Category Archives: News

Candidate for President

Nancy Shoemaker

Nancy has served the branch as co-founder, treasurer (two terms), and president. She is past president of AAUW NC and admin of several AAUW Facebook groups, including one that encourages the statewide virtual branches to share information with each other. She is also co-founder of Open Up AAUW, and is deeply disappointed that AAUW has not opened membership to those without degrees, but she has not yet been able to walk away from the organization. Since 2019, she has been serving as treasurer of NC Women United, a coalition that includes AAUW NC.

Her academic background is in mathematics (BA, MA, PhD), and after a few years in academia, her professional life was spent in a variety of computer support/consulting roles. She has a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke Continuing Education. She lives in Wake County with her husband. She is also fortunate to have her mother living nearby and the family plans to celebrate her 100th birthday this fall.

Candidate for Treasurer

Christi Whitworth

Christi Whitworth lives in Arden, North Carolina, near Asheville. She is an informal educator primarily in astronomy education.  She currently works as an educator at Zaniac, in Asheville and Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, South Carolina. She also volunteers as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Science Education Leadership Association and as Volunteer Instructor Trainer Educator for the American Red Cross. She spent twelve years working as an educator and Director of Learning Experiences at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. She has previously worked as a science museum and zoo educator, public school science teacher and teacher of the gifted, preschool educator and camp counselor. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Tennessee Technological University.

She joined the AAUW Tar Heel branch in 2012 and served on its board from 2014 to 2019, including two and a half years as co-president.

Candidates for Directors at Large

Sandy Bernard

Sandy Bernard joined AAUW in 1971 and was president of New York State, the Legal Advocacy Fund and national (1997-2001). She currently serves on the AAUW Racial and Social Justice Working Group, appointed by Board chair Julia Brown, which is assisting with the open membership campaign and diversity/inclusion training.  She is a member of the Asheville, Hendersonville, and Tar Heel, NC Branches and the Horry County SC Branch.

Her work experience included K and Head Start teacher, freelance
landscape designer, interim executive director for several organizations and executive director of the (then) largest women’s network of its kind in the county.  During those years she also served on the National Women’s Hall of Fame Board and on the NY Legislative Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues.

Sandy is now happily retired but clearly still interested in ACTION
moving women and girls forward.  She also loves a lively book group,
gardening, travel, good friends and the beach.

Paula Munger

Paula joined the AAUW Tar Heel branch board in the fall of 2021, and has been elected 2022-2024 Treasurer for AAUW of North Carolina.  In her career as an educator and school administrator, Paula was the 20 year owner/director of Munger Academy, an innovative early learning school for children ages 2 to 10, in northern Virginia.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary education, a master’s degree in reading education, and a specialist’s degree in school administration, all from Indiana University. 

Paula has been an active member of AAUW for a number of years, serving on the Colorado Springs Branch board as VP of Programs, VP of Community Outreach, Branch President elect, and Branch President. She is the past state president of Colorado. Currently she serves as NC State membership chair and works closely with the Branch Advocate on branch issues.

She has served on the Finance Committee of her Colorado branch as well as for the Colorado state Finance Committee for many years.  She has also served on the Colorado governance committee.  As owner of a business, she was responsible for maintaining accounting policies and procedures for the business.

Candidate for President

Dr. Nancy Shoemaker

Nancy has served the branch as co-founder, treasurer (two terms), and president. She is past president of AAUW NC and admin of several AAUW Facebook groups, including one that encourages the statewide virtual branches to share information with each other. She is also co-founder of Open Up AAUW, and, frankly, if the proposal to drop the degree requirement fails to pass this spring, her long-term connection to AAUW is unlikely, but she will serve as branch president to June 2022. If the proposal passes, she’ll become a life member.

Her academic background is in mathematics (BA, MA, PhD), and after a few years in academia, her professional life was spent in a variety of computer support/consulting roles. She has a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke Continuing Education. She lives in Wake County with her husband. She is also fortunate to have her mother living nearby.

Candidate for Treasurer

Christi Whitworth

Christi Whitworth lives in Arden, North Carolina, near Asheville. She is an informal educator primarily in astronomy education.  She currently works as an educator at Zaniac, in Asheville and Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, South Carolina. She also volunteers as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Science Education Leadership Association and as Volunteer Instructor Trainer Educator for the American Red Cross. She spent twelve years working as an educator and Director of Learning Experiences at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. She has previously worked as a science museum and zoo educator, public school science teacher and teacher of the gifted, preschool educator and camp counselor. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Tennessee Technological University.

She joined the AAUW Tar Heel branch in 2012 and served on its board from 2014 to 2019, including two and a half years as co-president.

Candidates for Directors at Large

Sandy Bernard

Sandy Bernard joined AAUW in 1971 and was president of New York State, the Legal Advocacy Fund and national (1997-2001). She currently serves on the AAUW Racial and Social Justice Working Group, appointed by Board chair Julia Brown, which is assisting with the open membership campaign and diversity/inclusion training.  She is a member of the Asheville, Hendersonville, and Tarheel, NC Branches and the Horry County SC Branch.

Her work experience included K and Head Start teacher, freelance
landscape designer, interim executive director for several organizations and executive director of the (then) largest women’s network of its kind in the county.  During those years she also served on the National Women’s Hall of Fame Board and on the NY Legislative Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues.

Sandy is now happily retired but clearly still interested in ACTION
moving women and girls forward.  She also loves a lively book group,
gardening, travel, good friends and the beach.

Cherrie Wheaton

Cherrie served as the Co-President of AAUW NC from 2017 – 2019 with Jane Terwillegar, planning state conferences, establishing regional meetings, and collaborating with other women’s organizations in the state.  As President of the Greensboro Branch from 2014 – 2016, Cherrie also served as President Elect in 2013.  Coming to Greensboro in 2006 from northern Virginia, Cherrie joined AAUW in 2007.  Since then, she has been active in the Greensboro Branch book club, program committee, and fund raising.  Other interests include ballroom dancing, gardening, reading, and international travel.  A brand new challenge is golf!

Candidates for Co-President

Jean D’Addario

Jean D’Addario was born in Troy, Ohio and moved with her family to Baltimore, Ohio where she graduated from high school.  Jean received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  During her junior year she studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and is fluent in French.  She has a Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.  She spent many years as a teacher and supervisor of teachers in the public schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Jean joined AAUW in 1965 in Westchester County, New York.  She moved to New Jersey in 1967 and has been active in AAUW ever since. She is currently a member of the Cape Fear (formerly Wilmington NC) Branch.  She has held many local and state offices including President of the Freehold, NJ and Wilmington, NC branches and Vice President of Programs for AAUW NJ.  Most recently she has just completed a two year term as Co-President, AAUW NC.

Jean retired as Registrar of Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, North Carolina. As an experienced teacher, she has led many workshops for local and state groups. She is a trained workshop leader for $tart $mart and has worked closely with the Women’s Studies and Resource Center at UNCW on this program and” Elect Her” as well.  Jean resides with her husband, Ben, in Supply, North Carolina.

Michelle Evans

Michelle Evans is an educational administrator who specializes in university program development. For over 22 years, Michelle has designed, developed, and implemented education and business programs. Michelle’s expertise includes student recruitment, leadership development, project management, business/team development, financial/change management, curriculum design and delivery, all geared to enhance student development and performance.

Michelle has worked for the Duke University School of Medicine for the past 22 years. She began her Duke career in the Department of Ophthalmology where she was the Director of Education. In 2006, Michelle transitioned to School of Medicine Administration and founded the Research Integrity Office. In October 2013, Michelle returned to focus on education and joined the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. She oversees the department’s graduate educational programs including the Master of Biostatistics Program, the Doctorate in Biostatistics Program, and the Clinical Research Training Program, as well as an international online education initiative in clinical research.

In 1990, Michelle received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from North Carolina State University followed by a Master of Business Administration from Meredith College in 1996. In 2016, she completed a Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education with an emphasis in Training and Development at North Carolina State University.

Michelle contributes actively to her community. She is a past State President of Business and Professional Women (BPW) of North Carolina and served as BPW/Triangle, BPW/Raleigh, and BPW/Henderson President. In addition, Michelle has served on the Executive Committee of North Carolina Women United and Board of the Tar Heel Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Candidate for Treasurer: Christi Whitworth

Christi Whitworth lives in Arden, North Carolina, near Asheville. She is an informal educator primarily in astronomy education.  She currently works as an educator at Zaniac, in Asheville and Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, South Carolina. She also volunteers as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Science Education Leadership Association and as Volunteer Instructor Trainer Educator for the American Red Cross. She spent twelve years working as an educator and Director of Learning Experiences at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. She has previously worked as a science museum and zoo educator, public school science teacher and teacher of the gifted, preschool educator and camp counselor. She holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Tennessee Technological University.

She joined the AAUW Tar Heel branch in 2012 and served on its board from 2014 to 2019, including two and a half years as co-president.

Candidates for Directors at Large

Denise Barton

Denise H. Barton, PhD is a Senior Professor with Wake Technical Community College and an adjunct professor with Campbell University. She has served as Business Administration Department Head, Director of Human Resources/EEO Officer and Cultural Diversity Officer; and from 2008 to 2010 she served as the Director of Wake Tech’s Leadership Program. She was recognized in 2015 for her excellence in teaching at Wake Tech and in 2019 as Professor of the Year for Campbell’s Raleigh Campus. She led a team that created the first mentoring program for online faculty at Wake Tech, serves as a member of their Research Colloquium, and as VP of Membership for Wake Tech’s Chapter of AAWCC. She is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Certified Practitioner and Coach and holds the 360 assessment certification from the Center for Creative Leadership. She is internationally published and is respected as an HR, Leadership, Mentoring, and Diversity and Inclusion Expert. She is also President/CEO of Fuzion Effect, LLC consulting with organizations on workplace climate, engagement, and retention strategies.

Ellen Garbarino

Ellen graduated from Christ Hospital School of Nursing and New Jersey State
University (now NJ City University) with a degree in education. Her employment
experiences include Public Health Nurse in Wayne and Schuyler Counties in NY,
where she participated in one of the first in-home Hospice programs in America.
After moving with her husband and four children to Reading, MA, she became
Program Coordinator at The Society for the Presrvation of New Engalnd
Antiquities, (Now Historic New England) and then Director (CEO/CFO) North
Metropolitan Homemaker Home Health Aide Service, and finally Director of
North American Programs at Elderhostel (now Road Scholar).

Retiring to the mountains of Western North Carolina, Ellen joined the
Hendersonville Branch of AAUW where she belongs to the Art and Garden Study
Groups, the How-to Group, chaired the Tea and Fashion Show twice and continues on the committee, participated in the Start Smart program, was President for two years, serves on the Finance Committee, and chairs the STEM committee. She served briefly as STEM contact on the board of AAUWNC.

Ellen Received the AAUW Hendersonville Branch Annual Honor Award this year.

Molly Goldwasser

Molly Goldwasser is the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Duke University. Her current portfolio includes university accreditation, data analytics and trend analysis related to enrollment management, advising, and teaching. She maintains a research portfolio centering on educational access and equity. Molly earned a BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi, and an EdD in Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. She has over a dozen years of teaching and administrative experience in both K-12 and higher education. In addition to her professional roles, Molly is active in her local Habitat for Humanity chapter and eagerly advocates with and for women in all of her endeavors..

Winnie Robinson

Winnie Robinson lives in High Point and is a member of the Greensboro branch. She has an BS in Business Administration from NC A&T University with additional degrees and certificates in management and marketing. Her current professional focus on workforce development includes work as a business consultant for Workforce Associates, coordinating career fairs for business and industry across the Triad, and marketing/recruiting for workforce development programs for youth and adults in collaboration with Guilford County providers, schools, and local employers.

Candidates for Co-President

Jean D’Addario

Jean D’Addario was born in Troy, Ohio and moved with her family to Baltimore, Ohio where she graduated from high school.  Jean received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  During her junior year she studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and is fluent in French.  She has a Master of Science Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.  She spent many years as a teacher and supervisor of teachers in the public schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Jean joined AAUW in 1965 in Westchester County, New York.  She moved to New Jersey in 1967 and has been active in AAUW ever since. She is currently a member of the Cape Fear (formerly Wilmington NC) Branch.  She has held many local and state offices including President of the Freehold, NJ and Wilmington, NC branches and Vice President of Programs for AAUW NJ.  Most recently she has just completed a two year term as Co-President, AAUW NC.

Jean retired as Registrar of Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, North Carolina. As an experienced teacher, she has led many workshops for local and state groups. She is a trained workshop leader for $tart $mart and has worked closely with the Women’s Studies and Resource Center at UNCW on this program and” Elect Her” as well.  Jean resides with her husband, Ben, in Supply, North Carolina.

Michelle Evans

Michelle Evans is an educational administrator who specializes in university program development. For over 21 years, Michelle has designed, developed, and implemented education and business programs. Michelle’s expertise includes student recruitment, leadership development, project management, business/team development, financial/change management, curriculum design and delivery, all geared to enhance student development and performance.

Michelle has worked for the Duke University School of Medicine for the past 21 years. She began her Duke career in the Department of Ophthalmology where she was the Director of Education. In 2006, Michelle transitioned to School of Medicine Administration and founded the Research Integrity Office. In October 2013, Michelle returned to focus on education and joined the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. She oversees the department’s graduate educational programs including the Master of Biostatistics Program, the Doctoral Program in Biostatistics, and the Clinical Research Training Program, as well as an online education initiative in clinical research.

In 1990, Michelle received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from North Carolina State University followed by a Master of Business Administration from Meredith College in 1996. In 2016, she completed a Graduate Certificate Program in Adult Education with an emphasis in Training and Development at North Carolina State University.

Michelle contributes actively to her community. She is a past State President of Business and Professional Women (BPW) of North Carolina and served as BPW/Triangle, BPW/Raleigh, and BPW/Henderson President. In addition, Michelle has served on the Executive Committee of North Carolina Women United and Board of the Tar Heel Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Candidate for Treasurer: Nancy Shoemaker

Nancy, one of the branch co-founders, is running for a fifth*consecutive one-year term as treasurer.  In the ten years she’s been in branch leadership she has worked to make this model of connection to AAUW succeed and has been pleased to see the branch grow.

She serves as AAUW NC web manager (and as past state president helps in other capacities at the state level) and supports a few online, nationwide AAUW communities. She is a member of seven other branches (five of them virtual). Her academic background is in mathematics (BA, MA, PhD), and after a few years in academia, her professional life was spent in a variety of computer support/consulting roles. She has a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke Continuing Education. She lives in Wake County with her husband.

*The branch bylaws established a limit of four years in a single office, and five years on the board. Voting for Nancy implies approval of suspension of the bylaws for this year.

Candidates for Directors at Large

Denise Barton

Denise H. Barton, PhD is a Senior Professor with Wake Technical Community College and an adjunct professor with Campbell University. She has served as Business Administration Department Head, Director of Human Resources/EEO Officer and Cultural Diversity Officer; and from 2008 to 2010 she served as the Director of Wake Tech’s Leadership Program. She was recognized in 2015 for her excellence in teaching at Wake Tech and in 2019 as Professor of the Year for Campbell’s Raleigh Campus. She led a team that created the first mentoring program for online faculty at Wake Tech, serves as a member of their Research Colloquium, and as VP of Membership for Wake Tech’s Chapter of AAWCC. She is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Certified Practitioner and Coach and holds the 360 assessment certification from the Center for Creative Leadership. She is internationally published and is respected as an HR, Leadership, Mentoring, and Diversity and Inclusion Expert. She is also President/CEO of Fuzion Effect, LLC consulting with organizations on workplace climate, engagement, and retention strategies.

Ellen Garbarino

Ellen graduated from Christ Hospital School of Nursing and New Jersey State
University (now NJ City University) with a degree in education. Her employment
experiences include Public Health Nurse in Wayne and Schuyler Counties in NY,
where she participated in one of the first in-home Hospice programs in America.
After moving with her husband and four children to Reading, MA, she became
Program Coordinator at The Society for the Presrvation of New Engalnd
Antiquities, (Now Historic New England) and then Director (CEO/CFO) North
Metropolitan Homemaker Home Health Aide Service, and finally Director of
North American Programs at Elderhostel (now Road Scholar).

Retiring to the mountains of Western North Carolina, Ellen joined the
Hendersonville Branch of AAUW where she belongs to the Art and Garden Study
Groups, the How-to Group, chaired the Tea and Fashion Show twice and continues on the committee, participated in the Start Smart program, was President for two years, serves on the Finance Committee, and chairs the STEM committee. She served briefly as STEM contact on the board of AAUWNC.

Ellen Received the AAUW Hendersonville Branch Annual Honor Award this year.

Molly Goldwasser

Molly Goldwasser is the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Duke University. Her current portfolio includes university accreditation, data analytics and trend analysis related to enrollment management, advising, and teaching. She maintains a research portfolio centering on educational access and equity. Molly earned a BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi, and an EdD in Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. She has over a dozen years of teaching and administrative experience in both K-12 and higher education. In addition to her professional roles, Molly is active in her local Habitat for Humanity chapter and eagerly advocates with and for women in all of her endeavors..

Winnie Robinson

Winnie Robinson lives in High Point and is a member of the Greensboro branch. She has an BS in Business Administration from NC A&T University with additional degrees and certificates in management and marketing. Her current professional focus on workforce development includes work as a business consultant for Workforce Associates, coordinating career fairs for business and industry across the Triad, and marketing/recruiting for workforce development programs for youth and adults in collaboration with Guilford County providers, schools, and local employers.