Suzanne Gardner Stott
FRI, March 1, 2024, 2024 | 7:30-9:00 pm MDT
On the first day of Women’s History Month, we explore a remarkable woman worth knowing.
IN-PERSON GATHERING:
Home of Ed and Kristen Iversen
3582 Oak Rim Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Thanks to Kristen and Ed for hosting this gathering in their home.
If there is no parking to be found in the neighborhood you can also park in the “park & ride” lot on the NW corner of 3900 South and Wasatch Blvd. Oak Rim Way is just east of the intersection on the north side.
Or join us via Zoom.
Thanks to Tim and Aubrey Chavez and the Faith Matters Foundation for providing the Zoom connection. Scroll down the page for the link to connect virtually. Below that link are some helpful tips for being part of a Zoom convo.
To get email notifications of upcoming conversations go to the bottom of this site’s home page or text or call me at 801-695-5036.
I’m delighted that those who can’t attend in person can join virtually. I’m sorry I can’t give you the same care and attention given to those in person. But if you ever can join us physically in the same space, then I hope you will. You won’t regret it. And if you have suggestions for how this space and these Zoom or in-person conversations can go better, then please contact me.
THE CONVERSATION:
It took me (Jay) two years of prodding to get Suzanne to come and have this conversation. Ever since she let me read an autobiography created just for her children and grandchildren I’ve wanted more people to know her remarkable story. From working to make a successful rock band in California to shifting to a mission for the LDS church, to civil rights and refugee work, to being a celebrated and honored LGBTQ advocate, she has been a “mother” to many on the margins. But maybe her most challenging and impressive achievement is her lifelong love and commitment to her 10 adopted children. Children who came with a variety of ethnic backgrounds and disabilities and as adults, continue to challenge her. Three of these children Suzanne adopted and raised as a single mom after her divorce.
During this conversation, I will prompt Suzanne to share the details of some of her experiences as well as exploring the whys and hows of her thinking at the time. I will ask how she has maintained faith in God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints despite her sometimes feeling at odds with both.
ABOUT SUZANNE:
“Bio? I don’t know how to word it without sounding either nuts or pompous. My faith, my Dad, and President Kennedy influenced me to get involved in causes. Since 1965 I have marched, advocated, taught classes, and rallied against racism; I spent 35 years helping special needs children without families find families; since 1984 I have been (almost daily) helping refugees; I am an ally to the queer community; I am currently attending meetings and rallies in support of the Palestinians.”
EXPLORE BEFORE WE MEET:
From Jay because Suzanne wouldn’t tell me these things. (Thanks Google!):
- Episode #584, Richard Ostler’s Listen, Learn, and Love podcast
- News Article: Love, service, bravery cited in honoring heroes
- QSaltLake Magazine – June 2022 – pg 26
- 2-KUTV – Pioneer of Progress – Suzanne Gardner Stott
From Suzanne:
- Books: The Lemon Tree, Sandy Polan; The Hundred Years War on Palestine, Rashid Khalidi. The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien; Matterhorn, Karl Marlantes. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee; Letter from Birmingham Jail, ML King; The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabel Wilkerson. King Leopold’s Ghost, Adam Hochschild; God Sleeps in Rwanda, Joseph Sebarenzi.
- Movies: To Kill a Mockingbird; The Killing Fields, Tears of the Sun, Good Morning Vietnam, Apocalypse Now
- Click on the Zoom link above for either last month’s recorded conversation (if the event date has passed) or the live conversation now. If you are participating in the live conversation keep reading.
- When you are connected you will either be waiting in a lobby and will let be in shortly or you will immediately be able to see other participants. Please make sure that you are muted and that your video is on if you choose to have it on. (Love to see and hear you live, but we’ll take curious lurkers also.)
- If you can’t hear the host, me, or others, find your settings and make sure you have a working microphone and speaker selected. OR maybe the problem is on my end so please let me know if it is.
ZOOM ETIQUETTE:
- Please mute your microphone before entering and when you are not speaking so noises are not heard by everyone else.
- If you are going to multitask—not recommended—or wander around a lot, please turn off your video and make sure you are muted. No one wants to be distracted by you eating or using the loo.
