Volume 111 Issue 6
2019-2020 Theme:
Economic Security for Women
Message from the President
I have been reviewing the AAUW TEXAS GOALS. I am pleased to say that we are addressing the barriers and biases that hinder the advancement of women at each of our meetings with speakers from diverse areas of our city. We are approaching area universities with opportunities for Start Smart and Work Smart through our College/University committee. Karen Reichensperger and I attended a Dream Week event on the topic of Pay Equity led by our newest member, Lily Casura, at the YWCA where we spread the word about the online WORK SMART class to all the participants.

We have maintained a 90% retention rate of our membership thanks to all of you who believe in our mission and find our branch activities both enjoyable and worthy of your time and support.

It is great to have so many on the list for the Wine, Women and Wisdom event in January and I hope to see you at our February meeting where we have an outstanding speaker lined up as well as our annual Champagne and Chocolate fundraiser for textbook scholarships.

In this month where we celebrate love, I am stepping up my attitude of gratitude. I am grateful for family, health, and opportunities to give back to the community for starters. I am grateful for my friendships through AAUW and the support that I have been given by all of you. I find that seeking things to be grateful for diminishes the effect of these uncertain times. Let’s all focus on seeing a peaceful world by finding something to be grateful for each day.

In peace,
Suzanne Benson
President















February Meeting

Saturday, February 1, 2020

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.


Perico's

1439 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258
MENU

Appetizer - Perico's Queso

Chile con queso with picadillo, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

Entree Choice

Trio Fajitas
Beef, chicken and shrimp fajitas with onions and bell peppers.
Served with quacamole and pico de gallo.
or
Chicken Flautas
Three flautas filled with shredded chicken and Monterrey Jack cheese.
Served with guacamole and sour cream.
or
Veggie Fajita Plate
Grilled zucchini, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots and corn.
Served with guacamole and pico de gallo.

Tea, Coffee, or Soft Drink
RSVP to Eleanor Skelley by Thursday, January 30
210.496.0397

$25 cash or check payable to AAUW-SA
Cancellations should be made prior to the meeting.
No-shows will be charged.

Please let Eleanor know if you have special
dietary needs (i.e., gluten free, vegetarian).
Can We Talk? about Faith and Feminism

March 24, 2020
Early Bird Registration Deadline January 31, 2020

Info: Can We Talk?

Registration: Registration Form
Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser
The annual Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser for Textbook Scholarships will be held at the February meeting.

If you donate $25 you get your choice of chocolate bars.

If you donate $50 you get your choice of chocolate bars and a bottle of champagne.

If you donate $100 you get your choice of chocolate bars, a bottle of champagne, and an additional gift.
champagne-streamers.jpg
NCCWSL
National Conference for College Women Student Leaders  

AAUW TX has scholarships available for students for the first time this year. College/University members of AAUW San Antonio have been forwarded the information. Here's hoping that they will follow-through to the benefit of their students. Students, mentors, leaders of distinction from around the nation will be attending the last week of May at the University of Maryland.

From AAUW.org:

In the three decades since NCCWSL was founded, AAUW has empowered more than 10,000 women to close the leadership gap and make an impact on their campuses and in their communities. We curate our conference agenda so that attendees, college students and educators alike, can tailor their experience to fit their current and future aspirations.

Over the course of our three-day conference, attendees:

* Build real-world skills at dozens of workshops.
* Connect with more than 100 graduate programs and employers at our Graduate School Fair and Career Fair.
* Are inspired by our speakers and Women of Distinction awardees.
* Discuss and debate today’s most pressing issues with industry experts during our panel and lecture series.
* Network with peers from across the country to build lifelong relationships.
* Explore our nation’s capital during a night out in Washington, D.C.

NCCWSL workshops and lectures are structured around the following core learning objectives:

- Professional development: Build a professional tool kit for postgraduate life.
- Leadership development: Develop and strengthen a leadership narrative through voice, skill set, and mind-set.
- Activism: Know the how, why, and when to take action.
- Women’s issues: Gain a better understanding of issues and policies affecting women on a local, national, and global scale.
- Identity and diversity: Own one’s personal identity and role in increasing and supporting diverse voices.

Karen Reichensperger
210-637-0170
Message from AAUW CEO Kim Churches:

When I joined AAUW on June 1, 2017, the 2017 AAUW National Convention was the first time I experienced the power of our members and advocates. You simply wowed me from day one, and I’m still learning every day about the incredible impact AAUW has made and continues to make.

AAUW’s conventions have a rich history, and many of you have attended them over the years and decades. But following an analysis by the AAUW National Board and a member-led task force, it became clear that we have to think differently. The reality is, the last convention resulted in a nearly $1 million loss to AAUW. In fact, AAUW conventions have lost nearly $3 million since 2011. In addition, we found that around 800 members attended in 2017, which is a large number, but just a fraction of our 80,000+ members at the time.

That’s why, this year, instead of a national convention, we will use the power of 2020 technology to bring members together in new ways that are financially prudent and can reach more members from around the country, as well as engage future generations of supporters.

We are proud to announce AAUW National will host a 2020 Convening Series, which has two main components:

#1 A series of online webinars featuring national leadership and special guests on important mission-driven topics (our 2020 Gender Agenda). AAUW defined the idea of ‘kitchen table’ issues – and we continue to push for equal economic opportunity and education, topics we should all care about as people cast their ballots in November. The initial two webinars are scheduled for January 28 and April 14. The first will preview AAUW’s plans for 2020, including:
  • Election priorities for the 2020 election; and
  • AAUW’s recognition of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

All of the webinars will have visuals, and some will be videos. Additional webinars in the series will be announced as they are scheduled.

We have successfully hosted webinars for AAUW leaders like you in recent months that have been attended by more than 400 branch and state leaders, and later watched by hundreds more.

#2 “Your Story. Our Legacy.” AAUW members are trailblazers and have lived exciting lives. We want to capture these for the AAUW archives. We’ll issue a series of questions that we hope you and your fellow members will answer, so we can recognize and celebrate our accomplishments and experiences. Imagine how much the world has changed, and how much we have been a part of making the world a more equitable and caring place. We will profile stories in upcoming webinars, website features and newsletters to share and inspire us all!

All videos and webinars will be recorded and made available online for those who can’t participate in person. We’ll have more details available in the Mission & Action and Membership Matters AAUW e-newsletters. If you are NOT receiving these, please let us know so you can stay in touch with AAUW on all of the important issues we are addressing in education, pay equity, retirement security, sexual harassment, leadership and so many others that affect women and girls every day.

AAUW National will also be present at several state and regional conventions in 2020 — from Oregon/Washington’s regional convention to Florida’s state convention to the Midwest Regional Conference to the California State convention and more! Information about regional and state conventions will be coming soon via Mission & Action!

I still hold the excitement and energy in my heart and mind from the 2017 Convention. I know you do, too. We have a lot of good work to accomplish in 2020, and I know you’ll join me in supporting AAUW in its quest to advance gender equity in your branches, in your neighborhoods, in your state legislatures and in your support of our national and international initiatives. I hope you’ll join us for the 2020 Convening Series, and I thank you for your tireless support of AAUW.

Onward!
Kimberly Churches
Chief Executive Officer
Five Star National Recognition Program
The new Five Star National Recognition Program rewards branches for aligning their work with the AAUW strategic plan and other initiatives that foster the mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls. The San Antonio Branch is working to receive all five stars: Programs, Advancement, Communications and External Relations, Public Policy and Research, and Governance and Sustainability.

ADVANCEMENT

To obtain the Advancement star we must have a $30 per member contribution to the greatest needs of AAUW. The goal for the San Antonio Branch is $2,700 by June 30, 2020. Go to the aauw.org website and donate so AAUW can use your gift where it is needed most.
GOAL
$2,700
by June 30, 2020



Current:
$655
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Interest Groups
BRIDGE
1st and 3rd Monday
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
La Madeleine at Park North
722 NW Loop 410 at Blanco 78216
Contact Pearl Eng
210.240.8118
HISTORIC SOUTHWEST
Saturday, February 8, 12:00 noon
Dr. Adele Dendy
Celebration of Women's History
DoubleTree Hotel
37 NE Loop 410 at McCullough 78216
RSVP to Lola Hill
210-334-5897
BOOK DISCUSSION
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 am
House Girl
by Tara Conklin
Hostess Kathy Kraft
2534 Ashton Village Drive 78248
RSVP by Wed, Feb 12
210-366-3736
CULINARY ADVENTURES
Thursday, February 20, 11:30 am
Milano Italian Grill
19239 Stone Oak Parkway 78258
This is the Stone Oak location, just one block north of Huebner Road.
CA hasn’t eaten Italian since 2017!
It’s time to mangia at one of the best.
RSVP to Fran Vetters
210.481.7765
WINE, WOMEN & WISDOM
Wednesday, February 26, 5:00 pm
Sternewirth Tavern at Hotel Emma
136 E. Grayson Street at Pearl
Large parking area or Hotel Emma valet.
RSVP to Helga Anderson by Mon, Feb 24
210.573.8424
MOVIEGOERS
Saturday, February 22
Movie, time, and place selected by the group and announced the day before.
RSVP to Fran Vetters
210.481.7765