Tag Archives: Membership

Membership Doings

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

By Gloria Yost, Hedda Smithson

AAUW Sacramento begins our 2025-26 year with a burst of excitement. We are
blessed with the addition of 22 new members from the former Citrus Heights-American River (CHAR) branch. They are bringing their dedication, talents and energy with them, along with some new interest groups.

Michelle Davis Baer	Fran Clarke	Darlene Houston
Lisa Barney	Lee Battershell	Pam Bone
Jean Bronner	Trish Caldwell	Janice Chung
Virginia Dunstan	Mary Duval	Charlene Eberwine
Joyce Farruggia	Mary Fenner	Gwendolyn Houk
Pat Boyd	Carol Laursen	Jean Lind
PJ Missman	Roberta Schmalz	Gloria Sears
Virginia Sturdevant	Mary Toutonghi

Please welcome and get to know them.

Since May we also have three new members!
-Cassandra Trevino: Joined us online and lives in Orangevale
-Judy Lane: Is a retired librarian who is interested in Great Decisions
-Julika Barrett: Lives in West Sacramento; is the AAUW CA Office Manager

Welcome to AAUW Sacramento Cassandra, Judy and Julika.

If you would like to connect with and mentor our new members, please contact Hedda or Gloria.

* * * * * * * *
Membership Ambassadors Program Continues!

Latest Ambassadors – Fran Clark, Donna Holmes

Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2026-27

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships

Gloria Yost and Hedda Smithson – Our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating August Birthdays!

Jennifer Krebsbach 8/5
Linda Patterson 8/5
Marlys Fredrickson Huez 8/6
Pamela Harder 8/8
Nancy McCabe 8/14
Darlene Houston 8/16
Robin Howlett 8/17
May Ruth Lynch 8/22
Barbara Smith 8/25
Vicki Nicholson 8/28
Catherine Locke 8/31

Celebrating September Birthdays!

Kathleen Keers 9/3
Lynn Wilcox 9/4
Anne Just 9/6
Merilee Colton 9/8
Susan Cox 9/9
Rebekah Machado de Quevedo 9/9
Gail Field 9/10
Jeanette Finn 9/10
Cathy Sallas 9/11
Barbara Kamilos 9/12
Pamella Vaughn 9/15
Malinda Rice 9/20
Hedda Smithson 9/20
Cherril Peabody 9/22
Patricia Poyner 9/23
Elinor Anklin 9/26
Kathryn Brann 9/26
Karen Humphrey 9/27
Joy Clous 9/28

In Memoriam – Member Carolyn Meeker

On July 16, 2025, Carolyn Meeker died as she had lived, with dignity and resolve, and on her own terms. Faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis, she chose to end her life peacefully, using Medical Aid in Dying rather than letting
the disease kill her painfully.

Carolyn was born on March 17, 1940, in Fresno and spent her childhood in Coalinga and LA. A trip to Europe after her sophomore year at UC Berkeley inspired Carolyn to realize that life had more to offer than settling down and
starting a family right after college. After graduating from Cal with a BA in psychology, she entered a PhD program in physiology at UCLA. She earned her doctorate and took a teaching position at Long Beach State.

In 1981, she accepted another lecturer position at Sac State, where she met Gary Meeker. They were married in 1983 on Gary’s sailboat.

After retiring from Sac State, Carolyn supported her husband’s hobbies while engaging in her own interests, including gardening, tai chi, and working on a mystery novel. She joined Gary on sailing adventures in the Delta. After his death in November 2024, Carolyn continued with her walking/lunch group and multiple book clubs until her sudden illness and diagnosis in June.

Remembrances may be made to the Nature Conservancy.

(This article from The Sacramento Bee, July 18, 2025, was edited for brevity.)

Did You Know?

Nineteenth Amendment Celebrates 105 Years!

On August 16, 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment was certified. The amendment prohibits states from denying the right to vote based on gender, and it is the culmination of decades of effort by women who sought equality at the ballot box.

Are You “In the Know”?

On our website, https://sacramento-ca.aauw.net there is a banner across the top of the screen telling the viewer what we offer. Click on Membership and a drop-down menu appears. Click on Members Only and everything you want to know about the Sacramento branch of AAUW, from bylaws to our operating budget to Board meeting minutes are at your fingertips. But you need to know the password. While we can’t publish the password here, you can easily find it in the back of your Membership Directory under “Social Media.”

Ordering AAUW Name Badges By Nancy McCabe

You probably have seen some of our members wearing AAUW badges with our branch inscribed. We ordered them about six years ago when we were using paper badges on a string around our necks. It reminded some of a work badge or a nametag for a cocker spaniel. Ten dollars looked like a bargain for a bit of self esteem. The badges are $11.50 and can be ordered at aauw.source4.com. My second line is ‘Sacramento Branch, Inc.’ We chose not to add our leadership position name as we often change jobs within our branch. The badges are pretty cool, so feel free to order yours, and shop the site for other logo stuff!

Sunshine Chair

Pat Winkle is our Sunshine Chair and needs to hear from you if you know members who might appreciate a get well, sympathy or “thinking of you” card. As she doesn’t know everyone, she needs your help in remembering our friends. Her contact information is in the directory.

Printable Newsletter Articles

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MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

Welcome to our new member!

-Archana Maniar (spoke at Authors Luncheon)

We are glad you have joined and look forward to getting to know you.

2024-25 Membership Ambassadors, so far

Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost, Hedda Smithson,

PJ Missman, Liz Jordan, Joy Allender, Karen Burley

WHO’s GOING TO WIN A FREE MEMBERSHIP?

* * * * * * * *
Please become an ambassador by doing the following:

Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships

Gloria Yost and Vicky Lovell – Our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Membership Renewal By Donna Holmes

2025-26 Membership renewal for the majority of our members is due. If you sent in a check last year your paperwork is coming via USPS as it was sent 5/23/2025. If you did not receive it, you can download a copy to print <here> and a tax receipt <here>.

To renew online with a credit card, go to https://www.aauw.org/membership/, click on login to renew. If you have never logged in, click on ‘Forgot Your Password’ and National will send you a link.

Please renew by June 30. State dues will increase by $10 to a total of $30 on July 1, so it ‘pays’ to pay on time!

Questions? Call Donna Holmes, Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell. Their contact information is in the directory.

Celebrating June Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

Della Knowles 6/2
Patricia Peck 6/2
Mahnaz Khazari 6/4
Shirley Wheeler 6/8
Pamela Spears 6/8
Jane Reinmuth 6/10
Rita Walker 6/10
Sharon Lee Swanson 6/11
Carmen Hobbs 6/12
Charmen Goehring 6/19
Kathleen Papst 6/20
Carol Hayes 6/29

Celebrating July Birthdays!

Karen Ruth Curtis 7/1
Nancy Kniskern 7/1
Gloria Sears 7/3
Karen Ann Rystad 7/5
Patricia Winkle 7/6
Judy Foote 7/8
Michele Hobza 7/8
Linda Sparks 7/9
Shari Beck 7/13
Lisa Howard 7/14
Billie Veerkamp 7/14
Vivian Counts 7/16
Vicki M Kloock 7/18
Marty McKnew 7/20
Lori Franz 7/24
Martha H McDowell 7/24
Gina Schumacher 7/31

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

There’s a new movie out called “Lilly,” based on the life of Fair Pay activist Lilly Ledbetter. It stars Academy Award-nominated actress Patricia Clarkson as Lilly Ledbetter as she battles the court case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. In theaters as of May 9th.

Scholarship News By Beth Rose

The Scholarship Committee met to review the twelve complete scholarship applications they received for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Committee members were happy with the quality of the applicants. It was determined that five applicants will be asked to participate in personal interviews with the committee.

Sunshine Chair

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MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

Welcome to our new members!

-Mary Fenner
-Yvonne McKinney
-Ana Ross
-Gretchen Hess

We are glad you have joined and look forward to getting to know you.

2024-25 Membership Ambassadors, so far

Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost, Hedda Smithson,

PJ Missman, Liz Jordan, Joy Allender, Karen Burley

WHO’s GOING TO WIN A FREE MEMBERSHIP?

* * * * * * * *
Please become an ambassador by doing the following:

Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships

Gloria Yost and Vicky Lovell – Our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating May Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

Patricia Stillwell 5/1
Patricia Morehead 5/5
Janis Appel 5/13
Margaret McCarthy 5/16
Rosemary Howard 5/18
Pat McCarty 5/19
Deborah Dunn 5/22
Cheryl Fuller 5/24
Merrie McLaughlin 5/26
Tamara Olson 5/28
Patty Taylor 5/29
Margot Leidig 5/31

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

Legacy Giving

For those of you who love this organization and want to see AAUW continue to fight for equity for all into the future, you can become a Legacy Circle member. This is a gift that you leave from your estate and there is no minimum amount. There are many ways to set this up and you can contact me for more information. We have about 140 Legacy Circle members in California.in our branch we have 11 members, the most of any branch in California. Please join us!

Scholarship Applications

In the March newsletter we provided information regarding our branch scholarships. This is a reminder that the Scholarship Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year must be received by April 30, 2025 for consideration by the scholarship committee. Please get the word out to potential applicants you may know.

Tech Trek Volunteering

Tech Trek will be held July 12-19 at UC Davis. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email to the Sacramento Branch coordinator, Lana Widman. Lana’s contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Sunshine Chair

Printable Newsletter Articles

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MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

The weather is changing and flowers are blooming everywhere. Spring is here, and new members keep finding AAUW Sacramento.

Marlaina Spivy

Lives in Carmichael and will be a core teacher at the UC Davis Tech Trek camp in July.

Rosella Rowlison

Teaches at Galt high School and is interested in public policy, singles dining. She worked as a White House intern for Vice President Al Gore.

Vicki Kloock

Used to be a member in Wisconsin and found us on the internet

WELCOME Marlaina, Rosella and Vicki

We are glad you have joined and look forward to getting to know you.

A personal pause – Gloria would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of you in my AAUW family who called, sent cards and shared get well wishes after my nasty fall. You’ve made my recovery easier.

24-25 Membership Ambassadors, so far

Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost, Hedda Smithson,

PJ Missman and Liz Jordan

WHO’s GOING TO WIN A FREE MEMBERSHIP?

February drawing winner – Liz Jordan

* * * * * * * *
Please become an ambassador by doing the following:

Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships

Gloria Yost and Vicky Lovell – Our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating April Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

Jeanne P Garcia 4/1
Anne Rhodes 4/1
Tom Smithson 4/1
Carol Nyman 4/3
RosaLee Black 4/7
Theresa Chekon 4/9
Sandi Schoenman 4/10
Sandra Young 4/11
Ann Pickens 4/17
Pamela Saltenberger 4/17
Janelle Kauffman 4/19
Karylle Gabrielle Ilao 4/21
Loretta Hom 4/25
Margaret Brown 4/27

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

Legacy Giving

For those of you who love this organization and want to see AAUW continue to fight for equity for all into the future, you can become a Legacy Circle member. This is a gift that you leave from your estate and there is no minimum amount. There are many ways to set this up and you can contact me for more information. We have about 140 Legacy Circle members in California, including several in this branch, and we welcome more! Just this past month we welcomed member Barbara Smith into the Legacy Circle! Thank you Barbara!

As Judy Horan says, “Live, Love, Leave a Legacy!”

Speech Trek Contest Winners

Last month we omitted the photo of our Speech Trek Contest winners. First-place winner was Suyan Glozar, from Cosumnes Oaks High School. The third-place winner was Sierra Peters from Monterey High School. Second-place winner was Nikky Lin from Cosumnes High School.

AAUW California Public Policy News

From Amy Hom and Missy Maceyko, Co-chairs, AAUW California Public Policy Committee: Please click <here> for the March issue of Public Policy News. Included is information about how to respond to the implementation of Project 2025 and the attack on our core values, as well as tips on how to balance well-being, media consumption, and action. Also included is an article “Prepare for Sexual Assault Prevention Month in April.”

Click here for the link to the Public Policy News Archive.

Scholarship Applications

Sunshine Chair

Printable Newsletter Articles

Click <here> for Printable Newsletter Articles.

President’s Message

President’s Message By Nancy McCabe

I hope you are enjoying our Spring-like weather!

National is planning a $5 dues increase effective April 1, 2025. See the details here: Dues Information. None of these increases will affect Student Dues or MBHL-50-year honorary life members. The National increase does not affect MBL-Paid life members.

Please remember that our branch has a dues assistance fund if you need help. I know none of you wants to hear this but please read the rationale. Most of us can afford this, and it is needed and important that we keep working our mission!

Thanks to Donna Holmes, Membership Finance, for providing this information.

And…A Love Letter to AAUW Sacramento, by Hedda Smithson:

Here is my take on our beloved branch. First – is it loved? Yes, indeed it is loved. We have endured and flourished for more than 100 years. If that isn’t love, it will have to do – until . . . (oops – bird walk!) With recent efforts to have more efficiency, our board has been downsized and the elected positions are fewer in number. At this writing, we believe we have candidate(s) for program director. Our search for a president is ongoing.

We can see the headlines now:
AAUW Sacramento goes TOPLESS for 2025-2027
Well – that’s not an image we want to see. So – remember in school when the teacher asked for volunteers? And if no one raised her hand, the teacher just CALLED ON HER!

We don’t want that to happen – so – think about your skills and what you can contribute to our branch going forward! There will be LOTS of support offered – you won’t be alone. EVER! So – reach out and ask questions – and be sure to call us before we call you. It is time for one good woman (it could be two) to come to the aid of her branch.

Let the love flow … CALL Nancy McCabe. Phone number is on page 19 of the membership directory.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost, Donna Holmes

Hopefully you all received the recent eBlast with contact information on new members and some revisions for current members. Please note that the last 4 digits of member Dr. Viki Montera-Heckman’s phone number are 1401.

If you have a question regarding membership, you can reach out to Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating March Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

PJ Missman 3/1
Patricia Morgan 3/5
Sharon Norris 3/6
Marjorie Patzer 3/6
Julia Maclay 3/8
Vicky Lovell 3/9
Alice Bauer 3/14
Mary Lou Lentz 3/17
Carolyn Meeker 3/17
Janice Chung 3/19
Shelagh O’Rourke 3/20
Elizabeth Jordan 3/28

Leadership

AAUW Sacramento Branch Leadership By Hedda Smithson

AAUW Sacramento-Organized February 1920

Look at our 105^th year!! Marvel at the improvements we’ve made over the years. A sleeker, well designed framework that takes advantage of technology and communication has emerged.

9-member Board of Directors
10 Board of Directors’ meetings on Zoom – rarely last more than 90 minutes
2 positions will be elected this year for the 2025-26 membership year: President and Program Vice President
2 positions continue: Finance Director and Secretary
5 positions will be appointed for one-year terms. (See page 8 of the directory)
4 branch meetings required by our governing documents,

And how (you are thinking to yourself) can I help? We thought you would never ask!!

Put on your thinking cap – what topics or issues would you like to have addressed at a branch meeting?
What interesting meeting places would you like us to consider?
Reread the article in the January issue of Capital Ideas for more details.
Think about how you would like to become more involved in your branch.
Then call, text, or email Nancy, Hedda or Barbara. (Pages 9, 24, 25 of directory.)

Side note: We have a standing reservation at the North Ridge Country Club for the second Saturday in December for our Holiday/Winter Luncheon. Members of the Citrus Heights/American River Branch of AAUW will be joining us for the 2025-26 membership year. The majority of their members live in Citrus Heights, Carmichael and Fair Oaks.