CAROLINE HATTON
Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement (SASE) Award recipient April 24, 2004In Sue's own words…
It is a truism that busy people get things done. And when said of the 2003 recipient of the Sue Alexander Service and
Encouragement Award—it is extremely, breath-takingly true. Not only is she a distinguished scientist with many demands on her time, she is also a writer of novels and nonfiction for young people, a newsletter editor, and a full-time volunteer. And that is only a bare statement of fact—a beginning, if you will. It does not detail how much time she devotes to the newsletter in addition to a demanding and exacting full-time job in her profession. It does not hint at her creativity, as she set about updating the look of the newsletter, bringing it into the current century with verve and instinctive insight into what the readership needed from its pages. It also does not hint at her generosity of spirit as she volunteers to help in every aspect of SCBWI-Los Angeles. It is most evident that she exemplifies the word Service at its best. And so it gives me great pleasure to present the 2003 Sue Alexander Service and Encouragement Award to Caroline Hatton.In Caroline's own words…
When Sue announced that the SASE award presentation was next, I asked Carol Tanzman, "Why does Sue call it the sassy award? Isn’t it supposed to be sase [which rhymes with face]?" Guess what. I've changed my mind. I now think sassy sounds fine.
After joining the SCBWI in 1997, I started attending the Westside Schmooze when it was run by Ann Stalcup and Claudia Harrington. Claudia became co-regional advisor and got a lot busier. I kept asking, "Why not do this or that at the Schmooze?" Finally Claudia suggested that I help tireless Ann run the Schmooze. I've now passed that torch to the thoughtful Joseph Taylor.
Meanwhile, Kite Tales editor Mary Ann Dames asked if I would take over. "I’m tantalized," I said. Weeks passed. She e-mailed, "Are you still tantalized?" Editing Kite Tales has been my excuse for approaching star professionals and … letting them volunteer to do all the work! It has reintroduced project and team management in my life. Both had disappeared from it when I semi-retired from my day job as a scientist to make time to write. (I used to run the UCLA Olympic Lab, testing athletes for performance-enhancing drugs to make sure they didn't cheat.)
Most of all, volunteering for SCBWI-L.A. is my most significant, if indirect, contribution to children’s literature and literacy. I can help connect others and pass information all day long, feel good anytime. What a life! I thank all my SCBWI friends for it.
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