Monthly Archives: October 2021

Education and Social Change Focuses of November Program

Education and Social Change Focuses of November Program By Kim Rutledge

The November AAUW Sacramento branch program will focus on our organization’s efforts to improve educational opportunities for women and girls. We will first hear from this year’s AAUW Sacramento Branch scholarship recipients, who will tell us about their education and career ambitions. We also expect to hear from the women our branch sent to the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL).

The program also will include a talk by new branch member Jennifer Krebsbach, who recently completed the eight-week AAUW National Social Change Ambassador Program. She will discuss how she first learned about AAUW and incorporated National’s research into her thesis. She will also give an overview of what she learned in the ambassador program, starting with defining and exemplifying social change. She will go in depth to explain intersectionality and unconscious bias. The goal will be to identify how we as a branch can use these ideas to help us identify areas that can change at the local level, the work we can do as a group and also as an individual.

There will be a bit of lecture, some individual activities, and a discussion time to brainstorm action items toward diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to all who register prior to the event by clicking on Eventbrite.

Holiday Luncheon!

Holiday Luncheon and Branch Meeting By Donna Holmes and Barbara Smith

The multi-cultural and varied religious observations that make up the December holiday season will be the emphasis of the Branch Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 11, 2021. Members and guests will gather at the North Ridge Country Club at 11 a.m.

We know that everyone will be excited to meet in person again, but trust Gloria Yost and Bonnie Penix to challenge us with some theme-related conversation starters on each table.

The official business meeting will begin at 11:30. This is one of four official meetings required per year. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by our guest speakers.  See below for the menu options and reservation form.

Note that all reservations must be received by Dec. 1.

Ahmad Ibrahimi

Continuing our tradition of providing gifts to worthy causes, members are asked to bring items to be given to recent Afghan immigrants through Deborah Sternin’s Comfort Toys project, an outreach program based at the Highlands Community Charter School, which serves more than 1,600 Afghan students and their families. We will be collecting soft, cuddly toys, dolls, children’s books, and coloring books and crayons.

Ahmad Ibrahimi and Lindsey Curtis, from the school, will be our speakers. They will tell us about their work and the Afghan community here. For more information about our speakers, please click here.

As per National AAUW and our board’s decision, all attendees must show proof of COVID vaccination upon arrival. Our greeters will be efficient and friendly, but please respect this requirement for everyone’s safety. No one will be admitted without proof of vaccination.

Menu:

  • Chicken Piccata OR Portobello Mushroom Ravioli
  • Both include Garden Salad, bread, and coffee, tea, or iced tea
  • Vegan available upon request
  • Seasonal candies will be on the tables for dessert
  • A No host bar available

Cost per person is $32.50, plus processing fees. Register and pay via credit card on Eventbrite here, OR by check payable to AAUW Sacramento sent to Donna Holmes. Donna’s contact information can be found in the branch Membership Directory. You can use the registration form found here. Please be sure to indicate your meal choice: chicken piccata, portobello mushroom ravioli, or vegan. Also remember to bring your gift for Afghan children.

ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DEC. 1.

President’s Message

President’s Message By Angela Scarlett

Dear Members,

We are easing into the holiday season. Many of us will, hopefully, be looking forward to spending time with family during Thanksgiving. For some, this might be their first opportunity in two years to give Thanks.

Angela Scarlett

What am I giving thanks for this year? I am particularly thankful for Kim Rutledge, this year’s program director, and Donna Holmes, the key organizer of our annual Holiday Party. This event, detailed in this month’s newsletter, will be our first opportunity to meet in person. Our first event, the October Ice Cream Social, had to be canceled due to bad weather.

We hope that we can come together as a branch and celebrate safely. To that end, we require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. I mentioned last month that this was the decision the board made to best meet our older members’ health needs. Donna and her Holiday Party team have been working hard and creating a fun, rewarding and collaborative event. We hope to have many members there!

I am also still looking for members to serve in Tech Trek and Public Policy. These gaps have left us with substantial leadership needs. If you have time and capacity, please consider this path.

-Angela

AAUW Funds & Living Our Mission of Equity

AAUW Funds By Charmen Goehring

October was a month full of AAUW Funds activities. Members in California enjoyed two online Funds events, previously the Funds Luncheons, each of which highlighted many CA-based recipients of AAUW grants and fellowships.

Their topics of study were diverse and fascinating! While we again missed the in-person opportunity to see friends and meet the recipients, dozens of members who might not otherwise have attended a lunch in the past were able to participate on Zoom. It is always inspiring to see how our contributions have provided support for these young women, some of whom might change the world! There will be one more opportunity to enjoy presentations by a few of our wonderful recipients during the final event on Nov. 7. You can register to attend at www.aauw-ca.org.

Many thanks to those members who consistently send in donations to the AAUW Funds throughout the year via the AAUW website. This is an easy and convenient way to provide funding for our wonderful organization and its programs!

As always, I wish to encourage you to consider honoring your passion for AAUW by joining the Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is composed of dedicated AAUW members who have included AAUW in their estates in order to ensure the organization is healthy and able to help women and girls far into the future. If you have been a member of AAUW for 30 years or more, you are passionate about AAUW. Why not take the simple step of joining the Legacy Circle? You can join online at www.aauw.org or contact Charmen for a brochure.

AAUW Sacramento is close to becoming the CA branch with the most Legacy Circle members!!

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion By Charmen Goehring

We hope you will join us in a monthly equity conversation looking at our own biases, and what actions we can take to attract diversity to our branch and become better people in the process. Each month, we read a section of our selected book and then meet to discuss what we have learned, along with exploring other issues related to race and equity. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity.

The Zoom meeting code is 737 420 3780, or you can join using this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7374203780

We will be discussing the second half of “You Are Your Best Thing” on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen. Charmen’s contact information can be found in the branch Membership Directory.

Speech Trek Challenge

Speech Trek Challenge By Ann Arneill

The Speech Trek Challenge will be held Jan. 15, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 am.  It’s a warm-up for the Speech Trek Contest to be held on Feb. 19, 2022.

At the Speech Trek Challenge, we will discuss this year’s topic: “Has the United States lived up to its pledge of liberty and justice for all?  Would requiring the study of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a high school setting help ensure liberty and justice for all?”

The Speech Trek Committee will provide some background information, and then participants will break up into groups to discuss the topic.  The gathering will end with breakout groups briefly summarizing their discussions for the group.

We hope you will be interested in previewing this topic with us.

 

Applications Available for 2022-23 Branch Scholarships

Applications Available for 2022-23 Branch Scholarships By Molly Dugan, Cathy Locke and Danielle Metzinger

AAUW Sacramento is accepting scholarship applications for the 2022-23 academic year.

The branch is offering $3,000 scholarships to women age 25 and older who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree at American River College, Cosumnes River College, Sacramento City College, Folsom Lake College, or California State University, Sacramento. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2022.

Our scholarship program is listed on the financial aid office websites for the various campuses. Information also is provided to mentoring organizations, student services centers and community groups, including Women’s Empowerment and Saint John’s Program for Real Change. We encourage members to assist in outreach efforts by passing along information to other organizations and individuals that might be interested in the scholarship program.

Academic and other criteria for applicants are available at https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/programs/scholarships. Applications may be completed and supplemental materials submitted using the link on the webpage.

Prospective applicants may direct questions about the program or application process to the Scholarship Committee at aauwsacramentoscholarships@gmail.com.

We will hear from our three 2021-22 scholarship recipients during our Nov. 18 branch meeting. All are recipients of named scholarships, awarded in memory of branch members and past presidents Ruth Ann Hines and Ruth Burgess, and past scholarship recipient Charlene Rasmussen. Mariana Arellano, a nursing major, received the Ruth Burgess Scholarship. Hassina Paiman, also a nursing major, was awarded the Ruth Ann Hines Scholarship, and accounting major Merranda Kairn received the Charlene Rasmussen Scholarship.

We are grateful to all our members, families and friends who have given so generously to our scholarship program.

Interest Group Focus: Art & Architecture

Sacramento AAUW Art and Architecture Interest Group By Deborah Dunn

Do you have an appreciation of and fascination with a variety of visual arts?  Would you like to learn more about architectural styles and treasures around Sacramento?  If so, you will find like-minded AAUW members in the branch Art and Architecture Interest Group.

Sandi Schoenman(AAUW), David Sobon(WOW founder) and Anne Just(AAUW)

Since the interest group was created about 10 years ago, members have had the opportunity to gather together once a month and experience a museum art exhibit, tour a building or series of buildings or a garden, meet an artist in their studio, or wander through small local art galleries.  Typically, the group meets on the first Friday of the month, shares the scheduled visual arts experience and enjoys lunch together afterward.

Of course, during the COVID-related restrictions on in-person meetings, the group could not operate in the usual manner but was able to enjoy a variety of intriguing online art experiences and presentations.  For example, using Zoom, the interest group members were enlightened by a SMUD lighting expert about innovations in lighting home and work areas.  Also, an art deco enthusiast took our group members on a virtual tour of art deco treasures in Sacramento.

In September, the Art and Architecture Interest Group began meeting in-person again, but with an outdoor activity:  a walking tour of murals in Wide Open Walls.  The next gathering will be for a docent-led tour of the “Monet to Matisse” special exhibit at the Crocker Art Museum.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Art and Architecture group, contact the group leader, Deborah Dunn. Deborah’s contact information can be found in the branch Membership Directory.

Membership Update-Did You Know?

Membership: Did You Know? By Donna Holmes and Marty McKnew

Prospective members who join at a branch meeting get a 50 percent discount on National dues!  When you bring a prospective member to an AAUW event, their first year of membership is $71, instead of $102.

Know any prospective members?  Invite them to our next event. This discount applies if they join within two weeks of the event. For example, if you invite a prospective member to participate at the Nov.18 Zoom meeting, they get the discount if they join by Dec. 2. Or if you bring them to the Holiday Party on Dec. 11, they have until Dec. 25 to join. To activate this discount, please contact your membership co-director Marty McKnew. Marty’s contact information can be found in the branch Membership Directory.

Breaking News: For the 2021-22 year, the Sacramento AAUW Branch has retained more than 90 percent of all members from the 2020-21 year, thus contributing to our first “Star” in the National 5 Star program. Well done!

AAUW California Public Policy Update

Updates from AAUW California Public Policy Committee By Kathi Harper

Note: Kathi Harper is the Co-Chair of the AAUW CA Public Policy Committee

Abortion Justice

Although the constitutionally guaranteed right to an abortion has been systematically under attack for decades, it is currently in danger of disappearing altogether.  As AAUW National recently noted, ”Every person should have the ability to make their own informed decisions regarding their reproductive life.  It is beyond time for abortion to be secured legally, funded fully, and equitably available for all who need it, when they need it, without shame or stigma.”  With the recent refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in the onerous Texas case, it is clear that we can no longer count on the courts to protect this critical right.  Congress must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act.  Watch for Action Alerts from National, use them to keep pressure on your representatives, and sign up now for the 2-Minute Activist if you haven’t already done so by clicking here https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/.

Be sure to let us know if members from your branch participated in the Rally for Abortion Justice on Oct. 2, along with Beach Cities, Palos Verdes, San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Alameda, Carlsbad-Oceanside-Vista, Los Altos-Mt. View, San Jose and Morgan Hill, and send pictures if you have them to publicpolicy@aauw-ca.org.

Legislative Updates

Our last five priority bills that were awaiting the Governor’s signature have been acted on. Here are the results:

  • SB 62 (requires fair pay, instead of “by the piece” payment, for garment workers) SIGNED
  • AB 367 (free menstrual products must be provided in girls/women’s bathrooms in schools)  SIGNED
  • AB 887 (allows domestic violence restraining orders to be filed electronically) SIGNED
  • AB 123 (increases paid family leave benefits to 65 – 75 percent of regular pay) VETOED
  • AB 1074 (requires hotel and janitorial workers who have lost their jobs due the pandemic to be prioritized for hiring as businesses reopen) VETOED

Economic Equity

Oct. 21 was Latina Equal Pay Day – the day Latina women, who are paid just 57 cents to every white male’s dollar, finally catch up from the previous year.  To help raise awareness, our coalition partner Stronger California is hosting a Latina Equal Pay Day & Essential Women Workers Virtual Summit.  If you are interested in joining to learn more and hear from iconic civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, as well as California’s First Partner Jennifer Newsome, click register to register.

November Birthdays, Book Groups, and Printable Articles

Celebrating November Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

  Happy Birthday to All!

  • Kathleen Asay                         11/2
  • Esther Gaines                         11/3
  • Cristina Whitlock                    11/6
  • Alicia Hetman                         11/7
  • Ann Arneill                              11/11
  • Eileen Heaser                         11/12
  • Donna Holmes                       11/14
  • Linda Lawrence                      11/16
  • Carole Cline                            11/18
  • Jennifer Henderson               11/19
  • Elaine Ellers                            11/23
  • Cynthia Valls                           11/28
  • Elaine Moody                          11/30

Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2: 
The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah, on Nov. 9; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Group does not meet in Nov. and Dec.; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
How to be an Anti-Racist, by Ibram X. Kendi, on Nov. 10; coordinator is Nancy Lawrence

Book Group 6: 
Interior Chinatown, by Charles Yu, on Nov. 8; coordinator is Angela Scarlett

Book Group 8: 
The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett, on Nov. 22; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett, on Nov. 18; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Other Einstein, by Marie Benedict, on Nov. 4; coordinator is Linda Cook

Book Group 33: 
Next Year in Havana, by Chanel Cleeton, on Nov. 4; coordinators are Jane Pivetti, Nancy Lawrence

Printable Newsletter Articles

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