ABWM- PNW
Our Officers
Gail M. Aita
President
I was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a city just outside of Boston. I attended Gordon College, a small Christian college north of Boston where I earned a B.S. in Pre-Theology. I have also earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Montana. I recently retired from a teaching career that spanned over 40 years.
For the past twenty years, my husband Paul and I have served as Special Assistants to the Director of Southeast Asia and Japan in International Ministries. During that time we have gone to Myanmar 10 times to teach at the Myanmar Institute of Theology in Yangon as well as other seminaries throughout the country. We have also visited Kuala Lumpur to work with the Burmese refuges in Malaysia. It is extremely important to both of us to continue ministering to the People from Burma in the greater Seattle area.
Ever since Paul and I were married (in 1968) I have been involved in ABW Ministries. To be honest during the first years of our marriage going to ABW meetings was a way for me to be out of the house and enjoy an evening with other women. But I soon realized how important being an American Baptist Woman was to me. It was being part of a “family”, a family that extended not only across the country but across the world. Over the years serving in different capacities of the ABW Ministries organization, I have gained knowledge about, compassion and love for women of other cultures, and a shared vision of how to serve the Lord using the talents that He has given me.
I am privileged to serve as the President of American Baptist Women’s Ministries of the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to finding new ways for us to grow and expand our ministry to all women in the Northwest.
I pray that God will bless our mission as we all seek to serve Him with our whole hearts.
Shalom, dear Sisters in Christ.
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Nadine Glass
Secretary
Ed and I will be celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary February 14th, 2021; we live in the North End of Tacoma - between The Narrow's Bridge and Point Defiance Park and a 30 minute walk to Grace Baptist Church. Our children are - Eric (43) who is married to Liz - they have two boys, Jacob (22) (wife Bridget) and Nate (17) who will be a Senior at Curtis High School in University Place, WA. Heather (37) is married to Rob and they have four girls, Aly (19) a Sophomore at Whitworth University in Spokane, Charisma (16) a Junior at Wilson High School, Hannah (7) a 2nd grader, and Layla (4) who attends Jack & Jill Cooperative Preschool. The grandkids keep us hoppin'
I began attending Grace Baptist Church when I was two yrs. old and other than the times I lived in Texas, Kansas, or Germany, GBC has been my Church Family - actually, they were my family when I was living elsewhere, too. Since my retirement from United Way of Pierce County in 2014, I've been a Volunteer Secretary for GBC as well as a long-time volunteer for KAIROS Prison Ministry at the women's Prison in Gig Harbor. I've been involved in PNW/ABW Ministries work beginning around 1985 with the support of Pat Clemensen, Betty Bates, Gail Aita, Terri Simpkins, and many other wonderful ABW Women. Some of the positions I've had the honor to hold: at GBC ABW President, for the Far West Area President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and for PNW Secretary, Coordinator of Personal Development, Conference Chair...many more of which I don't remember.
I am excited about the positive changes that are in the works for PNW-ABW Ministries; I will do my best to continue to serve the Lord and you as the PNW-ABW Ministries Secretary.
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Janice Holcomb
Treasurer
I was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. I graduated from Olympia High School. I worked for my Dad in his feed and seed business. Other places I worked through my career were Hutches’ Small Fry Store (toy & baby accessories), taught sewing classes, worked for JC Penney’s as Head Cashier, finishing my career at East Olympia Post Office.
Along the way I married, raised four children, helped with five granddaughters. I have enjoyed teaching Sunday School and have served on several Boards and Committees.
Jean Heidal got me started in Women’s Ministry when she returned to Olympia. That is when I started attending Women’s Conference. I was asked to become Treasurer, seven years ago. It is a job I take seriously and consciously. The job requires responsibility, honesty, organization, and neatness. Qualities I pray I have for the job I do. I enjoy helping to plan conferences and attending them. From being involved with the PNW, I have made many friends and friendships.
Betsy Jane Mosley
Coordinator of Personal Development Ministries
I was born in 1945 to good Godly Parents and raised in a Christian home on a farm in Nebraska. Our family attended and were very involved in the E.U.B. church so, I have always had head knowledge of God. When I was 19 and attending college it went from my head to my heart and I have known my eternal destination since that time.
I graduated from S.P.C. in 1967, taught in Napavine 1 year, moved to Hawaii for 3 years, then Nashville for 6 years. In Nashville I met Bill Mosley and married him. Our marriage was rocky from the start and I was always a single parent. I moved to Anacortes in 1977. In 1982 I divorced Bill and was really a single parent to 5 children. I worked hard and God helped me with many gifts from family and church family. I was fortunate to get a farmers home loan and get into the home where I presently live.
Somewhere in my 40s God became Lord of my life. My qualification to be the Coordinator of Personal Development is that I continue to develop. One of my prayers for a long time is that I will hear God’s voice guiding me and that I will grow, change and become a better person until the day I die. Also, White Cross was phasing out when they needed someone for personal development. My gifts are organization abilities and remembering words to lots of songs. I don’t memorize, God just helps me remember what I know.
Lorna Flannery
Coordinator of Literature
I was born in Seattle and was adopted when I was two months old and have lived my whole life in Tacoma. In January, my husband, Gary, and I will
celebrate our 40th anniversary. I have two stepdaughters that I raised and one son. I have 13 grandchildren. My oldest granddaughter got married on July 4th. It was not the wedding that they had planned, but it turned out good.
I started going to Grace about 38 years ago. My introduction into American Baptist Women was by Nadine. She asked if I would be registrar for conference the year, she was conference chair. That was about 35 years ago, and I believe I have been involved with conference every year since then minus two or three.
I recently lost my sister after a four-year battle with cancer. Thank you to all for keeping me and my sister in your prayers.
I have had a blessed life and will continue to serve God as long as I am able.
Tina Po
Coordinator of Resources/ Newsletter
I am an ethnic Karen born in a small village along the Thai-Burma border. In 2001, with the help of many friends both locally and in the US, my mother, my siblings, and I were able to immigrate to the United States of America as refugees. I graduated with a master’s degree in Social work from the University of Washington and currently work in a community health center in Seattle.
I first came to know American Baptist Churches through the introduction of Paul and Gail Aita and through my work with the Karen Community Church of Greater Seattle. I had the opportunities to participate in PNW/ABWM annual conferences and regional rallies since 2012. Our church joined the Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches in 2017.
When Aunty Gail asked me to serve in the position of Coordinator of Resources in 2018, I gladly accepted. As Coordinator of Resources, I am responsible for preparing the Directory for the ABW Ministries of the Pacific Northwest and the program booklet for the Annual conference, creating and distributing a quarterly Newsletter to women of the Region, and creating and maintaining the PNW/ABWM website.
I am looking forward to hearing from you and sharing the news of our work in the ministries.
Blessings,
Judith M. Gage
Coordinator of Events
I was raised on a farm near Nora Springs, Iowa. I attended Mason City Junior College for my first year and graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Home Economics Education. I also have an endorsement for Special Education earned before teaching Family and Consumer Science at Sequoia Middle School. While raising a family, I substitute taught in Renton, Kent, and Highline School Districts. I have also held secretarial positions at Columbia Baptist Church, Rainier Beach Presbyterian Church and served as president of the PTA for Bryn Mawr Elementary School receiving the Golden Acorn award.
After retiring from teaching, I took training as a sewing machine technician and currently run a sewing machine repair business out of my home.
Ever since Alan and I were married (in 1968) and moved to Seattle, I have been involved in youth ministries at Renton First Baptist as a youth leader, then Columbia Baptist as the Rosebuds leader, then at Burien Community Church assisting with various programs and grants such as tutoring and acting as ABW President. I have also served as a den mother and leader in Scouting.
I’ve always felt Women’s ministries important and feel women working together can make great things happen. I am honored to be part of the leadership of the Pacific Northwest American Baptist Women’s Ministries as Coordinator of Events.
Currently I am filling the following positions:
Secretary/Treasurer of Post 134 American Legion Auxiliary
Treasurer of Burien Community Church
Chairperson of Joyful Quilters in Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Kent Committee Member of Camp Bethel Board
I pray that God will bless our activities in the ABW as we each seek to serve Him with our whole being.
Gayhtoo Thaw
Coordinator of AB Girls
Greeting!
My name is Gayhtoo Thaw. I go by Gayhtoo. I am Karen ethnic from Myanmar, but I believe we are one in Christ. I lives in greater Seattle since 2008. I love Washington State because we are surrounded by water and mountains. The mountains here reminded me of my birth place. My hobby is singing, playing Ukulele, and hiking.
I am currently a graduate student majoring in social work (MSW) with a concentration in mental health at University of Washington Tacoma and working part-time as a adult behavior health case manager providing counseling and case management services. I would like to continue to work as a mental health counselor after school next year. I’m so excited that starting this October, I will be working with Children, Youth and Family (CYF) program for my practicum and to learn how to work with and serve this population.
My home church is Karen Community Church of Greater Seattle. I serve as a Sunday School teacher and serve in women ministry. I so excited working with children and young people and my ultimate happiness is seeing them know Jesus personally as their LORD and Savior and grow in grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
To God Be the glory both now and forever! Amen.
Eh lertha Win
Coordinator of Young Adult Women
I am a Karen-ethnic young woman born and raised inside Mae La refugee camp along the borders of Burma and Thailand. In 2007, my family and I immigrated to the States as political refugees and have since called Seattle our home for the past 13 years. Whilst I was living inside the refugee camp as a young girl, I always knew deep inside my heart that the Lord knows me and hears my naive prayers. I knew that someday I’d be able to live my wildest dreams: to live and travel freely outside the camp that was enclosed with barbed wires. It has been well over 13 years since the Lord answered my prayer and everyday I am still in awe of the ways the Lord has continually shown up in my life. Everyday, whether I recognize it or not, I would be eventually reminded that the Lord is good and that the God who answered my prayer as a little girl inside the refugee camp is still the same God who is listening to my prayers as an adult.
In this new role as a Young Adult Women coordinator, I am excited for the ways I will grow in my faith and be a resource for young adult women in the Northwest area. I would be lying if I said I am not nervous to take on this role, but more than anything I am confident that the Lord will show up both in the highs and lows for these next three years. My deepest and biggest joys in life is seeing young women thrive not just personally and professionally but also spiritually and I pray everyday that more and more of our young women will come to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus. I hope you will join me in my prayer.
Blessings,