Joan always knew that she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, so after obtaining a degree in English, she earned her teaching credentials. After graduation she spent a year teaching third grade in Seattle and then moved to San Francisco, where she did temporary work. She spent a memorable summer working in the Tetons in Wyoming, enjoying the natural beauty and vibrant social life. From there, Joan secured a teaching position in Newark, California, where she taught fourth and sixth grades.

1960 – High School Graduation

1962 -Gonzaga Basketball  with Joan (center)

1967 – Joan in Japan

Adventure in Japan

In the summer of 1967, Joan embarked on an adventure that would significantly impact her life. She traveled to Japan with Gonzaga University for a summer school program. The experience was so enriching that she decided to stay longer, breaking her contract in Newark. Joan chose to work at a boys’ school in Yokohama, where she taught English, math, reading, and religion to a diverse group of 44 third grade boys of American, Japanese, and Chinese descent. At night she taught English to Japanese business men.

This year-long experience in Japan provided Joan with a wealth of cultural knowledge and materials that she later used to enhance her classes back in the United States.

Return to California

In 1968 Joan was back in California and resumed teaching in Newark. She lived in Mountain View and enjoyed an active social life. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Merle, in a serendipitous encounter at Big Al’s Pizza House in Palo Alto. Joan was in a cast with a broken ankle, and Merle offered her his chair at the bar. They hit it off, leading to a whirlwind romance. They got engaged in December 1969 and were married in July the following year. Since Merle had custody of his three children, aged four, seven, and eight, Joan became an instant mother.

Texas and Musical Pursuits

In 1977 Merle’s job transferred the family to Houston, Texas. Joan continued to pursue her passion for music that had begun in San Jose when Merle gave her a gift of guitar lessons. There she had joined a folk group, Mass Confu?ion, at her local Catholic Church. Since there was nothing similar in Houston, she started her own folk group at the church. Joan also began playing tennis, which led her to become president of a large tennis group in her subdivision, further developing her leadership abilities.

Final Return to California

After five years in Texas, Joan and her family moved back to California, settling in Morgan Hill in 1982. Joan rejoined her singing group, Mass Confu?ion, and continued to play tennis. It was through tennis that she met Carolyn Wilson, who introduced her to AAUW. (See following section covering Joan’s extensive involvement with AAUW, written by her longtime AAUW friend and partner, Carol O’Hare.)

In addition to her work with AAUW, Joan is actively involved at the Wings of History Museum in San Martin where Merle is a docent. She helps promote the museum and attract new volunteers. Her ability to connect with people makes her an invaluable asset to the museum.

Interests and Legacy

Throughout her life, Joan has pursued a variety of interests and hobbies. She was an avid bridge player, participating in tournaments, as well as frequently playing with friends. She continued tennis until she was 80 and captained many teams over the years, once named captain of the year for the NorCal division of USTA. She took her team to nationals twice in her 70’s and participated in 23 Senior Cup team tournaments in Palm Desert. She loved the game and was sorry when she knew it was time to quit.

2009 – Joan and Lucy Grisetti receiving “Captain of the Year” awards for different teams in San Francisco

2017 – Joan and doubles partner after winning doubles match at Nationals in Surprise AZ

2015 – Family river cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam

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Joan Ensign and AAUW

After a couple of years living in Morgan Hill, Joan realized that most of her social life was in San Jose. She needed and wanted friends in town. Carolyn Wilson, whom Joan knew from a local tennis group, urged her to join AAUW. She first checked out the group at a Christmas party, and the rest, as Joan says, is history.When she joined in 1990, she would have no idea of the longtime friendships she would make and how the organization would change her life.

Joan’s first “job” with AAUW was on the Wildflower Run sponsor committee, going door-to-door asking for gift coupons for door prizes for the runners.

In 1999 she was elected Program VP, the first of many years as a branch leader and board member. From that position, she served two years as Membership co-vp with Carol O’Hare. She remembers how thrilled they were when branch membership reached 90! (Now it is 206.) That was followed by two years as co-president, 2002-2004, also with Carol. They would get together before each board meeting to plan the agenda and afterwards to discuss the meeting, over beer/wine and popcorn. She recalls their first all-day retreat where among the many topics discussed was the cost of the printed newsletter ($1000/year) and if it should be online instead to save money. (It was decided to continue to print and mail it.) At the next retreat in 2003, among heavier topics, the idea of Wine & Whine was born.

When a bylaws committee was formed in 2002, Joan became part of that, along with Judy Kinker, chair, Barbara Palmer, and Carol. That committee created the first branch bylaws, policies and procedures, addenda, and job descriptions. Judy firmly established the wine and popcorn tradition to end each meeting. Joan has continued to be part of that group for more than 20 years.

2003 – Carol O’Hare and Joan Ensign installed as co-presidents by Carol Holzgrafe

2001 – Karen Kinsinger, Joan Ensign & Carolyn Wilson at the Taste of Morgan Hill

Joan’s leadership skills were again evident when she headed up the WFR sponsor committee in 2007. At that time the sponsor committee was gradually becoming a more organized and focused group. This was also about the time that sponsor logos appeared on back of the run tee-shirts, and income began to increase significantly. Among other positions that Joan has held were Chamber liaison and coordinating advertising in the newsletter. Also, she was instrumental in redesigning the space in the AAUW booth at the Taste of Morgan Hill to be more welcoming to potential members. We grew from having a booth with two chairs and a table to a booth with handouts, tri-fold board with photos, and run tee shirts display in order to lure the visitors into our booth and show them why they should join AAUW.

For all her activities, Joan was named branch AAUW Honoree in 2004 and 2010.  But she wasn’t done yet.

The activity that Joan may be proudest of is starting the Leadership Development Team in 2012.  She saw it as a way to find and encourage members to become more involved and take on leadership roles in the branch. Some of us have never forgotten the workshop the committee organized when Joan taught how to use a microphone, “hold it like you’re licking an ice cream cone”! Joan served as chair for several years and is still active with that committee. In 2013 she also started Smart eGals to help members learn how to use their electronic devices and continues to chair this very popular interest group.

2010 – AAUW Fund Honorees: Stacy Forgy, Joan Ensign & Elizabeth Mandel

2017 – AAUW MH at National Convention in Washington DC

Even though Joan is now 82 and may not be as active physically (no more tennis, sigh), she does not seem ready to slow down. Now, besides her AAUW activities, she helps her husband Merle with his volunteer work at the Wings of History Museum, most recently organizing an AAUW tour of the museum’s Women in Aviation exhibit.

When Joan joined AAUW Morgan Hill 35 years ago, she had no idea how this group would change her life, but she is so thankful that it did! And the branch is equally grateful that she became a member. Her leadership and commitment to AAUW’s mission has had a major impact on the organization and helped make our branch what it is today.

Carol O’Hare