Tag Archives: Equity

AAUW Priorities

AAUW Priorities By Kathy Papst

First, I want to thank Karen Burley for stepping up to be the chairperson of Funds. This is
especially great with all the other jobs she oversees in our branch. Thank you for your selfless
commitment to our branch mission.

There is so much happening with the state organization to further our goals for equity for women in many ways. It is easy to think that we have made so much progress that we can all rest and think that the mission has been accomplished. That is not the case, and we need to continue to work toward moving forward and to keep outside forces from trying to erase all of the work that AAUW has fought hard to enact.

Some interesting news from the state website: If you wish to find out what is new, take a few
minutes to read what is happening in Public Policy, Equal Rights, Title IX, Pay Equity, and
Discrimination issues. The Sept. Public Policy newsletter can be found <here>.

In 2024, even though the federal government has laws in effect regarding pay equity, women still make 84 cents for every dollar that men make. The state website has a 2024 voter issue guide available to download.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law AB 1078, which prevents school districts from banning
books and censoring curriculum.

The Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to 77-year-old Claudia Goldin without men as
collaborators. Claudia is a professor of economics at Harvard University.

We have some very exciting programs coming up this year, and I strongly encourage all branch
members to consider attending these mission-based programs. Remember that we can make great friends and get together for book discussion groups, dining groups, Art & Architecture, etc. because of our involvement with AAUW.

The Oct. 19 program will feature a discussion of ballot measures in the 2024 election. This will
be led by law students from McGeorge Law School.

On Nov. 16, I will host a meeting regarding the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX into law. I am working on having a speaker(s) talk about pay-equity cases that went to the higher courts for deliberation in California. I am crossing my fingers to schedule a very prominent
speaker on this issue. Please put these dates on your calendar.

Once again, if you would like to help work on any part of Priorities, please contact me and we can find some way to contribute to this important cause.

Happy Autumn,
Kathy

From the CA AAUW President:

This is a reminder of the critical impact school board races have on our communities.

Though they may seem small, school boards make vital decisions about what students learn, how resources are allocated, and the policies affecting the health, safety, and equity of our schools. They also influence essential issues like sex education, mental health services, and inclusion, while managing key decisions about land use and school closures that directly affect neighborhoods.

With the upcoming election, it’s important that we all participate. These elections determine the quality of education and fairness in our communities, and often serve as stepping stones for future political leaders. Please be sure to research your local school district, review your sample ballot, and learn about the candidates.

In some parts of California, school boards may challenge the state’s pro-choice and health equity values, which makes your vote even more urgent.

Your involvement ensures that all students receive the education and resources they deserve in a supportive and inclusive environment. Voting in these elections helps shape not just our schools, but the future of leadership in our communities.

Your vote matters!

 ***
This message was sent to you from the Capital Women’s Campaign (CWC).  Chaired by former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, CWC is an alliance of pro-choice activists from the greater Sacramento region determined to flex our collective power. If you have information to share, especially regarding bringing more pro-choice women into the political process, please send to info@capitalwomenscampaign.com  Note that if you prefer not to receive information/calls to action from CWC, simply reply to this email with a request to be removed from our mailing list. 

 

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

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 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

September Book Groups

Book Group 1:
The Indomitable Florence Finch
, by Robert Mrazak, on Sept. 12; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 3: 
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride, on Sept. 25; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby VanPelt, on Sept. 11; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
The Buddha in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka, on Sept. 16; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8: 
The Bookbinder, by Pip Williams, on Sept. 23; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
Secret Harvests: A Hidden Story of Separation…., by David Mas Masumoto , on Sept. 19; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Great Divide, by Cristina Henriquez, on Sept. 5; 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 p.m. 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, An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. We will discuss all chapters through Chapter 4 (up to page 78). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Civil Rights and the Right to Fight for Them

Sacramento Branch of AAUW Presents

“The Rights Stuff” Episode Seven

Civil Rights and the Right to Fight for Them

Lights, Camera, Action!!

                 Saturday March 16, 2024 – 11a.m               

Please join us at the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC) to learn how this organization fulfills its mission: To provide services to the Greater Sacramento area that meet the individual needs of each family member. The services provide a holistic approach, focusing on Pre K-12th-grade academic support and enrichment, parent education and engagement, and community involvement and advocacy.

RFDC has been lifting up and supporting families living in the predominately black area of Del Paso and North Sacramento for 23 years.  The center provides afterschool care as well as mentorship at multiple underserved schools. It also runs the largest Freedom School program in the Sacramento area during the summer.  RFDC connects community members to programs such as the Black Child Legacy Program, which provides practical resources such as diapers and mental health services, and opportunities for expression such as parent groups and poetry jams.  RFDC offers mentorship and work experience to young people from the community as part of their staffing model for programs.

Join us in a conversation with the women who run RFDC programs about how their programs are designed to support the women and families in Del Paso.

Here are the details:

  • Address: 766 Darina Ave., Sacramento, CA 95815
  • Register on Eventbrite <here> no later than Thursday, March 14
  • Organizer: Lisa Howard
  • Want to add some extra fellowship and adventure? Colo’s Southern Cafe is right across the parking lot from RFDC and opens at 1:00 if you would like to continue fellowship and get a bite to eat – think soul food and seafood. The address is 2326 Del Paso Blvd.

Here are some ideas for more ACTION:

  • Explore more about the center by logging on to robertsfdc.org.
  • Sign up for the newsletter by providing your email address on their website.
  • Check out “How the Other Half Eats” and/or “Something Inside So Strong Lyrics” and/or “The California Reparation Report” with your internet search engine.

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

Reminder there is a “books” page under “Activities” on our branch website (https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/bookgroups/).  If you wish to see what others are reading, or get ideas for your book group or yourself, please find the books page and take a look.

Each book group has its own tab, by book group number.  (These book group numbers correlate with page 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

March Book Groups

Book Group 1:
Brave New World
, by Aldous Huxley, on March 14; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
Untold Powers, by Rebecca Roberts, on March 5; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Lost in Shangri-La, by Mitchell Zuckoff, on March 27; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Five Days at Memorial, by Sherri Fink on March 13; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
The Family Roe: An American Story, by Joshua Praeger on March 18; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8: 
Lost and Found Bookshop, by Susan Wiggs, on March 25; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
The Gondola Maker: a Novel of 16th Century Venice, by Laura Morelli, on March 21; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, by Lisa See, on March 7; coordinator is Linda Cook

Looking for Readers!

The Tahoe Park Book Group (Group 1) is looking for new members, whether they live in the Tahoe Park area or anywhere, meeting the 2nd Thursday at 1:30.  Contact coordinator Joy Clous for more information.

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 p.m. 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, Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under The Color Of Law by Richard and Leah Rothstein, on March 6th at 7 p.m. We will discuss Part Four (page 169 to the end). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Our next book, starting in April, is The Four Pivots: Reimaging Justice, Reimaging Ourselves, by Shawn Ginwright, PhD.

Interest Groups and Sojourner Truth Museum Tour

Interest Group Happenings By Vicki  Nicholson

  • Art & Architecture: Friday, February 2, 10:30 a.m., Tour of a local artist’s studio.  Contact Deborah Dunn
  • Great Decisions I: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 1 p.m. In-person  organizational meeting at an area restaurant.  Regular meetings, March-October, third Monday, 7 p.m. on Zoom.  . Contact Cathy Locke
  • Great Decisions II: Thursday, February 8, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom.  Contact Lynn Wood
  • Great Decisions III: Monday, February 19, 1 p.m. Topic-Mideast Realignment (U.S. and the Middle East); home of Kathy Schrumpf. Contact Margaret McCarthy
  • Healthy Heart: Friday, February 16, 11:30 a.m.,  Danielle’s Creperie, 3535 Fair Oaks Blvd. (corner of Fair Oaks and Watt). Contact Jane Cooley
  • Reader’s Theater:  Tuesday, February 13, 1 p.m., “Plaza Suite” by Neil Simon at Mary Williams’ home. Contact Diane Peterson
  • Scrabble Just for Fun:  Friday, February 26, 1 p.m., game room at Eskaton Village on Walnut.  Contact Vivian Counts
  • Singles Dining:  Sunday, February 4, 6 p.m.. Chaat Bistro, 8128 Delta Shores Circle, Sacramento.  Contact Nancy McCabe

Sojourner Truth Museum Tour By Lisa Howard

African American History Month is upon us with the start of February and AAUW offers some opportunities for branch members to learn on February 3rd – Field trip to Black Owned Businesses in Oak Park and The Sojourner Truth Museum Tour.

Bring a friend and make it a date.  Join one half of the day or join both.

  • Member Field Trip of Black Owned Businesses
  • Start your day at 10:30 with a snack from Faria Bakery, 3417 Broadway.
  • Enjoy a 2-minute walk to Underground Books, 2814 35th St – opens at 11 a.m. 
  • Walk another couple of minutes to join Jean Bonar at Fixins, 3428 3rd Ave. Let Jean know if you can join for lunch so she can reserve the table. Jean’s contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.
  • If you have already visited the Sojourner Museum  and are not interested in the market, consider walking over to the Brickhouse Gallery and Art Complex at 2837 36th St after lunch.
  • Sojourner Truth Museum and African Market
  • Members that joined the trip last year really enjoyed both the museum and the market which is stood up in the building on the first and third Saturday each month
  • If you are joining the 1:30 p.m. Sojourner Truth Museum Tour, plan to leave Fixins by 1:15 p.m. and drive to 2251 Florin Rd. #126, Sacramento and head down the right hallway to the museum. Take some time to shop with the African American Market merchants.
  • Please RSVP to Lisa Howard if you are attending by Jan. 31 if possible. Lisa can be reached at the contact information listed in the Membership Directory.

Book Groups for February

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

Reminder there is a “books” page under “Activities” on our branch website (https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/bookgroups/).  If you wish to see what others are reading, or get ideas for your book group or yourself, please find the books page and take a look.

Each book group has its own tab, by book group number.  (These book group numbers correlate with page 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

January Book Groups

Book Group 1:
The Boys in the Boat
, by Daniel James Brown, on Feb. 8; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
Horse, by Geraldine Brooks, on Feb. 6; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes, on Feb. 28; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
The Adventures of Herbie Cohen, by Rich Cohen on Feb. 14; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk on JaFeb. 19; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8: 
Finding the Mother Tree, by Suzanne Simard, on Feb. 26; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
Because Our Fathers Lied, by Craig McNamara, on Feb. 15; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Fifty Words for Rain, by Asha Lemmie, on Feb. 1; coordinator is Linda Cook

Favorite Books from Book Group 4 in 2023

By ranking, most favorite first, followed by a one line description of the book:

  1. Horse, by Geraldine Brooks. A famous racehorse is re-discovered.
  2. Beautiful Country, by Julie Wang Quan. A Chinese family emigrates to the U.S.
  3. (tie) The Promise, by Damon Galgut. One family’s life on a farm in So. Africa.
    (tie) Night, by Elie Wiesel. The story of a man who survived the Holocaust.
  4. (tie) My Sister, the Serial Killer, by Oykinian Braithwaite. One good sister, one bad, in Nairobi.
    (tie) The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, by Michele Kim Richardson. Blue-skinned people of Kentucky.

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 p.m. 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, Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under The Color Of Law by Richard and Leah Rothstein, on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. We will discuss Part Three  (through page 167). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Interest Groups and Sojourner Truth Museum Tour

Interest Group Happenings By Vicki  Nicholson

  • Art & Architecture: February 2, 10:30 a.m., No meeting in January.  Next meeting to visit an artist’s studio on February 2, 10:30 a.m.  Contact Deborah Dunn
  • Great Decisions I:  resumes in February, 2024, on Zoom. Contact Cathy Locke
  • Great Decisions II:  Social meeting in January; first regular meeting Thursday, February 8, 6-8 p.m. on Zoom.  Contact Lynn Wood
  • Great Decisions III: Contact Margaret McCarthy
  • Healthy Heart:  Contact Jane Cooley
  • Reader’s Theater:  Tuesday, January 9, 1 p.m., “The Constant Wife” by Somerset Maugham at Mary Williams’ home. Contact Diane Peterson
  • Scrabble Just for Fun:  Monday, January 29, 1 p.m., game room at Eskaton.  Contact Vivian Counts
  • Singles Dining:  Sunday, January 7, 6 p.m.. Fabian’s Italian Bistro and Bar, 11755 Fair Oaks Blvd in Fair Oaks.  Contact Nancy McCabe

Sojourner Truth Museum Tour By Lisa Howard

Mark your calendars! The Sojourner Truth Museum and African Market field trip in October was a success so we are scheduling a second opportunity on Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. We will map out additional recommendations for a full field trip into Sacramento black neighborhoods that you might not have explored.  Set a date with a girlfriend and make a day of it.  More updates to come in January.
Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, 2251 Florin Road, Unit 126, Sacramento

Book Groups for January

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

Reminder there is a “books” page under “Activities” on our branch website (https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/bookgroups/).  If you wish to see what others are reading, or get ideas for your book group or yourself, please find the books page and take a look.

Each book group has its own tab, by book group number.  (These book group numbers correlate with page 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

January Book Groups

Book Group 1:
The Foundling
, by Anne Leary, on Jan. 18; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, on Jan. 9; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Trust, by Herman Diaz, on Jan. 24; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
<Book Selection> on Jan. 10; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
TBD on Jan. 22; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8: 
<Book Selection> on Jan. 29; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
Why We Sleep:Unlocking the Power of Sleep, by Matthew Walker, on Jan. 18; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Travels with Charley, by John Steinbeck, on Jan. 4; 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 p.m. 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, Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under The Color Of Law by Richard and Leah Rothstein, on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. We will discuss Parts One and Two (through page 92). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Book Groups for November

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

Reminder there is a “books” page under “Activities” on our branch website (https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net/bookgroups/).  If you wish to see what others are reading, or get ideas for your book group or yourself, please find the books page and take a look.

Each book group has its own tab, by book group number.  (These book group numbers correlate with page 6 of the branch Membership Directory.)  On each list, the meeting days, times and coordinator are listed.  Feel free to call me if you have trouble locating it.

November Book Groups

Book Group 1:
The Last Days of Night
, by Graham Moore, on Nov. 9; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 2:
All the Lonely People, by Mike Gayle, on Nov. 7;  coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
No meeting in November; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Desert Queen, by Janet Wallach, on Nov. 8; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6: 
Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life, by Alice Wong, on Nov. 20; coordinator is Kim Rutledge

Book Group 8: 
The Milky Way, by Yaa Gyasi, on Nov. 27; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
Your Table is Ready, by Michael Cecchi-Azzolini, on Nov. 16; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict, on Nov. 2; coordinator is Linda Cook

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 book group is a joint AAUW Sacramento and CHAR event 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 be discussing “How the Word is Passed” by Clint Smith (pages 85-206) at 7 p.m. Nov 1. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Our book for December is The Talk” by Darrin Bell (graphic novel).

 

DEI Event

Diversity in Action! By Lisa Howard

As the DEI Chair for the branch, I would like to invite members to join me for a field trip to a
black cultural center in Sacramento. The trip is an opportunity for members interested in bringing diversity to the branch membership to experience a predominately black space in our own community at the Sojourner Truth Museum and Sac African Market Place on Saturday Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.. The museum will provide us a custom tour of the museum exhibits highlighting women. Before or after the tour, members are free to explore the market, which is held in the museum parking lot at 2251 Florin Road from noon to 6 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays each month.  Come explore the shops, food and entertainment.

Sojourner Truth Museum requests an $8 donation for the tour, which can be paid at the door. Tour size is limited to 30 individuals. Please RSVP to Lisa Howard if you plan to attend so we can estimate the group size. My email address and cell phone information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Lisa