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The Gail Whitney Fund for Innovation This fund is dedicated to the memory of Gail Whitney and her unparalleled creativity in the development of educational enrichment for young people in science, mathematics, engineering and the humanities.
Gail's vision as co-founder, with Jackie Jackson, and as first Executive Director of Saturday Academy brought to this community better teaching and learning not only through Saturday Academy's original Classes Program, but also through such innovations as the Catalyst Program (statewide Saturday Academies); Problem Solving with Computers (for underrepresented youth); FutureMakers (invention curriculum); The Annenberg Project for Education that Works (a model for national dissemination of Saturday Academy); Young Women's Banquet (annual girls-in-science recognition); Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (AWSEM science clubs for girls); Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (high school student internships); Student Watershed Research Project (students contributing to local watershed agency data collections); Saturday Academy Applied Mathematics (for underrepresented youth); Enhanced Activities in Science and Engineering (for physically challenged students); Green City Data and Youth Tree Inventory (environmental science for urban youth); and Learning Enrichment and Accelerated Pace (school-based programs for gifted students).
One of Gail's most innovative strategies was to mobilize the professionals and experts of our community to be teachers and mentors to Saturday Academy students. She recruited and encouraged them to share cutting edge technology, science and arts with children, from those as young as eight or nine to those about to embark on their college careers.
Gail's fearlessness in the face of challenge was legendary, her love of children boundless and her creativity remarkable. She never let a good idea go unexplored.
In honor of her indomitable spirit and innovative approach to education, the Board of Directors of Saturday Academy has voted to establish in her honor The Gail Whitney Fund for Innovation. This fund will be used, at the Board's discretion, for experimentation and strategic endeavors in programming, growth, organizational sustainability, outreach, community engagement and such innovations as the Board determines are reflective of Gail's spirit and hopes for Saturday Academy.
Make an online donation in memory of Gail
Link to Oregonian Article about Gail's Life
To make a contribution to the Gail Whitney Fund for Innovation or to remember Gail with a contribution to Saturday Academy you may mail checks to:
Saturday Academy 830 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 200 Portland, OR 97205
For Special Handling contact:
Joyce Cresswell, Executive Director, 503-200-5850
Beth Katona, Development Director, 503-200-5851
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Gail in her mid-20’s, during grad school in Boston.
One of Gail’s roommates has written:
“… you would have been completely bowled over by how very
beautiful she was. The color of her
beautiful hair was so extraordinary, we were doing Big Hair then, and she had
the faintest freckles and the funniest grin.
She was also so very smart and so off hand about it. I remember … [her] as so impressive and
bright and so very competent, but all her gifts rested lightly on Gail and that
made her even more lovable.”
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