Pre-Civil War Quilts:
Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad
Presented by: Connie Martin
Saturday, February 21, 1-2:30 pm
St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church
Experience this multi-media program by Connie Martin combining storytelling, lecture, and slides along with hand-crafted code quilt replicas.
Connie will display over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted quilt replicas, representing patterns and special stitching used over 200 years ago by abolitionists and fugitive slaves to signify escape routes to the North. These quilts were used to signal plans, warn of dangers, indicate how transport might occur, or who might help as “Friends” on the Underground Railroad. Based upon her mother’s book: Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom, by Dr. Clarice Boswell, Connie tells the fascinating family stories of how these quilt codes were kept and used by her ancestors. You will learn the code meanings and interpretations that have been passed down to her, a 6th-generation descendant of captured African slaves.
AAUW Elgin is proud to co-sponsor this presentation with St. Hugh of Lincoln’s Anti-racism Team, and the Anti-racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. There is no cost to attend, but seating and parking is limited so please carpool if you are able. RSVP to Jane Watson. (jlw0420@aol.com)
Shape the Future
Now is the perfect time to invite prospective members – With this campaign, branches can offer 50% off national dues when prospective members join AAUW at an event or meeting. Branches also earn one free national membership for every two new members they recruit, with a maximum of three free memberships annually.
Click here for details.
2025-2026 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Valeria Hernandez will receive the Betty Medearis
Scholarship. An Elgin resident, she will graduate from
ECC this spring. In the fall, she will attend Northern IL
U, majoring in education. She has already been selected
as a Golden Apple Scholar and has been paired with top
teachers in the state to participate in a hands-on summer
school program with Chicago Public Schools and St.
Xavier U. She is a member of ECC’s Phi Theta Kappa
and TRIO. She is also the youngest member of Elgin’s
Hispanic Network.
As Valeria wrote in her application, As a first-generation
student and young woman of color, I have faced challenges
and criticism for pursuing education, a field often
undervalued despite its power. Through my leadership
roles and scholarships, including my work with the
Organization of Latin American Students and my involvement
with Phi Theta Kapa and TRIO, I have seen the
importance of empowering women and girls in underserved
communities. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to
remain united as women and uplift one another because
when one of us wins, we all win.
Maricarmen Paredes Lopez will receive the Brooke
Transue Legacy Scholarship. A resident of Woodstock,
she attends Aurora U, majoring in healthcare administration.
During high school, she was an IL State Scholar
and AP Scholar with Honor and Distinction. At Aurora U,
she has maintained a 4.0 average while also participating
in Aurora U’s chapters of Latin American Student
Organization and the Healthcare Administration
Organization.
As Maricarmen wrote in her application, Being a first generation
Mexican-American student, navigating the
demands and financial responsibilities of college is
definitely hard. With parents who didn’t have the opportunity
to even finish elementary school, I navigated this
process mainly on my own. And since I am the youngest
of three siblings, the money that my parents had saved
was largely used up. This scholarship will give me the
opportunity to lessen the financial stress that comes with
college attendance as well as give my parents a bit of a
“breather” to live life without it always being defined by
their work schedules.
Growing up and going to doctor appointments without
proper translation for my parents and seeing the lack of
resources in certain areas of my parents’ native country
are factors that have shaped my desire to pursue a degree
in medical administration. Knowing that I could promote
the need for the development of electronic health systems
as an e-health implementation coordinator within underdeveloped
countries has made me believe that this is the
career for me.
BRANCH OFFICERS FOR 2025-26
Continuing in their current positions are the following
members, whose leadership is appreciated by all.
Co-Presidents: Jennifer Ford & Judi Tepe
Vice-President (Program): Jane Watson
Vice-President (Membership): Cathy Malm
Secretary (Recording & Corresponding): Beth Small
Treasurer: Sandy Kaptain
Membership Treasurer: Cindy Maldonado
Past President: Linda Youngren
| MISSION STATEMENT AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. |
VISION STATEMENT Equity for all. |
DIVERSITY STATEMENT In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. |