Monthly Archives: June 2024

A Gala Wrap Party

Lights, Camera, Action!!

“The Rights Stuff” Episode Nine – May 18, 2024

A Gala Wrap Party, By Hedda Smithson

Take a look at our web page: AAUW Sacramento to see the summary of our program year. We have been busy! And we deserved to celebrate!

At the lovely Unitarian Universalist Church on Sierra Boulevard, we gathered to honor and celebrate those who make AAUW Sacramento special and successful.

Missing in action was our president, Nancy McCabe, who was dealing with a new body part. Barbara Smith, program vice president, stepped up to the plate and led us through the morning’s activities. There was no red carpet but the spotlight was focused on new and current 50-year members, our Speech Trek winner and her speech, our local scholarship winner and her expression of gratitude for our support, and a whole cast of players who shared their time and talent for this membership year.

Stepping into place for a photo op were:

Liz Jordan and Angela Scarlett, Named Gift Honorees
Cathy Locke, Kathy Papst, Jessica Waugh, Shape the Future Honorees
Alyssa Wong, Speech Trek Winner
Erin Gottis, Scholarship Winner
Cherril Peabody, New Member Recruitment
Jessica Waugh and Robin Howlett, two of 23 new members

Our two new 50-Year Members, Vicki Nicholson and Sandra Young, were away attending family graduations. Congratulations to them!!

And it is renewal time!! Membership Treasurer Donna Holmes graciously answered questions about the process. For many of us the membership year runs from July 1 to June 30. For new members, the membership year depends on when they join. Renewal forms have been mailed and an email went to all about renewing online. Any questions? Ask Donna. Her contact information is in the directory.

A side note: Two air pots full of coffee arrived without spilling to the meeting. A big thank you goes to Kathy Papst for our morning treats. More than 30 of us enjoyed time together discussing ideas about the branch and its future, as well as volunteering where needed.

Action!

Renew your membership
Save Sept. 14 at Arden Dimick Library for our Fall Kick Off
Save Oct. 19 for Ballot Initiative Discussion
See the Directory for Named Gift Honorees of the past
Look up Shape the Future, an AAUW National Program
Be a participant, not a spectator – offer your help with Tech Trek, Gov Trek, Public Policy, Scholarship, Capital Ideas, Program, Membership. This is YOUR Branch!! Let’s have another successful year!!
Shape the Future Honorees

Named Gift Honorees

50 year members in attendance

Speech Trek winner

President’s Message

President’s Message By Nancy McCabe

What a great year this has been! Our programs have been excellent, new members have joined, we have a wonderful scholarship recipient, Speech Trek winner and great girls who will be attending Tech Trek next month!

I couldn’t be more proud of our branch and its members. Those of you who have contributed to these efforts should take a bow! Those of you who are reading our Capital Ideas know what all we have accomplished and many of the members who have contributed to our successes.

You might also know that it takes the time and talents of more than a few to accomplish our mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. This is where all of the membership comes in. We need every one who is able to share in the leadership of our organization. If you didn’t participate this year, how about the coming year? Look at the projects we embrace and contact the current chair or me to help with the year’s programs.

Didn’t your mother say, “Many hands make light work?” It still is true. New members, jump in and you will have all of the help and guidance you need to have a successful year. Members with seniority, you are always more than welcome to participate and get to know other members better. I await hearing from you so we can plan for the upcoming business year.

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

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

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.

June Book Groups

Book Group 1:
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt, on June 13; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
After Lives, by A. Gurnah, on June 4; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3:
A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles, on June 12; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4:
The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese, on June 22; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6:
The Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese, on June 17; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8:
Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up, by Lesley Blume, on June 24; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10:
(Summer Barbecue) on June 20; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12:
Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr, on June 6; coordinator is Linda Cook

Looking for Readers!

The Tahoe Park Book Group (Group 1) is looking for new members, whether they live in the Tahoe Park area or anywhere, meeting the 2nd Thursday at 1:30. Contact coordinator Joy Clous for more information.

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

We hope you will join us in a monthly equity conversation where we look at our own biases, seek 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.

The Zoom meeting code is 737 420 3780 or you can join using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7374203780 We will discuss our current book, The Four Pivots: Reimaging Justice, Reimaging Ourselves, by Shawn Ginwright, PhD., on May 1st at 7 p.m. We will discuss Pivots 3-4 (from page 151 to end). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Interest Group Happenings

Summer Interest Group Happenings By Vicki Nicholson

Art & Architecture: Friday, June 7, 10 a.m.; tour of Sutter Club; contact Deborah Dunn.
Great Decisions I: Monday, June 17, 7 p.m. on Zoom; topic–NATO’s Future; contact Cathy Locke.
-July 15 7p.m. topic–High Seas Treaty
-August 19 7 p.m. topic–Risky Science Across Borders.
Great Decisions II: Thursday, June 13, 7 p.m. on Zoom; topic–NATO’s Future; contact Lynn Wood.
-July 11 potluck social
-August 8 7 p.m. topic–Understanding Indonesia.
Great Decisions III: Monday, June 17, 1 p.m.; Contact Margaret McCarty for topics over the summer.
Healthy Heart: Contact Jane Cooley for summer plans.
Reader’s Theater: Meets at Mary Williams’ home; contact Diane Petersen for summer plans.
Scrabble for Fun: Meets at Eskaton Village (on Walnut) game room; contact Vivian Counts for summer plans.
Singles Dining: Sunday, June 3, 6 p.m.. East Patio Mexicano, 5100 Folsom, Sacramento; Contact Nancy McCabe.

Membership Happenings

Membership Renewal By Donna Holmes

2024-2025 Membership renewal for the majority of our members is due.
If you sent in a check last year your paperwork is coming USPS, sent 5/16/2024.
To renew online with a credit card, go to https://www.aauw.org/membership/, click on membership and login to renew. If you have never logged in click on ‘forgot password’ and National will send you a link.
Please renew by June 30^th. You can access the renewal form <here> and the tax receipt form <here>. The renewal form is useful if you renew online but want to make donations to the branch.
Questions? Call Donna Holmes, Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, their contact information is in the directory.

Membership Happenings By Gloria Yost and Vicky Lovell

Strengthening our AAUW Sacramento connections and friendships

As the 2023-24 AAUW year ends, we would like to take a moment to reflect on this past membership year. We’ve welcomed 23 new members to our ranks:

*Joy Allender*	*Valerie Connors*	*Jeannie London*	*Rebecca Peebles*	*Julie Sporrer*
*Tina Brown*	*Susan Cox*	*Paola Mendez*	*Lina Rincon*	*Rebecca Stone*
*Darcy Burton*	*Gail Field*	*Sasha Mowrey*	*Kathryn Rutledge*	*Jessica Waugh*
*Ann Burke*	*Robin Howlett*	*Dianne Ouellett*	*Cathy Sallas*
*Zarah Bronstein*	*Joyce Humphrey*	*Jill Peckingham*	*Tom Smithson*

We’ve gotten acquainted with you at branch meetings, new member Meet & Greets, and through individual communications. You have energized and enriched us.

We hope to build even stronger connections with you in the coming years!

The support we have received from you, our fellow AAUW members, has been heartwarming. Your attendance at our new-member gatherings, and helpful comments and suggestions have all been appreciated.

We especially appreciate our committee volunteers, Mahnaz Khazari and Linda Sparks.

AND OUR MEMBERSHIP AMBSSADORS:

Jean Bonar

Karen Burley

Valerie Connors

Michele Hobza

Marlys Huez

Cherril Peabody

Bonnie Penix

Anne Rhodes

Hedda Smithson

Monique Stovall

Marjorie Wade

Gloria Yost

We were able to earn the maximum number of free Shape the Future National memberships this year thanks to all of you.

Our faithful 50-year members have been promoting equity for women and girls for 50 and more years. They’ve worked actively in branch activities, pursued many outreach causes, and built lasting friendships.

50-year Members

**You are role models for all of us**

Melva Arditti	Linda Lawrence	Pat Peck	Hedda Smithson
Jean Bonar	Mary Lou Lentz	Ann Pickens	Linda Sparks
Vivian Counts	Elaine Moody	Jane Pivetti	Pat Stilwell
Jeanette Finn	Pat Morgan	Malinda Rice	Sue Whetstone
Carol Hayes	Vicki Nicholson	Sandi Schoenman	Gloria Yost
Liz Hendricks	Linda Lawrence	Gloria Sears	Sandy Young
Barbara Kamilos	Marilyn Orrick	Barbara Smith

Thank you all for making this a successful membership year.

Thank You NCCWSL Supporters

Donations made to NCCWSL (National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) support our branch efforts to promote leadership for young women, our next generation. Each spring the prestigious NCCWSL conference is held at the University of Maryland and draws attendees from all over the country. Our goal is to be able to send several young college women so they can experience this life changing event. We want to recognize you, our 2023-24 donors.

Joan Hammond

Lisa Howard

Marlys Huez

Liz Jordan

Cathy Locke

Nancy McCabe

Kathleen Asay

Shari Beck

RosaLee Black

Margaret Brown

Kathleen Deaver

Deborah Dunn

Mary Miller

Elaine Moody

Kathy Papst

Diane Petersen

Anne Rhodes

Kathryn Schrumpf

Barbara Smith

Hedda Smithson

Linda Whitney

Pat Winkle

Gloria Yost

We greatly appreciate your support!

Members Supporting Members

From time to time, life situations change for some of our branch members, and they need a little help to tide them over in the meantime. We want to recognize those who have generously donated to our dues assistance fund.

Kathleen Asay

Shari Beck

Jane Cooley

Kathleen Deaver

Judy Foote

Joan Hammond

Marlys Huez

Liz Jordan

Cathy Locke

Elaine Moody

Pat Morehead

Diane Petersen

Elizabeth Rose

Sandi Schoenman

Kathryn Schrumpf

Linda Whitney

If any of you reading this find yourself in such a situation, please contact Donna Holmes to get that needed assistance.

Thank you, our 2023-24 Donors!

In Memoriam – Dianne Ouellet

By Jean Bonar

Dianne Ouellet was a new member of our branch who joined Book Group 8 after moving from
Ashland to a Folsom assisted living facility after her husband’s stroke. She died unexpectedly in
early March after a dental appointment that led to a stroke. She was a long-time friend, very
creative and kind, and I will miss her greatly.

Celebrating June Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

Della Knowles 6/2
Patricia Peck 6/2
Lina Rincon 6/2
Sandra Cavey 6/4
Mahnaz Khazari 6/4
Shirley Wheeler 6/8
Pamela Spears 6/8
Jane Reinmuth 6/10
Rita Walker 6/10
Sharon Lee Swanson 6/11
Carmen Hobbs 6/12
Charmen Goehring 6/19
Kathleen Papst 6/20
Carol Hayes 6/29

Celebrating July Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

Karen Ruth Curtis 7/1
Nancy Kniskern 7/1
Gloria Sears 7/3
Karen Ann Rystad 7/5
Patricia Winkle 7/6
Judy Foote 7/8
Michele Hobza 7/8
Linda Sparks 7/9
Ruth Werner 7/10
Shari Beck 7/13
Lisa Howard 7/14
Vivian Counts 7/16
Marty McKnew 7/20
Lori Franz 7/24
Martha McDowell 7/24
Gina Schumacher 7/31

Sacramento Branch Inc.-Uniquely Ours

Sacramento Branch Inc. – Uniquely Ours By Donna Holmes

If you want something done, ask a busy woman! Our branch is especially successful despite any struggles we might have. We support every single program: Tech Trek, Speech Trek, Start Smart, College/University alliance, Scholarship and NCCWSL, all without giving up a variety of interest and book groups.

As I have said before, our branch is the perfect place to say yes. The support and friendships I have gained from saying yes have been invaluable, and I cherish them even more since becoming a widow. So, thanks to our branch’s culture I applied to be an AAUW-California director. Thought I would be doing Funds, but it came out differently. Here is the lowdown:

Charmen Goehring, our outgoing Funds director, will be California State President. Charmen has been President-Elect this past year as well as DEI Director at the state level.
Michelle Baer (Joined AAUW June 2021) and Donna Holmes, Co-Directors – Communications. Michelle will be taking over the tech side from Sandi Gabe, managing the State website, etc. I will be on the creative side – a stretch for me!
Marty McKnew, currently our branch Parliamentarian & Governance Chair, is adding that role for the State.
We also want to recognize Lana Widman for her service as Speech Trek Coordinator for the State through June of this year.

So, out of 11 elected board positions, our branch holds three going forward as well as parliamentarian, which is a non-voting appointed position. Join a State Committee and ‘play’ with us, deadline is May 31, 2024.

Tech Trek Update

Tech Trek Summer 2024 By Marlys Huez

It is less than two months until we send our six girls to UC Davis Tech Trek Camp, July 14-20. We are so proud that our branch has recruited and is able to send them, along with two additional girls to virtual camp.

The eight campers have completed their applications and will be signing up soon for one of the exciting STEM core classes, which will run the week of their camp. They will include anatomy and physiology, astronomy and space, high-energy engineering, storytelling with data and wearable technology — all stimulating subjects.

Our Tech Trek Committee continues to plan an orientation with our campers on June 22 and will make sure everything goes smoothly when they go to camp. We have been busy making sure all of the paperwork is complete on Camp Doc and they will be ready for camp.

UC Davis welcomes any branch member who would like to visit the camp to do so on Visit Day, Thursday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Also, any branch member who would like to volunteer for a day or a few hours during the week of camp may do so by contacting Marlys Huez, Tech Trek branch coordinator, whose contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Scholarship News

Scholarship News By Cherril Peabody

Our scholarship winner for the 2024-25 school year is Erin Gottis, who was also a recipient this year. She will receive $3,000 to assist her in her academic goals as she transfers from Sacramento City College to Sacramento State University, Sacramento.

Erin is the mother of two dependent children, including a son with Type 1 Diabetes, who requires special care. She achieved highest honors at SCC and graduated in May with an Associate of Science degree in design and digital media. The skills she has learned in college have enabled her to work with other staff at the California Department of Motor Vehicles to implement a new intranet system for the statewide department. Since January she has been working part time at CSUS in the library where she learns software and machinery skills that enable her to create immersive learning workshops for students, staff and faculty.

In addition to her work, she is involved with her son’s school support team to create learning information and the school care her son needs. She also created a support group for parents and caregivers called Take Five from Type 1, where caregivers can gain needed information and vent their frustrations.

We are pleased to give this award to such a deserving candidate! We were unable to make additional awards because of a lack of other applicants, but we make this award with full confidence that Erin will continue to achieve great things.

Did You Know?

Public Policy New from AAUW California

The June issue from the AAUW California Public Policy Team covers the April revisions by the Biden Administration to Title IX. Read all about it <here>.

News from former member Archana Maniar:

Wasn’t sure if you’d remember me but I was a member of AAUW Sacramento not long ago. I was also on the public policy committee on the state level.

While I am an infectious diseases doctor by day, by night I’ve been an aspiring author (writing has gotten me through the pandemic). I wanted to share that my first novel Dry Spells will be published by Lake Union Publishing in May 2023 with a second one to follow.

I would especially love to share the book and the journey with kindred spirits at AAUW.

Here is the link to the announcement from my literary agency and attached is the press release: https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/news/new-deals/archana-maniar-signs-debut-fiction-deal-with-lake-union-for-dry-spells/

Here is a link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Spells-Archana-Maniar/dp/1662519516/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Sunshine Chair

Pat Winkle is our 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.

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