• 4 Way Test of the Things We Think, Say, or Do, led by Dan Nash

• Ernst led us in singing the Rotary Welcome Song and My Grandfather's Clock

• Birthdays/Anniversaries: Jane Mason, 30 years in Rotary!  Marion Steiner, 12 years in Rotary! Hank Clarke will celebrate his birthday on Mondy, St. Patty's Day

• Thought of the Day – Ernst reflected on indulgences and payment for indulgences in the Catholic Church
  • Historically, indulgences were sometimes linked to earning time out of Purgatory, and the abuse of indulgences was a primary cause of the Protestant Reformation in the early sixteenth century. 

• Our lunch buffet again was full of a wide variety of choices.

• Program – District 7850's Speech Contest Round Two.  See story above.

• Books in honor of our speakers for the Kilton Library.

Loujain Dreams of Sunflowers

 

by Uma Mishra-Newbery (Author), Lina Al-Hathloul (Author), Rebecca Green (Illustrator)

 

A courageous girl follows her dream of learning to fly in this "clever narrative" filled with “extraordinary spirit… gorgeous colors… a magical quality” (New York Times). Inspired by formerly imprisoned human rights activist Loujain AlHathloul, this sparkling fantasy story is perfect for fans of Malala’s Magic Pencil and the Rebel Girls series.

"Poetic, moving, and empowering.” - Kirkus Reviews

Loujain watches her beloved baba attach his feather wings and fly each morning, but her own dreams of flying face a big obstacle: only boys, not girls, are allowed to fly in her country. Yet despite the taunts of her classmates, she is determined to do it—especially because Loujain loves colors, and only by flying can she see the color-filled field of sunflowers her baba has told her about. Eventually, he agrees to teach her, and Loujain's impossible dream becomes reality—and soon other girls dare to learn to fly.

Based on the experiences of co-author Lina AlHathloul's sister, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Loujain AlHathloul, who led the successful campaign to lift Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving, this moving and gorgeously illustrated story reminds us to strive for the changes we want to see—and to never take for granted women's and girls' freedoms.

 

 

The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist

 

by Deidre Havrelock (Author), Aphelandra (Illustrator)

 

Author Deidre Havrelock’s and illustrator Aphelandra’s The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity

nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . .
ninikamonân (We are singing) . . .
mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . .

Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family’s music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums’ heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own.

As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her—even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree.

Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out.

Includes both an author’s note and illustrator’s note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.

Rotary honors a teacher and mentor with the 2025 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award

This Turkish Rotarian has promoted women’s financial literacy, funded scholarships for girls, and provided relief to earthquake victims

By Etelka Lehoczky

Ayda Özeren , a member of the Rotary Club of Izmir-Gündogdu, Izmir, Turkey, is the 2025 recipient of Rotary’s Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award.

“We have to change the leadership process. We should make more women leaders,” she says.

Özeren has spent years conducting financial literacy workshops for women as well as organizing mentorship opportunities and tutoring programs for girls. She published a book and donated all the proceeds to funding girls’ scholarships. In 2023-24, as governor of Rotary District 2440, she took the lead in relief efforts for victims of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes.

“I find her remarkable and inspiring, because whatever she does, she does it with her heart,” says Yeşim Yöney , a member of the Rotary E-Club of District 2440, who co-nominated Özeren for the award. “She’s a hard worker, a good planner, and she is somebody who is positive, who embraces people. I think that’s a very important thing in a leader.”

Özeren studied political science, international relations, and marketing. While pursuing a career in the banking industry, she learned how to be a teacher. She began conducting financial literacy seminars after her bank developed a program to provide startup funding to female entrepreneurs. Through Rotary, she led similar classes for women in rural areas, factories, and schools. She visited more than 100 factories and small manufacturing companies, educating around 8,000 women about finances and economic empowerment. It was by teaching others, Özeren says, that she learned how to lead.

“As a result of doing so many coaching programs, I became a facilitator. I became a trainer,” she says. “At the same time, I started tutoring in a university, giving lessons in strategic management. It was a little tough, it was very challenging for me, because I had to study each subject first before I could give a lecture to the students.”

Özeren found her next avocation almost by accident. She decided to try writing a blog, called Diary of a Banker, and discovered her talents as a communicator. In 2021 she published a book, “Aziz Coguz Biziz” (the title, she explains, translates roughly to “We are more when we are together”). She resolved to donate her royalties to pay for scholarships for girls, funding around 1,000 scholarships.

“Nobody pushed her to write a book,” Yöney says. “She just said, ‘I’m going to donate all the proceeds to empowering girls with scholarships.’ She’s a strong personality. As a woman leader myself, I really admire her.” Click Here to Read More