Scroll down for all the news from AAUW-TC!

Keish Blain

Please remember to register for the Zoom event!

In this webinar



Dr. Blain discusses her most recent book Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America, a riveting biography and intellectual history of Black activist Fannie Lou Hamer. A blend of social commentary, biography, and intellectual history, Until I Am Free is a manifesto for anyone committed to social justice. The book challenges us to listen to a working-poor and disabled Black woman activist and intellectual of the civil rights movement as we grapple with contemporary concerns around race, inequality, and social justice. Award-winning historian and New York Times best-selling author Keisha N. Blain situates Fannie Lou Hamer as a key political thinker alongside leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks and demonstrates how her ideas remain salient for a new generation of activists committed to dismantling systems of oppression in the United States and across the globe.

Unable to attend the Zoom? You can watch the video later here:

In Conversation with Alumna Dr. Keisha Blain

Fannie Lou Hamer

Who was Fannie Lou Hamer? Study up before the Zoom meeting!



• Wikipedia Page Link on Fannie Lou Hamer

• To the left is a video clip from PBS's American Experience

• Fannie Lou Hamer Founds Freedom Farm Cooperative from the SNCC Digital Gateway



Contact

Amy Shamroe (517) 930-9999

First Saturdays Book & Puzzle Sales

@ the Indoor Farmers' Market!

Our final mini sale of the season is Saturday, April 6, 2024. We could use some cookbooks in good shape for this sale. Contact Shirley Murray at 231-943-4663. sgibsonmurray@gmail.com

VOLUNTEER, DONATE, SHOP

If you have donations, bring them to the Saturday sale. Contact Shirley Murray if you have more than a couple of boxes.

Profits

November 2023: $172

December 2023: $228

January 2024: $153

February 2024: $TBA

March 2024: $182

Special thanks this month to Darlene Garland for her puzzle pipeline and to Ruth Jones for her great eye for children's books. We appreciate you!

Annual Book Sale in May

This year's annual book sale will be Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2024

Friday / Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

Sunday noon-3 pm

Location: the Mercato, the shopping mall in the former State Hospital.

Help Before the Sale

• Creating a vibrant flyer Amy G. can both print and put on the internet due 2nd week in April
• Make lawn signs to put around the building announcing the sale the days of the sale due week of the sale
• Someone to interview Shirley Murray for a story in the Record Eagle or Northern Express due 2nd week in April

Help Set Up

Thursday, May 2nd

• Moving books
• Setting up tables and books

Help During the Sale

• Volunteers to help customers and straighten books
• volunteers to work as cashiers
• volunteers to bring snacks and water

Help at the End of the Sale

Sunday, May 5th

• Move tables
• Box up books
• Move books back to Cordia
• Take books to drop off at Women's Resource Center

Remember to save your receipts if you buy supplies!

CONTACTS

Shirley Murray at 231-943-4663 (landline); sgibsonmurray@gmail.com

Amy Gibson at 662-202-5692 (phone and text); aemark1@gmail.com

YOUR STORY COULD BE HERE!

Submit a story by March 15th for the next newsletter.

Contact Amy Gibson at aemark1@gmail.com

Poetry Group



Friday, March 15, 2024 from 11 - 1 p.m.

Snacks provided.

Bring your poetry and/or enjoy work by selected poets.

We welcome new members! Poetry is easy to love!

Location: Shirley Murray’s

610 Cottageview. Park in back.

Questions, call or email Shirley at 231-943-4663. sgibsonmurray@gmail.com



Bridge Group

March 14th & March 28th

11:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Lunch and bridge at the Traverse City Country Club. During the renovations we'll be meeting in the downstairs card room. Enter at the lower level.

Questions, call or email Shirley at 231-943-4663. sgibsonmurray@gmail.com

Book Group Updates

The Night Readers will meet on Tuesday, March 19th, 6:30 p.m. to discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.

We'll meet in the home of Laura Higgins

1682 Wayne Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

515-220-7062

Keeping in Touch

As AAUW members and friends, we have much to celebrate, recognize and honor. Please share with Pat Lewallen via email: bandplew@chartermi.net or call home phone: 231-946-3746. Special milestones among our members: birthdays, accomplishments, celebrations, condolences, etc. Pat will get out an appropriate card to them.

Ann Marie Love

Ann Marie Love's ongoing battle with cancer is still a big challenge

for her. She is in the hospital in Ann Arbor for treatment, hopes to be

back home in Traverse City around February 28th.

He husband Karl says she welcomes phone cards. You may reach her by mail at: 4092 Summerhill Road Traverse City, MI 49684.

Sandy Seppela-Gyr

Sandy Seppela-Gyr has moved!

Her new address is:

12047 S. Elk Run, Apt N106

Traverse City, MI 49684



Getting to Know Amy Shamroe

Why did you join AAUW?

Shirley Murray and I knew each other from my work (Jenkins Group Book Awards) when she would collect books for AAUWTC's online book sales. One day when I was dropping some books, she asked me if I would like to join AAUW. I was early in my career and her ask and support (and later other member support as well)- especially in my early years in the organization- made me feel like a valuable member from Day 1. Once a member, I felt to welcome it made me want to devote my time to AAUW over the years.

Tell us about your service?

At the local level I served as Public Policy Chair from 2009-2016, then was elected as President for the first time (solo). In 2020, with Leanne Baumeler, I took on the role of President again and have served in that position (we are term limited out this year). As I attended state and national conventions, I met a lot of members around the state which led to me being asked to be on the State board in 2015. Over the years I have held the positions of Secretary, Diversity Chair, College/University Chair, and now President-Elect. I will be on the ballot for State President this spring.

What are some of your outside interests?

My "job-job" is Book Awards Director at Jenkins Group and I love it because it feeds my lifelong love of books and reading! I read a lot for work and fun. I also really enjoy listening to podcasts- especially while hiking, another interest of mine with all the great trails in our area. Our community is so active, so I also like checking out classes and gatherings with friends like painting classes, candle making, and whatever else looks interesting! 



Tell us about your family

I am single and do not have a spouse or children. My parents live in Traverse City, so it is nice to have them close. I also have a brother who has lived in Las Vegas for almost 20 years and works in management in the casino industry. 

Thanks Amy for answering all our question!