Volume 13 • Number 9
The Voice of the Catalina Foothills
May 3, 2023
www.tucsonlocalmedia.com
INSIDE Sister José Women’s Center welcomes new CEO BY VERONICA KUFFEL Tucson Weekly Staff
Marana chef writes recipes for revenge | Page 10
Get a happiness boost at Antsy Nancy | Page 12
Thrive and Grow Farms tour shares regenerative farming methods | Page 13
ean Fedigan opened a shelter in a small house for women experiencing homelessness, believing it would be sufficient to aid the crisis in 2009. As the guest numbers increased, she was surprised. “We see few on the street, but there are many, many more that remain hidden, abused, frightened and hungry,” Fedigan
said. “That to me is unconscionable, we should not let any of it happen to anyone.” Fedigan is the founder of the Sister José Women’s Center and has spent 14 years maintaining it for women throughout the city. At 75 years old, she said it’s time to pass the torch and step into a new role as chief mission officer, allowing her to be more present within the center. Previous chief operating officer Nicola Hartmann will be the nonprofit’s second chief execu-
tive officer. Hartmann has worked for The Sister José Women’s Center for a year and a half and understood the importance of continuing Fedigan’s mission. This year alone, the nonprofit has seen a 42% increase in the women it serves, many displaced through eviction and rising rent. It’s a number Hartmann noted with a mix of pride and See SISTER JOSÉ Page 6
Tucson native supports versatile Navy missions BY ENSIGN BRITTANY CROCKER Navy Office of Community Outreach
P
etty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Sisk, a native of Tucson, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12. Sisk joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Sisk serves as a yeoman. “I joined the Navy to explore career opportunities and find new direction,” Sisk said. Sisk attended Sahuarita High School and graduated in 2020. Skills and values similar to those found in Tucson led to success in the military. “I learned to do my best at everything regardless of how I feel about the task at hand,” Sisk said. These lessons have helped Sisk while serving with the Navy. Members of HM 12 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters
are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines. This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as “The First Six,” earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. As a member of the Navy, Sisk is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive war- Tucson native Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Sisk is fighting capabilities and sustaining com- grateful for all the friends he’s made in the Navy.
Serving all of Tucson Specializing in the Foothills
(Chief Mass Communication Specialist Terah Bryant,
See NAVY Page 8 Navy Office of Community Outreach/Submitted)