Skidaway Abigails l November 2022 |
|
|
To help celebrate the tenth anniversary of Skidaway Abigails, we’re offering monthly quotes and fun facts from the original Abigail. ~ Patty Koch |
|
|
“It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. ” Abigail Adams |
|
|
The first First Lady to live in the White House, Abigail Adams resided there for just four months in 1800. While there, she famously hung her family's laundry in the unfinished East Room to dry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hope that you are enjoying the cooler weather as we move into fall.
After a sell-out crowd at our September 13 Midterm Madness program, and a very successful kick off social on September 22, we welcomed 5 new members to the Abigails.
Our October 13 program featured Dr. Maxine Bryant, an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern and the Director of the Gullah Geechee Center and the Center for Africana Studies. In a fascinating presentation, Dr. Bryant drew a straight line from African slavery to mass incarceration in the 21st century. She illustrated the many challenges that the formerly incarcerated face in reintegrating into their home communities. A disproportionate number of them are people of color (see recap below).
In a departure from our regular programs, we invite members of the Abigails to sign up for a tour on November 2 of different residential neighborhoods in Savannah. Our guide will be Anita Smith-Dixon, Executive Director of the Community Housing Services Agency in Savannah (see below).
A record number of hosts and guests signed up for our fall potluck on October 16. We had 5 hosts and 46 people sign up: 27 Abigails and 19 guests. Thanks to Pat Wallace for organizing.
We are less than a month from the Midterm elections but there is still an opportunity to make a difference. You can volunteer with Common Cause, a non-partisan organization focusing on voting rights and elections. Check out the options and sign up today with their Georgia Election Protection Program: www.protectthevote.net.
We need Abigails members who have excellent computer skills to get more involved. We also need volunteers to organize dining out events for our members. If you are interested in helping out please contact me: terrio.susan@gmail.com.
With all good wishes,
Susan
President of the Skidaway Abigails |
|
|
|
|
Trolley Tour Community Housing
November 2
10:00 AM
Carpool from Skidaway Island United Methodist Church to 5515 Abercorn Street |
|
|
|
Anita Smith-Dixon, Executive Director of the Community Housing Services Agency in Savannah
Co-ordinated by Carolyn DeFrancesco and Shanti Stone
|
|
|
The Skidaway Abigails are organizing a two-hour trolley tour of community housing services which will be hosted by Anita Smith-Dixon, Executive Director of the Community Housing Services Agency, Inc. of Savannah.
Ms. Smith-Dixon will introduce us to different residential areas from older apartment complexes to the newest and largest planned housing community.
The group will meet at 10:00 am at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church and carpool downtown to 5515 Abercorn Street.
From there an Old Savannah Trolley will take us to visit West Savannah, Yamacraw, Midtown, Ben Van Clark, Savannah Gardens, and Tiny Homes.
Bring water and a snack. When the tour ends at 1:00 p.m., you may opt to have lunch in town or return to the Landings.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Savannah residents in their neighborhoods. Space is limited to the first 35 Abigails who sign up. |
|
|
Successful Prison Reintegration: Why is it so Difficult, Particularly for Black Americans ?
October 13
Co-ordinated by Carolyn DeFrancesco and Shanti Stone
|
|
|
The Skidaway Abigails were excited to host Dr. Maxine Bryant who spoke on the topic “Successful Prison Reintegration: Why Is It So Difficult, Particularly for Black Americans?” Dr. Bryant, an Assistant Professor in Georgia Southern University’s Criminal Justice and Criminology Department, spoke eloquently tracing Black Americans taken from Africa, enslaved, freed but encumbered by poverty, caught in the War on Drugs and disproportionately incarcerated. She stated few programs exist for the formerly incarcerated, and they are chronically underfunded. Members and guests were energized by her presentation and answers to follow up questions. Comments from the audience included a discussion of a path for restoring voter rights to released prisoners.
If you were unable to attend the program, you can view it by clicking HERE. |
|
|
|
|
Shanti Stone was born and raised in Mumbai, India and traces her family roots to Goa, India. She graduated from Bombay University with a Bachelor’s in Statistics and began working in the banking industry. Shanti married Herman Stone from New York and moved to Chattanooga, TN where she went on to earn a degree in Economics from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
After the birth of their oldest son, Shanti and Herman moved to Maryland where they welcomed two more boys. Shanti continued to work in banking where she managed two branches and attended The Johns Hopkins University to earn a Master’s in Finance. As her children grew, Shanti made career changes to real estate, and then to teaching, so she would have more time to raise her family.
Education is of high importance to Shanti, so it was critically important to ensure the boys were educated too. Shanti began teaching high school math and earned another Master’s degree in Math and Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She started as a high school teacher then moved into mentoring and coaching new and veteran teachers, writing curriculum, and being a change agent for the teachers in various middle and high schools in Maryland for 15 years.
Shanti and Herman moved to The Landings in 2019 and Shanti has continued to support children, especially children at risk, through Skidaway Kiwanis. She is the chairwoman for the Skidaway Kiwanis Grant Distribution Committee and is proud to say that this year Kiwanis donated $120,000 to 14 charitable organizations whose focus is helping children in Savannah.
Shanti is grateful for meeting Susan Terrio who introduced her to Skidaway Abigails. “It is a life saver,” she says. Shanti enjoys being the programming co-chair for the Abigails. Living a retired life at The Landings has been busy as she has also co-chaired various New Neighbors activities for the past two years.
Thank you Shanti for your service to Skidaway Abigails and to the Savannah community. |
|
|
Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to Hannah Burtnik, Kerry Crist, Terry Kelly, Mary Kovets, Marybeth Krovisky, Marcy L’Hommedieu, Sabina Malley, Eileen Matyjasik, Sheri Meyer-Hanover, Kathleen Silvestri, Mary Sommer, and Sally Wheeler as new members of the Abigails community. They are looking forward to getting engaged in our Education, Social, and Advocacy programs and meeting other members during upcoming events.
Join other members of the Abigails community in wearing one of our new Abigails branded name tags! In the past, a personalized card name tag and lanyard had been provided to members as they checked-in at events and then gathered back in at the end. However, as membership and event participation grows, it’s become evident that the process is causing long delays at arrival. In order to make event check-in seamless, we have started to give out the existing name tags at events, for members to keep and bring to future events. Also, if they already have a plain metal name tag they are welcome to wear that.
However, we are encouraging members to consider purchasing an Abigails metal name tag (with a magnetic fastener). The process is easy: The name tags are $10.00 each (including tax and shipping) and you can place an order online with the Membership Co-Chairs by clicking HERE. If you are a Landings resident, your name tag will be hand delivered to your mailbox tube. If you reside outside of The Landings, your name tag will be mailed to your home address.
We’re looking forward to providing a streamlined check-in process — and to seeing our members with their new name tags!
Elizabeth Cowell and Sue Stephenson, Membership Co-Chairs
elizcowe@gmail.com
sueostephenson@gmail.com |
|
|
Abigails Video ChatNov 1, 8, 29 3 PM Zoom Meetings
Coordinated by Sheila Grossman |
|
|
It's almost election time and our collective anxiety is building! Please consider joining our Video Chat members as we discuss everything that is going on in our crazy world. This fun and interesting group of women connects via Zoom on an almost weekly basis. |
|
|
How would you like to join a few other Abigails for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner - without shopping, cooking, or cleaning? There are rumors afloat that a good many Abigails are interested in this kind of small group, stress free, social event. Now we just need someone to organize a group to go out to eat!
If you are willing to coordinate an Abigails Dining Out activity, please email:
Pat Wallace Activities Chair patwall831@gmail.com |
|
|
The America We Need Discussion Group
Information on our next meeting will be given in the next newsletter.
Co-ordinated by Annette Carnow |
|
|
Reel Time
Information on our next meeting will be given in the next newsletter.
Coordinated by Annette Carnow |
|
|
Canasta Coordinated by Sue Kantor |
|
|
Our Friday group continues to be active. Since the group is quite large, it makes sense to start a new group. Anyone from the Friday group is welcome to join this new group which Diane Hartley will be organizing. If you are interested in playing, please email: Diane Hartley dianehartley1901@yahoo.com
Sue Kantor
8 Bluff Oak Retreat
Savannah, GA 31411
917 822 2443 suegkantor@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to be part of forming an Abigails Mah-Jongg group, please let me know. Everything is up for grabs—time to play, how to organize and where to host. Those of us who play Abigails Canasta have formed many new relationships and look forward to Fridays when we gather to play, laugh and talk about the state of the world. I am looking forward to playing with you!
Sue Kantor
suekantor@gmail.com |
|
|
|
|
The AM Book Group meets at 10 AM on the third Wednesday of each month. It currently is full but I would be happy to hear from anyone who would like to join the wait list. Please contact Sheila Jannino at sjannino11@gmail.com. |
The PM Book Group will be meeting on the fourth Wednesday at 4:00 PM. If you would like to join this group, please contact Phyllis Aaron at 610-203-4393 or paaron@comcast.net. |
|
|
|
Message From Your Board of Directors |
|
|
Your 2022-2023 Board of Directors, like you, are proud Abigails members. We are committed to serving the mission, and the members, of Skidaway Abigails. We look forward to a great year with our Abigail friends and sisters in action! |
|
|
The Skidaway Abigails is a nonpartisan organization of progressive, liberal women whose purpose is to provide engagement opportunities for social, educational and advocacy activities to its members. We welcome women who support our values to join us, regardless of residence, race, ethnicity, age, religion or gender identification. What We Value
A strong commitment to women's health and safety including family planning; health education, screening and research; and protection from domestic abuse and the full range of offenses against women, from harassment in the workplace to sex trafficking.
A society that provides services for its poor and its children including basic shelter, food, physical and mental healthcare, quality fact-based education, childcare, pre-K development and college opportunity.
Fair and equitable treatment for the working class including a livable minimum wage; pay equity for women; reducing the gap between the average employee's compensation and corporate executives'; affordable health care; a future in our country for working immigrants; and equitable treatment under the criminal justice system.
Fair and equitable treatment for our Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual/ Transgender population in all aspects of our society. We support their right to marry and create a family,
Regulation that respects individual freedom while protecting the community including the licensing and control of firearms; and eliminating unwarranted surveillance, personal data collection and criminal profiling.
Protecting our planet from mankind's impact on earth's climate and precious natural resources ranging from fresh water to the honey bee. We want to better understand opportunities to enhance sustainability.
Being informed and represented on political issues related to our values including voter registration and the right of citizens to vote; the stated positions of local, state and federal candidates; and access to articles and subject-matter-experts on value-related issues. |
|
|
Current Elected Officials Contact Information |
|
|
Governor Brian Kemp
206 Washington St, 111 State Capitol. Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-1776
https://georgia.gov/contact-georgiagov
US Rep. (Dist. 1) Earl "Buddy" Carter
6602 Abercorn St, Ste 105B, Savannah, GA 31405
(202) 225-5831
http://buddycarter.house.gov/contact/
US Senator Jon Ossoff
Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 825 B&C
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3521 (DC)
https://www.ossoff.senate.gov
US Senator Raphael Warnock
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Suite B40D
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3643 (DC)
https://www.senate.gov/senators/117thCongress/warnock-raphael.htm
State Senator Ben Watson
320-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-7880
ben.watson@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Lester Jackson
110-B State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 463-5261
lester.jackson@senate.ga.gov
State Representative Jesse Petrea
408-B Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 657-1803
jesse.petrea@house.ga.gov |
|
|
If you no longer wish to receive Skidaway Abigails emails please click here. |
|
|
|
