Every March 8th, we hear about how important women are for society, we remember the struggles they have faced throughout history, and we celebrate their contributions to different scales.
We know, however, that a single date is not enough to highlight everything that women around the world are doing for a better world. An International Women’s Month sounds fitter, and even so, it is not enough.
Women represent one of the most precious elements within our modern societies and CTSO is proud to celebrate them and their achievements.
Even if past times have been harder for women, two truths still apply today: there is so much to do to make the world a better and fairer place for women and their roles and contributions in the past should not be silenced.
CTSO is proud to showcase some Arizona women and their amazing work and place in society. We are certain that together, men and women, we can help improve our communities and societies.
Do you want a solid education for your children, and especially your little girls? Don’t miss our post highlighting some excellent Catholic schools in Arizona!
International Women’s Day
Our Catholic faith has adapted to the reality of the technological and social advancements of our times. And with that, women’s role in our society has changed too. This is not to say that we have lost our core values and beliefs.
On the contrary, they should be strengthened in this modern world. The Biblical adage “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” applies to everyone, women included. During International Women’s Month, we find the opportunity to express how extraordinary women are and we highlight their achievements.
Here are some Arizona women who inspire us, who should inspire little girls, and who are excellent examples of the power and value that women bring to their communities!
Angelle Casagrande, DDS, MD
Angelle has been a member of the CTSO board since 2023. She attended catholic schools from fourth grade through college and considers her catholic education an important part of her life. Her husband Christopher also attended catholic school grades 1-12. Valuing Catholic education, they sent their children to catholic grade school here in Tucson.
Angelle is an oral surgeon who teaches dental residents oral surgery techniques at both El Rio Community Health Center and the Winslow Indian Health Clinic. She is passionate about service and performs auricular acupuncture on the homeless population. She also teaches kindergarten yoga.
Thank you Angelle for your continued commitment to Catholic Education, CTSO, the Tucson Community and your family!
Erika Mayer Gamas
Erika was born and raised in Nogales. Erika has been married to Victor Gamas for 30 years. Erika manages her family’s real estate company and is a passionate traveler and became a travel advisor to pass on her passion and travel knowledge.
Erika is a proud mother of 3, Víctor André, Alain and Ella.
Her 3 children have all attended Salpointe Catholic High School and have gone on to attend Catholic Universities.
Erika has been a CTSO board member since 2018.Erika believes deeply in Catholic education and formation; Catholic education is another of Erika’s true passions.
You can find Erika at St Thomas the Apostle, where she is a lector and Eucharistic Minister.
Becky Rebenstorf CTSO’s Vice-President
Ms. Rebenstorf has extensive development, communications community relations experience, having worked in the field for over thirty-five years. She started her development career with the Jane Goodall Institute followed by the American Red Cross and other local non-profit agencies, most recently retired as Major Gifts Officer at El Rio Health Foundation.
Ms. Rebenstorf holds a Bachelor of Science degree with emphasis in Individual & Family Study and Gerontology from Pennsylvania State University. Becky serves on the Executive Board for Angel Charity for Children, Inc. and CTSO – Catholic Tuition Support Organization. She has also serves on the Diocesan Gala Committee. Formerly she served on the boards of Catholic Community Services Foundation of SO AZ and Banner University Medicine Friends Board.
Ms. Rebenstorf states, “I am honored and humbled to serve on the CTSO Executive Board. CTSO has helped change the lives of thousands of students by giving them the opportunity to have a Catholic school education. It is a blessing to help ensure students have an education centered on good morals, high academic standards, and faith-filled values made possible through CTSO’s scholarship assistance from tax credit dollars.”
Becky and her husband Norm are active members of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, both serving as Eucharistic Ministers. In their free time they enjoy visiting museums throughout AZ and the US. Reading, wine tasting, riding horses, hiking and visiting family are among our favorite pass times.
Thank you Becky for all you do for CTSO, your community and family.
Dr. Senait Dyson
We recognize Dr. Senait Dyson, a board-certified dermatopathologist and the Director of the Dyson Dermatopathology Lab. Dr. Dyson has held distinguished academic positions as Director of Dermatopathology and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine.
She is the author and co-author of numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed chapters to a dermatologic book. She also serves as an editor for many dermatologic journals. Dr. Dyson is active in teaching residents and medical students and was twice awarded Teacher of the Year by dermatology residents.
As a fellow of the American Board of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society of Dermatopathology, Dr. Dyson continues to be invited to and has participated as a guest lecturer at numerous medical seminars.
Dr. Dyson, a genuine “people person”, brings both her medical expertise and outstanding bedside manner to all her patients with a wide range of skin conditions and aesthetic skin concerns. CTSO celebrates you!
Louise Thomas
We also recognize Louise Thomas. Louise founded Angel Charity for Children Inc. in 1983, with the help of co-founder Jane Loew Sharples. Louise is also a Founding Emeritus Member of the Steele Children’s Research Center at the University of Arizona.
For the past 4 decades, her heart has been involved in serving and improving the lives of children in the Tucson community. Over the past 41 years, Angel Charity for Children has positively impacted more than 1 million children in Pima County by supporting close to 150 projects, including the Steele Children’s Research Center, Treasures 4 Teachers, and the Arizona Burn Foundation.
Louise travels the country with her company “Events Made Special”, creating events for Corporate America as well as Political Events for an assortment of candidates. Of course, when President George Bush visited Tucson to support a political candidate of choice, Louise was asked to design and produce the entire event. The Secret Service poses no threat to her.
This year, Louise was chosen as the Grand Marshal of Tucson’s Rodeo Parade, which is recognized as the longest non-motorized parade in the United States. CTSO applauds your achievement!
Find out how charitable organizations have helped school dropout decrease and why it matters for a better and more equal society.
Arizona Women: present and future
Regardless of their achievements and efforts, women still experience obstacles to overcoming inequality in their professional areas.
In the last decade, if women had been paid the same as men, their poverty rate would have decreased by virtually half (1). Nonetheless, the last years have seen women participating more in the labour market, employees and business owners alike.
Education-wise, by the late 2010s, around 28% of women aged 25 or older in Arizona held a bachelor’s degree, a slight increase compared to the 2000s (1). The Arizona 2023 Postsecondary Attainment Report found that women enroll and complete a four-year college program at higher rates than men (2).
This is why we encourage people from Arizona and all over the States to keep donating to fund education charities. At CTSO, we are committed to improving the lives of hundreds of families through a solid education, that way, we can also participate in a better society.
Women play a significant role in our community. We want little girls to know a great life is possible and that education is one of the most rewarding paths. Don’t hesitate to contact us and discover the ways you can help to make this possible!
Ready to file your taxes? Check out our quick 2023 tax credit guide to learn more about how this benefits you and dozens of children in our state!
References
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- “The Economic Status of Women in Arizona” Fact Sheet on the Status of Women in the States Data. Retrieval date: March 16, 2024.
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- “2023 Postsecondary Attainment Report.” The Arizona Board of Regents. Retrieval date: March 16, 2024.
