Tag Archives: Inclusion

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.

November Book Groups

Book Group 1:
Middlessex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, on Nov. 14; coordinator is Joy Clous

Book Group 3:
No meetings in Nov. and Dec.; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4:
The Wager, by David Grann, on Nov. 13; coordinator is Pat Morehead

Book Group 6:
Horse, by Geraldine Brooks, on Nov. 18; coordinator is Susana Mullen

Book Group 8:
The Book of Lost Names, by Kristin Harmel, on Nov. 23; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10:
The Reporter Who Knew Too Much, by Mark William Shore , on Nov. 21; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12:
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride, on Nov. 7; 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 Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. We will discuss chapters 9 through the Conclusion chapter (pages 162-236). If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Book Groups Update

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

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

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-12^th-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.

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

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

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:

Horse, by Geraldine Brooks. A famous racehorse is re-discovered.
Beautiful Country, by Julie Wang Quan. A Chinese family emigrates to the U.S.
(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.
(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

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.

Book Groups for November

Book Groups Update By Sharon Anderson

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).

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion

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 the final chapters of our latest book (from chapter 9 to the end), The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein, at 7p.m. on May 3. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion

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 chapters 5-8 of our latest book, “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein at 7 p.m. April 5. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

AAUW, Equity and Inclusion

AAUW, Equity and Inclusion By Charmen Goehring

This past weekend, I attended the California Teacher’s Association’s Equity and Human Rights conference. I was both a presenter and participant.

I was heartened by the more than 500 attendees, all educators with social justice mindsets, eager to do their part to dismantle systemic racism and biases that are hurting our students and, more widely, our nation and world. It felt good to know that I was not alone in this fight and to be validated about the importance of equity and inclusion work.

How does this relate to AAUW? In education, most teachers (73.4 percent in California) are female, yet most administrators and those in spaces where decisions are made are male — like the halls of government. We know that women bring a more collaborative, inclusive manner to discussions, whether in a school, board room, the floor of Congress or on the Supreme Court bench. Therefore, having more women in those spaces is beneficial for all, especially women and girls. To this end, AAUW has programs like Tech Trek, Gov Trek, Start $mart and Work $mart, and the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), all geared toward helping young women gain the skills and confidence to enter male-dominated spaces and thrive.

But we need to do more. Women of color have largely been left out of the conversation, in

Charmen Goehring

general and in AAUW. The women’s rights movement did not include them and until the late 1950s, neither did AAUW.

One glance around any AAUW meeting anywhere will show the effects of that exclusion — after 142 years of storied existence, AAUW is still predominantly an older, white woman organization. We have missed out on the passion, creativity and ideas of all those women who have the same concerns and interests but look different than us. We continue today to work on similar goals separately, despite knowing that “stronger together” isn’t a theme for nothing!

Lest you think I am advocating that we run out and find women of color to join us, I am not. I strongly believe that we each, and as a branch, have work to do first. When others join us, we want them to feel welcome and like they belong. And, for that to happen, we must examine our own biases (we all have them) and learn about the ways that our financial, educational and cultural systems have marginalized those who do not look like us. It’s the only way we can make lasting change that will ensure “equity for all”, which is, after all, our AAUW mission.

Some suggested resources:
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/- online Implicit Association Test

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald, explains the science behind implicit biases that we all have

“The Color of Law “by Richard Rothstein — our Equity book group is reading this now, about the blatant racism built into housing policies in the US from the turn of the 20^th century (some linger today)

https://www.ted.com/talks/ibram_x_kendi_the_difference_between_being_not_racist_and_antiracist?language=en – Ted Talk by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, who is amazing