Category Archives: Scholarship

Anything related to our AAUW Sacramento scholarship activities.

Scholarship News

Scholarship News By Cherril Peabody

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

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

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

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

Scholarship Committee Update

Scholarship Committee Update By Cherril Peabody

Many of you heard most of our 2023-24 scholarship recipients speak at the branch holiday luncheon last month. Weren’t they inspiring? I have been involved with our scholarship program for many years, and I think it is one of the best things our branch does. This year I am proud to say we have 19 members on the Scholarship Committee as we embark on another recruitment season for 2024-25, and I am asking for your help as well.

Our 2024-25 application is now posted on the branch website: http://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/programs/scholarships or just Google AAUW Sacramento. After reading the qualifications requirements, if you know a woman who might be eligible to receive it, please contact her and let her know about this opportunity. This year we will give the same amount as last year: $3,000 to each recipient. The number of awards will depend on the quality of the applications we receive and the amount of funds that are available. This leads me to the second way you can help. Our funds have been somewhat depleted because we had five exceptionally worthy recipients this year. If you can, please contribute to our scholarship fund before our application deadline, March 31, so we will know as we make our decisions how much we have to give. I will really appreciate your help!

December 9th – Looking Back

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents By Hedda Smithson

Having Fun and Doing Good – December 9 Looking Back

Our December gathering was one to remember. North Ridge Country Club didn’t disappoint with a lovely setting, delicious food, friendly wait staff and all our friends!! Countless bags of offerings for the CSUS Food Pantry covered the donation table that we crammed into a small car. The following Monday Team Smith and Smithson drove to CSUS, met a young man with a golf cart, visited the pantry, and helped unload the golf cart!

Our three scholarship winners reminded us of our heritage – helping women achieve their dreams through financial support and encouragement. We met Elizabeth, an Anthropology and Economics major who received the Charlotte Rasmussen scholarship. Nataliia received the Wyndel Holmes scholarship and is majoring in Business Administration. Wahida told us she was an Asian Studies major.

Cathy Locke and Cherril Peabody gave us some details about our Scholarship Program. Liz Jordan told us about our Speech Trek program and also shared the latest about the Equal Rights Amendment. Nancy McCabe reminded us that several projects could use a helping hand: the March program (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), Public Policy, Gov Trek, Speech Trek, and Newsletter. See page 8 of your directory for names of contacts. Gloria Yost reported that we have 15 new members so far and held the monthly opportunity drawing.

Thank you to all who brought donations and thank you for transporting them to a loading zone outside the building. We are stronger together!

 

Programs: Looking Forward, Looking Back

Programs: Looking Forward, Looking Back By Hedda Smithson

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents

Episode Four of “The Rights Stuff”: The Right to Higher Education

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, December 9, 2023 11 AM

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Avenue

 AAUW Sacramento was founded in 1920. Some of us helped celebrate our 100th birthday on Feb. 29, 2020. One of the first projects these early members started was a scholarship program.

For our December gathering we will invite our current scholarship recipients — Elizabeth, Erin, Nichole, Wahida and Nataliia  to join us for lunch at the lovely North Ridge Country Club.

A choice of entrees will be offered and an opportunity to “take a future grad to lunch” by helping to pay for the lunches of our scholarship guests. There may be a chance to do other giving as well.

More information and how to RSVP for this event will be provided in an upcoming eBlast.

Recaps: September and October of the Rights Stuff

The first two episodes of “Lights, Camera, Action”  are “in the can”. Both were SRO (standing room only!!). Running out of chairs is a good thing? Here are the highlights:

September 23 at the Arcade Library on Marconi Avenue

  • Members approved the budget for the 2023-24 membership year as presented in the September issue of Capital Ideas.
  • Seven Tech Trek campers shared stories of blood draws, food science, and playing with lights and sound at the Mondavi Center in Davis. Each received a Tech Trek bear.
  • Two National Conference of College Women Student Leaders participants told us what they had learned during three days of intense workshops and networking.
  • We learned how to be Membership Ambassadors and earn a star!!
  • New members include Susan Cox, Joyce Humphrey, Pam Harder, Kim McDaniel, Sasha Mowrey, Joy Allender and Tom Smithson. Be sure to watch for and welcome each to future events.
  • We were invited to join a group tour at the Sojourner Truth Museum on Oct. 7 for an African Marketplace, featuring live music, food, and shopping opportunities.

October 14 at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center on Gibbons Drive

  • Members from Sacramento and Citrus Heights/American River Branches met for more than a month to put together this program.
  • Representatives from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte spoke to us briefly about their local focus.
  • We listened to stories from The Abortion Chronicles and discussed what we heard.
  • We heard how medical students and doctors have had to make choices about their futures.
  • We learned about maternal care deserts both before and after the Dobbs Decision.
  • Each participant was given a packet full of information, including two pages of actions that each of us could take.
  • Our lesson in government included how amendments become part of the US Constitution and what we can do to have the Equal Right Amendment published.

Branch Awards $15,000 in Scholarships for Coming Year

Branch awards $15,000 in scholarships for coming year By Cathy Locke

Five women have been selected to receive a total of $15,000 in scholarships from AAUW Sacramento for the 2023-24 academic year.

We received 11 applications this year. After reviewing the applications, the scholarship committee selected seven finalists to participate in interviews on Zoom. We had a strong pool of candidates with compelling needs, making the final selection process particularly difficult.  Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, we are able to award scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to Elizabeth Adam, Erin Gottis, Nichole Overbay, Wahida Rasoli and Natalia Safi.

Elizabeth Adam, 40, is studying anthropology and economics at UC Davis. She previously received a branch scholarship in 2020-21, when she was a student at American River College and a member of AAUW’s campus affiliate. She served as president of AAUW@ARC before transferring to UC Davis in fall 2022.  She currently works as a student contracting trainee with the US Geological Survey in Sacramento and has a 12-year-old son.

Erin Gottis, 42, is majoring in graphic design at Sacramento City College. After working for 20 years in special education and with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she decided to pursue her dream of working in an art-related field. As the parent of a child with a chronic medical disability, Erin said she hopes to use her graphic design skills to “contribute to the advancement of marginalized groups in my community.”

Nichole Overbay, 30, was selected to receive our scholarship for a second year. She transferred to CSUS in January. She is pursuing a degree in exercise science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. Her interest in the field grew out of her own experiences recovering from serious injuries she suffered in a vehicle accident when she was 17. She is expecting her third child this fall and said she has arranged to take classes online so as not to interrupt her education.

Wahida Rasoli, 32, is majoring in Asian studies at CSUS after completing her associate degree in social justice and ethnic studies at American River College in 2022. She immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan in 2018. She worked for women’s and children’s rights in Afghanistan, where she held positions with human rights and civil society organizations. Since coming to the US, she has worked with the International Rescue Committee as an interpreter to help new immigrants get settled. Her career goal, she said, is to become an advocate for human rights and women’s rights. She has three children.

Natalia Safi, 50, also is a recent immigrant, coming to the United States from Ukraine in 2019. She is majoring in business administration at American River College and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field. Natalia said she would like to work in business management and possibly start her own business. She has two daughters, ages 11 and 16. “As an immigrant and non-native speaker of English, I understand the challenges of pursuing higher education in a foreign language,” she said. “However, I am determined to overcome these challenges and succeed in my academic pursuits.”

We look forward to hearing from the recipients during a branch meeting this fall.

Again, we thank branch members for your ongoing support of the scholarship program through regular contributions, memorial gifts and bequests.

Scholarship /Legacy Circle

Scholarship Filing Period Extended By Cathy Locke

Due to technical difficulties that delayed posting the application on our website, we have extended the filing period for our 2023-24 branch scholarships to April 1, 2023.

A downloadable application package, including academic and other criteria for applicants, is now available at http://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/programs/scholarships.

We are offering $3,000 scholarships to Sacramento County women age 25 or older who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree at American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College, California State University, Sacramento, or UC Davis.

Prospective applicants may direct questions about the program and application process to the Scholarship Committee at aauwsacramentoscholarships@gmail.com.

We encourage branch members to share this information with individuals and other organizations that might be interested in our scholarship program.

Legacy Circle by Charmen Goehring

By making a planned gift to AAUW National, you become a member of the AAUW Legacy Circle and affirm your commitment to equity. These gifts — or bequests — are donations that you designate in your will, estate, or trust.

There is no minimum gift requirement to join the Legacy Circle, and the benefits are many. For example:

  • Planned gifts afford you flexibility to provide for your family and support AAUW.
  • Certain planned gifts may reduce estate or capital gains taxes.
  • Planned gifts need not affect your cash flow during your lifetime.
  • Certain types of planned gifts allow you to support AAUW while also providing income for the rest of your life — or a fixed income for a loved one.
  • The joy of knowing that your legacy gift will sustain AAUW’s programs for years to come is the ultimate benefit!

To learn more, contact Nadia Daghistani at daghistanin@aauw.org or 202.785.7766. You can also contact Charmen Goehring, Northern CA Legacy Circle Liaison, at charminme@yahoo.com or Judy Horan, Southern CA Legacy Circle Liaison, at queenjah@pacbell.net.

https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/support-aauw/leave-a-legacy/

Living Our Mission of Equity/Scholarship

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

We hope you will join us in a monthly equity conversation looking at our own biases and what 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 generally meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity and open to all.

The Zoom meeting code is 737 420 3780 or you can join using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7374203780

We will discuss the second half (page 122 through the end) of our current book, “How to Be An Antiracist”. by Dr. Ibram Kendi at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Scholarship Application Time By Cathy Locke

Women attending UC Davis are now eligible for AAUW Sacramento scholarships.

The branch board on Dec. 5 approved the scholarship committee’s recommendation to add UC Davis to the list of colleges that scholarship recipients may attend. Previously, we have had to turn away otherwise qualified applicants who were transferring from a Los Rios Community College campus to UC Davis. Because UCD is a public university with a major presence in the Sacramento region, it is a logical option for community college transfer students.

The branch is offering $3,000 scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year to women age 25 and older who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree at American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College, California State University, Sacramento, or UC Davis. Students must be Sacramento County residents at the time of application. The number of scholarships will depend on available funds and the number of qualified applicants. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2023.

Our scholarship program is listed on the financial aid office websites for the various campuses. Information also is provided to mentoring organizations, student services centers and community groups, including Women’s Empowerment and Saint John’s Program for Real Change. We encourage branch members to assist in outreach efforts by passing along information to other organizations and individuals that might be interested in the scholarship program.

Academic and other criteria for applicants are available at https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/programs/scholarships. Applications may be completed and supplemental materials submitted using the link on the webpage.

Prospective applicants may direct questions about the program or application process to the Scholarship Committee at aauwsacramentoscholarships@gmail.com.

Thanks to the generous support of our members, families and friends, we are assisting five women who were each awarded $3,000 scholarships for the current academic year.

UC Davis Added to Branch Scholarship List

UC Davis Added to Branch Scholarship List By Cathy Locke

Women attending UC Davis are now eligible for AAUW Sacramento scholarships.

The branch board on Dec. 5 approved the scholarship committee’s recommendation to add UC Davis to the list of colleges that scholarship recipients may attend. Previously, we have had to turn away otherwise qualified applicants who were transferring from a Los Rios Community College campus to UC Davis. Because UCD is a public university with a major presence in the Sacramento region, it is a logical option for community college transfer students.

The branch is offering $3,000 scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year to women age 25 and older who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree at American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College, California State University, Sacramento, or UC Davis. Students must be Sacramento County residents at the time of application. The number of scholarships will depend on available funds and the number of qualified applicants. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2023.

Our scholarship program is listed on the financial aid office websites for the various campuses. Information also is provided to mentoring organizations, student services centers and community groups, including Women’s Empowerment and Saint John’s Program for Real Change. We encourage branch members to assist in outreach efforts by passing along information to other organizations and individuals that might be interested in the scholarship program.

Academic and other criteria for applicants are available at https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/programs/scholarships. Applications may be completed and supplemental materials submitted using the link on the webpage.

Prospective applicants may direct questions about the program or application process to the Scholarship Committee at aauwsacramentoscholarships@gmail.com.

Thanks to the generous support of our members, families and friends, we are assisting five women who were each awarded $3,000 scholarships for the current academic year.

AAUW CA FUNDS EVENT this month!

One Last Chance: AAUW CA FUNDS EVENT this month! By Charmen Goehring

Mark your calendars for the last inspiring AAUW Funds Event on Zoom on Nov. 12, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We have a record number of recipients of AAUW grants and fellowships in California this year – 49! — and because of the online format, we have had a chance to hear from most of them. The women share their research and how our Funds awards are meaningful to them. The event previously was a luncheon — two in Northern CA and one in Southern CA. Being on Zoom makes them accessible to everyone with no driving and they are free! I would like to suggest, however, that you donate to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund in lieu of purchasing a luncheon ticket! Registration is now open on the AAUW CA website here:

https://www.aauw-ca.org/aauw-2022-fund-events/

This fall, support the AAUW Fund — meet the recipients at the event on Nov. 12, make a donation and become a Legacy Circle member! Contact me (charminme@yahoo.com)  if you have questions! Thank you for supporting AAUW and our mission of “Equity for All.”

President’s Message

President’s Message By Angela Scarlett

Dear fellow AAUW Members,

I sit here on a Tuesday night, trying to capture how lovely our meeting was on Sept. 17! Members such as Barbara Smith, Kathy Schrumpf, Jane Cooley and Barbara Smith brought snacks and helped set up the room. Sandi Schoenman greeted folks at the door.

Kamariah Alexander

One of our scholarship recipients, Kamariah Alexander, spoke movingly

Marissa Floyd

about returning to college after becoming a mom. In contrast, our NCWSSL winner, Marissa Floyd, spoke about the diverse offerings of leadership training she could access at NCWSSL.

Our guest speakers, Jay Cohen and Maiya De La Rosa, both from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, spoke to the challenges for women and pregnant persons in a post-Dobbs world. They framed the policy opportunities in

Planned Parenthood

California and the practical matter of providing reproductive health care to hundreds of thousands of low-income people.

It warmed my heart to see many of our members present and engaged with issues that impact our mission. I want to see more folks engaged as this year rolls along. To this end, I am setting up a Phonevite account. What’s a Phonevite account? Well, it’s a handy low-cost tool that sends our robocall reminders to members’ phones to remind them of upcoming events. AAUW California suggested this as an option for doing outreach with members who don’t use email very often. Please reach out to me if you have thoughts about this platform.

I hope to see everyone online for our October program, the CA Ballot Forum!

Cheers,
Angela