Tag Archives: Equity

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.

The Reproductive Choice Committee Changes Course

The Reproductive Choice Committee Changes Course By Liz Jordan

The Reproductive Choice committee is changing course.  We decided to try “doing what AAUW does best” – read and discuss what we read for our own enlightenment.  In addition, we intend to share with the branch insights and information in which we hope fellow members would be interested.

Yes, we are still interested in the “post-Dobbs” environment, but the committee felt we had completed our research into the changes made around the U. S.  in the many states that have banned or seriously restricted abortion.  We have accumulated a significant library of articles, podcasts and videos on the topic and are happy to share with anyone who is interested.

For February meeting, Feb. 9, 1 p.m. over Zoom, we are independently listening to as many episodes as we can of the podcast Ordinary Equality by Kate Kelly and Jamia Wilson.  This podcast is in its second year of production and covers a lot of the history of the women’s movement, the Roe v. Wade decision, the history of the Equal Rights Amendment, and the impact of the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).  It’s available where ever you get your podcasts.

Beginning in March, we plan to read by section the book “Lady Justice” by Dahlia Lithwick.  At the February meeting, we will plan how much we want to read and discuss in March.

We are looking for more members who are interested in listening and reading on these topics.  If you are interested in joining us for conversation, please email Liz Jordan (contact information can be found in the Membership Directory).  We will send you the Zoom link and welcome all new members.

Living Our Mission of Equity-Book Discussion

Living Our Mission of Equity-Book Discussion 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.

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 the first half (through page 121) of our new book, “How to Be an Antiracist” by Dr. Ibram Kendi, at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 (note: this month we are meeting the second Wednesday). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Living Our Mission of Equity

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 meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity.

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 the second half (page 124-end) of our current book, “Waking Up White”, by Debby Irving at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Living Our Mission of Equity

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion 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 will meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity.

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 the first half (pages 1-123) of our current book, “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving, at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

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.”

Reproductive Choice Update

Reproductive Choice Committee By Liz Jordan

Note: The Reproductive Choice Committee meets on the second Monday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m.

At our last meeting, we heard reports on the current political situation on reproductive choice in the states of Arizona, Nevada and Idaho.  Both Arizona and Idaho have become states that are banning, or attempting to ban, a woman’s choice.  Nevada appears to be maintaining a position of support for the right to choose.  We did learn that 60 or more clinics in 15 states are closed, and 14 states have no clinics offering reproductive health care.

The committee has created a Resources List on Google Docs to which we are continuing to add, with annotations, sources both purely factual as well as those using facts to support opinion and argument.  It is available to any branch member and can be made available to others asking to take a look at what we have found thus far.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2022 from 1 to 2 p.m. The agenda will focus on those questions we have not yet researched.  All members are welcome to join us.  Please contact Liz Jordan for the Zoom invitation.

Public Policy News

2021-22 Legislative Session Closes with Big Wins for AAUW California By Kathi Harper

Note: Kathi Harper is the Chair of the AAUW California Public Policy Committee

At the stroke of midnight on Sept. 30, 2022, the 2021-22 legislative session officially came to a close as it marked the Governor’s deadline for signing or vetoing bills.  The AAUW California Public Policy committee is pleased to announce that we achieved a 70 percent success rate on the bills on our legislative agenda, and 25 of our 36 bills are now law, including seven of our eight top priority bills.  The following is a brief synopsis, by each pillar of our Public Policy Priorities:

Economic Security for All Women

Eight of our bills were signed by the Governor, one was vetoed, and one died in the Legislature.  The most significant bill under this pillar was AB (Assembly Bill) 92, which we co-sponsored.  AB 92 was introduced in 2020, and became a 2-year bill, which is why it remained on this year’s agenda. This bill originally sought a 1-year waiver of supplemental child-care fees for low-income families, with a request for a sliding scale to be applied thereafter. In his 2021 budget, Gov. Newsom included $120 million for two years’ worth of waivers. The bill was then amended to request an additional year of waivers through October 2024, with a sliding scale to then be implemented. Unfortunately, the amended bill was vetoed; however, we are still proud of the work we did to get those two years of waivers in the budget, so we still consider it a win!

Equal Access to Quality Public Education for All Students

Six of these bills were signed by the Governor, one was vetoed, one was approved by the Legislature (no signature required) and two died in the Legislature.  Of particular note under this pillar are three of our top priority bills:  AB 1968, which requires campuses to develop and post uniform guidelines for reporting sexual assault; AB 2881 which provides additional support for college students with dependent children; and AJR 23 (Assembly Joint Resolution), a Title IX 50th Anniversary Proclamation.

Social and Racial Justice for All Members of Society

Eight of these bills were signed by the Governor, one was vetoed, one was incorporated by the Governor into an Executive Order, one was approved by and two died in the Legislature.  We saw success on all four of our top priority bills in this area:  AB 1666, which provides protection for those from other states seeking abortions in California, as well as for those providing services here, from the enforcement of a related civil judgment from their home state; SB (Senate Bill) 523, which requires insurance coverage for over-the-counter contraceptive products; SB 1375, which allows certified nurse-practitioners to perform some early-term abortions; and SCA (Senate Constitutional Amendment) 10.  SCA 10 was introduced in the Senate as a measure to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to enshrine in the California Constitution the right to an abortion and to contraception. When this measure passed in the Senate, it became Proposition 1.

To see the results of all the bills on our 2021-22 legislative agenda, check out our webpage for a full agenda summary, here:  https://www.aauw-ca.org/documents/2022/10/results-of-2021-22-legislative-session.pdf/, or to view our Bill Tracker, here: https://www.aauw-ca.org/documents/2022/10/bill-tracking.pdf/.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!  DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! 

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE THE PLEDGE TO VOTE “YES” ON PROPOSITION 1!

Living Our Mission of Equity

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 meet the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity.

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 the second half of our current book, “Sister Outsider”, by Audre Lorde, on Oct. 5 at 7pm. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.  Our next book for November/December will be “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving.

Reproductive Choice Committee Update

Reproductive Choice Committee Update By Liz Jordan

Local – Sacramento Region
At the Sept. 17, AAUW Sacramento Branch meeting at the Carmichael Library, two representatives from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which serves all of Northern and Central California and much of Nevada told us:

  • about their planning for expansion of clinics and services since November of 2016.
  • not only do they provide reproductive health care to women,
    • 68 percent of patients live below federal poverty standards
    • 79 percent of patients are people of color; nearly half are Latinx
  • they also provide well-baby care (patients from 6 weeks – 91 years old)
  • primary care to many under-insured Americans
  • but, also, vasectomies, gender-affirming care, COVID-19 care.

AAUW Nevada County, on Oct. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., is putting on a theatrical dialog called “The Abortion Chronicles” in which speakers share true stories from women and girls from 1946 to 1973.  Meeting will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley and everyone is invited to join them.  Joint meeting with Citizens for Choice; no sign-up is required.  All are welcome.

California

  • Proposition 1, Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom, is on California’s November ballot to amend the state Constitution. For more info, see article in this newsletter by Sue Miller of AAUW CA Public Policy Committee.  AAUW CA supports.
  • New state website Abortion.ca.gov to help find a provider, groups supporting a woman’s right to govern her own body, etc.

National

  • Guttmacher Institute at https://www.guttmacher.org is also offering a rich website of information about events in the 50 states, as well as an interactive map.
  • These both reveal the date in which they are updated.

The next meeting of the Reproductive Choice Committee is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 10, 1:00-2:00 p.m. We are engaged in research at this stage of existence as preparation for future action.   Contact Liz Jordan (lizjord@msn.com)  for a Zoom invitation to join the meeting.  We need you!