IN PROGRESS

Regional Coordinators
A History

Vonnie Alto at February 2024 meeting

Discovering Jane:
  • I discovered Jane Austen when I was a junior in high school and watched the BBC 1980 Masterpiece version of Pride and Prejudice. Afterwards, I visited B. Dalton Bookstore and purchased the complete novels of Jane Austen in 2 volumes,  illustrated by Warren Chappell. I promptly devoured Pride And Prejudice and got hooked on Jane.
 
Finding JASNA:
  • I heard about JASNA through Bill Boyd who was the 2010 RC and Portland AGM Registration Chair. He emailed Rose City Romance Writers (of which we both belong) and offered complimentary entrance to the Emporium for volunteering at the AGM! I jumped at the opportunity and also met Bill who became a lifelong friend and a Jane Austen inspiration. I started attending meetings sporadically due to caregiving challenges. The Tribute Grant Coordinator, Kim Higgins encouraged me to apply for our region's Tribute Grant. I joined in 2015 and applied for the Tribute Grant in 2016. After I returned from the 2016 AGM (as a Tribute Grant recipient), I co-presented with Bill. Then RC Margaret Christmann asked me to serve as Secretary.
Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • My cat, Peaches was one of hundreds of cats photographed and the last cat photographed for the book, Pride & Prejudice and Kitties: A Cat Lover's Romp Through Jane Austen's Classic by Deborah Guyol and Pamela Jane. Peaches made the cut and appeared as the portly Mr. Collins!
Vonnie's Contributions
  • RC Term: 2023 - Current
  • Tribute Grant Coordinator 2025
  • Recreated our Board History: 2024 -
  • Created out Regional Coordinator's History: 2024
  • Restructured our region's finances with Treasurer 1: 2024
  • Held our first hybrid meeting: 2024
  • Created an online Tribute Grant Vote: 2024
  • Tribute Grant Judge 2023 
  • Website Manager/Archivist 2021 - Current
  • Website & Facebook Co-Manager 2019 - 2021
  • Secretary 2017- 2023. (First member to serve all 3 secretarial terms and consecutively)
  • Tribute Grant Recipient 2016
  • Volunteer, Registration/Information Desk, Portland AGM 2010
Co-Presentations:
  • What Happened in 1803 and in Jane Austen's Life: A Conversation with Lord Boyd and Lady Alto
  • What Happened in 1817: The Year Jane Austen Died: A Conversation with Lord Boyd and Lady Alto
Publications:
  • Contributor of 50+ annotated book reviews to The Regency Realm: A Continuing Compendium of References on Regency England, The Beau Monde, Regency Fiction Writers 2002 - 2004
  • Articles in newsletters: Romance Writers of America 1994 - 2015
  • Book Reviewer, Gothic Journal, 1992 - 1994
  • Poem published in Salem Statesman Journal - 1994
  • Poems published in The Beacon newspaper and Writers magazine 1984 - 1986
Awards:
  • Winning Essay in "Finnish American Society of the West" Literary Contest published in Finnish-American Reporter - 1992
  • Blue Key Award 1st/2nd Prize, Poems, University of Portland,  published in Writers magazine, Spring - Fall 1986
Education/Professional Background:
  • Brand Partner - Think Goodness (2021 - Current), Office Specialist - Galt Foundation (2016 - 2020), Freelance Administrative Support (2013 - 2016). Former employment: Multnomah County Library, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • PRO status. Romance Writers of America, 8/20/20
  • M.A. Degree. History, University of Portland, 1992
  • M.A. Thesis: History of Women's Millinery in the U.S. 1620-1920
  • Post-Graduate. History - Portland State University 1988 -1991
  • B.A. Degree. Triple Major: English/Psychology/History, 1986
    • Minor: French
                    Linda Olson, 2022 Vancouver AGM
Linda's Contributions
  • Treasurer 2:  2023 - Current
  • RC Term: 2021 - 2023
  • Tribute Grant Recipient 2021
Presentations:
  • Sister Novelists: A Biography of the Porter Sisters by Devoney Looser
  • The Georgian Theatre: Mayhem, Madness, and Excitement
  • Communications Regency Style: Regency Letters, Austen's Letters, and Letters in the Novels (Co-Presenter)
  • Discussion of Video Stream, The Many Duals of Sense and Sensibility by Suzannah Fullerton (plenary talk, 2022 AGM)
  • Regency Fabrics and Natural/Anolin Dyes
Education/Professional Background:
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
 Marcia Hamley wearing a tee-shirt from 2/2021 Pacific Northwest
Super-Regional Gathering

Discovering Jane:
  • As a Jane Austen film fan since 1995, when I read Deborah Yaffe's book "Among the Janeites" in 2017, I was so intrigued by what she had to say about JASNA AGMs that I immediately joined JASNA, read Pride and Prejudice (my first reading of any Jane Austen) and attended my first AGM that October - it was a whirlwind of excitement!

Finding JASNA: 
  • ORSWWA RC Margaret Christmann sent me a welcome letter at some point, and I attended my first local meeting in November of 2017. I loved the camaraderie and intellectual discussion -- I was hooked!

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
Marcia's Contributions
  • Facebook Manager 2021 - Current
  • Co-RC Term: 2019 - 2021
  • Co-Chair of Pacific Northwest Super-Regional Gathering: (2/2021)
  • Created Jane Austen Scattergories, played at our virtual Spring Tea: (5/2021)
  • Co-sponsored Jane Austen "Game Keepers Hut" Plaque with Southern Oregon Region (2020)
  • Website & Facebook Co-Manager 2019 - 2021
Presentations:
  • Discussion of Jane Austen: Myth, Reality, and Global Celebrity (online course from Future Learn)
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2015. Administrative Specialist, City of Milwaukie, Oregon (1985-2015)
  • Volunteer, Lunch Buddy program for young school children (2012?)
  • Volunteer (1981-1982), Oregon Subregional Coordinator (1982-1983), Northwest Regional Office staff (1983-1984), and National Convention Logistics Coordinator (spring 1985) for the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)
  • Volunteer progressive political work (newspaper production, antinuclear, and antiwar) (1976-1981) 
  • Attended Lewis and Clark College (1974-1976). Major: Math & Piano. Minor: Education
  • Honor student, Grant High School (1970-1974)
      Margaret Christmann at 2014 Montreal AGM
Discovering Jane:
  • I saw Amanda Root on Masterpiece in Jane Eyre and then saw she was in Persuasion. I watched it, then saw Pride and Prejudice, then I found the books.

Finding JASNA:
  • I found JASNA online when looking for more on Jane Austen.

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • I make Jane Austen theme cross stitches.
Margaret's Contributions
  • Restructured our region's finances with the RC: 2024
  • Treasurer 1: 2021 - Current
  • Co-sponsored Jane Austen "Game Keepers Hut" Plaque with Southern Oregon Region: 2020 
  • Co-RC Term: 2019 - 2021
  • RC Term: 2015 - 2019
  • Tag Sale Coordinator: 2017 - Current
  • Created our Spring Tea Tag Sale: 2017
  • Implemented Presentations for Reading Group Discussions: 2015
Presentations:
  • Financial Vulnerability of Jane Austen's Characters
  • The Clergy in Jane Austen's Novels
  • Living in Jane Austen's World (Co-Presenter)
  • Mansfield Park: Secrets & Lies (Co-Presenter)
  • Pride and Prejudice: AGM Theme (Co-Presenter)
Theater Presentation:
  • Hooked on Jane? Let's Talk! Jane Austen's Life & Writings (JASNA's Happy Hour with Jane Austen - Sense and Sensibility: Portland Center Stage Armory - 2/3/2019)
Education/Professional Background:
  • Double Major: B.A. Degree and B.S. Degree in Clothing & Textiles. Oregon State University, 1976
Kim's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Coordinator: 2013 - Current
  • Created Tribute Grant: 2013
  • RC Term 2011 - 2015
  • As RC, held New Member Meetings
  • Hostess of the Rose Making Parties - Portland AGM 2010
  • Meeting Host: 2010 - Current
Education/Professional Background:
                     Kim Higgins at Portland 2010 AGM
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
William (Bill) Boyd (1947-2024) at 2010 Portland AGM with wife, Marna Tisdel
Discovering Jane:
  • Bill discovered Jane Austen after viewing the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility. In 2007, he joined JASNA. In 2009, he started researching and writing a Jane Austen time travel novel when he joined Romance Writers of America and the local chapter, Rose City Romance Writers.

Finding JASNA:
  • In 2007, Bill googled Jane Austen and found a listing for JASNA and thought, “She has a society!”

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • Bill was always on the hunt for his beloved Jane in his numerous travels to England, Europe and across the U.S. including his many Volkswalks. On his Volkswalks, he found Jane at Harvard and MIT campuses. Together with his wife, Marna Tisdel, they visited libraries/bookstores to see Jane Austen editions and photograph them.
Bill's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree 2023
  • Interim Treasurer 2013
  • Co-RC Term: 2009 - 2011
  • Chair of Registration/Information, Portland AGM 2010
Co-Presentations:
  • What Happened in 1803 and in Jane Austen's Life: A Conversation with Lord Boyd and Lady Alto
  • What Happened in 1817: The Year Jane Austen Died: A Conversation with Lord Boyd and Lady Alto
  • A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz
  • Jane Austen's Letters: A Contest of Wit and Satire,
  • Liberal or Conservative Jane
  • Jane Austen Comments on Modern American Culture
    and Lifestyles: What Would She Say?
PowerPoint Presentations: 
  • Jane Austen's Life and Writings - Multnomah County Library
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2012. Manager (1997-2012) for the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (Dispute Resolution Department), a Litigation Attorney for both Portland and San Francisco, and a Civil Engineer for the City of Portland.
  • Juris Doctorate in Law. Lewis & Clark College, 1983
  • B.S. Degree. Civil Engineering, University of Iowa, 1970
Marna Tisdel at 2014 Montreal AGM with husband, Bill Boyd (1947 - 2024)

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • When Bill and I traveled to England, we rented a car and did our own tour of the Southampton sites that author, Stephanie Barron wrote about in her Jane Austen Mystery Series.
Marna's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree 2023
  • Secretary 2014
  • Co-RC Term: 2009 - 2011
    • (Assisted Bill as an RC)
  • Hosted meetings 2007 - 2019
  • Patron of JASNA and Jane Austen in the Arts 2007 - Current
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired. Middle School Teacher (Community Transitional School for At-Risk Children of Homeless Families), Former Catalog Librarian for Fort Vancouver.
Discovering Jane:
  • I read Jane Austen in high school and college, then became more interested in her through my husband, Bill Boyd.
Finding JASNA:
  • In 2007, Bill googled Jane Austen and found a listing for JASNA and thought, “She has a society!” When he joined JASNA in 2007, I joined with him.
   Pauline Beard, Professor of English, Emerita
    at 2010 Portland AGM

Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2013. Professor of English, Pacific University 1994 - 2013
  • Ph.D. State University of New York, Binghamton, 1986
  • M.A. State University of New York, Binghamton, 1981
  • B.A. London University, 1978
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
Pauline's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree - 2019
  • Tribute Grant Judge - 2014
  • JASNA Traveling Scholar 2011 - 2012
  • Co-RC Term  2006 - 2009
  • Co-Coordinator, Break Out Sessions, Portland AGM 2010
Presentations:
  • Revisiting Sense and Sensibility: Love, Family, Duty
  • Gothic Novels & Northanger Abbey
  • Constancy, Faith, & Hope: AGM Theme
Co-Presentations:
  • Jane Austen At Home: A Biography by Lucy Worsley
  • Jane Austen's Comments to Women
  • Lady Susan
JASNA AGM Presentations
  • The Talk: Lady Susan: The Novella and Love and Friendship in the Film - 2017
  • The English Columella,or Pigs in the Primroses and Periwinkles -  Published in Persuasions 2012
  • Sex, Debility, and Lady Bertram: Lover or Loafer? Published in Persuasions 2006
Other Publications:
  • GRE Literature in English (GRE Test Preparation) - 2000, 2011
  • AP English Literature Composition (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP General Exams - 1998, 2004
  • A Riddling Thing: Time in Five Twentieth Century Novels - 1996
  • AP English Literature & Composition (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the AP Exam - 1990
Frank's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree 2016
  • Interim Treasurer 2013
  • Conference Chair - Portland AGM 2010
  • Co-RC Term: 2006 - 2009
  • Co-Founder 1985
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:

Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2006, English Teacher, Lakeside High School, Lake Oswego, OR.
  • M.A. Linfield College
  • M.A.T. Reed College
  • M.A. - Theology - School of Theology, Claremont
  • B.A. University of Colorado
            Frank McClanahan, High School English Teacher, 
            Retired at
Susan's Contributions
  • RC Term: 2004 - 2006
  • Co-RC Term: 2003
  • RC Term: 2002
  • Treasurer: 2009 - 2013
  • Co-Coordinator,  New York City AGM 2012
  • Position Title, Portland AGM 2010?
  • JASNA Board Treasurer 1982 - 1986?
Discussions:
  • Sex, Money and Power or the Three Deadly Sins in the Regency (Co-Discussion Leader)
Susan Schwartz

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • Susan read her first Jane Austen novel at age 13--Pride and Prejudice
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired. Chief Administrative Officer, River Network
  • M.B.A. Finance - Rutgers University
  • Nonprofit Administration - New School University
  • B.A. English Language/Letters - Bryn Mawr College
Karen Vaught-Alexander
Karen's Contributions
Co-RC Terms: 2004 - 2002
RC Term: 2001
Co-RC Terms: 1998 - 1999
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2004. Professor, Integrated Writing, University of Portland 1989 - 2004.
  • Instructor and Associate Professor, Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Georgia) 1984 - 1989
  • Ph.D. English Language and Literature/Letters, Indiana University Bloomington 1988
  • M.A. American Literature, Indiana State University 1972
    • Minor: Fine Arts & Theology
  • B.A. English Literature and Chemistry 1970
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:

Gale's Contributions
Co-RC Term:  1999 - 2000
Educational/Professional Background:
Nelson Bridwell
Nelson's  Contributions
  • Filmed Battle of Prague Performance - 2023
  • Led Reading Group Discussions: ?
  • Created first website - 2003.
  • Hosted website 2004 - 2008.
  • RC Term 1997 - 1998
Discussions:
  • Travel Tips for the UK (Co-Presenter)
  • Jane Austen's Family (Co-Presenter)
Education/Professional Background:
Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
Patricia Fulbright's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree 2018
  • Interim Secretary 2013
  • Volunteered at the Portland AGM 2010 at the Registration Table welcoming attendees and answering questions. At the AGM Ball, she encouraged shy dancers and applauded the rest.
  • Organized & led discussion-based Reading Groups 1992 - 2008
  • Created Reading Group Discussions 1992
  • Co-RC Term: 1999 - 1998
  • RC Term: 1996 - 1992
Discussions:
  • Emma: AGM Theme
  • Writing A Letter to a Character of Your Choice
  • Travel in the Novels (Co-Presenter)
  • To Woo and Lose: Disappointed Suitors
  • The Kindness of Brothers and Sisters
Patricia Fulbright

Discovering Jane:

Finding JASNA:  I encountered JASNA in 1990 and joined when an acquaintance in L.A, confided to me, "You look like a Janite!  Come to our next JASNA meeting and claim your kinship."

Fun Jane Austen Fact:
Publications:
  • "Sense and Sensibility" in Literary Reference Center, EBSCO, November 2010.
  • "Emma" in Masterpieces of Women's Literature, edited by Frank N. Magill, Harper Collins, NY, 1996: pp. 173-176.
Education/Professional Background:
  • English Professor, Emerita, Clark College
  • MA English & Linguistics (1976) & English as a Second Language
Mary Margaret Benson, Professor and Technical Services Librarian, Emerita, Linfield College  (Photo taken at Holyrood Abbey in 2016).
Discovering Jane & Fun Jane Austen Fact:
  • I am the youngest of five.  My mother reread all of Jane Austen's novels during her pregnancies, but I'm the one who absorbed her love of Austen.

Finding JASNA:
  • Following the first AGM in 1979, there was a small piece in The New Yorker's "Talk of the Town" about that meeting.  I wrote Jack Gray care of the magazine, and immediately heard back.
Mary Margaret's Contributions
  • Tribute Grant Honoree 2016
  • Co-Coordinator, Break Out Sessions, Portland AGM 2010
  • Presented a paper at the Southeast "Super Regional" conference in Williamsburg in 2001
  • RC Term: 1985 - 1992
  • Founder 1985
AGM Presentations Published in Persuasions:
  •  "Parasols, Gloves, and Broches and Circulating Libraries" - 1997
  • "Mothers, Substitute Mothers, and Daughters in the Novels of Jane Austen" - 1989
  • Excellently Qualified to Shine at a Round Game - 1986
Education/Professional Background:
  • Retired in 2011. Professor and Technical Services Librarian, Emerita, Linfield College 1981 - 2011
  • M.A. Degree. Southern Oregon State College
  • M.L.S.P. Degree. University of California, Berkeley
  • B.A. Degree. University of California, Berkeley