The Arcadia Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) had the double pleasure of presenting two of its members with the Woman of Achievement Award for 2009 at a recent meeting.
This award has been given annually since 1985 to a woman who exemplifies the AAUW purpose of promoting equity and education for women and girls and has achieved status in her profession. Honorees Julia Swab and Robin Graney, both Arcadia residents, were lauded by fellow members for their accomplishments in their professions and for the service given by them to their communities.
Julia Swab Woman of Achievement Julia Swab took her nurse’s training in St. Paul, Minnesota, but spent most of her nursing practice as school nurse with the El Monte City School District. In her twenty-three years with the district, Swab developed dental health programs and was a nurse for orthopedically handicapped students at Byron Thompson School in El Monte. She had the pleasure of opening Durfee School in the district as school nurse. Later, she served as nurse for Head Start programs in El Monte for many years. A forty-seven year member of AAUW, Swab has served the Arcadia Branch as Treasurer, Educational Foundation Vice President, Membership Vice President, and bridge group chairperson. Her community service includes acting as Influenza Clinic and Polio Vaccine Clinic Organizer in the San Gabriel Valley for many years. During her forty-year membership in Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Arcadia, Swab has given generously of her time by helping in Sunday School with clerical work and making colorful teddy bears for fund-raisers. She belongs to several professional organizations, including the California School Nurses’ Organization and the California Retired Teachers’ Association.
Robin Graney Woman of Achievement Robin Graney also spent her professional years in education. Graney received a B. A. in English from CSU-Los Angeles and her M. A. in Education from the University of LaVerne. She taught elementary classes for thirty-five years in the Glendale Unified School District. Graney received the Teacher of the Year Award at Glendale’s Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. In the Arcadia Branch of AAUW, Graney has held many positions, including Secretary, Educational Foundation Vice President, Program Vice President, and Arcadia Branch President. She chairs the popular Adventurers group, a dining-out group that members enjoy. Active in community volunteerism, Graney is currently Assistant Coordinator of the Arcadia English Conversation Class co-sponsored by the Arcadia Public Library and Arcadia AAUW. She also volunteers at the Arcadia Assistance League’s Bargain Box Thrift Store. Other volunteer efforts include fundraising for the British Home in Sierra Madre and serving as secretary to the Regent Daughters of the British Empire-Killarney Chapter. Graney’s affiliations include the College Women’s Club of Pasadena, in which she is Program Vice President, and the California Retired Teachers’ Association. As a member of Arcadia’s Church of the Good Shepherd, she participates in its book group and writer’s group.
The Arcadia Branch of the American Association of University Women was pleased to honor both Julia Swab and Robin Graney for their many fine achievements.