Category Archives: AAUW Speaker Series

AAUW Speaker Series, Public

AAUW Talk: Finding Hope Within 10/21/2025

To launch their 2025-26 speaker series, on Tuesday evening, October 21 at 7:00pm AAUW (American Association of University Women) and Ilsley Library will host an interactive presentation in the Johnson Gallery at Middlebury College by John Vincent and Heather Newcomb, co-curators of the art exhibit “Finding Hope Within.” This traveling exhibit features works by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Vermont artists, and has been viewed throughout the state since its opening at the Rokeby Museum in 2023.

John Vincent, a retired police officer, poet, and letterpress printer, will share the story of his business, A Revolutionary Press, which is committed to amplifying the voices of incarcerated writers and poets, detailing how this particular initiative evolved into direct collaborations with artists “inside.” Heather Newcomb is a community advocate at Vermont Works for Women, interacting as a certified somatic life coach with women living in poverty, battling addiction, or involved with our justice system to support their paths towards fulfillment and economic independence. Newcomb approaches her work through the lens of lived experience as a woman in long-term recovery from addiction and a history with the legal system, and as a single mother receiving public assistance.

AAUW Speaker Series, Public

Navigating Depths: My Voyage in Ocean Robotics,” An AAUW Speaker Series Talk

Jaine Perotti is a Robotics Engineer living in Richmond, Vermont. She graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2022 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Robotics and Physics. She works for a Vermont-based company which specializes in custom subsea robotics software and several marine robots designed to perform different tasks.

Jaine has been involved mainly in mapping and navigation software. Her software will be deployed on the US Navy’s fleet of EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) robots in order to map and track mines in the water. Her current project is developing SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) software to help improve navigation accuracy on a ship hull-cleaning robot. Customers of the ship-hull cleaning service include major cruise lines. Jaine will be giving a talk on her career trajectory, from her college education all the way up through her current projects. Sponsored by the Middlebury Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

AAUW Speaker Series, Public

AAUW Speaker Series: Women and Intercollegiate Athletics

 

Cornwall Native Julie Power Ruppert speaks on Female Leadership Perspectives on Navigating Intercollegiate Athletics Today. Ruppert shares her inspiring success story in a field largely dominated by men. She made history by being named the first woman NCAA Northeast-10 Division II commissioner, and now has the longest tenure in Northeast-10 Conference history. Ruppert frequently represents Division II at national events, and is an active member of Women Leaders in College Sports.

Sponsored by AAUW (American Association of University Women) and Ilsley Public Library.

Producer: MCTV

AAUW Speaker Series, Public

AAUW Speaker Series: On Being Enough, Combating Perfectionism Through Self-Compassion

 

Join us for an inspiring evening with University of Vermont physician and educator Dr. Naomi Hodde as she shares practical strategies and evidence-based techniques for overcoming limiting beliefs and fostering self-compassion in all aspects of life. Drawing from her extensive experience as a physician and professor of medicine, Dr. Hodde has observed firsthand the detrimental effects of perfectionism, particularly among women and students of color in the medical field. Through her mentorship and coaching initiatives, she actively addresses and challenges the imposter syndrome and self-doubt that often hinder professional growth and success. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into navigating the pressures of perfectionism and cultivating a confident and resilient mindset. Sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Ilsley Public Library.

Producer: MCTV

AAUW Speaker Series, Public

AAUW Speaker Series: Embracing Solitude for Psychological Wellbeing

 

The prospect of being alone elicits diverse reactions: some of us desire more time by ourselves, while others of us avoid it at all costs. To “be alone” is complex because it includes the possibility of loneliness as well as the potential for positive solitude. When chosen, solitude is a restorative and generative state that plays a significant role in psychological wellbeing. It’s also a radical act in a culture that rewards extroversion and is saturated by social media. In this talk, Virgina (Gina) Thomas, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Middlebury College,  shares her research findings on why people seek solitude, how they benefit from it, and the skills they use to enjoy time alone. Dr. Thomas earned her PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, with an emphasis in Feminist Studies.  As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Thomas studies social and emotional development throughout the lifespan, especially the role of solitude in identity development and psychological well-being. Her research identifies key differences in loneliness and solitude, explores how solitary engagement with social media and digital devices affects well-being, and investigates the skills necessary to use solitude constructively. Learn more about her work at www.virginiathomas.net. Sponsored by the Middlebury chapter of AAUW.

Producer: MCTV