Monthly Archives: August 2023

September Kickoff

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents (By Hedda Smithson)

Episode One of “The Rights Stuff”:
                               The Right to Equal Opportunity

                             >>> Lights, Camera, Action!! <<<

Saturday, September 23, 10 AM in the Arcade Library, 2443 Marconi Ave

We begin our program year with a double feature: our camera focuses on two very important programs that empower women and girls: National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) and Tech Trek. Each participant will be invited to meet with you to share her experiences.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – poet Muriel Strode.

The most recent NCCWSL conference was held May 31 to June 3 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Details of the three days of leadership training, inspiration and networking agenda are found at aauw.org. Sacramento Branch sponsored Marissa Floyd and Paola Mendez. Marissa majored in Child Development and was a behavior analyst at a local school district. Paola is a political science journalism major.

Tech Trek was created in 1988 by Marie Wolbach at Stanford. The STEM-oriented camps (virtual and in person) are designed for girls ready to enter 8th grade. Science teachers from Will C Wood (Eli) and W. E. Mitchell (Corinna and Jonathan) nominated students to be considered by our Tech Trek committee. Students wrote essays and were interviewed by committee members as a part of the selection process. Phyllis and Melena (Will C. Wood) and Isabella, Chelsea, Victoria, and Avery (W.E. Mitchell) attended the camp at UC Davis last July while Mia, Jaila, and Sana attended a virtual camp. Each camper experienced a full week of exciting workshops, sessions and evening events. Kathleen Deaver, Lori Franz, Hedda Smithson, and Gloria Yost visited to see what was going on. Long time supporter of Tech Trek, Jo Reiken, was there as our guide. The highlight was watching the solar powered cars, designed and built by the students, compete. Tech Trek is but one program offered through aauw-ca .

The Lights and Camera are focused on NCCWLS and Tech Trek. Now it’s time for Action: interact with our guests, volunteer to help with a committee, and/or donate to the branch for one or both of these programs. Or write your own role.

Closing credits and details:

This article represents your TICKET! Take advantage of this opportunity to see AAUW Sacramento in action. Greet old friends and make new ones. Bring a relative, neighbor and/or friend. This event is open to the public. Let’s spread the word!!

 

President’s Message 

President’s Message By Nancy McCabe


After a break of six years, I’m back again as branch president and a lot has changed in that time. Most of our paperwork is now on the computer, which will take a bit of learning. That doesn’t affect most of you until it is time for renewal of membership. The larger change is more recent and it is in the organization of the leadership positions.

 

Strangely, a number of our officers aren’t fans of monthly evening meetings. A group met for strategic planning and divided the tasks into five Directors who will get reports from their respective officers and will attend the meetings as their representative. The first one is Membership Support, who will report for Member Outreach, Membership Treasurer, Interest Group Coordinator, Directory and Sunshine. The second one is Membership Development, who covers Membership Recruitment, College/University Relations, and Diversity/Equity and Inclusion. Third is Director of Local Projects, covering Scholarship, Speech Trek, Tech Trek and Gov Trek.  Fourth is Director of AAUW Priorities, covering Public Policy, Civil Rights Advocacy, Title IX, and AAUW Funds. Fifth is Director of Communications, which covers the newsletter (which you are reading,) Social Media, Technology Coordinator, Email Tree, Newsletter Mailer and Webmaster. The Parliamentarian keeps the President in line, and the Reservations and Hospitality Coordinators assist the Program Vice Presidents.  

 

If I still have your attention, we still need to fill several positions:

– Gov Trek, which has a knowledgeable committee member who can offer help and guidance.

– Public Policy, which has a number of knowledgeable otherwise occupied members who can supply guidance.

– Title IX, which can be designed by the volunteer.

– Hospitality, who contacts members for help with snacks and keeps track of the requisite paper goods. Failing volunteer bakers, there is a budget for grocery store cookies. We all know how important meeting snacks are! This is a public service!

 

If interested, you can find out who is doing what by clicking <here>. I hope to see you at the September meeting, which is the kickoff for our business year. More information on the September Kickoff can be found in this newsletter. We will be voting on the year’s proposed budget, which you can find <here>. At the meeting, please introduce yourself if we don’t know one another. 

October Program Preview

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents (By Hedda Smithson)

Episode Two of “The Rights Stuff”:
                               The ERA and Reproductive Rights 

                             >>> Lights, Camera, Action!! <<<

Saturday, October 14, 10 AM in the Sacramento Fine Arts Center,
5330 Gibbons Drive, Carmichael

A joint meeting with *CHAR

                         Coming Attraction!!      Save the date!

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Do you know in which century this was first proposed? Do you know its current status? Are you aware of the repercussions of the Dobbs vs Jackson decision? For all this and more, join us! For this episode, would you like to be an actress, facilitator, or greeter? Please contact Liz Jordan; her contact information is in the membership directory. This episode is still holding auditions and rehearsals. We envision a lively presentation of a play, some geographical data and lots of small group discussions. We will be looking for ways to ACT!!

*Citrus Heights/American River Branch of AAUW

Membership Happenings in September

Membership Happenings By Vicky Lovell, Gloria Yost

Membership outreach and recruitment has a new look!

We are reorganizing our efforts to bring more focus to recruiting, engaging and retaining members.

Membership Co-Directors for the 2023-2024 year:

  • Vicky Lovell will coordinate outreach to new and continuing members.
  • Gloria Yost will manage recruitment activities.

Please contact us.  We want your help, in the following ways:

  • committee volunteers to help with planning activities
  • creative ideas for fun ways to build a sense of belonging
  • innovative ideas for design and distribution of outreach materials
  • your suggestions for recruitment opportunities
  • your participation

Let’s make this a year to strengthen our Sacramento AAUW connections and friendships.

Sunshine Chair

Pat Winkle is the new Sunshine Chair and needs to hear from you if you know members who might appreciate a get well, sympathy or “thinking of you” card. As she doesn’t know everyone, she needs your help in remembering our friends. Her contact information is in the directory.

Ann Louise Kinnison

We regret to inform you of the passing of another member this summer. Here is the message Ann Louise’s son asked that we share:

“This is Michael Kinnison, Ann’s son.  My sister and I want to advise that Ann Louise Kinnison passed quietly and with dignity on 7/7/2023.

She was 90 years young.

She wanted a private funeral, so she got one.  Those in attendance were her kids and grandkids only.

We wanted to let you know that Ann Louise was honored to be a part of AAUW and expressed her heartfelt longing of all the friends she was able to have with this great organization.

Thank you.  – Michael Kinnison

Celebrating August Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Jennifer Krebsbach                           8/5
  • Linda Patterson                                 8/5
  • Marlys Fredrickson Huez                 8/6
  • Pamela Harder                                  8/8
  • Nancy McCabe                                  8/14
  • May Ruth Lynch                                8/22
  • Barbara Smith                                   8/25
  • Vicki Nicholson                                  8/28
  • Catherine Locke                                8/31

Celebrating September Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Kathleen Keers                                   9/3
  • Anne Just                                             9/6
  • Fakhri Alereza Rice                            9/6
  • Susan J Cox                                         9/9
  • Rebekah Machado De Quevedo     9/9
  • Jeanette Finn                                      9/10
  • Barbara Kamilos                                9/12
  • Marchetta Schneider                         9/13
  • Pamella Vaughn                                 9/15
  • Malinda Rice                                       9/20
  • Hedda Smithson                                9/20
  • Cherril Peabody                                 9/22
  • Elinor Anklin                                       9/26
  • Kathryn Brann                                   9/26
  • Karen Humphrey                              9/27
  • Joy Clous                                             9/28

Interest Group Happenings for September

Interest Group Happenings By Vicki  Nicholson

  • Art & Architecture:  No September meeting. Contact Deborah Dunn
  • Great Decisions I:  Sept. 18, 7 p.m. on Zoom; topic is “Iran at Crossroads”. Contact Cathy Locke
  • Great Decisions II:  Sept. 14, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom; topic is “Iran at Crossroads”. Contact Lynn Wood
  • Great Decisions III:  Sept. 18, 1 p.m. Contact Kathy Schrumpf
  • Healthy Heart:  Sept. 15, 11:30 a.m. Contact Jane Cooley for restaurant location.
  • Reader’s Theater:  Play-reading will resume Oct. 10, 1 p.m., home of Mary Williams. Contact Diane Peterson
  • Scrabble Just for Fun:  Sept. 25, 1 p.m., in game room of Eskaton Village. Contact Vivian Counts
  • Singles Dining:  Sept. 3, 6 p.m., Fixins Soul Kitchen. Contact Nancy McCabe

Book Groups for September

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

Reminder there is a “books” page under “Activities” on our branch website (https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/bookgroups/).  If you wish to see what others are reading, or get ideas for your book group or yourself, please find the books page and take a look.

Each book group has its own tab, by book group number.  (These book group numbers correlate with page 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

September Book Groups

Book Group 1:
The Last Bookshop in London, by Madeline Martin, on Sept. 14; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
Digging to America, by Anne Tyler, on Sept. 5;  coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate, on Sept. 27; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Madame Speaker, by Susan Page, on Sept.13; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America, by Leila Philip, on Sept. 18; coordinator is Kim Rutledge

Book Group 8: 
Sisters in Arms, by Kaia Alderson, on Sept. 25; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
West With Giraffes, by Lynda Rutledge, on Sept. 21; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, on Sept. 7; coordinator is Linda Cook

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion

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 generally meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This book group is a joint AAUW Sacramento and CHAR event and open to all.

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 “How the Word is Passed” by Clint Smith (through page 84) at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Here are the books that are planned September through June:

How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America – by Clint Smith-Sept/Oct/Nov
 
The Talk – by Darrin Bell (graphic novel)-December
 

Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under The Color Of Law – by Richard and Leah Rothstein-Jan/Feb/March

The Four Pivots: Reimaging Justice, Reimaging Ourselves, by Shawn Ginwright, PhD-April/May/June

AAUW Fund Update

AAUW Fund Update By Charmen Goehring

As we enter the second half of the AAUW fiscal year, the Sacramento branch looks to be on par with last year’s total donations to the AAUW Fund, thanks to some long-time generous donors as well as a few new contributors. Thank you so much for your support of our mission of Equity for All.

As a reminder, there are several funds under the umbrella of AAUW Fund. The most critical is the Greatest Needs Fund (9110), which finances our research, staff, communications, and advocacy efforts. It is this fund which keeps AAUW nimble and able to respond to timely issues. There are also the Education and Training Fund (4450), Leadership Fund (4452), Economic Security Fund (4449), and the Governance and Sustainability Fund (4451).

This is also a good time to consider joining the Legacy Circle, especially if you are a long-time donor to AAUW Fund or a member who loves AAUW, our mission and activities. There are many ways to join but most members just include AAUW in their estate planning- for example, I have designated AAUW as a beneficiary of a 401K. There is no cost to you now, however you will be showered with notes and kudos from your Legacy Circle Liaison (currently me!) and you will know that you are helping to secure AAUW for the future. Ask me for more information!!

Keep an eye out for the AAUW California Fund Events in October– there will be some changes this year but they will still be a great way to meet some of our Fund recipients and learn about their work.

Speech Trek News

Speech Trek News By Kathleen Deaver

Speech Trek, AAUW’s public speaking contest, is in its 17th year.  The very timely topic for 2023-2024 is “If an educated population is essential to a nation’s prosperity, then how can we ensure a robust public school curriculum that is accessible to all and teaches historically accurate information?”  We work with the 9 high schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District and recruit students to compete in the contest that will be held during February 2024 at Cosumnes River College. Students deliver 5-6 minute speeches extemporaneously for cash prizes ranging from $200-$500.  The local winner can go on to the statewide competition to compete for a prize of $1,500.  The committee is currently busy planning for student recruitment and scheduling workshops.  We hope for a successful year.

On Saturday, January 13, 2023, we will hold the Speech Trek Challenge, designed for AAUW members to attend to discuss the topic themselves in anticipation of the student contest.

The Speech Trek Committee is currently looking for branch members who would like to help prepare for the 2023-2024 Speech Trek activities and beyond…. If you are interested in joining the Speech Trek Committee, please contact Kathleen Deaver. Kathleen’s contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp! The Postal Service has announced plans for a first-day-of-issue ceremony to unveil a new Forever stamp that honors the legacy of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The ceremony is scheduled to take place Monday, Oct. 2 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. at 6 p.m. ET.

Sacramento born-and-bred Greta Gerwig’s movie, “Barbie, ” is now the biggest movie of the year so far at the domestic box office, as of August 25th. Way to go, Greta!

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