Category Archives: Awards

Diana Rangel named 2024 Angeline Gale Scholarship recipient

Diana Rangel

AAUW Naperville Area is please to award the 2024 Angeline Gale Scholarship to Diana Rangel. Diana is a woman of remarkable determination and compassion. Currently serving as a Certified Medical Assistant at Northwestern Immediate Care in Wheaton, Illinois, Diana demonstrates strong commitment to her profession and community. In addition to her work, Diana is a dedicated student at Rasmussen University in Romeoville, where she is fervently pursuing her dream of becoming a Surgical Technologist. She is set to graduate in December 2024.

As a single mother of two wonderful boys, Diana finds solace and joy in their shared moments, embracing the simple pleasures of outdoor walks, fishing, and movie nights. Diana hails from a proud Hispanic heritage. Her journey is a testament to the resilience and unity of immigrant families.

With aspirations to become a traveling Surgical Technologist and offer her expertise where it’s most needed, Diana embodies the spirit of service and compassion, inspiring us all to reach for the stars and make a difference in the world.

About the Angeline Gale Scholarship

The Angeline Gale Scholarship, established in 1971 in memory of educator and AAUW Naperville founder Angeline Gale, encourages women to pursue higher education, even when their progress has been interrupted. The 2024 scholarship was funded through the AAUW Naperville Area annual book sale, AAUW Naperville bridge group and J. McLaughlin fundraisers.

Magda Walsh receives 2024 Michael S. Hollman Scholarship

Maggie Walsh

Magda (Maggie) Walsh is a soon-to-be graduate of the College of DuPage whose journey embodies resilience and determination. As she prepares to embark on a double major in Accounting and Finance at Northern Illinois University, Maggie’s passion for financial integrity shines through. As a first-generation college student, she has overcome numerous challenges, emerging stronger with each hurdle.

Driven by her desire to excel in Public Accounting, Maggie’s academic achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to excellence. Beyond her studies, she finds balance as a devoted mom and supportive wife, drawing strength from her family as she pursues her dreams. Maggie’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one’s passions.

About the Michael S. Hollman Scholarship

The 2024 Michael S. Hollman Scholarship, funded by AAUW member Donna Yule and an anonymous donor, honors Michael S. Hollman, a seven-year member of the AAUW Naperville Area Branch who serves on the scholarship committee and has generously supported numerous AAUW Naperville Area scholarships. This scholarship recognizes women who demonstrate leadership in their schools and communities and encourages them to pursue higher education despite interruptions in their progress.

Becky Simon Named 2024 AAUW Naperville Area Woman of the Year

AAUW Naperville Area is pleased to recognize Becky Simon as our 2024 Woman of the Year for advancing equity by serving as a strong organizational and community leader and establishing programs to provide opportunities for women and people of diverse backgrounds.

Becky will be honored at the AAUW Spring Awards Brunch and Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Bolingbrook Country Club.

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Woman College Leader Selected for 2024 National Leadership Conference

Tahbata Zuniga Diaz, AAUW Naperville Area 2024 NCCWSL Attendee

Tahbata Zuniga Diaz, 2024 AAUW Naperville Area NCCWSL Participant

AAUW (American Association of University Women) Naperville Area Branch has selected Tahbata Zuniga Diaz, a North Central College student leader, to attend the National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). This year’s conference is May 30 to June 1, 2024, at the University of Maryland near Washington, D.C. About 1,000 young women leaders are expected to attend. AAUW Naperville Area will provide up to $1000 towards registration and travel. This sponsorship is funded by the branch’s annual Used Book and Media Sale.

Tahbata’s major is Political Science and English Writing. She wants to attend NCCWSL because she dreams of living in D.C. one day and being part of communities that bring about positive change in our society. This conference will be a good learning and growth opportunity.

Tahbata plans to network and also learn how to use her skills to create positive change for our country. She is a firm believer in the value of knowledge and the ability to travel, so she is most interested in seeing how she can bring what she learned back home. Additionally, there is a session on storytelling which brings her two majors together, and hopefully is another way she can connect with and help others.

Student Leader Gains Experience, Connections at 2023 Conference

AAUW Naperville Area was honored to sponsor Sam Selakovich, a senior at North Central College (NCC), to attend the 2023 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) at the University of Maryland, College Park, in early June.

College graduation portrait of Sam Selakovich standing outdoors against an autumn background

Sam Selakovich at North Central College

Sam’s major is Political Science with a minor in Theatre and Global Studies. She served as the interim president of NCC’s N.O.W. Chapter, as an orientation staff member, and as a first year mentor.

Her goals for the conference included gaining knowledge to build on skills valued in her career path of working for a nonprofit or lobbyist group to progress the efforts of social issues. She noted, “In a time where decades of coalition building and activist efforts have been completely uprooted, it is not only my personal civic duty to apply my newfound knowledge to a politically active career, but it is also my responsibility to utilize the knowledge to continue the work of earlier generations who paved the way.”

She shares these reflections on the the conference:

“I met a group of wonderful women from all across America (Wisconsin, Maryland, California, Texas and New Jersey). We even have a group chat from the conference that we still use for life updates or even if someone needs boosts of encouragement. I made a lot of great professional connections as well as gained a lot of useful information at the sessions.

I had a lot of first experiences during this trip, such as flying on a plane by myself, experiencing Washington, D.C., and going to a conference. I cannot thank [AAUW] members enough for this beautiful opportunity and I will not waste an ounce of applying this special experience to my life.”

Best wishes, Sam! We can’t wait to see what you achieve.

Hailey Szulc is AAUW Naperville Area 2023 Angeline Gale Scholarship Awardee

AAUW Naperville Area is excited to announce that Hailey Szulc is the winner of the 2023 Angeline Gale Scholarship. Ms. Szulc will receive $5,000 toward her undergraduate degree. The scholarship, established in 1971 in memory of educator and AAUW Naperville founder Angeline Gale, encourages women to pursue higher education, even when their progress has been interrupted. The scholarship was funded through the support of AAUW member Donna Yule and everyone who contributed to the success of AAUW’s annual used book sale.

Hailey Szulc, 2023 Angeline Scholarship Awardee

Hailey Szulc recently graduated from National Louis University with a degree in early childhood education and an endorsement in special education. Ms. Szulc faced many hardships in achieving higher education. Finally, after years of working full-time to support herself while attending school part-time, she proudly has earned her degree. She is grateful to AAUW Naperville for awarding her this scholarship which will greatly reduce her outstanding student loan debt.

AAUW Naperville Area announces recipients of 2023 Inspirational Leadership Scholarships

AAUW Naperville Area is pleased to announce two recipients for the 2023 Sue Topp Inspirational Leadership Scholarship. Francesca Romano and Megan Kairies each will receive $5,000 to help complete their undergraduate degrees. The scholarship recognizes women who have stepped up to lead within their schools and communities, and who desire to make meaningful contributions to society, both now and in the future.

Francesca Romano

Francesca Romano is a first-generation undergraduate student attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona where she is pursuing a degree in marketing and advertising with a Spanish minor. On campus, she serves as the marketing coordinator for the Latino Student Association, with a commitment to promoting educational success for Latino youth in the greater Phoenix area. Over the past year, she also has worked as a resident assistant and a mentor for the Women in Business Organization, guiding young women as they continue their academic and professional careers. She is eager to complete her degree this fall and pursue a career in the beauty industry where she can develop an inclusive community that will promote confidence for women. She hopes to serve as a role model for other first-generation women and empower them to create their own destinies.

Megan Kairies

Megan Kairies is a passionate feminist who strives to help her community. She is pursuing a health science degree at Aurora University where she is currently the vice president of HOSA-Future Health Professionals. She also was past president of the GEMS (Girls Engineering, Mathematics and Science) Club. Megan’s core values include honesty, determination, education, thoughtfulness, and a good work ethic. In her free time, she enjoys painting, playing piano, and working with Circle-K to do community service. She hopes to one day be a physician associate.

2023 Woman of the Year – Nicki Anderson

Nicki Anderson

AAUW Naperville Area is pleased to name Nicki Anderson as our 2023 Woman of the Year for advancing equity by serving as a strong organizational and community leader and establishing programs to provide opportunities for women and people of diverse backgrounds. She was honored at the AAUW Naperville Area Spring Awards Brunch at White Eagle Golf Club on Saturday, May 13.

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2022 Woman of the Year – Kimberly White

AAUW Naperville Area is honored to recognize Kimberly White as our 2022 Woman of the Year for her exceptional leadership in community service and in advancing equity. She will be honored at the AAUW Naperville Area Awards Brunch at Cress Creek Country Club on Saturday, May 14.

2022 Woman of the Year Kimberly White

Kimberly White is the executive director of the Career & Networking Center — a non-profit organization that provides job search support to individuals in career transition. She is passionate about serving the needs of clients including millennials, more seasoned workers, and everyone in-between. Kim says, “At the end of the day, I am incredibly proud to be part of an organization that has helped thousands of individuals in job search to land their next success.”

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Mae Gangi receives 2022 Cariya Reed Legacy Scholarship

2022 Cariya Reed Legacy Scholarship Winner Mae Gangi

AAUW Naperville Area is pleased to announce that Maelyn (Mae) Gangi, a senior at Naperville Central High School, has been selected to receive the 2022 Cariya Reed Legacy Scholarship for $5,000. The scholarship honors Cariya Reed, a young girl whose life ended too soon due to domestic violence.

Mae’s 4.3 GPA is just one of her accomplishments. She has overcome tremendous stressors in her life, all while continuing to succeed academically, volunteer in the community, support her peers, and provide leadership in her chosen field of study–Psychology.

Mae has participated in school clubs, and helped to found the Mental Health Matters Club at Central. She serves on the board of her school’s National Honor Society chapter and is a teacher favorite due to her diligence and cheerfulness. Mae is a bright young woman who is self-assured and strong-willed enough for herself and her fellow women. She certainly will be a standout amongst her future classmates at Vanderbilt University.

More about AAUW Naperville Area scholarships.