Category Archives: Programs

Anything related to program activities for the AAUW Sacramento Branch.

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.

May Program

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Celebrate and Renew

Lights, Camera, Action!!

LAST PROGRAM UNTIL SEPTEMBER!!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:30 AM to 1 PM

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento

By Barbara Smith, Co-VP Programs

Most of us have been called to jury duty and some have had the honor of serving. Having a fair trial by a jury of one’s peers is one of our fundamental American rights. But what do we know about the Grand Jury–who serves, what are its functions? Come to the May branch meeting to find out!

Beth Ten-Pas has chaired the Sacramento County Grand Jury for the past two years and is eager to share her knowledge and experiences with us. The Grand Jury is a vital oversight committee charged with multiple areas of concern in local governmental agencies. With limited print information these days, it can be difficult to be informed citizens. Social media comments leave lots to be desired.  Beth has a wealth of information to share with us.

I had the privilege of serving on the Grand Jury many years ago and was amazed by what we did. It was a memorable experience. I can’t wait to hear about Beth’s recent term. In addition to Beth’s presentation, we will:

  • Listen to the winning Speech Trek participant, Suyan Golzar.
  • Recognize new 50-year members and named gift honorees.
  • Introduce new members.
  • Award free branch membership for most new members recruited.

President Nancy McCabe will discuss how the disbandment of the Citrus Heights American River Branch will affect the Sacramento Branch and introduce those members in attendance.

Actions:

  • Invite a friend/neighbor to join you. There is no charge for this meeting, but registration is requested to ensure refreshments and seating for all. Please register!
  • Think of a question about the Grand Jury for Beth or about Speech Trek for Suyan.
  • Wear your name tag if you have one. We will have paper ones if needed.
  • Click HERE to access Eventbrite.
  • Come enjoy being together to celebrate US!

Recap Authors Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season 2

The Right to Learn from Another’s Journey

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Two Branches Host Author’s Luncheon By Hedda Smithson

April 26 at the North Ridge Country Club saw almost 70 of us gather to enjoy one another and meet Archana Maniar, author of Dry Spells, her first – but  not her last — novel.

Host branches, Sacramento and CHAR, welcomed several members of the Roseville Branch as well. Dr. Maniar brought her parents, Bakula and Harshad, as well as her children, Kavita and Sanjay Thornton (who helped sell copies of their mom’s book). Several of us brought guests who then became members. Easy as pie!

The election of president and program director went smoothly with a couple of volunteers from the audience. Congratulations to   Co-Presidents Karen Burley and Cathy Locke, as well as Program Director Fay Grundel. We wish them a smooth and interesting next two years.

The AAUW CA Annual Event occurred at the same time as our luncheon but, thanks to technology, we are able to watch what happened. Log on to AAUW CA. On the home page there is an image called “AAUW 2025 Annual Event, Pivoting 4 Our Future.” There is a “Click here to view” button. You will listen to our state leaders and some keynote speakers, as well as catch up on the branch donation statistics, 5 Star winners, branch program recognitions, the three Speech Trek finalists and much, much, more.

Bringing guests who become members is very powerful. Think about friends and neighbors who share our passion and our mission. Include them in your small group meetings and prepare a 30-second “elevator speech” to grab their attention (can give your speech in the time it takes to ride the elevator).

If you enjoyed our membership year, think about how you can become involved. Meet new people – discover your own hidden talents – and have a lot of fun in the process. Reach out to our current branch leaders for guidance. And THANKS!

May Program

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Celebrate and Renew

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:30 AM to 1 PM

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento

By Barbara Smith, Co-VP Programs

Most of us have been called to jury duty and some have had the honor of serving. Having a fair trial by a jury of one’s peers is one of our fundamental American rights. But what do we know about the Grand Jury–who serves, what are its functions? Come to the May branch meeting to find out!

Beth Ten-Pas has chaired the Sacramento County Grand Jury for the past two years and is eager to share her knowledge and experiences with us. The Grand Jury is a vital oversight committee charged with multiple areas of concern in local governmental agencies. With limited print information these days, it can be difficult to be informed citizens. Social media comments leave lots to be desired.  Beth has a wealth of information to share with us.

I had the privilege of serving on the Grand Jury many years ago and was amazed by what we did. It was a memorable experience. I can’t wait to hear about Beth’s recent term. In addition to Beth’s presentation, we will:

  • Listen to the winning Speech Trek participant, Suyan Golzar.
  • Recognize new 50-year members and named gift honorees.
  • Introduce new members.
  • Award free branch membership for most new members recruited.

President Nancy McCabe will discuss how the disbandment of the Citrus Heights American River Branch will affect the Sacramento Branch and introduce those members in attendance.

Actions:

  • Invite a friend/neighbor to join you. There is no charge for this meeting, but registration is requested to ensure refreshments and seating for all. Please respond by noon on May 27.
  • Think of a question about the Grand Jury for Beth or about Speech Trek for Suyan.
  • Wear your name tag if you have one. We will have paper ones if needed.
  • Click HERE to access Eventbrite.
  • Come enjoy being together to celebrate US!

April Program: Author’s Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Learn from Another’s Journey

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11 AM to 2 PM

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave. Fair Oaks

Actions:

  • Find your March issue of Capital Ideas and reread the article about our Author’s Luncheon.
  • Invite a friend and/or neighbor to join you. Guests are welcome at our events, but please arrange for a separate registration form for each attendee. To honor the requirements of the kitchen at North Ridge, the deadline for registering is Friday, April 18.
  • Think of questions you would like to ask our author, Archana Maniar. She is an infectious disease specialist in Sacramento affiliated with UC Davis Medical Center as well as the author of Dry Spells, When the Rain Stops, what will be revealed?
  • Bring your copy of Dry Spells. You could ask for an autograph!
  • Choose your entrée; Chicken Marsala (with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables) or Bay Shrimp Louis (mixed greens Bay Shrimp, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and Thousand Island Dressing on the side) or Butternut Squash Ravioli (with brown sage butter, Parmesan and steamed vegetables).
  • Choose your dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake or Fruit Cup.
  • Remember that our meal includes Bread, Coffee, Iced Tea, Hot Tea and Water. Doors open at 11; lunch will be served at noon. We will have lots of time to socialize and buy her books.
  • Write a personal check payable to AAUW Sacramento (cost of the luncheon is $32) and mail to Reservations Coordinator (mailing address below) OR
  • Click <here> to use a credit card. Fees will apply. Sales will close at noon on April 18.

Here is the registration form for paying by check. Please print neatly.

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

Name:                                                                             Branch:                                   

Email address                                                      

Meal choices (circle one in each category)

Main: Chicken or Salad or Ravioli

Dessert: Cake or Fruit

Please mail this form and a check for $32 written to AAUW Sacramento to Hedda Smithson, 4033 Main Street, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Make sure it arrives before the April 18 deadline! Thanks!

Lights: Our March Focus on DEI

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All

Our March Focus on DEI and So Much More By Barbara Smith

Even several days after the event, I am still so energized by all that happened during our branch meeting on March 15 that I want to share some of the highlights with all of you.

As we gathered, we had ample time to enjoy refreshments and view the amazing art on the walls of the Roberts Family Development Center before President Nancy McCabe called the meeting to order.  Then Lisa Howard and Jessica Waugh shined the lights on a challenging series of activities related to issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  Each activity required thoughtful responses and an exchange of ideas by all of us. (action)  For example, we:

  • Answered individual quiz questions focused on Black History Month based on Lisa’s February Capital Ideas article
  • Watched a video illustrating intrinsic bias, how it develops and the devastating effect it can have even when neither party intends to cause harm
  • Used an illustrated handout showing a series of concentric circles called The Wheel of Privilege, which required us to place ourselves in various categories such as level of education, level of income, gender, etc. This required the most introspection and elicited the most open-ended discussion of the day! How do we see ourselves and people who are different from us?

About mid-morning, we were warmly welcomed by Tina Roberts (co-founder of the RFDC 24 years ago with husband Darrell).  She explained that their goal has always been to educate the family by providing after-school care, including homework help and teaching parenting skills.  They encourage family involvement on local school and other community boards to make their voices heard.  “Our community is only as good as its families, and we want to create a strong community,” she said.

I could go on and on, but I hope I have piqued your curiosity about the wonderful events of this memorable day, which reminded me of the importance of in-person meetings and open-ended discussions.  Talk to Lisa, Jessica, Nancy, Hedda, or me at the Author’s Luncheon on April 26.

March Program – Equal Rights for All

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All By Lisa Howard

Saturday, March 15, 2025

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Roberts Family Development Center

766 Darina Avenue, Sacramento

Please join us for our March branch meeting where we will explore the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion using the AAUW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Toolkit.

The meeting will be held in the inspiring meeting space at the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC) in Del Paso where we met last March.  RFDC provides services to the Greater Sacramento area that meet the individual needs of each family member. Their services provide a holistic approach, focusing on Pre K-12th grade academic support and enrichment, parent education and engagement, and community involvement and advocacy.

DEI has been under attack this year, but do we really know what the concept means? AAUW has invested in building program materials to help members explore challenging topics such as DEI to ensure we are a welcoming place to new members. We will also take an opportunity to check in on the DEI action activity from the February newsletter and see how we each did.

Here are the details:

• Address: 766 Darina Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815
• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Register on Eventbrite <here> no later than Thursday, March 13 at noon.
• Bring and wear your name tag. Don’t have one or forgot yours? We will have one for you.
• You can find out more about the toolkit by clicking on AAUW DEI Toolkit.

Hope to see you there!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Corner

As an organization, AAUW strives to remove barriers for women.  As educated white women of means, much of the AAUW membership has lived through a hopeful and dynamic phase of history.  With such a noble mission, it is easy to assume that all women had the same experiences that we have, which is not true.

Women of color within our generations experienced the shared history quite differently. Young women today face less economic stability and often less reproductive freedom than most of our current membership. In support of attracting members to the mission, diversity is first about taking steps to understand the context that people may bring.  For 2025, I will be sharing a recommended reading each month that can be used to guide a learning journey for those interested in exploring our diversity.

Our recommended reading for March is  Caste  by Isabel Wilkerson, which explores how the concept of caste has impacted how we relate to each other.  The book is an excellent opportunity to reflect on experiences from the perspective of other people and holds up a mirror to the society in which we live.  Don’t have time for a whole book?  Check out  Origin , the 2023 movie
about the writing of the book. As you read, take the opportunity to reflect on how you have experienced and observed the power of caste in your life.