Daily Archives: December 28, 2025

January Program

Inter-Branch Council Fund Luncheon By Cathy Locke

Saturday, January 31, 2026 11:30-2:00 pm

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave., Fair Oaks

Sponsored by your Capital Counties Interbranch Council of seven branches. Registration and Silent Auction start at 11:30; Luncheon in the ballroom begins at noon.

Keynote speaker: Deanna Arthur, California AAUW Fund Director, who will explain the AAUW Funds with updates on where the money is most needed.

Scholars: Two current AAUW Fund Recipients will share their educational journeys.

Reserve your spot today! Cost is $35. The deadline for reservations is January 20, 2026. You can find the flyer <here>.

To register online with EventBrite, the link is <here>.

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To reserve and pay by mail, make your $35 check payable to AAUW Sacramento and mail to AAUW, P.O. Box 7872, Auburn, CA 95604.

Name_________________________________________________ Branch____________________

Phone__________________________________ Email____________________________________

Please indicate your menu choice:
_____ Chicken Marsala with mashed potatoes and veggies

_____ Butternut Squash Ravioli with grilled veggies

_____ Shrimp Louie, 1000 Island dressing on the side

AND Limoncello Cake OR Fruit Cup (circle one)

January Presidents’ Message

By Cathy Locke and Karen Burley

The Dec. 13 Winter and Author’s Luncheon was a success, and the weather cooperated this year! You can read more about it elsewhere in this newsletter. Thanks again to author Elaine Russell for her interesting, educational talk about her experiences in Laos and her books.

At the luncheon we collected children’s books to share with at-risk children and families through Love, Talk, Read, founded by member Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin. I was expecting approximately 70 books, one book per attendee. But we are an over-achieving group and we donated 455 books, an average of more than 6 books per attendee! The children are going to love those books!

As you read this newsletter, 2025 will be winding to a close. We sincerely hope you had a joyful, and relaxing, holiday. As we turn our attention to 2026, be sure to register for the IBC Funds Luncheon in January plus “save the date” for other programs that the program team are working on for the first half of 2026.

One of those dates is our April “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 host of the most interesting watch party will win a prize!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update by Cherril Peabody

January 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: Matrix by Laurne Goff, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1:30 pm. Coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 3: Mecca by Susan Straight, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1:00 pm Coordinator is Julia Maclay

Book Group 4: . Book selection in January. Coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 5: When the Tamarind Tree Blooms by Elaine Russell, Thursday, Jan. 15, 1:30 pm. Coordinator is Fran Clarke

Book Group 8: (Reads Women Writers only) . Book Selection in January. Coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: When the Tamarind Tree Blooms by Elaine Russell, Thursday, Jan. 15. 9:30 am. Coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, Thursday, Jan.8, 7:00 pm. 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, Prejudice, Racism, and Tribalism: A Primer for White People by Anthony D’Agostino, M.D., on January 7 at 7 p.m. We will discuss Chapters 1-5. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Interest Group Happenings

Interest Group Happenings By PJ Missman

January – Baby it’s cold out outside! I hope you got through the holidays with some Peace and Joy. Sometimes we have too much to do and wish for some PEACE and sometimes we are surrounded by quiet and try not to feel lonely. Then January arrives and we can spend more quiet quality time with our AAUW friends. Here are the wonderful things we can do this month and at the same time support women’s equity! The perfect way to start the new year. I wish you a Happy 2026!

Art and Architecture: No meeting in January. Contact: Deborah Dunn
-Great Decisions I: On hiatus until Feb. 2026. Contact: Cathy Locke.
-Great Decisions II: Thursday, Jan. 8, which will be a social/business potluck at the home of Hazar Bazirgan. If interested in joining, contact: Lynn Blair Wood
-Great Decisions III: Monday, Jan. 19, 1pm. 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. If interested in joining, contact: Virginia Sturdevant at hands619@gmail.com
-Healthy Heart Lunch: Friday, Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m. Contact: Marlys Huez
-Lunch Bunch: Wednesday, Jan. 14, Noon at Nixtaco Folsom, 185 Placerville Road, Suite 150, Folsom, 916-790-8479. (https://nixta.co) Contact: PJ Missman
-Mahjong: Thursday, Jan 8 & 22, 1-3 p.m. at Edgewood Community Center 5700 Spyglass Center, Citrus Heights. Cost is $5/month as this is a fundraiser for AAUW Funds. Contact: Charlene Eberwine
-Reader’s Theater: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m. at Mary Williams home. The play is “The Turn Away Play” by Lesley Lisa Greene. Contact: Diane Petersen
-Scrabble Just For Fun: Monday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m. Eskaton Village Carmichael game room. Contact: Vivian Counts
-Singles Dining Out: Sunday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m., Roma II Pizzeria 8491 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, 916-383-9264. (www.roma2pizza.com) RSVP by Saturday; call if plans change. Contact: Nancy McCabe
-World Country Study: Wednesday Jan. 28, 1:30 p.m. at a member’s home in Rancho Cordova. We are studying Greece, “Cradle of Western Thought”. We will hear about the dawn of Greek history (ca. 6000 BCE) to the Establishment of Athenian Democracy (508 BCE-501 BCE) then to the Golden Age of classical Greek culture (475 BCE-400 BCE, the Age of Pericles). We’ll end with hardy native trees and plants from Greece. Contact: Fran Clarke

Membership Doings

WTH is STF?
And why should we care?

By Harriet the Spy (Hedda Smithson)

Ah – we are so glad you asked! If you were one of more than 60 people who attended the very wonderful luncheon at North Ridge Country Club last month, you were a witness. No worries – you are safe.*

(WTH stands for “What the heck?” – perhaps you figured that out.) AND – STF represents a membership recruitment program called “Shape the Future.” Available through AAUW National, it has been around for many years. It appeals to each of us! Who doesn’t love a bargain? New members pay just 50 per cent of the national dues. That would be $37 instead of $74. Total for a new member is $87, including AAUW CA dues of $30 and AAUW Sacramento dues of $20. Here are the conditions:

New member joins at an AAUW meeting held in a public place and open to the public.
Present at the meeting is a table with membership brochures, application forms, AAUW flyers, and one or two smiling and helpful membership committee members.
The prospective member joins on the spot and completes the necessary paperwork. (AAUW national dues are tax deductible.)
Dues and application paperwork are given to Donna Holmes, who registers the new person with a special code.

*At the December luncheon, we welcomed two new members: Laura Petro, friend of Pat Winkle, and Dawn Young, friend of Donna Holmes. Each is a new member of our branch thanks to Pat, Donna, and STF.

We also have a new member who is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at CSUS, Sayonita Ghosh Hajra. She and Shannon Datwyler are our CSUS representatives. CSUS has joined AAUW – remember the article last month? College/University Members (Representatives) are exempt from paying AAUW CA and AAUW Sacramento dues — from our bylaws, Article VIII, Section 3. Dues. In case you are a nerd or are fascinated by bylaws!!)

Do you know someone who might be interested in AAUW Sacramento? Explain the Shape the Future Program and invite your friend to the next meeting – maybe February? Let us know your plans. We will be prepared with an application and literature. Remind your friend to bring a check or cash for payment right on spot! You will be our next Membership Ambassador! You, too, will have a star on the Membership Wall of Honor and be eligible for a cool prize from the next monthly drawing.

Pat Winkle’s name is on the latest star added to the Wall of Honor. It’s all good!!

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

Celebrating January Birthdays!

Charlene Eberwine 1/1
Lana Widman 1/1
Marilyn Orrick 1/6
Tiffany Ardisana 1/6
Rosella Rowlison 1/9
Mary Miller 1/14
Gloria Yost 1/17
Gretchen Christophel 1/18
Nancy Nolen-Swanson 1/21
Kimberly Rutledge 1/23
Elizabeth Rose 1/24
Katherine Henderson 1/26
Joan Hammond 1/27
Molly Dugan 1/31

February Program

Spotlight on CSUS Student Challenges By Vicki Kloock

Saturday, February 28th, 10am – 1pm

Sacramento Scottish Rite Temple, 6151 H Street, Sacramento

In February, we will be hearing from Dr. Erika Cameron about current challenges that students at CSUS face. Dr. Cameron is the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Sacramento State. She assumed the role in spring 2025 after serving as provost at Palo Alto University, where she led significant initiatives to strengthen academic programs, enhance faculty development, expand student support services, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and secure external funding for institutional priorities.

As provost, Dr. Cameron provides leadership for the Division of Academic Affairs, including faculty and staff in all colleges, the university library, and several offices that support students as well as the Sacramento region. The Division of Academic Affairs also includes International Programs and Global Engagement, the Offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, the Office of Faculty Advancement, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Academic Excellence, and the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

At this meeting, we also will meet and hear from our scholarship recipients and collect non-perishable food for Sacramento State’s student Food Bank. More information to come on how you can help!

Happenings Around the Branch

Social Justice By Lisa Howard

Friends,

I am thrilled to share that our May speaker will be Sage LaPena, a Native American traditional healer. I would like to solicit questions and/or topics of interest for Sage to address and add them to the program agenda. Please send your thoughts to Lisa Howard by January 30th. Lisa’s contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Tech Trek Update By Lana Widman

Nominations are starting to roll in! Our committee members have been working with science teachers at four different schools, and they are excited about the program.

This coming year, we have funds to send 12 girls to camp!! This is a result of joining up with the CHAR Tech Trek committee and YOUR generous donations. We will be sending girls to Camp Jemison at UC Davis, Fresno State Camp and Virtual Camp.

Next on the committee agenda is to interview each nominee and their family. Final selections will be announced in the March newsletter. Stay tuned!

Recap: Winter Luncheon and Spotlight on Local Author, ELAINE RUSSELL

By Vicki Kloock

The food and service at the North Ridge Country Club were a delight as always.

Elaine Russell gave a wonderful presentation on the story behind her novel “When the Tamarind Tree Blooms”, which takes place in 1931 French-colonial Laos. It is about a young half-Lao/half-French woman who is turning 18 and being released from the orphanage she was forced into when taken away from her mother at 4 years old by the French authorities, a regular occurrence during this time period.

Russell has authored three other historical novels and six children’s books, which have won numerous awards. Her research brings her on many travels, and she enjoys weaving the culture and history of other countries into her stories.

In case you missed her or would like to see her again, she is coming to Book Group 10’s January meeting, where members will be discussing the book. The book group will meet on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Hedda Smithson’s house. If you would like to attend, please contact their chair, Sandi Schoenman. Her information is in the Membership Directory.

In addition, we bought the author’s books and we donated many, many books to Love, Talk, Read!

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.

Printable Newsletter Articles

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AAUW Funds

AAUW Funds By Karen Burley

As we head into the last days of 2025, 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. The Greatest Needs fund is the top recommendation as it allows AAUW to pay its bills as well as stay nimble to respond to issues and needs as they arise. You can access the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund 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 and you can contact me for more information. We have about 140 Legacy Circle members in California, including several 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!

January Public Policy News

By Amy Hom and Missy Maceyko, AAUW CA Public Policy

This month’s public policy news of interest comes courtesy of the AAUW California Public Policy Committee. The latest issue contains an article on “AAUW California Public Policy Committee Announces School Board Project Symposium”. The issue also includes information on the recent steps taken by the Trump administration to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, what AAUW has done in response, and what YOU can do to take action.

Please click <here>for the latest issue of Public Policy News. Refer to the December branch newsletter for a recap of the wins and losses from the 2025 State legislative session.