Daily Archives: January 27, 2022

President’s Message

President’s Message By Angela Scarlett

Hi Dear Members,

I cannot believe it’s nearly February of 2022. Our programming committee, headed by Kim Rutledge, had a meeting where we discussed the continuing unpredictability around new COVID-19 variants.

Angela Scarlett

While we enjoyed the Holiday Party, we can’t plan an in-person Authors Luncheon in good conscience. One of our members pointed out having a digital meeting means we can be more ambitious in our planning.

My presidency is up in June. I had hoped we could meet more in-person to connect more with our many legacy members, but that hasn’t been the case. If you have felt disconnected from the organization, please let me know. If you have difficulties with technology, we can help with that. I also want to encourage folks to attend Speech Trek in February. The committee is so dedicated, and I’ve seen many excellent speakers over the years. As always, please reach out to me. My information is in the directory.

-Angela

Speech Trek Contest coming up in February

Speech Trek Contest coming up in February By Ann Arneill

The 15th Annual Speech Trek contest will be held on Feb. 19, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom.  The link will be sent a few days before the event to those who have registered through EventBrite.  You can still register to attend by going to this link. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aauw-sacramento-speech-trek-tickets-246451943397 ).

Students from the Elk Grove Unified High School District will participate.  The topic this year: “Has the US 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?”  Students will deliver 5- to 6-minute speeches for cash prizes.  We hope to see you there!

The Speech Trek Committee just hosted the Speech Trek Challenge where AAUW members had stimulating discussions about the topic in small groups after hearing a background presentation orienting them to the subject.  We encourage members to attend this event every year as a lead-up to the contest.

 

Living Our Mission of Equity

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

We hope you will join us in a monthly equity conversation learning about how racism affects us all, 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 then meet to discuss what we have learned, along with exploring other issues related to race and equity. We will meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity. Others are welcome as well.

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 chapters 1 and 2 of our new book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee, on Feb. 9, 2022 at 7p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Scholarship Applications Due By March 1

Scholarship Applications Due By March 1 By Molly Dugan, Cathy Locke and Danielle Metzinger

The March 1 application deadline for our 2022-23 branch scholarships is approaching, and we encourage members to help us reach individuals or organizations that might be interested in the scholarship program.

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.

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.

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.

If you would like a digital copy of the flyer, which includes a QR code for easy access to the online application, please contact Danielle Metzinger or Cathy Locke. A photo of the flyer, sized for use on social media, also is available.

Membership Matters

Membership Matters By Donna Holmes and Marty McKnew

We are saddened to announce the passing of two members of Sacramento AAUW, Tina Taggart and Marjorie Daughhetee.

Tina, a 50-year member of AAUW, was born in 1933 and passed away on Aug. 30, 2021.  She was a native of Sacramento and spent most of her life here.  With a BS in journalism from the University of Oregon, she became a kindergarten teacher, a stay-at-home mom and finally an information officer at the Department of Food and Agriculture. She was also a 50-year member of the Delta Zeta and the Tuesday Club.  She is greatly missed by her husband, three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Marjorie joined AAUW in 2015 and was active with Book Section No. 2 and, more recently, with the Games Night.  Marjorie passed away a few days before the AAUW holiday party, which she planned to attend.  She came to California from Nebraska to teach home economics at Placerville High School.  She met her husband, Larry, in a summer graduate program.   Marjorie and her husband were seasoned travelers, touring all over the world and across the US until Larry’s death a few years ago.  She leaves one son in Ithaca, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews.

(Thank you to Alice Bauer for the biographical information.)

Membership Co-Chairs,
-Donna Holmes
-Marty McKnew

Medical Internship In Cusco, Peru

Medical Internship In Cusco, Peru By Tiffiny Joseph

Introduction by Gloria Yost: Tiffiny Joseph, one of our November speakers, is a past scholarship winner and one of our NCCWSL (National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) attendees.  She has expressed her great appreciation for the financial support given to her by various branch members.

Tiffiny’s article: After a long day’s travel with my husband and 5-month-old son, we made it to Cusco, Peru. We were visiting for three weeks so that I could complete a medical internship at a clinic in the heart of the city.

I am an aspiring doctor, a non-traditional student studying at the University of California, Davis, majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior. I will be applying for medical school this upcoming 2022-2023 cycle. A big part of the application is writing about experiences that have been significant to the candidate in affirming their path to medicine and preparing them for the challenges that come with medical school. Due to the pandemic, finding clinical experiences had been discouragingly difficult. Many of my applications were rejected, even the ones for the student-run clinic at UCD upon which I was relying for this necessary experience.

Understandably, most clinics could not welcome extra bodies who were not staff already. I was desperate. I needed to prove that the medical field is where I belong.

My husband found a medical internship program opportunity, but we were hesitant because of the investment. I was an AAUW scholarship recipient and NCCWSL attendee so thought to ask for some support from the members of AAUW through a GoFundMe page. Fortunately, with support from members of AAUW, we were able to go.

It was the first day of my internship, I was nervous. I was instructed not to be shy.  Since I speak Spanish, I had an advantage over some of the other volunteers attending since they did not speak Spanish.

The program directors told me that I would get out of the experience what I put into it. I left my child and husband at the home of our host family and took a taxi to meet the people with whom I would be working for the next three weeks.

I was greeted by a man who was flustered. He urged me to hurry, no real official introduction, just urgency. I followed him quickly. He told me to get dressed, put on a head cap, booties and scrubs. I did so as fast as I could. Once ready, I met him outside the changing area. He had a disappointed expression and informed me that I had missed a cesarean operation by just moments but that, fortunately, there was another surgery going on that I could watch.

Surgery? Really? I was excited. To be honest, I had never seen one. He brought me to the second “sala” (room). In this surgical unit, there were about four to five doctors operating on a patient, performing a hip surgery. I felt an adrenaline rush. This was an important moment that I will never forget. I could prepare, but until I actually experienced this event, I could not be certain how I would feel or respond.

They were sawing and removing pieces of bone. Interestingly enough, “Suavemente” was playing in the background, a song that I had grown up listening to and every Peruvian family plays during family functions. It was surreal. Later, when sharing this experience with a friend, she offered some insight for me to consider.  She suggested that this song that felt like home to me, was my family sending me comfort and telling me they were proud of me in that moment.

This experience was a gift. One that I will cherish forever. I continued to watch more than a dozen surgeries over the next three weeks.  Every day, I learned more and more. I was even able to assist surgeons in small ways, such as helping them to tie their gowns or passing more gauze as needed. I continued to feel that same initial enthusiasm.  This experience confirms for me that medicine is where I belong.

February Birthdays, Book Groups and Printable Articles

Celebrating February Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

  Happy Birthday to All!

  • Anna Storey                             2/1
  • Kathleen Deaver                     2/2
  • Arlene Cullum                         2/4
  • Margaret Ann Dukleth           2/7
  • Susan Whetstone                   2/9
  • Barbara Puett                         2/10
  • Jane Cooley                             2/14
  • Nancy Fox                               2/16
  • Ann Louise Kinnison             2/21
  • Linda Howard                         2/22
  • Jean Brown                             2/24
  • Carol Finney                           2/25
  • Inger Lindholm                      2/26
  • Karen W. Smith                      2/26

Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2:
The Paris Library, by Janet Charles, on Feb. 1; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Nemesis, by Philip Roth, on Feb. 23; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Bad Blood, by John Carryrou, on Feb. 8; coordinator is Nancy Lawrence

Book Group 6: 
TBD, on Feb. 21; coordinator is Angela Scarlett

Book Group 8: 
The Origin of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson, on Feb. 28; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
The Book Woman of Troublesom Creek, by Kim Michelle Richardson, on Feb. 17; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Midnight in Broad Daylight, by Pamela Rotner Sakamoto, on Feb. 3; coordinator is Linda Cook

Book Group 33: 
Lola on Fire, by Rio Youers, on Feb. 3 coordinators are Jane Pivetti, Nancy Lawrence

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