in the 

remote Amazon area of northwest Bolivia. 

2011 

Aleethia Foundation’s Operation Covert Santa 

program $1500 

The program which provides Christmas gifts 

to injured service members undergoing treatment 

at the Walter Reed National Military 

Medical Center, and their families. From an 

uncle of one of the wounded soldiers: “I just 

wanted to thank you again for your support 

and involvement in Ryan’s rehabilitation. I 

say this because the gifts he has received are 

unequivocally a part of what is moving him 

along....[As the gifts arrived] he was surprised, 

dumb-founded, and terribly grateful....he 

couldn’t for the life of him figure out who was 

doing this, and it has really lifted his spirits. 

As a family, we are so grateful. Know that your 

efforts are truly affecting lives like Ryan’s in 

the best way possible.” Suggested by Dale 

Koepenick 

2012 

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis 

Center $1000 

Assisted American women and children 

living overseas who are subject to domestic 

violence. Recommended by founder Paula 

Lucas. 

2013 

Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition Girls 

Prevention Program $2000 

Helped purchase a 10-session curriculum 

aimed at keeping vulnerable adolescent girls 

from sexual exploitation and prostitution. 

Recommended by Louise Greeley-Copley. 

This was the first FAUSA philanthropic grant 

to be selected by a vote of the membership. 

Free The Girls 

Janet Darrow collected bra donations to send 

to this project. Its purpose is to empower 

survivors of sex trafficking and abuse through 

a job creation program. 

25

Philanthropic achievements 

Charities Directly Supported by FAUSA 

2014 

San Francisco Safe House $2000 

San Francisco Safe House is a nurturing and 

unique housing program that empowers 

homeless, prostituted women to escape the 

violence, brutality and trauma of life on the 

street. 

FAUSA Grant 

2015 

Friends of Paradies des Indiens, Inc. Haiti 

$2000 

Funded a washing-up station, as well as some 

scalp treatment medications, which have 

helped create a healthier school environment 

for the children. Nominated by Sue Ripps. 

FAUSA Grant 

2016 

4 Girls Foundation, Long Beach, California 

$2500 

Sponsored 2-day workshops targeting middle 

school aged girls. The events empower them 

to identify themselves as inherently valuable 

and to make good choices. Nominated by 

Louise Greeley-Copley 

FAUSA Grant 

2017 

Urban Farming Guys $500 

Supported the UFG Lykins campus, which 

consists of city farm lots, cottage businesses, 

a makerspace, co-working space, greenhouses, 

solar arrays, a tool library, aquaponics, 

community gardens, classes and programs. 

Donation to Speaker’s Charity. 

Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies $2000 

Aided disabled persons effected by natural 

disasters. The Board decided to focus on 

hurricane relief this year. 

Newly named FAUSA Banner Project 

2018 

Suffragist Memorial $1000 

FAUSA’s donation will allow our name to 

be inscribed on the Turning Point Suffragist 

Memorial. 

Rice University $900 

Helped fund a survey on how to address sexual 

harassment in graduate programs. 

Direct Service to Victims of Sexual Assault 

Abroad, (Pathways to Safety, International) 

(Formerly The American Domestic Violence 

Crisis Center $2000 

Assisted American women and children 

living overseas who are subject to domestic 

violence, Recommended by founder Paula 

Lucas. Proposed by Founder Paula Lucas, 

FAUSA member. 

FAUSA Banner Project 

2019 

Veronica’s Voice $2000 

Provided women exiting ‘the life’ up to two 

years of free transitional housing, food, and 

basic necessities in a supportive, non-judgmental 

environment. Recommended by Leslie 

Nelson. 



Veronica’s Voice $2000 

Provided women exiting ‘the life’ 

up to two years of free trasitional housing, 

food, and basic necessities in a supportive, 

non-judgmental environment. Recommended 

by Leslie Nelson. 


Operation Bootstrap $500 

Love People Not Pixels $500 for Giving 

Tuesday 

Veronica’s Voice 

by Leslie Nelson 

Veronica’s Voice is our Designated Grant 

winner for the second year in a row, and we 

couldn’t be more proud to support them. 

Their mission is to empower women to exit 

from, to prevent the entry into, and to end all 

demand for prostitution-sex trafficking in the 

United States through Survivor Leadership. 

Their residential home is called Magdalene 

KC for a select few women at a time. 

Magdalene KC is a two-year residential program 

for women who have survived lives of 

prostitution, trafficking, violence, addiction, 

and life on the streets. They offer housing, 

food, medical and dental needs, trauma 

informed therapy, education, and job training 

without charging the residents. 

Many prostituted women have spent decades 

on the streets or precariously housed and 

have never experienced a home. A simple 

thing like having an address is a big deal. It 

means stability and security for many, the first 

time in their lives. 

The most important thing the Magdalene KC 

community provides is unconditional love in a 

non-judgmental environment. These are gifts 

in and of themselves that most prostituted 

women have never experienced in their lives. 

They more than likely have never been given 

food, shelter, or any basic needs that haven’t 

come at a cost to their dignity and self-worth. 

Healing begins the moment when the women 

moving into the Magdalene KC community 

and home realize that the only reason they 

have been invited is so that they can heal, 

grow, and thrive. 

26

Communications 

The FAUSA Website 

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES – 20 YEARS OF FAUSA ONLINE 

by Debbie Hastings 

Remember the phrase, “you’ve come a long 

way, baby”? When you look at the progression 

of the FAUSA website, that phrase comes 

to mind. Hi - I’m Debbie Hastings and I’m the 

FAUSA webmaster! 

I was no stranger to FAUSA or FAWCO when I 

joined this organization. In fact, one of my first 

websites was built for the FAWCO Foundation’s 

first on-line auction back in 2002 and 

an active member in my local Chilterns AWC. 

So, when I joined FAUSA in 2007, it seemed 

a natural fit to volunteer to redevelop the 

original website. 

My goal for the second generation of the 

website (2008 -2015) was to reorganize the 

existing information in a pleasing manner 

while providing important information to our 

visitors. It also allowed us, for the first time, 

to provide a way to join on-line. It was pretty 

simple at that point, just taking payments 

through PayPal and keeping a manual account 

of members. 

In early 2013, the design changed slightly, but 

the functions improved dramatically! For the 

first time, we were able to incorporate a login 

for each member, using an invitation code. 

This allowed us keep some information out of 

the public eye and only available to our actual 

members. The membership directory was still 

all done manually and uploaded quarterly in 

PDF format. 

The biggest change came in early 2015 when 

we were able to add to our on-line payment 

ability with an actual membership program 

that could dynamically generate expiration 

dates, member capabilities and best of all – 

an on-line, updatable member directory! 

Now, as we approach our 20th year on-line, 

we strive to reach even higher goals. Our 

newly designed website, which we hope will 

launch before the new year, was designed to 

match coordinate with our new logo. It will be 

packed with new features, like an easy access 

event calendar, clubs, increased communication 

sources, and featured FAUSA news, just 

to name a few. 

Our focus remains the same – to bring 

together and support those who have lived 

overseas and have returned to the USA. Now, 

we’ll be able to do it share it even better 

through your on-line experience. Keeping up 

with the times is not always an easy task, but I 

think we meet – and exceed – that challenge! 

27

fausa’s virtual activities groups 

FAUSA’s BOOK CLUBS 

On-line book Clubs are one of the staples 

of FAUSA’s on line activities. Book Clubs are 

very popular for our members. Currently 

we have seven book clubs. We are going to 

highlight the original 3 clubs. In addition we 

have Washington DC, FAUSA Texas, Seattle 

Metro and political book groups 

The Original Book Club Members: Karen 

Walker, Nancy Thornley, Yolanda Henry, Nan 

de Laubadere, Vicki Pepper, Jane Indreland, 

and Vivi Katsiouleris. 

We’ve now been reading together since 

2012! We started using a conference call and 

switched to Zoom about 3 years ago. It’s hard 

to believe how time flies when you’re enjoying 

good books and making good friends at 

the same time. We were sad to see Vivi leave 

our group this past year due to other commitments, 

but we were happy to welcome new 

member Vicki to take her place. It’s so good 

to see two more books clubs have formed 

and hopefully more in the future. 

Of the 12 books we read in the past year, we 

rank them as follows: 

First Place: The Secrets We Kept by Lara 

Prescott 

Second Place: Among the Maasai By Juliet 

Cutler 

The Gown by Jennifer Robinson 

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 

Honorable Mention: Doctor Zhivago by Boris 

Pasternak, which we tackled after reading The 

Secrets We Kept. 

We were honored to have Juliet Cutler join 

our discussion in August to share with us 

more background and photos to her book 

Among the Maasai. 

Yolanda Henry 

Book Club 2 formed about 3 years ago. We 

still have three of the original members Beth 

Arena, Nan De Laubadere, and Michele 

Hendriks Du Bois. Our group rounds out with 

Aurora Silvestri and Barbara Tengtion. When 

we first started our meetings they ran 45-60 

minutes. Our meetings now go 60-90 minutes. 

There is a lot to discuss these days (not 

all about the books) 

During the past 6 months we have realized 

how very special our monthly meetings are to 

us. 

Send an email to eearena@gmail.com if you 

are interested in joining our group. ~Beth 

Arena 

On-line Book Club #3 

The catchily named FAUSA Bookclub #3 

was formed in late 2019. Rather than spend 

time coming up with a better name, we got 

reading. We’ve met monthly via Zoom ever 

since, and we found ourselves unexpectedly 

ahead of the pandemic altered-life curve in 

being familiar with Zoom before the rest of 

the world caught on. 

We rotate choosing a book and leading our 

discussion. We read fiction, non-fiction, and 

classics we’ve not touched since our school 

days. Always our discussions are lively, and no 

matter a book’s subject matter, we manage to 

weave in our experiences as ex-pats. 

Our members Linda Harvan, Sue Frick, Janelle 

Mason, Juliet Cutler, Margaret McCue currently 

live in the Midwest, South, and Pacific 

Northwest. Collectively, we have lived in Belgium, 

the Netherlands, Switzerland, Saudia 

Arabia, Tanzania, and many regions of the US. 

Many thanks to FAUSA, especially Yolanda 

Henry, for organizing the book groups. 

Margaret McCue 

Book group #3 member Linda Harvan leading 

us in a lively discussion of The Daughters of 

Erietown (January 2021). 

28


FAUSA Boards 1999 through 2020 

President 

1 st Vice President 

2 nd Vice President 

President 



President 



President 



President 



President 



President 



President 



President 



President 




President 




Mona Garcia 

Pat Coker 


Dale Koepenick 

Jean Geesey 


Dale Koepenick 


LaVerne Ferguson 


Denise Fryzek 

Laverne Ferguson 


Stevie Coppin 


1999 - 2001 

2001 - 2003 

2003 - 2005 

2005 - 2007 

2007 - 2009 

2009 - 2011 

Louise Greeley-Copley 

Yolanda Henry 

Linda Rishel-Little 

2011 – 2013 

Lee Sorenson 

Yolanda Henry 

Janelle Mason 

2013 - 2015 

Janet Darrow 

Elinor Badanes 

Carol Boren 

2015 - 2017 

Janet Darrow 


Carol Boren 

2017 - 2019 

Therese Hartwell 


Janelle Mason 

Janelle Mason/Liz Janson 


Liz Janson 

Yolanda Henry 

Leslie Nelson 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Directory of Philanthropy 

2019 - 2021 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Director of Philanthropy 

Kay Miller 

Jude Stalker 

Maritere Nemec 


Maritere Nemec 

Terry Erzmonet 


Jean Geesey 

Denise Fryzek 

Elizabeth Hemminger 

Erica Fox Zabusky 


Dorothy Childers 


Sue Ripps 

Judith Treanor 


Karen Snedeker 


Leslie Nelson 

Kathy Coughlan 

Leslie Nelson 

Kathy Coughlan 

Marilee Watts 

Aurora Silvestri 

Peggy Dauser 

Marilee Watts 

29

A Final Look back 

At The Past Twenty Years 

2000 - FAUSAettes 2001 - Provincetown 

2002 - Red Lodge 2003 - Chicago 

2004 - Easton 2005 - San Antonio 

30

A Final Look back 


2006 - Seattle 2007 - New York City 

2008 - Long Boat Key 2009 - Durango 

2010 - Houston 2011 - Charleston 

31

a Final Look back 


2012 - Napa 2013 - Cincinnati 

2014 - Colorado Springs 

2015 - Niagara-On-The -lake 

2017 - Kansa City 2018 - Washington DC 

32

2020 20th Anniversary Highlights Interactive magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?