Officer Nomination Slate for 2025-2027

Co-President Janet Sloey

Janet has served our branch in several capacities.  She was the co-chair of Dollars for Scholars, Co-vice President of Program, and Hospitality Co-chair.  In addition, she assisted with proofreading the monthly newsletter and is currently sending Care Notes.

Janet earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Iowa State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Webster University, and Reading Specialist certification from UMSL.  She has taught preschool through eighth grade, primarily in communication arts and remedial math through a U.S. Department of Education program.  Her hobbies include Tai Chi and Mah Jong.  As a volunteer, she teaches Mah Jong through the Manchester Parks Department.  In 2023 she lost her husband, Mike, just before their 54th anniversary.  She has a son, a daughter, one granddaughter and one grandson.

Co-VP Program, Kathy Skiles

Kathy Skiles joined AAUW Chesterfield after being invited by a previous coworker who was a member.  This co-worker was enthusiastic about the mission of the group and thought Kathy might enjoy the activities the group had to offer.  Indeed, Kathy found this collection of accomplished women to be interesting, thoughtful, and politically active.

Kathy has a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University and two master’s degrees from Lindenwood University.  Education has been her primary focus most of her working life; however, she has also spent time as a real estate investor, a manager of a small grocery store, and has been involved with a fabric business.  She worked as a FACs teacher, gifted educator, counselor, and psychological examiner.

Kathy lives with a Siamese cat and has a daughter in New York.  Reading, traveling, cooking, sewing, and politics are her hobbies.

Vice President Membership Sage Taber

Sage joined AAUW-BC in 2013.  She became involved in branch meetings and committee work from the start.  For three years she participated in the public policy committee while serving in the monthly Court Watch program, a community-based initiative.  In 2021 she was the chair of registration for the Winter Auction and Co-vice president of Program.  Most recently she has served two terms as Co-president of our branch.  She also serves as chair of AAUW Fund on the MO state board.

Sage is a licensed clinical social worker, working for several years in domestic violence prevention.  She retired from BJC Behavioral Health where she worked in community mental health.  She is a volunteer in the St. Louis Public Schools and Soulard Restoration Group.  Her family includes her wife, Becky, two children, Amy and Ben, and three granddaughters.  Sage earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University and a Master of Social Work from Washington University.

Secretary/Archivist, Kathy Lask

Kathy Lask taught at Pattonville Senior High with Marcia Block who invited her to a meeting of AAUW several years ago.  From that first meeting she knew she wanted to be a part of AAUW.  Kathy has since had another friend join.  In addition, a library friend of hers will be attending her first meeting in February after participating in the January Zoom meeting.

Kathy graduated from the College of St. Rose on 6/6/66 and went on to receive a master’s degree +30 credit hours from Webster University.  Kathy taught English for 35 years at different schools.  She taught at Westinghouse House School in Pittsburgh, PA, and then at Berkeley High School for four years.  After her first daughter was born in 1971, she started teaching at Pattonville Senior High until she retired in 2001.

Early in 2002 Kathy began a 21-year career as an assistant librarian with St. Louis County Library at the Sachs Branch.  She retired from the library in 2023, but she continued hosting a Book Discussion Group and coordinating a Warm Up America program.  WUA donates knitted and crocheted items to local charities.  Each year this organization donates hundreds of afghans, scarves, hats, and baby items to area people in need. 

Slate of Elected Directors for 2025-2027

Director Public Policy, Angela Janik

Angela joined AAUW B-C in 2016.  She has been on the branch financial planning, public policy, and the program committees.  Angie has engaged in activities that support branch efforts to shape public policy, specifically the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.  Angela has served as co-vice president of membership and co-director of public policy.  In addition, she has experience as a board member and officer of professional and community volunteer organizations:  a founding charter member of the Michigan Hospital Association Keystone Center Board, Kalamazoo County EMS Board, and elected treasurer of the Michigan Organization of Nurse Leaders.  Angie was on the Kalamazoo Hospital Hospitality House Board, the American Red Cross Blood Service Board for Chesapeake Bay region, and was a board and committee member including secretary of the Executive Women’s Golf Association of St. Louis.  She earned a bachelor of nursing from the University of Michigan, a master of nursing from the Catholic University of America, and a master of business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College.

 AAUW Fund Co-Director, Karen B. Francis  

Karen is a retired educator having been a classroom teacher and counselor in Pattonville and a high school administrator in Rockwood.  After retiring she volunteered at Legal Advocates for Abused Women, was a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and has worked as a counselor at Hope Clinic for Women.  She has been a passionless supporter of AAUW since joining in 2010, serving as branch president, public policy chair, college university liaison, and now as AAUW fund chair.  At the state level, Karen is the immediate past state president.  She has chaired the Public Policy Committee and served as the Start Smart and Work Smart coordinator.  Karen was part of the leadership team at the AAUW Central State’s Regional Conference in 2023 and chairs the annual AAUW MO Legislative Briefing.  At the National level, Karen has chaired the National Public Policy Committee and currently serves on the National Inclusion and Equity Committee.  In addition to her leadership with AAUW, Karen is president of Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice.  Karen has served on the Board of Safe Connections as well as the local and state board of National Women’s Political Caucus.  In her ‘spare’ time, she loves to be with her family and seven grandchildren.  Traveling and attending theatre round out her year.