Daily Archives: September 28, 2022

October Program – CA Ballot

November 2022 CA Ballot Proposition Forum

Presented by
AAUW Citrus Heights- American River and AAUW Sacramento

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 4:45pm
On Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4350679895?pwd=TjMvZFZtSE4xdXFCUjhDU0dKWnlCdz09
Meeting ID: 435 067 9895
Passcode: 184701

Join us as Professor Mary Beth Moylan and a panel of McGeorge School of Law students review the current propositions on the November ballot. Q&A to follow the discussion.

President’s Message

President’s Message By Angela Scarlett

Dear fellow AAUW Members,

I sit here on a Tuesday night, trying to capture how lovely our meeting was on Sept. 17! Members such as Barbara Smith, Kathy Schrumpf, Jane Cooley and Barbara Smith brought snacks and helped set up the room. Sandi Schoenman greeted folks at the door.

Kamariah Alexander

One of our scholarship recipients, Kamariah Alexander, spoke movingly

Marissa Floyd

about returning to college after becoming a mom. In contrast, our NCWSSL winner, Marissa Floyd, spoke about the diverse offerings of leadership training she could access at NCWSSL.

Our guest speakers, Jay Cohen and Maiya De La Rosa, both from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, spoke to the challenges for women and pregnant persons in a post-Dobbs world. They framed the policy opportunities in

Planned Parenthood

California and the practical matter of providing reproductive health care to hundreds of thousands of low-income people.

It warmed my heart to see many of our members present and engaged with issues that impact our mission. I want to see more folks engaged as this year rolls along. To this end, I am setting up a Phonevite account. What’s a Phonevite account? Well, it’s a handy low-cost tool that sends our robocall reminders to members’ phones to remind them of upcoming events. AAUW California suggested this as an option for doing outreach with members who don’t use email very often. Please reach out to me if you have thoughts about this platform.

I hope to see everyone online for our October program, the CA Ballot Forum!

Cheers,
Angela

Nancy Lawrence Tribute

Nancy Lawrence Tribute By Cathy Locke and Donna Holmes

A memorial celebration for Nancy Lawrence, a longtime AAUW Sacramento member and past president, will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Northridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave., Fair Oaks.

Nancy died Aug. 9 at her Fair Oaks home. She was 78.

Nancy served as branch president in 1994-96 and again as co-president with Hedda Smithson in 2004-06.

AAUW was a family affair for the Lawrence women. Nancy’s mother, Marjorie Lawrence, was active in the Sacramento branch, serving as president in 1964-65, and sister Linda Lawrence is a branch member as well.

Nancy was a member of the AAUW 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee, planning for the gala and writing articles for the Memory Book that marked the Sacramento branch’s centennial in 2020. She also was a strong supporter of branch outreach programs, including scholarships and Tech Trek.

More about Nancy’s life and her contributions to the greater Sacramento community is provided in the following obituary, published Sept. 18 in The Sacramento Bee.

Nancy Lawrence Obituary

December 29, 1943 – August 9, 2022 in Fair Oaks, California
Nancy Lawrence, blessed with a happy family and friends, died at home on August 9, 2022, at age 78.

Nancy liked to say that she and her sister, Linda, won the lottery when they were born. Their educated parents, Carl and Marjorie McGlashan Lawrence, loved and supported them. They grew up in California’s post­ war prosperity with its strong public education system, and had travel and learning opportunities all around them. Nancy attended Bret Harte, Cal Junior High, and McClatchy High School in Sacramento where she found real joy in learning. She then earned her BA and MA in English literature at Stanford. While attending Stanford’s semester in Italy she got an eye-opening glimpse of the world and other cultures. This grew into a love of travel including years of summer travels to the Middle East and to Asia where she fell in love with archaeology and cultural history. Repeat visits to Europe were a treat for her always.

After Stanford, Nancy decided teaching and academics would be most satisfying and taught 17 years at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera in southern California. Teaching and exploring ideas in literature and the arts formed an interesting life for her. In 1984, Nancy married Gordon Klein, a math teacher and data processing specialist at Pico Rivera. Three years later they moved to Sacramento to manage Lawrence Properties, together with her sister, Linda, and their very valuable property managers, Pat Quarton-Rodini and then Stephanie Paschal-Jividen. Their first project was to computerize the business records and investments, and then they grew the size of its holdings.

In Sacramento, Nancy became involved with local organizations (like her mother before her), particularly Sacramento AAUW and the Crocker Art Museum, where Nancy was a Docent for many years. She served on boards and led groups serving cultural and educational purposes: the Crocker Art Museum, the former Sacramento Public Library Foundation, AAUW, the Kingsley Art Club, the Girl Scouts, the Sacramento Literacy Foundation, and the Mondavi Center. Education provided such satisfaction to Nancy that she worked tirelessly to “give back” by expanding educational opportunity for many more. And Nancy always said that in turn these organizations provided her with education, stimulation, and wonderful friends and relationships that endure forever. At the same time she and Gordon enjoyed the Opera, travel (including regular visits to Gordon’s family in North Dakota), and expanding the Klein family group in Sacramento.

COVID struck soon after the time Gordon died. Nancy said that it was with help from her many friends and family that she was able to meet the huge challenge of these years: her sister Linda Lawrence, the Deck Diners, the Fair Oaks Wine and Dine, her many Crocker friends, her AAUW friends, Club 61, and Stephanie Paschal-Jividen, together with Margaret Schrupp, Heidi and A.J. Amstrup (Lara, Luke), Karin Lewis (Jasmine, Dalton), Elisabeth Klein, Vince and Jamie Klein (Kristina, Karol), Ottie Maxey, and Pam Saltenberger, who kept the horrors at bay. Nancy would say she had a terrific life, was lucky, and hopes that she helped others to lead happy lives too.

A memorial celebration will be held October 16, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at Northridge Country Club. Memorials can be made to the Crocker Art Museum, the Kingsley Art Club Education Foundation, the Sacramento Children’s Literacy Foundation or to St. Johns Shelter in order to reach out to the young who need help to flourish and thrive where they are planted.
[Obituary can be found at here]

AAUW CA FUNDS EVENTS COMING THIS MONTH!

AAUW CA FUNDS EVENTS COMING THIS MONTH! By Charmen Goehring

Mark your calendars for the inspiring AAUW Funds Events on Zoom on Oct. 15, 22 and 23, and Nov. 12. We have a record number of recipients of AAUW grants and fellowships in California this year — 49! — and because of the online format, you will have a chance to hear from most of them. The women share their research and how our Funds awards are meaningful to them. Previously, luncheons were held, two in Northern CA and one in Southern CA. Being on Zoom makes them accessible to everyone, with no driving and they are free!! I would like to suggest, however, that you donate to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund in lieu of purchasing a luncheon ticket! Registration is now open on the AAUW CA website here: https://www.aauw-ca.org/aauw-2022-fund-events/

Make October your AAUW Fund Month — meet the recipients at the events, make a donation and become a Legacy Circle member! Contact me (charminme@yahoo.com)  if you have questions! Thank you for supporting AAUW and our mission of “Equity for All.”

Living Our Mission of Equity

Living Our Mission of Equity 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 then meet to discuss what we have learned, along with exploring other issues related to race and equity. We meet the first 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 our current book, “Sister Outsider”, by Audre Lorde, on Oct. 5 at 7pm. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.  Our next book for November/December will be “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving.

WE HAVE A PLAN – LET’S GROW!

WE HAVE A PLAN – LET’S GROW! By Donna Holmes

Hey there. Our awesome committee is excited to take on this challenge of growing AAUW California.  Every needs assessment analyzing our declining membership numbers always uses fancy consultant language. Yet, my cartoon friend Maxine sums it up best. “We’re old. We’re burned out. We’re unknown.” (Her coffee cup reads, “I love my attitude problem!”)

What would happen if we changed that mindset? What if we radiated energy that says, “Come join us.  Be part of something bigger that can change the lives of women and girls!” Our new mindset dances to this tune!

We are vibrant and smart. We are action people.  We are AMBASSADORS.

What IF (and that is a big IF…) all of us would just invite one person to join AAUW – a friend, neighbor, relative, co-worker – that number would be – let me see “9,167 X 2 = 18,334” What!?! If each one would bring one … whoa, Nelly!  That’s growth! (Don’t worry, our goals are a little more modest than that. Six percent for next year, but it is so fun to dream!)

The above article is from the State board, and Marty and I heartily concur.  Our branch has done an excellent job of membership retention. We went into 2021-22 with 191 members and currently are going into 2022-23 with 185 members.  Retaining 90% of membership is part of 5-star recognition.  Five members moved away, four members have passed away and we have a few not renewing.  We also have new members — the latest is Christine Osterman, who joined at our Sept. 17 branch meeting.  Our formal count will be taken on Sept. 30.  Stay tuned for a new members gathering when Marty returns from her travels!

We Welcome New CSUS AAUW Representatives

We Welcome New CSUS AAUW Representatives By Gloria Yost

Katherine Betts, who started her higher education journey at CSU Chico, is the director of Belonging Education and Support in the Department of Inclusive Excellence at Sac State.  She received her MA from Indiana State University and is currently working on a PhD from Toledo University.  Katherine says she is excited to be back in California and looks forward to strengthening ties between CSUS and AAUW, especially with the Sacramento Branch.

Aisha Engle has been program coordinator for the Women’s Resource Center at Sac State for the past eight years and has just moved over to the Career Center where she will be working as a career/financial/wellness counselor.  She received both her BA and MA degrees at CSUS.  Aisha’s many campus connections and enthusiasm are a great resource as we work to re-establish our AAUW Sac State student affiliate.

Both Katherine Betts an Aisha Engle have joined out branch and we look forward to meeting them in person.

We thank our previous CSUS AAUW partners, Professor Molly Dugan and Leigh Barber of the Academic Affairs Office, for connections between our branch and Sac State that they helped nourish.

Sac State Buzz: Did You Know?              

  • CSUS is a college/university partner with AAUW.
  • All undergraduate students can sign up for free AAUW e-memberships.
  • Students and staff have access to the wealth of resources on the AAUW website, including opportunities to apply for fellowships and grants and to take advantage of AAUW partner benefits.

CSUS, fondly known as Sac State, is continuing its college/university partnership with AAUW, which means all undergraduate students on campus can sign up for free AAUW e-memberships.

Reproductive Choice Committee Update

Reproductive Choice Committee Update By Liz Jordan

Local – Sacramento Region
At the Sept. 17, AAUW Sacramento Branch meeting at the Carmichael Library, two representatives from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which serves all of Northern and Central California and much of Nevada told us:

  • about their planning for expansion of clinics and services since November of 2016.
  • not only do they provide reproductive health care to women,
    • 68 percent of patients live below federal poverty standards
    • 79 percent of patients are people of color; nearly half are Latinx
  • they also provide well-baby care (patients from 6 weeks – 91 years old)
  • primary care to many under-insured Americans
  • but, also, vasectomies, gender-affirming care, COVID-19 care.

AAUW Nevada County, on Oct. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., is putting on a theatrical dialog called “The Abortion Chronicles” in which speakers share true stories from women and girls from 1946 to 1973.  Meeting will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley and everyone is invited to join them.  Joint meeting with Citizens for Choice; no sign-up is required.  All are welcome.

California

  • Proposition 1, Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom, is on California’s November ballot to amend the state Constitution. For more info, see article in this newsletter by Sue Miller of AAUW CA Public Policy CommitteeAAUW CA supports.
  • New state website Abortion.ca.gov to help find a provider, groups supporting a woman’s right to govern her own body, etc.

National

  • Guttmacher Institute at https://www.guttmacher.org is also offering a rich website of information about events in the 50 states, as well as an interactive map.
  • These both reveal the date in which they are updated.

The next meeting of the Reproductive Choice Committee is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 10, 1:00-2:00 p.m. We are engaged in research at this stage of existence as preparation for future action.   Contact Liz Jordan (lizjord@msn.com)  for a Zoom invitation to join the meeting.  We need you!

When Women Vote, They Change the Conversation!

When Women Vote, They Change the Conversation! By Sue Miller

AAUW CA Public Policy News

AAUW California supports the passage of Propositions 1 and 28 on the November ballot in California.
Proposition 1.  The decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade dealt a serious blow to the rights of women to make their own decision about their bodies.  This spurred many state legislatures to act to ban abortion, some with no exceptions for rape, incest, or endangering the life of the mother. Abortion bans in other states have already taken effect. Yet polls in many states show a majority in support of protecting the rights of women to choose to have abortions. Currently, women are coming from other states to obtain abortions in California. An Abortion Access website is being formed in our state to enable and assist out-of-state women with travel arrangements, housing, medical appointments and other matters.

California legislators, recognizing the remote possibility that at some future time state legislation could ban abortions, took timely action in June to pass SCR 10. This put Proposition 1, the Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom, on the November ballot. Passage of Prop 1 will amend the California Constitution, stating “Section 1.1 is added to Article I thereof, to read: SEC. 1.1. The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed by Section 1, and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection guaranteed by Section 7. Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.”

AAUW CA has begun a social media campaign to educate and encourage voters to support Proposition 1. Weekly messages contain important facts.  If you don’t use social media, we urge you to email the messages to others who do!

Proposition 28. In the context of AAUW CA’s Public Policy Priorities in support of Education, AAUW CA supports Proposition 28, The Arts and Music in Schools – Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act.  Studies on educational achievement prove that arts and music education improve student learning. Music education has been shown to improve cognitive development and spatial reasoning while the dramatic arts improve reading comprehension.  Arts and music education has also been shown to improve school attendance and individual self-confidence and motivation to learn, particularly among poor and other at-risk students. Yet these programs are usually the first cut when school budgets are reduced. Prop 28 would provide a minimum source of annual funding coming from the state General Fund to K-12 public schools to supplement arts education programs. School districts would be held accountable to use the funds for hiring certificated employees and purchasing supplies and materials. Read the full propositions on the Secretary of State website, www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures

Become informed, and Vote on November 8, 2022!!

PLEASE NOTE:  There was an error in the AAUW California September Newsletter article.  The article provided a link to National’s Get Out the Vote Toolkit, however the link was to their old site.  The site has been updated and the new and correct link is: https://www.aauw.org/resources/policy/advocacy-toolkit/ .

Interest Groups, Birthdays, Books, and Printable Articles

Interest Group Happenings By Vicki Nicholson

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE:  Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m., home art studios of Paula and Joseph Bellacera.
  • BOARD GAMES:  Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at Ruth Werner’s.
  • FILM FANS:  Oct. 18, 11 a.m., Zoom, contact Cherril Peabody for details.
  • GREAT DECISIONS I:  Oct. 17, 7 p.m., Zoom, topic–Biden’s Foreign Policy. Taking orders for 2023 briefing book.  Contact Cathy Locke.
  • GREAT DECISIONS II:  Oct. 13, 7 p.m., topic–US Industrial Policy.
  • GREAT DECISIONS III:  Oct. 17, 1 p.m., home of Marge Patzer; topic–US Industrial Policy.
  • HEALTHY HEART:  Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m. at Fabian’s in Fair Oaks. Contact Jane Cooley.
  • READER’S THEATER:  Oct. 11, 10 a.m., Mary William’s home.
  • SCRABBLE:  Oct. 31, 1 p.m., home of Vivian Counts.
  • SINGLES DINING:  Oct. 2, 6 p.m., contact Nancy McCabe.

Celebrating October Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Kathryn Schrumpf                           10/1 
  • Janice Stuter                                     10/5
  • Mary Williams                                  10/8
  • Karen Ann Smith                             10/9
  • Lynn Blair Wood                              10/12
  • Linda Cook                                       10/13
  • Jennifer Virginia Stanley                 10/14
  • Lyn Roefs                                          10/15
  • Susan McLearan                              10/17
  • Elizabeth Hendrickson                   10/21
  • Marianne Rorden                            10/21
  • Christina Calpo                                10/23
  • Mary Margaret Baker                     10/26
  • Gail Evans                                         10/26
  • Bakula Maniar                                 10/27
  • Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin         10/27

October Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2:
The Road Home, by Rose Tremain, on Oct. 4; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
TBD Book Selection, on Oct. 26; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson, on Oct. 12; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
There There, by Tommy Orange, on Oct. 17; coordinators are Angela Scarlett, Gloria Yost

Book Group 8: 
The Yellow House: A Memoir, by Sarah Broom , on Oct. 24; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
The Sentence, by Louise Erdich, Oct. 20 ; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Island of Missing Trees, by Eilif Shafak, on Oct. 6; coordinator is Linda Cook

Printable Newsletter Articles

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