Mission.PFLAG is creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
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HISTORY
PFLAG Sauk ValleyIn 2006 Barb and George Schwamberger and Jane Biddle established PFLAG Sauk Valley, a local chapter of PFLAG National, which has more than 400 chapters nationwide. They wanted to provide a source of support and advocacy for the Schwamberger's lesbian daughter and the gay and lesbian community as a whole. The first meeting took place at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amboy.
Our local board meets once per month. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please use the CONTACT link or call 815-408-0604. |
PFLAG NationalThe idea for PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son, Morty, in New York's Christopher Street Liberation Day March, the precursor to today's Pride parade. After many gay and lesbian people ran up to Jeanne during the parade and begged her to talk to their parents, she decided to begin a support group. The first formal meeting took place on March 11, 1973 at the Metropolitan-Duane Methodist Church in Greenwich Village (now the Church of the Village). Approximately 20 people attended.
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Our Board
Sarah Schlegel
President
Term expires: 2028
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I have, along with my husband Tim, raised two children, who are now young adults. PFLAG was a guiding light when our family sought an inclusive space with educational resources. Serving on the PFLAG board is my way of keeping that light shining for others, and I am honored to serve alongside a terrific cast of other dedicated board members, who—as you will read—bring a wide variety of skills and personalities to our chapter. Please keep in mind that PFLAG Sauk Valley runs 100% on volunteer energy (my “day job” is as a middle school teacher), and we function on the “many hands make light work” philosophy. Be in touch to learn more about how you can lend “people power” to our mission to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
President
Term expires: 2028
Pronouns: she/her/hers
I have, along with my husband Tim, raised two children, who are now young adults. PFLAG was a guiding light when our family sought an inclusive space with educational resources. Serving on the PFLAG board is my way of keeping that light shining for others, and I am honored to serve alongside a terrific cast of other dedicated board members, who—as you will read—bring a wide variety of skills and personalities to our chapter. Please keep in mind that PFLAG Sauk Valley runs 100% on volunteer energy (my “day job” is as a middle school teacher), and we function on the “many hands make light work” philosophy. Be in touch to learn more about how you can lend “people power” to our mission to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
Gabbi McKanna
Treasurer
Term Expires: 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Gabbi is a Rock Falls native and has spent her entire life in the Sauk Valley area. She holds an elected position as alderman on the Rock Falls City Council and as a precinct committee-person for the Whiteside County Democrats. She is also one of the founders of the Sauk Valley Pride group that hosts Pride festivals throughout the Sauk Valley area. Gabbi works out of her home as a consultant for a national accounting firm and enjoys spending time with her family and pets, reading books, and volunteering.
Treasurer
Term Expires: 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Gabbi is a Rock Falls native and has spent her entire life in the Sauk Valley area. She holds an elected position as alderman on the Rock Falls City Council and as a precinct committee-person for the Whiteside County Democrats. She is also one of the founders of the Sauk Valley Pride group that hosts Pride festivals throughout the Sauk Valley area. Gabbi works out of her home as a consultant for a national accounting firm and enjoys spending time with her family and pets, reading books, and volunteering.
Layla Krzykowski
Board Member
Term Expires: 2029
Pronouns: she/her
Layla is originally from the Chicago suburbs but has been in the Sauk Valley area since 2008. She has made her career in human services. She is currently a Service Coordinator for Service Inc of Illinois. Her career focus has been working with senior citizens and individuals who are intellectually and/or developmentally disabled. In her free time Layla enjoys spending time with her family, reading, completing puzzles, doing cross stitch, and participating in volunteer and advocacy work.
Board Member
Term Expires: 2029
Pronouns: she/her
Layla is originally from the Chicago suburbs but has been in the Sauk Valley area since 2008. She has made her career in human services. She is currently a Service Coordinator for Service Inc of Illinois. Her career focus has been working with senior citizens and individuals who are intellectually and/or developmentally disabled. In her free time Layla enjoys spending time with her family, reading, completing puzzles, doing cross stitch, and participating in volunteer and advocacy work.
Cat Clarke
Board Member
Term Expires: 2029
Pronouns: she/they
Cat Clarke is relatively new to Sauk Valley but not to LGBTQIA+ advocacy. She identifies as a lesbian and has been with her wife for nearly 25 years. She is a retired special education teacher and an author. Cat is involved in political advocacy as well as advocating for mental health parity and supporting survivors of childhood and domestic abuse. She is a precinct committee person for the Whiteside County Democrats. She is also a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau.
Board Member
Term Expires: 2029
Pronouns: she/they
Cat Clarke is relatively new to Sauk Valley but not to LGBTQIA+ advocacy. She identifies as a lesbian and has been with her wife for nearly 25 years. She is a retired special education teacher and an author. Cat is involved in political advocacy as well as advocating for mental health parity and supporting survivors of childhood and domestic abuse. She is a precinct committee person for the Whiteside County Democrats. She is also a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau.
Haley Ellis
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Haley Ellis has been teaching orchestra since 2015. Originally from Michigan, she taught in Minnesota for 9 years before coming to Sterling. She currently teaches orchestra at Challand Middle School, and Lincoln and Washington Elementary schools. She is also one of the GSA advisors at the middle school. Haley is excited to be part of the PFLAG board, and continue advocating for students and the Sauk Valley community. She enjoys spending time with her pet bunnies, Salt and Pepper.
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Haley Ellis has been teaching orchestra since 2015. Originally from Michigan, she taught in Minnesota for 9 years before coming to Sterling. She currently teaches orchestra at Challand Middle School, and Lincoln and Washington Elementary schools. She is also one of the GSA advisors at the middle school. Haley is excited to be part of the PFLAG board, and continue advocating for students and the Sauk Valley community. She enjoys spending time with her pet bunnies, Salt and Pepper.
Abbigail McWilliams
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Abbigail McWilliams moved to the Sauk Valley area in 2022, and her family is originally from the Quad Cities. She is the Children's Librarian at the Sterling Public Library and is also a Library Trustee of the Polo Public Library District. When Abbigail is not spending time at one library or another (or supporting the Polo Community High School band) you can find her volunteering at Nachusa Grasslands, practicing piano, or darning socks.
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Abbigail McWilliams moved to the Sauk Valley area in 2022, and her family is originally from the Quad Cities. She is the Children's Librarian at the Sterling Public Library and is also a Library Trustee of the Polo Public Library District. When Abbigail is not spending time at one library or another (or supporting the Polo Community High School band) you can find her volunteering at Nachusa Grasslands, practicing piano, or darning socks.
Riley Reed-Windau
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Riley is the Co-Pastor of St. Paul and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Dixon, IL and has been serving there since November 2024. She grew up in small town Montana, went to college in Tacoma, Washington, and seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Being from the West, Riley loves all things outdoors - skiing (downhill AND cross-country), hiking, kayaking, sailing, and golfing. When she isn’t at work or outside, you can find Riley drinking coffee and reading a good book. Riley lives at home with her spouse, Anthony, their 2 dogs, Daisy and Chick, and their 2 cats, Loki and Goose. She is passionate about making her congregations and her communities safe and welcoming.
Board Member
Term Expires: 2031
Pronouns: she/her
Riley is the Co-Pastor of St. Paul and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Dixon, IL and has been serving there since November 2024. She grew up in small town Montana, went to college in Tacoma, Washington, and seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Being from the West, Riley loves all things outdoors - skiing (downhill AND cross-country), hiking, kayaking, sailing, and golfing. When she isn’t at work or outside, you can find Riley drinking coffee and reading a good book. Riley lives at home with her spouse, Anthony, their 2 dogs, Daisy and Chick, and their 2 cats, Loki and Goose. She is passionate about making her congregations and her communities safe and welcoming.
Open Seat
Board Member
Term Expires: 2030
Interested in becoming a board member? Please contact us!
Open Seat
Board Member
Term Expires: 2030
Interested in becoming a board member? Please contact us!
Barb Schwamberger
Board Member Emerita
Barb Schwamberger was a founding member of PFLAG Sauk Valley and served in a variety of board member positions over the years. Her unwavering commitment to PFLAG and her genuine affection for its members provides inspiration to us all.
Board Member Emerita
Barb Schwamberger was a founding member of PFLAG Sauk Valley and served in a variety of board member positions over the years. Her unwavering commitment to PFLAG and her genuine affection for its members provides inspiration to us all.
Periodically there are openings for new board members. If you are asked to serve, please consider how your participation could have a positive impact on the lives of others.