Daily Archives: October 26, 2025

December Program

Spotlight on Author’s Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents

Winter Luncheon and Author Elaine Russell

Saturday, December 13th, 11am – 2pm

North Ridge CC, 7600 Madison Ave, Fair Oaks

Many of us came to AAUW through books and book groups. So the annual authors’ luncheon is a fan favorite. This year we are doing itfor our holiday luncheon, and we bring you Elaine Russell, a resident
of Fair Oaks. She is the author of three historical novels and six children’s books, which have won numerous awards. We will learn about her most recent book When the Tamarind Tree Blooms (2024). Kirkus Reviews describes this book, a work of fiction, as a richly sensory narrative set in Laos during the period of French rule.” It is about a young woman métisse, half-Lao/half-French, in 1931 French colonial Laos, trying to determine where she belongs in the deeply divided French and Lao societies, where neither group accepts her mixed heritage. Elaine is also the author of the historical novels In the Company of Like-Minded Women (2018) and Across the Mekong River (2012). Click <here> for more information about the author.

Guests are welcome at our events, but provide a separate registration form for each attendee. The deadline for registering is Wednesday, 12/3/25. The meal includes a choice of Roast Turkey or Thai Chicken Salad or Cheese Ravioli with Lemon Parsley Crème Sauce and Rolls, Butter, Coffee, Tea or Ice Tea. Dessert is a Fruit cup or Chocolate Mousse Cake.

We will also be collecting new and gently used children’s books to share with at-risk children and families through Love, Talk, Read, founded by member Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin. Our author/speaker has also written children’s books about children in Southeast Asia which will be available for purchase – and donation, if desired. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

The luncheon cost is $32. You can either:

  • Write a personal check payable to AAUW Sacramento and mail to Karen Burley (see Membership Directory for mailing address) for receipt by 12/3 OR
  • Click <here> to use a credit card on EventBrite. A convenience fee will apply. Sales close 12/3/25. Cancellations can be accepted up to this date.

Here is the registration form for paying by check.

*****************************************************************************

Name:  ___________________________________________________________

Email address: _____________________________________________________

Meal choices (circle one for Meal and one for Dessert)

*Main: Roast Turkey w/whipped potatoes & veggies or
Thai Chicken Salad w/dressing on side or
Cheese Ravioli w/Lemon Parsley Crème Sauce

*Dessert: Fruit Cup or Chocolate Mousse Cake

Please mail this form and a check for $32 written to AAUW Sacramento to Karen Burley. Make sure it arrives before the Wednesday, 12/3 deadline!

See you at the Winter Luncheon!

President’s Message

November President’s Message

By Cathy Locke and Karen Burley

We are now fully into Fall! We hope you are enjoying the nice weather and the Halloween displays. Our program year is chugging along. Those who attended the Oct. 18th public policy were enlightened about redistricting and did an interesting exercise in gerrymandering. Plus we welcomed two new 50-year members: Pat Morehead and Cherril Peabody! Look for the meeting recap elsewhere in this newsletter.

We will not have a program in November so we can focus our planning efforts on the Winter Luncheon in December, which we’ve merged with the Author’s Luncheon. Be sure to register before the Dec. 3rd deadline!

Monthly programs are a good way to introduce prospective members to the branch and they can then apply for membership at a discount. We had a number of guests at the October program. Start inviting friends and colleagues now to the December luncheon.

Also, consider volunteering to the branch-level committee that we are exploring as a way to extend the benefits of public speaking to local high school students. Learning to tell a good story and learning how to influence people are great tools to have in your toolkit as you enter the workforce or head off to college.  I believe we have a couple of interested members but we need a few more. Could that be you?

Finally, we’ve been talking about “watch parties.” We are looking for folks to host watch parties in their homes on April 18 to participate in the AAUW CA Annual Event held online on Zoom. If you attended in the past you know that it’s not just watching – there will be breakouts and opportunities to engage. Please consider hosting because as they say “the more the merrier!”  Contact Kathleen Deaver, whose contact information can be found in the Membership Directory, to find out more. Remember: the most interesting watch party and the host will win a prize!

Volunteers Sought to Relaunch Speech Trek Program

If you are interested in helping high school students develop public speaking and critical thinking skills, we want to hear from you.

After two decades, AAUW California ended the statewide Speech Trek program in spring 2025. But some branches are continuing to offer local and regional competitions. Sacramento branch members over the years have been generous in their financial support for Speech Trek, and $4,366 remains in the branch Speech Trek fund. Needed now are volunteers willing to recruit and coach student speakers, and to run the local contest. Former committee members are willing to provide materials and share their expertise to help a new committee organize a competition for Sacramento-area students in 2026-27.

If you would like to join this effort, please contact Shari Beck by Nov. 15. Shari’s phone number and email address are in the Membership Directory. The Speech Trek funds were donated specifically for a student public speaking program. If members of our branch are not interested in continuing a local competition, the monies may be passed on to other branches to support their Speech Trek contests. In our area, the Roseville-South Placer and Auburn branches are conducting local contests, with Auburn opening its event to Nevada County students as well. Auburn also is pursuing a grant to help support a regional competition.

Interest Group Happenings

Interest Group Happenings By PJ Missman

November means we have lots of planning and shopping and baking
ahead! But we all need a break, and what better way to do that than to
spend some time with our AAUW friends? A chance to learn, have fun and
relax!

Art and Architecture: Friday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. Artist Studio Visit. Contact: Deborah Dunn
-Great Decisions I: On hiatus until Feb. 2026. Contact: Cathy Locke.
Great Decisions II: On hiatus until Jan. 8th, which will be a social/business potluck at a member’s home.  Contact: Lynn Blair Wood
-Great Decisions III: Monday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. Meets in a member’s home. Contact: Margaret McCarthy
-Great Decisions IV: Will begin meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays beginning Feb. 3 through May. Meets in a member’s home. Contact: Virginia Sturdevant at hands619@gmail.com
-Healthy Heart Lunch: Friday, Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m. Contact: Marlys Huez
-Lunch Bunch: Wednesday, Nov. 12, Noon at Mesa Mercado in the Milagro Centre, 6241 Fair Oaks Blvd. Contact: Virginia Dunstan to reserve
-Mahjong: Thursday, Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m. at Edgewood Community Center 5700 Spyglass Center, Citrus Heights. Cost is $5/meeting as this is a fundraiser for AAUW Funds. Contact: Charlene Eberwine
-Reader’s Theater: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. at Mary Williams home. The play is “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes. An Athenian woman, fed up with war, rallies together the women of Greece to seize the Treasury, stage a sex strike, and force the men of each warring  faction to come home and sign a truce. Contact: Diane Petersen
-Scrabble Just For Fun: Monday, Nov. 24, 1:30 p.m. Eskaton Village Carmichael game room. Contact: Vivian Counts
-Singles Dining Out: Sunday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m., Zocalo University
Village, 466 Howe Ave., Sacramento. RSVP by Saturday; call if plans change. Contact: Nancy McCabe
-World Country Study: On hiatus until Wednesday Jan. 28, 1:30 p.m. at Fran Clarke’s home. We are studying Greece. Contact: Fran Clarke

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update by Sharon Anderson

November Book Groups

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 9 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.

Book Group 1:
All the Beauty in the World, by Patrick Bringley, on Nov. 13; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 3:
The group does not meet in Nov. and Dec.; coordinator is Julia Maclay

Book Group 4: 
The Women, by Kristin Hannah, on Nov. 12; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 5: 
James, by Percival Everett, on Nov. 20; coordinator is Fran Clarke

Book Group 8: (Reads Women Writers only)
Colored Television, by Danzy Senna, on Nov. 28; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
The Mighty Red: A Novel, by Louise Erdrich, on Nov. 20; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12:
The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn, on Nov. 6; coordinator is Linda Cook

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 PM 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 Wall Between, by Anne Braden, on November 5 at 7 p.m. We will discuss Chapters 10-15. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost, Hedda Smithson

Fall is in the air.  The weather is more changeable and the leaves are beginning to turn.  We, members who attended the October meeting, experienced a stimulating learning opportunity about how California’s political redistricting processes have historically operated, and the pros and cons of Proposition 50, on the November election ballot.

We also recognized our two latest 50-year members, Pat Morehead and Cherril Peabody, with the presentation of their certificates.  We now have 35 of these dedicated members who continue to work for women’s equity.

Congratulations, Pat and Cherril, on your achievement!

 

We have new members!

Leslie Oberst

  • Works at CapRadio and is hoping to get involved with several branch activities, including public policy. She lives in the 95819 zip code area.

Erica Dias

  • Is finishing a PhD program and serves on the AAUW CA public policy committee. She wants to be involved locally with us as well and lives in the 95822 zip code area

Susan Hamilton

  • Found our AAUW table at the Jewish Food Faire and is interested in participating in both outreach and interest group programs. She lives in the 95818 zip code area.

Welcome Leslie, Erica and Susan.  We’re glad you joined.

* * * * * * * *
Membership Ambassadors Program Continues!

  • Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
  • Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
  • Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
  • Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2026-27

Join Ambassadors Fran Clarke, Donna Holmes & Hedda Smithson
Get your star on our Wall of Honor

Monthly drawing winners
September — Fran Clarke, October — Donna Holmes

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships

Gloria Yost and Hedda Smithson – Our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating November Birthdays! 

  • Kathleen Asay                         11/2
  • Esther Gaines                          11/3
  • Julie Sporrer                            11/10
  • Ann Arneill                               11/11
  • Lee Battershell                        11/11
  • Eileen Heaser                          11/12
  • Joy Allender                             11/13
  • Donna Holmes                        11/14
  • Rebecca Stone                        11/15
  • Linda Lawrence                      11/16
  • Carole Rouin                           11/16
  • Carole Cline                             11/18
  • Elaine Ellers                             11/23
  • Susana Mullen                        11/28
  • Elaine Moody                          11/30

Membership Recruitment Meets Membership Engagement

<OR> Tabling 101

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure has nothing on Gloria and Hedda’s Wonderful One! It all began with a suggestion from Bonnie Penix that the branch participate in a very popular event called the Jewish Food Faire. After much discussion, the membership team of Gloria, Donna and Hedda said “Why not?” and “It will be fun!” So, we signed up.

Oct.12 arrived. The doors opened for the event at 11. We were to be set up by 10:30. Gloria and Hedda loaded the faithful Prius and headed toward the Scottish Rite Temple near CSUS. We had no idea what to expect but we were ready! We had a bright red table cloth, some colorful flowers, free pens, free cell phone wallets, membership brochures and flyers, AAUW CA Public Policy Principles, copies of articles about Tech Trek, the October branch meeting, examples of books we have read, a couple of Great Decisions books, sign-up sheets, chocolate brownies, and more! We were joined by Linda Sparks and Joan Hammond, who willingly sat at the table while Gloria and Hedda wandered. Here are some of the highlights:

  • A former Tech Trek student recognized Gloria and reconnected. She is now a senior at CSUS, majoring in biology. That student’s dad came up later to say thank you and to tell us that Tech Trek had made a big impact on his daughter.
  • More than 20 people expressed interest in AAUW Sacramento.
  • There was a wine garden that shared space with SMUD and a group from CSUS. One booth advertised beans. Another had dreidels, Hanukkah candles, coloring books and more. One could buy jewelry, local honey, homemade soap and more!
  • We sat next to representatives from the National Council of Jewish Women whose flyer was titled “Get Involved! Let’s make good trouble.”
  • By the time we were hungry, the lines of people were everywhere. We settled for a couple of cold brewed coffees.

A few days later, Gloria reached out to the potential members to invite them to the Oct. 18 branch meeting. As of this date, we have recruited one new member and have ties to several more. This is one of our ways to get the AAUW Sacramento Branch name to the public.

Recap of October Program

Recap of October Program By Vicki Kloock

OCTOBER’S SPOTLIGHT ON GERRYMANDERING AND REDISTRICTING was held at the Sierra 2 Community Center on Saturday, October 18th. The program began with a short history of the Constitution and the development of the two-party system to represent different political views; one stressing the power of the federal government and one stressing the importance of states’ rights. Then we learned how gerrymandering was developed and named, followed by redistricting.

In an ideal world, redistricting would result in representational districts that have been fairly updated to reflect any population shifts which may have occurred since the last Census. Unfortunately, districts are often redrawn with a bias, the effects of which end up disenfranchising entire communities of voters. When districts are redrawn unfairly, it is known as gerrymandering, The presenters demonstrated how gerrymandering has been used and abused over the years. With the use of modern data analysis, minority groups can have their voting power diluted. Did you know that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned racial gerrymandering? While gerrymandering for racial reasons is no longer legal, gerrymandering for partisan politics is.

The presenters then moved on to explain California Proposition 50 which will be voted on November 4th. They discussed what a ‘yes’ vote would mean and what a ‘no’ vote would mean not only for the upcoming elections but the future of voting rights in our country. Whatever you do, please vote!

****COMING ATTRACTIONS****

  • December 13, 2025: Winter Luncheon / Author’s Luncheon, North Ridge CC.
  • January 31, 2026: Capital Counties Inter-Branch Council Luncheon, North Ridge CC.
  • February 28, 2026: Dr. Erika Cameron, Provost & Sr. Vice-President for Academic Affairs at California State University – Sacramento will speak to us at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center. We will also be featuring our scholarship winners.
  • March 21, 2026: Another Public Policy presentation at the Sacramento Dharma Center.
  • April 18, 2026:  NEW! The California State AAUW Annual Event will take place on Zoom. We need volunteers to open their homes for “watch parties”. Please call Kathleen Deaver or send email if you can accommodate 4 or more people.
  • May 9, 2026: A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion presentation as well as the celebration of our member awards will take place at the Rancho Cordova City Hall.

For a snapshot of all monthly programs for the 2025-26 year, click <here>.

Public Policy News

Public Policy News By Kathy Papst

Carole Cline and I presented the first Public Policy program of the year on Saturday, Oct. 18, on the topic of Gerrymandering, Redistricting and Proposition 50. When the date was set, we didn’t know that it would be on the same day as the No Kings marches. It was too late to change anything, so we had no idea how many people to expect to attend the program.  We were so pleased that several members chose to do both and came to our presentation after attending a No Kings rally. I have read that there were a great number of rallies in the Sacramento area, including one at Eskaton.

Carole Cline and I were partners in presenting a program about how gerrymandering is used for partisan reasons and the who’s and why’s of California Proposition 50. I hope that the attendees enjoyed the program and felt that they received some useful information. I can’t thank Carole Cline enough for all of her hard work and dedication. She is an amazing teacher.

Our branch will not have a program in November, but there is still a lot that members can do to keep informed with Public Policy with both California AAUW and National. First, for CA Public Policy News, click <here>. This issue contains two articles of note — “Investing in Our Democratic Future: Non-Partisan Voter Education Around Prop 50” and “School Boards –The Overlooked Frontline of Democracy”.

Second, I will provide a new Public Policy posterboard at the December holiday luncheon.  It will include a lot of useful information about ways to keep informed on Public Policy and how to take action with state and national news. I have also purchased some books on relevant topics that members will be able to borrow. I will not be attending the December luncheon, but my understudy, Mahnaz Khazari will bring it in my absence.

The next program for Public Policy will be on March 21, 2026 at the Dharma Center, and the topic will be Federal Funding for School Vouchers and how it impacts funding for public schools.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Social Justice

Seeking Understanding By Lisa Howard

Kathy Papst and Carole Cline presented a fantastic overview of the history of our Constitution and voting rights at October’s meeting.  The Social Justice committee would like to build on this momentum and ask each member to take a moment to reflect and complete the sentences below:
1 “At the founding of the United States, some of the country’s most important political values were (Insert your answer here).”
2. “After .50 years of U.S. history, I would describe the country’s ‘track record’ of following through on those values and ideals as (Insert your answer here).”
3. “Right now, an outside observer would likely look at our politics and say we value (Insert your answer here).”
4. “When it comes to the United States as a country over the next decade or the next century, I want to see (Insert your answer here).”

Send your answers to Lisa Howard; her email address is in the Membership Directory . The committee will consolidate and share back responses with the organization in a future newsletter.

AAUW Funds By Karen Burley

As we head into the last months of 2025, please consider a gift to the AAUW
Fund. Women and girls can reach their full potential when the barriers holding them back are broken down. Help AAUW smash the obstacles that hold women back.

It is easy to give online where you will be able to choose which fund you would like to support. AAUW has three targeted funds:

  • The Greatest Needs Fund (9110) allows AAUW to pay its bills as well as stay nimble to respond to issues and needs as they arise.
  • The Public Policy General Fund (4514) aims to increase the number of advocates across the country and provide timely, accurate and actionable information about our key issues such as Title IX, student debt and pay equity.
  • The Defend Higher Education Fund (4513) elevates the critical higher education issues impacting women and provides strategic resources to students.

You can access the AAUW Fund donation information online <here>.

If you choose to send a check to AAUW, please make sure you write “AAUW Sacramento” in the memo line and include a cover letter specifying that you are in the AAUW Sacramento branch and where you would like your donation to be designated.

If you are planning to give by way of an IRA Distribution (or a Required Minimum Distribution), contact your account custodian to request a “Qualified Charitable Distribution.” The check, accompanied by your name and address information, must be sent directly from your financial institution to AAUW. Provide the recipient information below to your custodian, along with AAUW’s Tax ID #52-6037388. Before sending, please also notify AAUW by sending an
email to planned-giving@aauw.org so they can keep an eye out for your gift and be sure to include the amount, your name, address and the designation of your gift (for example: Greatest Needs), and the financial institution sending your gift. Please direct your check, drawn on your IRA account and made payable to AAUW, to:

AAUW
Attn: Planned Giving-IRA Distribution
1310 L St. NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005

You can learn more about Planned Giving <here>.

One other consideration for those of you who love this organization and want to see AAUW continue to fight for equity for all into the future, you can become a Legacy Circle member. This is a gift that you leave from your estate and there is no minimum amount. There are many ways to set this up; contact Charmen Goehring for more information. We have about 140 Legacy Circle members in California, including a number in this branch, and we welcome more! As Judy Horan says, “Live, Love, Leave a Legacy!”

If you have any other questions, please reach out to Karen Burley, whose contact information can be found in the Membership Directory. Thank you for your consideration as we move into the season of giving!

Did You Know?

Did You Know? 

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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