Martha Griffiths Equity Award Recipient

Christine Greig was elected to serve the 37th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014, 2016, and 2018. In her second term, she was elected Minority Floor Leader. In her final term, she served as the House Democratic Leader of the 52 member democratic caucus, only the second women to lead a House caucus. While in office, Greig served on the committees of Communications and Technology, Education and Workforce and Talent Development. In addition, she was the Vice Chair of the Progressive Women’s Caucus. She also mentored five state representatives. Currently, Greig is working at Future Now as a Senior Advisor for Lawmaker Engagement. In this position, she works with legislators from other states in exploring policies that improve lives.

Earlier in her professional career, Grieg worked as an application software expert for Anderson Consulting and later worked for Kmart, overseeing the implementation of their human resource systems. In 1994, she became co-owner of Fulcrum Computer Services, based in Farmington Hills.

Greig was the founder and former executive director of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation and is currently on their Board. She was President of the Farmington Area PTA Council from 2008 to 2011. She has served on several national boards, including Let America Vote and the Mathematics Pentathlon Institute. She is a member of the Farmington branch of AAUW.

AAUW of Michigan is honored to recognize Christine Greig as the recipient of the Martha Griffiths Equity Award for her commitment, energy, and perseverance in promoting equity for women and girls.

This award was established in 2008 to honor Martha Griffiths. Griffiths was elected in 1948 to the first of two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, was later a Recorders Court Judge, and then served as a US Congresswoman until 1974. She was the first woman to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, as well as chair the House Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy. Her unique abilities enabled her to accomplish significant legislation, which included moving the Equal Rights Amendment out of Congressional Committee and securing passage of Title IX. In 1982 she was elected Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.

Recipients of the Martha Griffiths Equity Award have promoted equity for women and girls in a demonstrable manner. Recipients need not be AAUW members.

Past recipients include:

• 2008 Erma Henderson
• 2010 Laura Carter Callow
• 2012 G. Asenath Andrews
• 2014 Jean Ledwith King
• 2016 Karlyn Rapport
• 2018 Gladys Holdeman McKinney
• 2022 Christine Greig

Young Leader Award Recipient

Judi Cox has made an incredible contribution to the Midland branch and to her community. She is a graduate of Mid-Michigan Community College, with an Associate Degree in Nursing and Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in nursing education. Currently she is teaching at Saginaw Valley State University as an Assistant Professor of Nursing and is the Vice President of the Sigma Theta Tau, Theta Chi chapter, which is an Honors Society of Nursing at Saginaw Valley State University.

Cox joined the Midland branch a little over four years ago and hit the ground running. She has contributed to the branch in many ways and is currently the Scholarship Chair, working with the Midland Area Community Foundation. She has helped define and finalize the new Trade/Technical Scholarship for women, as well as monitoring the High School Senior, Women in Transition, and Midland Believes scholarships. The Midland Believes scholarship is for the first in a family to attend college.

Cox’s work as Membership Committee Vice President resulted in the addition of five new members to the branch. Also, Midland’s social media presence is now more current, after she added @aauwmidlandmi to Twitter and Instagram to appeal to younger women.

In addition to her full-time career teaching nursing education, Cox continues to work at the bedside and finds time to show her commitment to life-long learning and helping the community by volunteering at the Food Pantry, the Writing Center, and the Humane Society. She also participates in medical missions, both domestically and internationally.

It is a pleasure to recognize Judi Cox as the recipient of the Young Leader Award. She is already showing us what a strong leader she is and will continue to be.

The Young Leader Award was first given by AAUW of Michigan in 2006. Its purpose was to replicate an award developed by the Association to encourage involvement of young leaders in the mission of the organization. This award was designed to recognize members who were seen as budding leaders within their branches. Recipients of this award have recognized the importance of life- long educational goals and life-long learning in the community. They have participated actively in branch activities and have indicated an interest in participating actively at the state or national level. The recipient must be age 45 or younger and have been an AAUW member for a minimum of three (3) years.

Past recipients of the Young Leader Award include:

2006 Samkeliso Charmaine Mawocha, Ann Arbor Branch
2008 Kim Enders, Rochester Branch
2010 Sandra Ianucci, Plymouth-Canton Branch
2012 Crinela Todea, Wyandotte-Downriver Branch
2014 Yvette Wernick, Ann Arbor Branch
2016 Amy Shamroe, Traverse City Area Branch
2018 Amy Everhart Perry, Albion Branch
2022 Judi Cox, Midland Branch

Liz Kummer Award Recipient

Sharon Belobraidich has been a member of the Plymouth-Canton branch since 1972 and is a Golden Recognition Award recipient. Her many activities at the branch level include being president and holding other branch offices, sometimes more than one at the same time. She has been a member of the Plymouth-Canton Play Group for 47 years.

Belobraidich served on the AAUW of Michigan Board from 2001-2016 in many roles including Secretary, Program Vice President, International Affairs Director, AAUW Funds Director, and Initiative Director, and Branch Liaison Co-Director. She has also been an active member of the Southeastern Consortium, having served as the chairperson, and she has served as the Credentials Committee Chairperson for each annual meeting since 2010, including the 2022 annual meeting in Midland.

The Liz Kummer Award recipient is chosen by the AAUW of Michigan board. Board members are pleased to recognize Sharon Belobraidich for her longtime service to AAUW and for being an ardent and diligent advocate for the mission of AAUW.

AAUW of Michigan established the Liz Kummer Award in 1979 to honor the memory of Elizabeth B. Kummer, a longtime member of AAUW and an ardent, diligent advocate for the public policy positions and educational goals of the organization. The purpose of this award is to recognize those who have advanced the goals and ideals of AAUW in an exceptional and significant manner. The Liz Kummer recipient was chosen by the AAUW of Michigan board at their 2022 winter board meeting.

Past recipients of the Liz Kummer Award include:

• 1979 Ruth McNamee
• 1981 Bette Wilson
• 1983 Betty Davis
• 1985 Elly Peterson
• 1987 Christine Jacobson
• 1991 Patrice Elms
• 1993 Harriet Sawyet, Ed.D
• 1995 Diane Neth Covel
• 1997 Katherine Tobin
• 1999 Barbara Bonsignore
• 2002 Lynette R. Brown
• 2004 Laura Carter Callow
• 2006 Gladys M. Beckwith, Ph.D
• 2009 Jane P.K. Strand
• 2011 M. Jean Jokipii
• 2013 Vida Sisco
• 2015 Josie Burke
• 2017 Mickey Edell
• 2022 Sharon Belobraidich