Eliizabeth Philosophos Cooper honored at Spring 2023 Luncheon
Submitted byPhyllis Menne, Chair of Madison and Western WI
The Wisconsin JASNA members honored Elizabeth Philosophos Cooper during the April 2023 Spring Luncheon for her contribution to JASNA Wisconsin Region and to Jane Austen North America. She is a second generation JASNA member following her mother Joan’s lead and has been a life-member since 1990.
A few members shared their memories.
Janet Johnson
Liz was our RC for many years. Liz was also the national VP of Regions for several years before she became President-elect and then President. We all know she was president during maybe the most challenging years of JASNA’s existence - COVID and the diversity issues of the past few years. She got the organization through those times with decisive decision making and grace.
Sara Bowen
Sara first noticed Liz's amazing take-charge skills at the 2003 JASNA AGM in Winchester England. We Wisconsinites had taken our seats at Winchester Cathedral for the special Jane Austen memorial service, complete with Princess Alexandra in attendance. Most of the existing JASNA leadership was taken up with Princess duties. The famous author Joanna Trollope and her widowed mother walked in. They have strong connections to the English Jane Austen Society. but had not an assigned seat and came in looking a bit lost. Liz immediately sized up the situation and welcomed them into our section, for which they were most grateful and the rest of us most delighted.
At our 2005 AGM in Milwaukee, Liz was in-charge of the Emporium. Liz did an amazing job of keeping that vital part of the AGM running seamlessly. As Regional Coordinator for Wisconsin, Liz did a tremendous job keeping the growth of the Wisconsin region going after the AGM.
National JASNA was so lucky to have her as VP of Regions, a very tough job dealing with a wide variety of issues and personalities -- 82 regions, each with unique challenges. As it turned out, it was superb experience for what was to come. It is important to remember that no JASNA president has had to face the cascade of issues that fell upon Liz.
The massive potential financial commitment of canceling an AGM because of Covid was faced directly and early.
Liz led the group negotiating the agreement to reward the Cleveland venue with the 2024 AGM.
As all of us who watched the Juvenilia AGM online know, she was right on the front lines of managing the livestreams so Covid would not stop JASNA from enriching the lives of its members.
She led the effort to have regions adopt their own virtual meetings so regional life could keep the members together during Covid. All of us know many institutions and businesses that suffered substantial losses during the trauma of Covid; Liz Cooper's energy and foresight kept JASNA alive and strong.
Liz Cooper was the right person in the right place when we needed her. All of us who were helped through the isolation of COVID by JASNA's outreach to us owe Liz Cooper for the happiness she brought so many.
These memories from Janet and Sara are the tip of the iceberg of the multiple ways Liz has supported and guided JASNA throughout the years. As President of JASNA, Liz has given talks titled Jane Austen: Working Woman. The Jane Austen quote she shares with her audience may be a telling guide in Liz’s life “I must keep to my own style & go my own way.”
In appreciation, for her multiple years of outstanding service and personal commitment to JASNA WI and to her leadership at JASNA National, Liz’s Wisconsin Janeites presented to her a quilt with symbols of Austen designed and sewed by Brooke Furmanek and an official Coronation of HM King Chares III tin with Liz’s preference for black tea purchased in England for Liz by Sarah Clifton. Thank you, Liz, for your exceptional service and support of your fellow Janeites. You are much appreciated!
Liz with her Box Hill quilt.
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