Monthly Archives: May 2016

May Branch Meeting and WOW program to feature Mercy Ships Nurses by Linda Patterson

Our May Branch program will feature Katie Wolf, R.N., and Mollie Van Parys, R.N., two Sacramento nurses who will talk about their volunteer efforts with Mercy Ships in Madagascar. Mercy Ships is an international charity operating a hospital ship that provides free lifesaving surgeries for people who live in places where medical care is nearly non-existent.

In Madagascar, access to medical care is beyond the reach of many people. In addition to the high expense of medical care relative to the average Malagasy income, the prevalence of trained medical professionals remains extremely low. In 2010, Madagascar had an average of three hospital beds per 10,000 people and a total of 3,150 doctors, 5,661 nurses, 385 community health workers, 175 pharmacists and 57 dentists for a population of 22 million people.

Currently at port in Madagascar, Mercy Ships provides extensive surgeries, outpatient care, hospice services, and agricultural and healthcare education for the community.

Katie Wolf works as a Burn ICU nurse at the UC Davis Medical Center and volunteered as an ICU nurse on the ship in March-April 2015. Mollie Van Parys is a Preop/PACU nurse with Greater Sacramento Surgery Center and volunteered as a PACU nurse on the ship in November-December 2015. Mollie and Katie will be discussing not only their volunteer experience but sharing some prominent issues for the women of Madagascar.

Come join us on May 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, to learn about Mercy Ships and Madagascar from these local nurses.

To register for free, visit EventBrite by clicking the orange Register Now button

or send an email to Dawn Boyd at darnone1@att.net.

Also on the program is the Installation of the Sacramento Branch Board of Directors for 2016-17.

President’s Message by Nancy McCabe

President Nancy McCabe

I attended the California State AAUW Convention in mid-April and received lots of good information. As there were four workshops given at four different times, I could only learn so much! I attended two workshops on leadership, one on program, and one on membership. Certainly the largest take away from the membership workshop is that it growing membership is the responsibility of all members, not just the membership chairs. There are so many opportunities that each of us has to meet potential members in the course of our daily lives. Do you belong to a religious organization? An alumni association? A civic group? A neighborhood association? Have neighbors? Have family?

One way to introduce AAUW to potential members is by telling them that it is the oldest women’s empowerment association in the country. Tell them what we are, not what we are not. Time and attention span is wasted going into how we aren’t all university professors. Probably anyone who knows me wouldn’t have to ask that! Talk about Speech Trek and how that promotes leadership skills. Tech Trek introduces 13-year-old girls to STEM occupations and the possibility of attending college. This is actually life changing. We give college scholarships to women ages 25 and older who need financial assistance in order to complete college. Our national organization awards grants and fellowships to women to enable them to complete degrees and advance their careers or reenter the workforce. AAUW provides nearly $4 million in funding each year to women scholars and community projects that benefit girls and women. Since 1888, we’ve awarded more than $100 million to these women.

How can you not be totally proud of what each of us contributes to and want to share this information with other women? Invite a friend to a meeting and point out that membership is a bargain if she joins at that meeting. Who can resist a bargain?

Challenges to Our Voting Rights by Jo Reiken

In 2016, 17 states will have new voting restrictions in place for the first time in a presidential election, ranging from new strict photo ID requirements and early voting cutbacks to voter registration restrictions.

This came about as a result of the 2013 Supreme Court decision Shelby County v Holden, which found Section 4(b) of the 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act required pre-clearance measures for 15 states with a history of discrimination against minority voters, which required federal approval of any voting rule changes in these states. Section 4(b) of the VRA specifically named the 15 states that were subject to the requirements of Section 5. The Supreme Court held that although the constraints made sense in the 1960s and 1970s, Section 4(b) imposes burdens that are no longer responsive to the current voting conditions in the 15 named states.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, states can now pass controversial voting rights changes without federal government oversight. Of the 15 states named in Section 4(b) of the VRA, at least nine of these states have now enacted stricter voting rights laws saying these new restrictions are necessary to reduce the risk of voter fraud, (statistics show there is virtually no risk of voter fraud as only one in 5 million votes have been found to be fraudulently cast) or to save money.

Opponents to these new laws feel the tighter voting requirements are intentionally directed at minorities, voters of lower income and those living in rural areas. There are also longer voting lines, which leads to lower voter turnout. Of the 11 states with the highest African American voter turnout in 2008, seven states have new voter restrictions in place. Of the 12 states with the largest Hispanic population growth between 2000 and 2010, nine states passed laws making it harder to vote.

In 2015, Congress introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, which would once again require states with a history of voting discrimination to get advanced federal government approval for voting changes they propose to make. This bill is still pending.

Congratulations to our 2015 Branch Named Gift Honorees! by Marty McKnew & Donna Holmes

For all that you do for our branch

In December 2012, we established the Sacramento Branch 100^th Anniversary Research & Project Grant. Since then, six members have supported the grant each year, helping us reach over 50 percent of our goal by December 2015. Marty and I are two of the six. The other four, with board approval, are being honored for their consistent support. Rather than tell you about these wonderful ladies, we choose to interview them about the grant.

Our winners are Kathleen Asay, Marilyn Orrick, Hedda Smithson and Gloria Yost.

This year you are being honored as a named gift recipient because of your annual support of the Sacramento Branch 100^th Anniversary R & P Grant since its inception. Will you tell us why you made this a part of your charitable giving each year?

Kathy: “I have always supported AAUW Funds since I became a member and particularly appreciate the opportunity to support a fund that honors the branch and people I know. I was Funds Director in Fullerton and started a Research & Project grant for Fullerton’s 50 year anniversary, completed long ago.”

Marilyn: “I think it is important to the aims and goals of this organization.”

Hedda: “Because I can and because AAUW changed my life. One example is my book group. We read and discuss the coolest books that I would not have read otherwise.”

Gloria: “Because I believe in the AAUW mission of helping women and girls.”

How important is this anniversary to our Branch and to you?

Kathy: “Very significant to me in that it says AAUW has been here, not just on the East Coast, serving members and the community for a long time.”

Marilyn: “The 100th anniversary is a very significant number. It signifies that this branch is a sustainable and vital contributing part of our community.”

Hedda: “Having been involved with presentations about history, I feel we need to celebrate. I remember hearing about and seeing in the history center old directories where the members were listed by their husband’s names, e.g., Mrs. Thomas Smithson – the woman’s name was not mentioned!”

Gloria: “Our branch’s 100th anniversary is a milestone we should be proud of and celebrate.”

What do you feel has been your most important contribution to the branch during your time as a member?

Kathy: “Starting the couples dining out group, now in its ninth year. I chaired the first six years. It’s been great for getting to know other members and their husbands. I also believe in going to branch meetings.”

Marilyn: “I used to be on the leadership training team for the State (2 or 3 to a team). We traveled to branches and provided leadership training specifically tailored to the branch needs. Self discovery was a big part of it.”

Hedda: “Being president more than once, helping and advising as needed. I am a support person for whatever is happening now.”

Gloria: “My willingness to take a leadership role.” (Editorial comment: This is so true!)