Category Archives: Programs

Anything related to program activities for the AAUW Sacramento Branch.

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)

 

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

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

Click here for Printable Newsletter Articles.

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. Registration is now closed. The meal choices are 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 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!

See you at the Winter Luncheon!

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.

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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!

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>.

October Program

Spotlight on Redistricting and Gerrymandering

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents

“Understanding California Proposition 50”

Saturday, October 18th, 12:15pm – 3pm

Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 10

Proposition 50 is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on the Nov. 4, 2025, statewide special election ballot in California put forward in response to the 2025 Texas redistricting.  The measure would temporarily replace the congressional district maps drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission with new maps drawn by the state Legislature.

Our own Public Policy experts Kathy Papst and Carole Cline will present a program to help us understand the difference between redistricting and gerrymandering, and to interpret what 2025 California Proposition 50 (Temporary Changes to Congressional District Maps in Response to Texas’ Partisan Redistricting) would mean for us. This is a proposed California Constitutional Amendment that we will be voting on very soon – Nov. 4th.

This meeting will be held at the Sierra 2 Community Center, Room 10. The Sierra 2 Center is a former Curtis Park school that is now a thriving community hub. It is located on 24th Street, but street parking is for only two hours. Sierra 2 has two parking lots – both free – one that you enter on the south side of the building (from 4th Street) and one on the north side, which you enter before the school. The South parking lot has 40 spots, and you can enter the building right beside Room 10. Carpooling could be helpful in making sure you get a spot in this one. The other parking lot requires a short walk to the sidewalk on 24th Street and walk south to the school entrance. Then turn right and walk to the end of the hallway. You can find a map of the Sierra 2 Center <here>.

Recap September Program-Tech Trek!

SEPTEMBER’S SPOTLIGHT ON TECH TREK

By Lana Widman, Tech Trek Coordinator

The program was held in the North Natomas Library Community Room on Sept. 20th. Following a short business meeting, the spotlight was on Tech Trek. The 2025 Tech Trekkers came to the September branch meeting to show their appreciation to AAUW members for supporting their attendance at this year’s Tech Trek Camps.

The Sacramento branch sponsored six campers at Camp Jemison, a residential camp on the UC Davis campus, and three campers completed the Virtual Camp.  Citrus Heights American River (CHAR) sponsored six campers, five attended Camp Jemison and one attended the Santa Cruz camp. Thirteen of the total 15 campers were able to come to the meeting.

Attendees watched a compilation video of the girls participating in the many STEM learning opportunities offered to them, from how to identify DNA to building solar-operated toy race cars, making their own musical instruments, writing their own computer programs, holding giant stick bugs and building their own cardboard canoes in which they had to race across a pool!

During the meeting, each camper was introduced and talked about a key project or activity they completed during camp. Members asked the campers about their personal experiences with being away from home, many for the first time in their life. They were an especially poised group of young women whose parents were obviously very proud of them – and rightfully so!

Listening to the campers, it was so rewarding to hear about their positive experiences and their love of STEM activities.

We need your help! The Tech Trek Committee is about to kick off the 2025-26 project year.  We need help with contacting the teachers, helping the students through the application process, interviewing the applicants, organizing the orientation event, and lots of other administrative tasks.  I hope to have the first committee meeting in early October to plan out the coming year.

If you want to be a part of the Tech Trek experience, please email Lana Widman. Contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Public Policy News and Actions

Branch Public Policy

By Kathy Papst

Public Policy is an important part of the mission of AAUW. When I joined AAUW 15 years ago, I had just moved from Southern California to Sacramento. I didn’t know anyone in town. When I attended my first Showcase in September, I was excited that the branch offered book discussion groups. I missed my discussion group that I was in for 11 years, and I immediately joined one in our branch. There were all sorts of fun interest groups and I loved attending Happy Hour! I attended some of the programs, which I enjoyed, but only because it was a way to go out to lunch and meet and visit with other women. I really didn’t make a connection between the programs and our stated mission of equity for women and girls.

As I continue as a member of this branch and now being on the board of directors, I have spent some time thinking about what we are attempting to do for women’s equity and how important the work of this organization has been over more than 140 years in this country and abroad.  I have learned more of what the state and national organizations offer to its members and ways to become informed and involved with activities that can make a difference in people’s lives.

I encourage our members to attend programs and also to suggest topics that interest you or that you feel need to be spotlighted.  Please encourage members of your book group or other interest group to attend a program. I think that they might be surprised at what is presented.

Our next program for Public Policy is “Spotlight on: What is Gerrymandering, Redistricting and Ballot Proposition 50. The date is Saturday, Oct. 18, at noon at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, Room 10. The address is 2791 24th Street in Curtis Park. The center has plenty of parking available.

With this program, my co-presenter Carole Cline and I will explain the history of voting districts and how the process is done, as well as who are the people on the committees in charge of redrawing the voter distribution. We also will look at how these changes affect voter registration and election turnout. We will have some interactive activities and give you some information to take home to refresh your memory before Election Day on Nov. 4.

Make sure to check your email for any updated information to the programs, as stated in eBlasts.

CA State Public Policy News

By Missy Maceyko and Amy Hom, Co-chairs, AAUW California Public Policy

The Public Policy team has several items for you to take urgent action at the state and national levels:

1) Action on AAUW California co-sponsored bill SB 771 “Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians”

SB 771 has now reached the Governor’s desk, and he has until Sept. 30 to sign it. Please reach out to his office to encourage him to sign the bill. You can do this by submitting a comment via email or fax via Resistbot (click HERE) or by calling the Governor’s office phone (916-445-2841). If you choose to call the Governor’s office, please use the Resistbot script to guide your call.

You can also share the Resistbot petition by reposting the attached image (below) on your own social media and inviting others to visit the site linked below or “text SIGN PCJNIY to 50409.” You can also repost our existing posts on Bluesky (HERE).

For your reference, AAUW California’s Lobby Day talking points on SB 771 can be found HERE and full bill text can be found HERE.

Shareable Resistbot link: https://resist.bot/petitions/PCJNIY

2) Action on U.S. Department of Labor Attempt to Roll Back Anti-Discrimination Protections

AAUW National is asking for us to act to challenge the U.S. Department of Labor’s attempt to roll back anti-discrimination protections. These rule changes will impact the United States’ 36 million federal contract workers, which accounts for nearly one in five U.S. workers. Many of these workers are women and people of color who are vulnerable to discrimination.

We are asking you to leave a public comment to challenge the proposed rule changes. 

Note that while AAUW has provided a template letter (HERE) to guide your comments, you must personalize your comments for them to be counted. This means that you can use the template as inspiration, but you cannot simply copy and paste the content. As such, we suggest that you personalize your comments by reading through the AAUW template linked above then drafting a short 3-5 sentence response of your own that includes the following information:

  •     A note you are a member of AAUW California and that anti-discrimination is part of our public policy priorities;
  •     Statement indicating that discrimination continues to be a problem in the workplace; and
  •     Provide a specific example of your own personal knowledge of or experience with discrimination in the workplace. This can be your own experience, others’ that you know, or something pulled from existing reliable news or media reports.

After your comments are ready, you can drop your statement into the comment window at regulations.gov directly by clicking HERE or you can comment via AAUW’s action alert center by clicking HERE.

3) Join the Los Angeles LGBT Center to Support Equity Legislation (including AAUW California’s priority bill SB 418 “Ensure Equal Access to Care for All”)

California continues to work to protect LGBTQ+ dignity, privacy, and health, which is critically important for meeting wider goals of gender equity. We invite you to join the Los Angeles LGBT Center in their push for a slate of eight important pieces of equity legislation, which includes advancing AAUW California’s ongoing support for SB 418. You can reach out in support of these bills via the LGBT Center’s platform by clicking HERE.

4) Learn about Proposition 50 ahead of the special election on Nov. 4

AAUW California’s focus will be on providing information about and emphasizing the positive impacts of Proposition 50. Please note that we are NOT making a formal recommendation or endorsement. Rather, as a trusted resource, we are providing non-partisan and information-centric information with focus on:

  • ​​​​​​​California impacts
  • AAUW California Public Policy Priorities
  • Combating misinformation
  • The importance of saving democracy for Californians

We have two resources to get you started:

  1. Newsletter Article “Investing in Our Democratic Future: Non-Partisan Voter Education Around Proposition 50 in California” –  AAUW CA Prop 50 NL Article.docx – Google Docs
  2. Messaging Guide to follow for postcards and campaigns  – AAUW CA-Prop 50 Messaging Guide – Google Docs

Thank you for fighting with us to advance gender equity and social justice.

Spotlight on Tech Trek and STEM!

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents
Spotlight on Tech Trek and STEM!
Saturday, September 20
12:00 Noon at the North Natomas Library,
4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento

The spotlight will soon be shining on one of the most important programs offered through AAUW CA, Tech Trek. No need to register. Just eat an early lunch and make your way to the North Natomas Library Community Room. Remember to wear a name tag if you have one and sign in at the registration table.

First we’ll have a quick branch meeting to approve our 2025-26 budget (which you can find <here>)> Then you’ll be in for a treat prepared under the leadership of Lana Widman. Thanks to the generous donations from members the Sacramento Branch funded six seventh-grade girls for the Tech Trek camp at UC Davis; three others attended virtually. In addition, CHAR members funded six girls of their own, for a total of 15 girls! The camp was held July 13-20. Branch members were able to visit on July 17 to get a taste of the busy schedule these girls followed.

This is an amazing and life-changing program. For some history, Tech Trek was
the brainchild of AAUW member Marie Wolbach. The first Tech Trek was held at Stanford in 1998. Our branch immediately participated by sending one girl. Since that time, Sacramento has supported campers nearly every year.

The meeting is open to the public. Bring a neighbor or friend. They can join
AAUW on the spot! You get to meet the campers and ask them questions, and
inquire about volunteering to help with next year’s group. And consider donating to Tech Trek so girls can continue to be encouraged and inspired to explore STEM careers. This year’s Tech Trek camp cost was $1,200 per girl for the in-person camp and $500 per girl for the virtual camp. Your donation is money well spent.

Driving tips for the North Natomas Library:
-Coming from the South or Southeast: Go north on I-5; exit at Del Paso Road (exit 525A); turn right and travel about a mile on Del Paso Road; make a U-Turn from the dedicated left-turn lane; turn right at Via Ingoglia. The library is on your right and with a large parking lot in front. The community room has an exterior door (but be sure to also take a look at the library hallway – Love the Lego exhibit!).
-If you are coming from the Southwest, take your chosen path to Arden Way and turn left (west) on this. Follow Arden Way past I-80 (it turns into Arden-Garden) to Truxel Road. Turn right (north) and continue past Arena Blvd. to the next busy intersection which is Del Paso Road. Turn left (west) and go a very short distance to Via Ingoglia Street (3rd right) and turn right (north). The library will be on your right.
-If you are coming from the West or Northwest, take I-80 West to the Truxel Road north exit. Keep going north on Truxel Road until you reach Del Paso Road. Turn left and go a very short distance to Via Ingoglia Street (3rd right) and turn right (north).The library will be on your right.