On Thursday the Pueblo YWCA will recognize achievements of 13 exceptional women. Two of the 13 nominees, were formerly associated with Colorado State University-Pueblo.Brandi Moore, the executive director of the Pueblo YWCA said the women will receive the Anna Taussig Tribute Award.
Taussig tribute named after AnnaTaussig, who died in 2006, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York, Taussig moved to Colorado Springs where she earned her master’s degree in French literature.
Taussig was a volunteer for the League of Women Voters, the Sangre De Cristo Art Center, and Zonta Club of Pueblo, El Pueblo Museum and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Taussig had been a long time volunteer of the YWCA of Pueblo.
“Anna was a volunteer extraordinaire, and wanted to give her entire self,” said Moore.
Taussig taught foreign languages. French, German, Russian, at Pueblo County High and the then University of Southern Colorado, now CSU-Pueblo. Taussig retired in 1977 and stayed active in her volunteer work.
The Anna Taussig Tribute Award began after a YWCA board decision in 2002 to honor Taussig for her expertise and donations of both time and money. Moore expressed that Taussig had done so much for the YWCA.
Moore described Taussig as “strong in a gentle way” while she went on to say that Taussig got things done. Moore said there was a story about budget cuts that took place when Taussig taught at the CSU-Pueblo.
Moore said that the story was that Taussig found out her language arts department was one to have the budget cut, Taussig went in stood her ground, while persuading the president of the importance of the language arts department. Taussig made her point and her department was saved.
Moore said the YWCA lets the public select the nominees. Once on the list, the YWCA turns the names over to Penrose Hospital, for the final decision.
The nominees this year are: Sue Applbaum, Teresa Baros, Jovita Chavez, Paula Chostner, Eileen Dennis, Sally Mara, Fram Mc Clave, Marcie Reynolds, Rose Romero, Dorothy Sanchez, Sueyko “Sue” Takaki, and Jan Williams.
This year’s speaker will be Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Gold Medalist and gymnast. The Board of Commissioners will be the presenters for the awards.
The event will take place at Pueblo Convention Center, May 21, with a dinner followed by the presentations. The cost will be $60 dollars. For more information contact Brandi Moore 719-542-6904, or e-mail [email protected]