Tag Archives: Membership

The Time is — Now?

The Time is — Now?

Submitted by Liz Jordan. From the AAUW CA Board: Living our Vision of Equity for All
Click here to find out more and see some inspiring videos. Also, see https://www.aauw-ca.org/documents/2021/03/living-our-vision-of-equity-for-all-presentation.pdf/.

Is this the time, now, after 140 years, to invite everybody with similar goals to join AAUW? The AAUW California Board of Directors thinks it is and would like you to know why.

We work hard for the AAUW vision of equity for all and the mission of advancing gender equity, education, health issues, and more. But so do others, including many without a college degree. Are we missing out on their energy, ideas, and help? Before you vote, please review the aauw.org home page. It reflects our inclusive mission for equity. Our membership bylaws do not.

Here is some history that may surprise you: Until the late 1940s, only women with four-year degrees from a small list of accredited, elite universities could join AAUW. According to Sharon Schuster, past AAUW National and California president, “Some would like to forget that we used to vote on prospective members — with all of the implications of what that meant.”

The World War II years broadened AAUW’s vision and all women with four-year degrees from any accredited schools were invited to join; applicants were required to present their degree certificates.

The next requirements to be dropped were accreditation and proof of degree. Then the  4-year degree requirement was dropped as holders of 3-year nursing degrees and 2-year associate degrees became eligible. Eligibility was also extended to students working toward a degree. In the 1980’s, men were allowed to join. Now, in 2021, most membership requirements have been eliminated and only one remains: that of the two-year degree.

AAUW California understands why some members might be reluctant to embrace this idea: it has long been a badge of accomplishment for women to earn a college degree, and we all enjoy socializing with others who enjoy the same things. But shared values are not an automatic byproduct of a college degree.

Before we discuss the benefits of removing this last barrier, you should know that quite a few foundations refuse to grant funds to organizations that discriminate. Yes, that is how they view this requirement. And this reduced funding pool restricts our work.

The younger generations do not view our restriction receptively either. We believe that they are more likely to join organizations with open membership working for similar goals.

The same can be said for potential members of more diverse backgrounds. We have the same vision for the future of all women and all girls; we should work together. And we can do that more effectively if we welcome everybody. Also, in order to provide support for those excluded or marginalized, we need to stop excluding and marginalizing. We need to LIVE our mission and vision.

So, how would AAUW change if everyone could join?

Your enthusiastic Tech Trek moms without degrees want to help our splendid STEM camps. Now they could.

New people might join your board to help with AAUW projects and events. They will bring fresh perspectives.

Remember when you had a friend who wanted to join AAUW but was one year short of a degree? Now she could.

This would be AAUW’s future face: more people of all backgrounds and colors, more hands working on our mission; more members to join discussion groups. We would be an organization that welcomes everybody.

And, how would it NOT affect AAUW or your branch?

It will not affect the uniqueness of AAUW. Its uniqueness is its breadth of programming, research, policy, advocacy, fellowships and grants, and grassroots membership.

  • It will not change your branch’s involvement in local scholarships or interest groups.
  • It will not change the mission of the branch. Mission is not determined by a degree, but by belief in and dedication to equality for women.

Sharon Schuster also said, “AAUW has survived because of our ability to change and because our membership requirements have changed over the years.”

So, when April 7th arrives, do remember the issues we raise here and cast your vote in the AAUW National election for a positive future for an AAUW that welcomes everybody.. As much as we value the way we have been, we can also value the way we will be. It’s time we walked the talk.

Carol Holzgrafe, Director
Branch Assistance Contact
AAUW California

Upcoming Member Vote

Upcoming Member Vote by Charmen Goehring-Fox

[NOTE: Another view on this issue immediately follows Charmen’s article.]

Charmen Goehring

Many of you may be aware that we have a national AAUW election coming up April 17-May 7 that includes a bylaw proposal to eliminate the degree requirement as a condition of membership. For the sake of transparency, let me say that I am 100 percent in favor of elimination. There are many pros and cons, and lots of feelings around the proposal. Let’s talk about some facts first.

*This is just the second time since 2009 that the National AAUW Board has put the proposal to a vote. The appearances on the ballot between 2009 and 2018 were suggested by a member, which is one of our rights of membership.

*This is not about getting more members — when we voted to allow those with two-year degrees or when we voted to allow men, there was not a surge of two- year degreed or male members. It is not expected to create a flood of new members now.

*Only about 15 percent of AAUW’s budget is funded by our dues. The rest comes from other sources such as corporations and other organizations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to compete with other organizations for these funds as we are seen as “exclusive” at a time when everyone is working to become more inclusive. Our mission will be jeopardized by lack of funds if we can’t get donors to see AAUW as a worthwhile investment.

*Younger women, those under 50, have been telling AAUW for years that they see the degree requirement as exclusive and they do not want to be part of an organization that holds on to this.

*AAUW is not considering changing the name. Many people now think we are university professors which, obviously, is not accurate. Many companies and organizations have changed membership makeup over the years and yet, kept their well-established name- think GEICO, YMCA.

*Our degree requirement has changed over time. In the beginning, only those with a degree from a specific list of schools could join AAUW. In 1949, the members voted to open membership to women with a degree from any accredited four-year college or university. In 1985, we voted to allow men and in 2005, those with a two-year or equivalent degree were voted in.

Among the pros of eliminating the degree requirement:

  • We will be able to “walk our talk” of equity for ALL women.
  • We will be able to welcome equity-minded people who have amazing skillsets but no degree.
  • We will be seen as more inclusive and open to our communities.
  • We may attract younger women and women of color (many of whom have historically not had the same education opportunities as white women).

Some of the cons of eliminating the degree requirement:

  • We lose our exclusive appeal and are less distinguishable from other women’s organizations.
  •  We might be seen as less focused on encouraging women to achieve degrees (though we will still be the largest provider of grants and fellowships).
  •  We may attract to our branches women who are different from us.

I urge you to consider this matter, talk with others, seek out information. Check out the AAUW Townhall Webinar, Dues and Education Requirement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhkHHqKwT3w&feature=youtu.be) This has been a year of reckoning in our country and it is time to bring AAUW along too. As Frieda Schurch, 50- year member and major AAUW donor, said on the floor of the 2005 AAUW Convention, “What are we about? Equity for women or showing off our degrees?” It is time again to answer that question.

Another View on the Upcoming Vote by Vicki Nicholson

When I proudly joined the Fremont Branch in 1974, I was eager to meet and have conversations with educated, intelligent women who also supported education and equity.  I was not disappointed.  Since the degree was the “value factor” for joining, I am giving voice to members who want to retain the degree requirement.  I respect current members who admit that, though they formerly supported its retention, they now are willing to eliminate it.

To some extent AAUW has achieved its goal of promoting college education for women and girls because our sisters have secured more degrees than men for some time.  However, we are aware that we cannot relax our push for pay equity, equitable health care, more equitable representation of minority communities as leaders, among other issues.  We certainly welcome all partners who join us in these efforts.

If the degree requirement is completely eliminated, AAUW will no longer be distinctive — just American Association of Women.  And if there is no corresponding name change, then the AAUW label would be misleading or, worse, a form of false advertising.

I am most angered by the fact that the membership HAS spoken on this question and it has been rejected at least twice in recent years.  I resent National attempting to railroad through the degree requirement elimination AGAIN.  National should wait at least five years before putting the change to a vote once again.  Since I am a paid life member, I cannot disassociate myself from the national organization but, if degree elimination is passed, I would have to re-evaluate local branch ties.

Membership Matters

AAUW MEMBERSHIP MATTERS By Bonnie Penix and Jan Stuter

Bonnie Penix

March is Women’s History Month. Did you know that the concept of specifically celebrating women’s history began in California? The actual celebration of Women’s History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society, organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978. Presentations were given at dozens of schools, hundreds of students participated in a “Real Woman” essay contest and a parade was held in downtown Santa Rosa.

A few years later, the idea had caught on within communities, school districts and organizations across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The U.S. Congress followed suit the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.

Women’s History Month highlights women’s contributions to US history, culture and contemporary society. Women are recognized for their achievements in science, government, literature, art, sports, community and medicine. Some names you might recognize are Marie Curie, Rachel Carson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Addams, Carrie Chapman Catt, Mae Jemison and Wilma Mankiller. Honoring the accomplishments of these women has a positive impact on the development of self-respect and encourages new opportunities for girls and women. As we celebrate 140 years of AAUW’s existence, we will continue to speak out for gender equity in all aspects of our society, and to promote opportunities for women and girls of all backgrounds.

We invite YOU to:

  • Invite your friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors to join AAUW and help advance our

    Janice Stuter

    endeavors.

  • Invite them to attend one of our public meetings where they can join at a reduced rate.
  • Invite them to join an organization of accomplished women.

We don’t all have to have names as famous as those above. Each of us has value in her own right and something to offer. What we mostly need to have is a commitment to helping grow strong, successful women as we move forward in history — to continue to create and tell “her-story.” To quote Carrie Chapman Catt: “To the wrongs that need resistance, To the right that needs assistance, To the future in the distance, Give yourselves.”

If you have ideas for member recruitment and/or retention, please be sure to share them with us. Thank you!

Branch Birthdays, Book Groups, Interest Groups, Printable Newsletter Articles

Branch Birthdays, Book Groups, and Printable Newsletter Articles

  • Click here for Branch Birthdays for March
  • Click here for Book Group books for March
  • Click here for Printable Newsletter Articles

Interest Groups

You can find out about the Interest Groups offered by the branch by looking at the banner on the home webpage (just under the branch photo) and clicking on “Activities”. Click on “Interest Groups” and you will find a list of all Interest Groups, when they meet, and the group leader to contact for more information (email addresses and phone numbers can be found in the Branch Membership Directory and Handbook).

Some Interest Groups are taking a break during the pandemic, but a number are still meeting – virtually! According to the Interest Group Coordinator, Vicki Nicholson, here are the groups that are currently meeting:

  • All Book Groups
  • All 3 sections of Great Decisions
  • Art & Architecture
  • Film Fans
  • Reader’s Theater
  • Travel

Feel free to contact a group leader to learn more about the Interest Group. They would love to have you join in!

In Memoriam: Ruth Ann Hines

In Memoriam: Ruth Ann Hines
By Molly Dugan

Ruth Ann Hines, a devoted 50-plus year AAUW member and steadfast branch and state leader, died Dec. 25 in her home. She was 76.

AAUW is but one beneficiary of Ruth Ann’s energy; she also held leadership positions in the Parent-Teacher Association, and was an active volunteer for her church, the California State Fair and Sacramento State athletics.

But AAUW had a special place in heart, her family and friends said.

“She looked at a lot of us as part of her family,” Marilyn Orrick, a longtime friend and AAUW member said. “As an only child, we took the place of some extended family for her, as well as (providing) intellectual stimulation.”

Chuck Hines, Ruth Ann’s husband of 49 years, said she cherished Tech Trek in particular. She served on the founding Tech Trek committee and as a “dorm mom” for several camps.

He said she was also proud of her work on the branch’s “Vanishing Victorians” and recalled spending hours with her in the basement of a government office to conduct research for the book, which was published in 1973.

Ruth Ann was a two-time Sacramento branch president, in 1986-1987 and 1999- 2000, and a longtime parliamentarian. She was a named-gift honoree multiple times.

She was also a well-known figure at the state. She served on the AAUW-Ca Governance Committee, the state’s Legal Advocacy Fund and Bylaws committees and was a familiar face at AAUW events at the State Capitol.

Ruth Ann participated in Great Decisions, Reader’s Theater and the now-defunct AAUW puppeteers and book sale fundraisers.

“She was generous to a fault,” Orrick said. “There wasn’t anything you could ask of her that she would refuse.”

A native of Arcata, Ruth Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Humboldt State University and worked as a third-grade teacher at Lone Tree Elementary School on Beale Air Force Base. After marrying and moving to Sacramento, she worked as teacher’s aide and substitute teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Sacramento (now defunct).

Her involvement with public schools did not end there. She was active in the Parent-Teacher Association for decades – even after her son Aaron graduated – and served as the PTA president for the third district of California. She even decorated the PTA’s 100th anniversary Rose Parade float in Pasadena, Chuck said.

Ruth Ann and Chuck worked together at women’s and men’s Sacramento State basketball games for nearly 40 years, Chuck at the scoreboard and Ruth Ann at the shot clock. They sat courtside together for every home game. The couple also volunteered at the California State Fair for 39 years, primarily working in the “counties” building and running bingo games.

They attended the American Lutheran Church of the Cross and volunteered for the St. John’s Program for Real Change (formerly the Shelter for Women and Children), and Ruth Ann’s always-in-motion knitting needles created an untold number of hats and cold-weather gear for the WIND Youth Services, a program for homeless youth.

At the time of her death, Ruth Ann was caring for 14 feral cats.

In addition to her husband and son, Ruth Ann is survived by two grandchildren and numerous friends. Services will be private.

Donations may be made to AAUW Sacramento Scholarships in Ruth Ann’s memory. Please be sure indicate Ruth Ann’s name on any donation. Checks can be sent to Finance Director Liz Jordan, who is listed in the directory.  

If you are interested in donating any knitting or crochet to WIND in Ruth Ann’s honor, please contact Donna Holmes.

Membership Matters

AAUW MEMBERSHIP MATTERS By Bonnie Penix and Jan Stuter

Thankfully, President Joe Biden’s inauguration went smoothly. When you read this we will be well into the second month of 2021. But I’m fairly certain that many of us will still be in pandemic mode, waiting for the first of two vaccinations or waiting for the second. We will still be mostly isolating, not meeting person to person at our branch meetings or in our interest groups. Some are hoping that life will return to “normal” by the summer; others are predicting that it may take as long as 2022 before we can safely re-engage. Whatever happens, AAUW Sacramento is facing serious difficulties in recruiting new members during the Covid19 pandemic.

Janice Stuter

In the past, we have relied on in-person sign-ups at monthly, public branch meetings, extending invitations to acquaintances we might meet in other organization meetings, making presentations to different groups of people who might be interested in joining once they hear about our goals and local activities, email requests for information on joining, referrals from existing members, and personal friends and relatives. Unfortunately, because of current public health concerns, our potential recruitment circle has been severely impaired.

At our January board meeting, we were charged with establishing an ad hoc committee to explore methods to increase membership focusing on two particular areas:

1) Monthly branch program presenters (i.e., possible one-year honorariums?),

2) Individuals whom board and general members meet who have the potential to become active members of our branch but do not have adequate finances to join.

Our immediate goals would be to determine:
a) What qualifications are necessary to identify potential new members in those two categories?
b) What methods of financing are possible for our branch to offer an initial membership year (e.g., a designated new member Starter Fund)?
c) How to evaluate the success of the program.

We would also appreciate help in designing and implementing other methods for increasing our membership. We are planning to hold several Zoom meetings in the near future to brainstorm an overall plan. I am hoping to recruit a five- to seven-person committee.

We need your help! Please volunteer to be on our committee and/or suggest new member recruitment techniques for pandemic times, funding ideas and evaluation methods. We’re easy to contact. Please check the branch directory for our email addresses and telephone numbers. And a special thank you for taking the time to think about how to expand our membership in these trying times!

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
We have just celebrated the inauguration of Kamala Harris as the first female, first Black and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States. An exciting achievement! Did you know that before VP Harris, there was another Black woman who was nominated for that position? Her name was Charlotta Amanda Spears Bass. Charlotta was born on Feb. 14, 1874. She was an American educator, newspaper publisher-editor and a civil rights activist. She attended Brown University and the University of California at Los Angeles. She ran on the Progressive Party ticket in 1952. While she was not elected (Eisenhower/Nixon won on the Republican ticket), Charlotta gave much of her time to the causes of housing rights, police brutality and harassment, voting rights and labor rights — causes AAUW still works to advance today. Charlotta was buried in Los Angeles in 1969 at the age of 95.

WELCOME BACK
We are very happy to welcome Anne Rhodes back to AAUW Sacramento after an absence of nearly 2 years. Anne received her BA in English from CSU, Fresno and an MA in education, with a reading emphasis, from the University of Guam. She is retired from a teaching career and continues her education involvement with a special interest in our Speech Trek and Tech Trek programs. She also is planning to enjoy Art & Architecture activities, Cultural History discussions and Scrabble. Anne will celebrate her 87th birthday on April 1.

Mission of Equity, Branch Birthdays, Book Groups, Printable Newsletter Articles 

Living Our Mission of Equity

We invite you to 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. We are reading the book “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo and discussing what we have read, along with exploring other issues related to race and equity. We meet the second 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 chapters 14 through 17 (last chapters) on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Branch Birthdays, Book Groups, and Printable Newsletter Articles

  • Click here for Branch Birthdays for February
  • Click here for Book Group books for February
  • Click here for Printable Newsletter Articles

Membership Matters

AAUW Membership Matters By Jan Stuter

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT

The holiday season has started!  A warm welcome to two of our newest members: Lori Gualco and Ronni Riemer.

Lori graduated from UC Berkeley with an undergraduate degree in political science. She went on to garner a JD in law from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. Now retired from her life as an attorney, she has a keen interest in public policy and plans to participate in the Art and Architecture interest group, Film Fans and a book group.

Ronni received her bachelor of science degree from the University of Rhode Island in resource economics. She followed that with an MBA from New York’s Pace University. She worked in hospital administration before retiring from being a medical practices administrator. She co-owns Physician Case Management, Inc. (PCM), a small medicine consulting firm. Ronni is looking forward to enjoying Film Fans.

Both accomplished women are joining AAUW for the first time. Current Sacramento branch members recruited them. Who do you know who might be interested? Just ask!

ISSUES ON MY RADAR

Have you ever wondered why female virginity is so highly prized, even demanded, in many human cultures and religions? Is it a matter of health, a property issue or something else? Through the centuries women have prospered or languished according to whether or not they could “demonstrate” their virginity to the people in the communities where they lived. Listen to

Janice Stuter

a short Ted Talk presentation, “The Virginity Fraud” on YouTube presented by two female Norwegian physicians, Nina Dolvik Brochmann and Ellen Stokken Dahl, to discover the real biological facts about human female virginity. They co-authored a best-selling book, “The Wonder Down Under: The Insider’s Guide to the Anatomy, Biology and Reality of the Vagina” in 2018. This book is a funny, frank tribute to the vagina that dispels many of the myths still common in our times.

WOMEN ARE CAPABLE OF MANY DIFFERENT ROLES IN LIFE

Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the first female Prime Minister in the world. She rose to that position in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in 1960, shortly after entering politics after the assassination of her husband, who himself had been Prime Minister before her. She was not a “one-shot wonder,” however. She served as Prime Minister for three terms over 40 years until her death in 2000 at 84.

She was born into a wealthy Sri Lankan family in April 1916. The oldest of six children, she was educated in Sri Lanka’s Catholic school system, becoming fluent in English and Sinhala, though she remained a Buddhist. She became involved in social work, distributing food and medicine in jungle villages, organizing clinics and helping to develop rural industry to improve the living standards of village women. In 1940, she entered an arranged marriage to a prominent politician in which she birthed 3 children. Throughout her marriage she continued her active involvement in improving the situation of rural and impoverished women as well as accompanying her husband in his political career. As a widow, she survived independently politically for many years due to her capabilities. She was a remarkably talented woman. Google her!

Do You Remember Carolyn Martin? Our 1972-73 AAUW Sacramento President by Linda Tinker

DO YOU REMEMBER CAROLYN MARTIN? 1972-73 AAUW SACRAMENTO President

Welcome back to Carolyn Martin, who served as AAUW Sacramento President in 1972-73. Since that time she has led an exciting, challenging life. I am going to spend this column talking about what she has done since she was President and in next month’s column, I will ask Carolyn to recall her term as President and to compare our organization in 1972 with the current group.

For the past 53 years, Carolyn has been married to Barry, who is a retired Administrative Law judge and currently writes books. His last book is called “Forgotten Aviator: The Adventures of Royal Leonard.” They are long-time Sacramento residents, and their two children also live in Sacramento. She has one grandson.

Carolyn worked as an adult education ESL instructor and part-time area community college U.S. history instructor.

In 1964 Carolyn, joined AAUW Walnut Creek, “and when our son was 12 days old, my husband said, ‘You will never be happy staying home. I can take care of this baby. Why don’t you go to that AAUW meeting?’” She became involved in the AAUW Walnut Creek branch, and when she and her family moved to Sacramento, she transferred her membership to our branch.

AAUW Sacramento had workshops on “Leadership can be Learned,” and Carolyn attributes that training to her future success in her anti-tobacco campaign and other leadership roles. Carolyn recalls, “The ‘Leadership can be Learned’ was excellent training; for example, after receiving the training, I started the Friends of Arden-Dimick Branch Library. “

Carolyn served as AAUW Sacramento President in 1972 -73 and following that service, she was State Legislative President and hired and trained the first AAUW state lobbyist.

She began her legislative activities as a State Legislative President for AAUW in the 1970s, and AAUW was very instrumental in getting coastal environmental and policy changes passed.

In 1988, voters passed an initiative to raise the tobacco tax 25 cents, 5 cents of which was to go to tobacco education. In 1990 Carolyn was appointed as President for the Advisory Committee of Tobacco Education. It was an innovative tobacco control program that pioneered the practice of television and radio ads against tobacco use. It was the most successful tobacco education program in the world because it combined media, local projects, and policy changes locally and in the state. For example, the ban on smoking in work places is an example of a policy change that had a tremendous impact. This model has been used by most states and many foreign countries. Even the pubs in Ireland are smoke-free!

Carolyn was chosen for this committee because she had signed the initiative petition, served on the campaign committee of the Lung Association as a volunteer, and had lots of experience at the Capitol as a volunteer advocate.

Carolyn is an avid reader, plays tennis, serves as a docent at the State Capitol and the California State Library, and enjoys travel.

Check this column in March to hear Carolyn’s impressions of the changes in our AAUW Sacramento branch.

 

AAUW Happy Hour on Thursday 9/12 at Hook & Ladder!

HappyHour

 

We will be having Happy Hour this Thursday (9/12) at 5 pm at Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Company, located at 1630 S Street.  This is a mixed residential neighborhood with street parking available.

As always, be the first person to bring one new potential member and win $20 worth of eats and drinks.  Any new member who joins at this public event can join at a reduced rate for the Shape the Future program.  We will also have flyers for the upcoming Jane Austen mixer on October 2nd, as well as our gala showing of “Pride and Prejudice” that we have bought out the house for October 27th.  Please stop by for food, drinks, good conversation, and catching up on our upcoming events!

Here is Hook & Ladder’s website: http://hookandladder916.com/

Please let Angela Scarlett know if think you are planning on coming at angela.scarlett@gmail.com or at 916-612-8442.