Photo submitted to Times Observer Dr. Karen Black presented her Russia/USSR program to Woman’s Club.

Members of the Woman’s Club of Warren heard a program by Dr. Karen L. Black on Russia/USSR prior to the final luncheon of the club year Monday, April 30.

Dr. Black’s credentials include a BA from Bryn Mawr in Russian Language and Literature, an MA from Harvard in Linguistics and a Ph D from Bryn Mawr in Russian Literature and History of the Russian Language. During her career, she was a professor in those areas in several American universities and colleges. In addition, Dr. Black made a dozen trips to the former USSR in language study programs, as a tour guide and a faculty member in charge of student language study groups at Pushkin Institute in Moscow.

Pushkin was known for teaching Russian to foreigners. She retired from Millersville University of PA in 2002 and has recently been active with the Warren County Historical Society, Indivisible Warren and the Warren Democratic Committee.

As a child growing up during WWII, international news was prevalent. Dr. Black’s mother spoke Swedish and Karen learned French by age 9. Realizing her abilities in language led her to high school German classes, and, with the intrigue of Sputnik in October 1957, she became a Russian major and later received a Russian fellowship. Educational funding was very much available riding on the wave of the Russia v. America space race. Dr. Black took several trips to Russia (USSR) starting in 1959 and her final trip was in 2004. The collapse of the USSR occurred in December of 1991.

Dr. Black recounted the Samantha Smith incident from 1982 in which Samantha wrote to Secretary General Andropov pleading for peace during the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union. She was invited to personally visit Russia which she did. Karen Black was contacted by many of the American TV networks because of her facility with the Russian language.

A 20-student trip to Kiev by night train which took place exactly at the time of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was recounted by Dr. Black. Kiev was 80 miles downstream from Chernobyl. Little communication was available to Dr. Black and in-country officials were not alarming them but encouraging them to stay-wanting American dollars to remain too. Soon parents were calling from the USA tell the news available to them. Drinking and bathing water safety warnings were conveyed to students and anxious parents and since a flight from their departure city of Leningrad would put them in the radiation path, they continued to Armenia and returned to the US to be closely scrutinized and tested for radiation.

Karen answered questions from the audience telling about attracting American tourists to camping in Russia, the different gauges of train tracks back in the day and then recited a short 18th century mystic poem in Russian to the delight of the gathering.

Mrs. Worley expressed the gratitude of the members for Dr. Black’s presentation. Catering Plus of Sugar Grove prepared the luncheon with a Russian flavor. Hostesses for the day were Liz Horsley and Lou Ann Lauger. Alstroemeria in crystal vases on mirrors with Russian keepsakes compliments of Dr. Black graced the tables.

The annual Fashion Show Spring Fling will take place next Monday, May 7, at 11:30 a.m.

The Annual Dinner Meeting is Tuesday, May 22, with reservations for members due by May 17.

Tana Fegely spoke about Warren Gives to be held on May 23 and encouraged members to donate to the 501c3 Education Scholarship Historic Preservation Group (ESHPG) which offers merit scholarships each year. Four high school scholars from Warren County received $1,000 each this year. ESHPG also assists with the maintenance of the building which is on the Historic Landmark list.

A special Team Up promotion for Club Membership for the new year April 2018 to March 2019 is again being offered. The Woman’s Club website www.warrenwomansclub.org provides more information on the Club, the events and how to become a member.