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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

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48 Women begins an intriguing search BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tribune Staff Writer

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early 10-years after its initial publication, the nonpro�it 48 Arizona Women has begun a search for a new list of intriguing women to commemorate in its next book. Originally conceptualized as part of the state’s centennial celebration, the group is looking for a new and diverse group of women to feature in a new book, “Arizona’s 48 Most Intriguing Women—A New Decade.” “We’re looking for women who have been innovators, have done great research, are in the trades or are astronauts,” 48 Women Committee Chair Connie Robinson said. “We’re looking at areas that are mainly male dominated and have women that are making a great difference.” While a decade has passed since the �irst edition of the book hit shelves, Robinson feels that events in the past year

and a half have proven the strength and resilience of women in Arizona as well as around the globe. “When we look at the original ‘48 Arizona’s Most Intriguing Women,’ it was tied to the centennial and the remarkable work,” she said. “The world has witnessed and been involved in a pandemic like we have never known in our lifetime, and I think that the work of those women who were on the frontlines for COVID-19 relief and those who helped lead the charge in healthcare, law enforcement and scholars will be recognized.” Robinson also thinks that the work women have done throughout the pandemic could serve as a nexus event. “I think the impact of the pandemic is going to show us a whole new look at how women lead young and seasoned women throughout the second iteration of 48 Arizona Women,” she said. Robinson hopes the other contrast in the new edition will be the diversity of

the women featured. “We know that diversity, equity and inclusion is a driver for the world today and we were very fortunate to have such a diverse lineup of women in the original 48 Arizona Women from every ethnicity,” she said, adding: “We believe that this book, from the educational perspective, will reach those underserved girls who will see faces that look like theirs and say I can be this and I can do that too.” Robinson has already witnessed the impact the �irst book has had on young women. “We feel that the book itself has motivated young girls,” she said. “We’re talking to a young lady who is an Oxford grad and has said that the book really inspired her, particularly the parts about Judge Barbara Mundell and Judge Roxanne Song Ong.” Mundell and Song Ong are just a few of the standouts from the �irst edition. “We traveled the state from the White

Mountains to Yuma, Sierra vista to Sedona and identi�ied women who were doing incredible work from Chief Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to Delphine Rodriguez, who is an ordained minister and a member of the San Carlos Apache tribe that ministered to and assisted in the reentry of incarcerated women,” Robinson said. Other individuals Robinson spoke highly of were Carmen Bermúdez, Mary Black and Virginia Counts. Bermúdez was a famous bull�ighter in Costa Rica before coming to Arizona and opening the �irst Latina-led mission trust in Tucson. The book also identi�ied Mary Black, who opened the �irst and only Black Family and Child Services and there was also Virginia Counts, who worked at Honeywell at the time and led the team that was responsible for creating the safety lever that Captain Chelsea

families. The raf�le coincides with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. “Words can’t express our gratitude to Valley Toyota Dealers and excitement about the opportunity to raf�le a beautiful new Highlander,” said Patti Luttrell, executive director of CCN. “We also are so grateful to Jeff Noble Photo for donating beautiful photography and giving our kids a chance to step into the spotlight.” Jackson and his big brother, Ethan, smiled for the camera alongside cancer survivors and their siblings from across the Valley. Also in attendance were Jace Hyduchak and his little brother, Brig. Jackson and Jace are best friends and classmates –

and Jace, too, is a cancer-survivor. “These boys have fought so hard and have come so far,” said Jackson and Ethan’s mom, Kelli Dupps. “Experiencing childhood cancer is something that changes you forever. These kids are our biggest teachers. They are a constant reminder of what is truly important and of what matters the most.” The raf�le provides Arizonans a simple opportunity to make a difference for families facing a devastating diagnosis. Tickets are priced at $20 for one or $50 for three and are available for purchase at cnwinacar2021.givesmart.com. CCN will sell a maximum of 8,000 tickets, and the winning ticket will be drawn Sept. 30. Proceeds from the raf�le will be used

to cover basic needs for Arizona families �ighting pediatric cancer – things like gas and grocery gift cards. The American Childhood Cancer Organization notes that 60 percent of families in the United States battling cancer reported spending as much as $10,000 annually on non-medical expenses, including parking, meals away from home and childcare, during their child’s treatment. “CCN picks up where insurance leaves off,” Luttrell said. “Beyond the medical costs, there are so many expenses that people can’t possibly anticipate. A huge portion of the money we raise is used to help families with basic living expenses – such as gas, groceries and even beds.”

EV cancer group raf�ling 2021 Toyota SUV BY TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

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f you have cancer, Children’s Cancer Network will always be there for you.” Fifth grader Jackson Dupps said this and much more last Saturday when he and a dozen other pediatric cancer survivors and their families came together at the CCN’s of�ices in Chandler. The occasion for the get-together? A photo shoot of the cancer �ighters and their siblings with a brand-new 2021 Toyota Highlander XLE, a donation from Valley Toyota Dealers to bene�it Arizona families �ighting a nightmare disease. CCN is raf�ling off the Highlander this month in hopes of raising $150,000 – money that will be used to serve local

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