Monthly Archives: January 2015

“Interbranch Council Luncheon on Jan. 24. Don’t miss it!” by Cherril Peabody

Please join on us January 24 at the annual Capitol Counties Interbranch Council Luncheon at Plates Restaurant, 14 Business Park Way, Sacramento. This will be our January branch meeting in conjunction with other branches in our district. It is a great opportunity to meet members from other branches and hear some inspiring speeches from AAUW fellows.

Casey Knifsend, a fellow from last year who is an Assistant Professor in psychology at California State University, Sacramento, received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She researches how adolescent girls connect with their peers through sports and extracurricular activities.

 Jennifer Randles, a fellow from this year, is an Assistant Professor in sociology at California State University, Fresno. She received her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She investigates how social and economic inequities affect American families.

The cost of the luncheon is $26, including tax and gratuity. The deadline for reservations is January 19. Please use the registration form located here: 1-24-15 IBC Luncheon Plates

 

“President’s Message” by Cherril Peabody

Happy New Year! The new year brings an opportunity to start fresh, perhaps with personal New Year’s resolutions to get more exercise, eat more healthy food and even to have more fun, travel more often, and listen with a more tolerant ear to the relative whose complaints drive you crazy. I don’t usually make resolutions, but this year I am resolving to take a few minutes more often to respond to the AAUW Action emails asking for support for important issues affecting women and girls.

I think sometimes we all feel overwhelmed when we see all the horrible stuff that’s going on in the world, and we wonder what one person can possibly do to make a difference. I was inspired by our November WOW speaker, Karen Duncanwood, who did such a brave thing when she stepped up to being a Freedom Rider in Mississippi 50 years ago.

Probably none of us is able to take that big a step today, but there are always little things to do to help our community and the world and to be an example to others. It means a lot on our small stage when our branch can help a woman complete her education, or inspire a girl to consider a scientific career, or encourage a teenager to develop an idea about an important issue into an effective speech. Thanks for your help in making our projects bear fruit. Let’s see what else we can do this year on an individual and group basis to make a difference, no matter how small!

 

Cherril Peabody, AAUW Sacramento President for 2014-15

Cherril Peabody, AAUW Sacramento President for 2014-15

“Scholarship Updates” by Molly Dugan

Andrea Weathington and Thanh Ho, two of our four scholarship recipients for 2014-2015, spoke at the holiday luncheon on Dec. 13. The other two recipients, Venice Nguyen and Sharay Robinson, will speak at an upcoming branch event to be announced.

AAUW Sacramento is now accepting applications for 2015-2016 scholarships. If you know of anyone who is interested in learning more, please contact scholarship co-chairs Molly Dugan and Donna Holmes at madugan@hotmail.com. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14.

Thanh Ho, 26, is studying health care administration at CSUS. She wants to help low-income people better access health care services. Ho grew up in Hue, Vietnam, and moved to the U.S. six years and began studying English. She works as an In- Home Supportive Services caregiver for her mother and grandmother, and is active in the CSUS Multi-Cultural Center and plans to join the CSUS AAUW chapter.

Thanh Ho, 26, is studying health care administration at CSUS. She wants to help low-income people better access health care services. Ho grew up in Hue, Vietnam, and moved to the U.S. six years and began studying English. She works as an In- Home Supportive Services caregiver for her mother and grandmother, and is active in the CSUS Multi-Cultural Center and plans to join the CSUS AAUW chapter.

Andrea Weathington, 30, is studying Communications at Sacramento City College after a 10 year hiatus from school. She planned to be a drug and alcohol counselor, but "fell in love" with Communications after taking a General Education class. She plans to transfer to CSUS in the fall to complete a bachelor's degree, and is considering pursuing a master's degree. She is mom to Mackenzie, 10, and just got engaged to be married.

Andrea Weathington, 30, is studying Communications at Sacramento City College after a 10 year hiatus from school. She planned to be a drug and alcohol counselor, but “fell in love” with Communications after taking a General Education class. She plans to transfer to CSUS in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree, and is considering pursuing a master’s degree. She is mom to Mackenzie, 10, and just got engaged to be married.

 

 

 

Membership Happy Hour at Ella’s on Wednesday Jan. 14

13076732-happy-hour-sign

Where: Ella Dining Room & Bar (http://www.elladiningroomandbar.com/)

1131 K Street (Corner of 12th & K Street)
Sacramento, CA 95814

Parking validated parking after 5 p.m. in City Lots

City Lots located at: 10th and L Streets & 11th and I Streets

When: Wednesday January 14, 5 to 7 p.m.

Be the first to bring a new prospective member to Happy Hour and earn $20 worth
of food and drinks.

As this is a public event, any new members may join that night for the reduced rate. Please contact Angela Scarlett at angela.scarlett@gmail.com or 916-612-8442 to give her an idea of how many will be attending.

 

 

Directories for Sale!

If you need a new or second copy of the Branch Directory,

  • Please send cash or a check for $5 (which already includes postage) made out to AAUW Sacramento
  • Mail it to: Sharon Anderson, 9045 Thilow Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826
  • If you have questions, please call Sharon at (916) 594-7650.

“January 2015 Fundraising Committee Report” by Cherril Peabody

Though the Fundraising Committee doesn’t have a director, we have been busy nonetheless.  Gloria Yost, Liz Jordan and Donna Holmes are writing grant proposals to benefit Tech Trek, Speech Trek and Scholarships, with more to come, and we have started planning a major fundraising event, which we hope you will all support.

We had tentatively planned on having a phantom tea to support our 100th Anniversary Fund, but we have decided to incorporate that into our Installation Tea options, so as not to burden you with too many fundraisers.

In March we hope you will be ready for some entertainment, and we are planning a musical theatre party fundraising event, courtesy of Runaway Stage, the company that previously captivated us with “Legally Blonde” two years ago.  This year they are producing an old favorite, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” which promises to be great fun, and we have bought out the house for Sunday afternoon, March 15.  This event will benefit the Funds programs, Scholarships, Speech Trek and Tech Trek.  We hope you will all come and bring your friends and family to an engaging afternoon performance with a wine and cheese reception. You will hear more details about this event soon.

 

“Speech Trek Speech Contest Coming Up” by Liz Jordan

Speech Trek Speech Contest, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015

Speech Trek

College graduates today have accumulated more than one trillion dollars in outstanding student loan debt!

For generations, adults have told young people that a college education is the key to a good job, to making more money, and to having a better life. For 133 years, AAUW has encouraged the importance of higher education through legislative advocacy, national fellowship grants, and local scholarship programs.

However, once-free public education has become enormously expensive as state legislatures fund other public interests. Tuition, housing, and materials costs continue to rise. Getting through in four years can be nearly impossible in some institutions of higher learning. As a result, students are graduating from college with thousands of dollars in loan debt. Unemployment and underemployment have presented stubborn obstacles to career building.

Next month, AAUW Sacramento Branch will hold our 8th Annual Speech Trek Contest, and we are asking Elk Grove Unified School District high school students to explain in a 5-6 minute speech: Is College worth the time and expense? Please join us and hear how students answer this timely question.

  • Saturday, February 21, 2015
  • Valley Hi-North Laguna Library
  • 7400 Imagination Parkway, just off Bruceville Road across from Cosumnes River College
  • 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Our winners this year will take home prize money between $100-$400! All speeches will be video taped, and the winning speech will be entered in the AAUW State Speech Trek Contest with prize money between $500-$1,500. These young people provide an exciting and interesting program you don’t want to miss.

“Funds Update” by Donna Holmes & Marty McKnew

Happy New Year! The branch’s funds directors want to thank all of you for your support. As of October 31, 2014, the Sacramento branch has donated $19,638 towards our $75,000 100th Anniversary Grant. We are doing well and plan to keep making progress.

We are $19,638 toward our goal of $75,000 for AAUW Sacramento's 100th Anniversary Fund.

We are $19,638 toward our goal of $75,000 for AAUW Sacramento’s 100th Anniversary Fund.

“Meet A New AAUW Member” by Linda Tinker

Have you met the lady with the warm smile and welcoming manner who greets each member at the registration table as they enter our meetings? She’s Dawn Arnone Boyd, who joined our branch in 2013 and quickly agreed to serve as this year’s  Reservations Chair. ”This position has allowed me the opportunity to meet many members and make new friends,” she says.

In November 2013, Dawn and her husband, Fred, moved to Sacramento from Livermore when Fred accepted a position as a workers’ comp attorney at Travelers Insurance. Dawn works as a substitute teacher in the Sacramento Unified School District. They have three grown children: Mariah, Ashley and Taylor. Dawn and Fred enjoy movies, plays, and gardening. Their other love is entertaining in their wonderful 85-year-old East Sacramento home.

This is Dawn’s first experience with AAUW, and she enjoys the time she spends with AAUW Sacramento members because “through AAUW I’ve become better acquainted with the many things Sacramento has to offer and the friendly people who live here.” She loves attending the many interest groups she has joined, including Great Decisions, Board Games, Art and Architecture, and Walk to Lunch.

Next time you see Dawn, introduce yourself and get acquainted! She’s looking forward to meeting you!

Welcome to Sacramento, Dawn, and thank you for willingly pitching in to help make our branch a success.