Martha Griffiths Equity Award Recipient

Susan H. Grant, a retired attorney and district court judge, received the Martha Griffiths Equity Award.Grant first learned about AAUW while living in Florida and working on the campaign to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. She moved to Big Rapids in 1977 and soon joined the AAUW-Big Rapids branch. Grant was instrumental in the campaign to induct BIg Rapids’ most famous former resident, women’s suffrage leader Anna Howard Shaw, into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In recognition for her leadership role in this effort, Grant had the honor of accepting Shaw’s award at the induction ceremony in Seneca Falls in 2000.

Grant’s childhood ambition was to be an attorney, but she was told that girls couldn’t be lawyers. In 1978 she defied naysayers and headed to law school. She earned her JD from Wayne State University in 1981. When she began practicing law in Big Rapids with the Legal Aid office, she was the only woman attorney in town. She went into private practice in 1986 with an established firm and later started her own practice. Grant enjoyed trial work and decided to run for office when a judicial vacancy developed. In 1996, she was elected 77th District Court Judge for Mecosta and Osceola Counties. Grant served three six-year terms and was the first woman judge in the area.

To cap off her judicial career, Grant established the West Michigan Regional Sobriety Court during her final term. Grant was uniquely qualified for this task since she also holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. She utilized this training as participants completed the two-year program. Grant retired from the bench in 2015 and served as a mentor to the female judges who have followed in her footsteps in Mecosta and Osceola Counties.

Never one to sit idle, Grant continued to serve her community as a part-time, contract attorney for the Mecosta County Department of Health and Human Services handling child protection cases until last year when she retired from that position. Over the years, Grant has also served as a volunteer, sponsor, and/or board member for numerous community organizations.

AAUW of Michigan is honored to recognize Susan H. Grant 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, known as the “Mother of the ERA.” 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
• 2024 Anne Gautreau

Young Leader Award Recipient

Dr. Sarah Lucas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religions at Ferris State University, was presented with the 2026 AAUWMI Young Leader Award, which honors members who are seen as budding leaders within their branches. Lucas is a Big Rapids native and a graduate of Big Rapids High School and Ferris State University, where she ea

rned a bachelor’s degree in integrative studies. She earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University and completed her PhD in philosophy from Purdue University last year.

Lucas joined AAUW-Big Rapids when she returned to her hometown to teach at Ferris. Lucas is currently the co-Membership Vice President for the Big Rapids branch and a member of the AAUWMI Membership Committee that works to share best practices in member recruitment and retention with all branches statewide. She chaired the Big Rapids branch scholarship committee this past year, and she has been an active participant in the branch’s annual used book sale that raises funds to support the scholarships. Lucas is active in the Big Rapids community as a board member for the WISE women’s shelter and the chair of the Big Rapids Community Library Board of Trustees.

It is a pleasure to recognize Dr. Sarah Lucas 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
2024 Julia Heck, Ann Arbor Branch

Liz Kummer Award Recipient

Sally Doty is a passionate advocate for the mission of AAUW. Upon her retirement in 2000, Doty was recruited by the Birmingham branch. Experiencing her first branch Explorathon was the impetus for Doty to become not just an active member, but an inspiring branch leader. Doty has served in multiple leadership positions at both the branch and state level. She is a past AAUWMI President and served multiple terms as Finance Director. She spearheaded the creation of the Birmingham branch‘s Foundation and strongly promotes financial support of AAUW’s various mission-based funds to her branch members.

Doty’s outstanding people skills have been effective in enlisting and encouraging many members to step into leadership roles, both at the branch and state level.

The Liz Kummer Award recipient is chosen by the AAUW of Michigan board. Board members are pleased to recognize Sally Doty 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 Sawyer, 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
• 2024 Janet Denise Watkins