Happy Thanksgiving.

As I give thanks for all my relationships I am reminded of how I became a member of this branch and now the president. I am thankful for Martha Steele. We sat next to one another at a Can We Talk? function. Everything she told me about AAUW was exactly what I believed and still believe about advancing women.

Another great woman in this organization is responsible for me being the president. Jeanette Pierce knows me well from another organization to which we both belong.

I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to serve as the AAUW San Antonio branch president. As the festive holiday season draws nigh I want you ladies to think about the relationships for which you are thankful. Cherish those relationships as I cherish the relationship I have with Martha and Jeanette. 

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

President

AAUW San Antonio

2024-2025 Branch Leaders

Executive Committee

President

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.      

President Elect

Vacant  

Vice President Membership

Debbi Sochia                        

Vice President Programs

Martha Steele             

Secretary

Debbi Sochia    

Treasurer

Kathy Dicke

Parliamentarian

Vacant

Standing Committees

Public Policy

Pat Sanford

Finance/Budget

Kathy Dicke

Scholarships/NCCWSL/CU

Jeanette Pierce

AAUW Funds

Vacant

DEI

Dre Andrepoint

STEM

Vacant

Governance

Jeanette Pierce

Appointed Positions

Membership Outreach

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

Community Coordinator

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

Reservations

Martha Steele

Publicity

Michelle Burk

Historian

Rachel Skelley

Communications

Malinda Gaul

December Meeting

Our December meeting will be one of fellowship and service. We will be returning to the BaHa’i Center, thanks to member Norma Khoshbin. This is a space where we can circulate and socialize. We’ll have box lunches from Jason’s Deli. Remember, if you do not wish to order from the catered menu, you may bring your own lunch. Iced tea and water will be available.

Our service activity will be assembling toiletries for homeless people served by Christian Assistance Ministry. Jeanette Pierce will pick up the boxes of toiletries from CAM, and we will make an assembly line to prepare bags for individuals with one of each item. If you have any hotel-sized toiletries at home that you’d like to donate, please bring them.

We are also accepting donations for two different groups.

Juanita Sepulvada, who spoke to us last May about the service organization of Dress for Success, will accept your donations of professional and business-casual clothing for the men and women who are clients of Dress for Success.

Guidelines:

1. Avoid bringing anything too outdated, but Juanita said to remind us that wide-leg pants and blazers with shoulder pads are back in style.
2. No jeans.
3. Jewelry, dress shoes and boots are accepted.
4. Sizes extra-large and small are in short supply, so those sizes will be helpful.

Please bring new school supplies to donate. President Claudia Walker would like to replenish school supplies at her school district, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD. She will take care of distributing them to the teachers.

We need a few volunteers to bring Christmas-themed table decorations and a few volunteers to bring some water bottles to replenish the supply at BaHa’i. (They do not charge us and they do not accept monetary donations.) Please email Martha Steele, steelemar@gmail.com, to volunteer to bring table decorations or a six-pack of bottled water.

DECEMBER MEETING

Saturday, December 7, 2024

11:30 am

LOCATION

BaHa’i Center, 735 W. Magnolia Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

BOX LUNCH MENU

Salad Box:

Choose oatmeal cranberry cookie OR chocolate chip cookie OR gluten-free dessert.

Choose:

1)    Nutty mixed-up chicken salad - $ 20.00

2)    Big chef salad - $18.00

Sandwich Box $15.00:

Choose oatmeal cranberry cookie OR chocolate chip cookie OR gluten-free dessert.

Choose:

3)     Roasted turkey

4)     Ham

5)     Chicken salad with almonds and pineapple

Select bread: Multigrain wheat OR white OR Marbled rye.

Veggie Box $15.00:

Choose oatmeal cranberry cookie OR chocolate chip cookie OR gluten-free dessert.

Choose:

6)    Very veggie box: Spinach, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, red pepper hummus, guacamole on bun with chips and fruit.

DON’T FORGET TO CHOOSE DESSERT!

Please reserve your box by notifying Martha Steele, steelemar@gmail.com.

Deadline for orders: December 4

You may bring your own lunch. Iced tea and water will be available.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Pay at the door with check or exact change. Pay in advance using Zelle—payment to AAUW San Antonio (aauwsatx@gmail.com)

November Meeting Recap

Our November meeting honored military veterans, especially women and other marginalized groups who served our country. Two women veterans attended as guests: Linda Hearin, a retired Navy nurse and Rota Krappe, a retired Air Force nurse. Two speakers acknowledged their service for paving the way for women leaders in the military.

Sophie Lim, a member of our AAUW branch since 1985, who was unable to be present at the meeting, presented, in a short video, a background for the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Chinese American Veterans who served in World War II. In spite of discrimination against Chinese Americans, as demonstrated by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1881 that was not repealed until 1968, more than 20,000 Chinese Americans volunteered to serve in World War II, and their service was not acknowledged until 2018. They and their descendants lobbied Congress for recognition of their service. Sophie’s father did not live to receive this honor, but she received the medal in his honor.

Retired Air Force Major Danielle M. Siler, who retired with the title of Executive Officer of Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Care Center at Joint Base San Antonio, was our second speaker. This is the Department of Defense’s largest ambulatory surgical care facility. She described the mentoring program she established to assist newly enlisted women in navigating a successful military career. Based on her experience, she saw the need for this assistance,.

The Honorable Josey Garcia, Representative of District 124 in the Texas House of Representatives, spoke about her career in the Air Force, and her chaotic childhood that led her to volunteer to serve in the military. She felt she would be a good fit for the Marines, because of her street-fighting skills. The Marine Recruiting Office was closed, so the Air Force recruiter convinced her to sign up. In spite of her expectations to serve in combat, she was trained as a dental hygienist. She did end up serving in combat situations with Iraqi soldiers.

She was recently been re-elected to serve in the next legislative session, where she will be the only woman legislator who has served in the military. One of the issues she brings to the table is foster care reform. She herself adopted her baby brother to give him a better childhood than her own,

AAUW San Antonio Textbook Scholarship Drawing 

 $300 VISA Gift Card and $100 VISA Gift Card

You do not need to be present to win or a member of AAUW, so anyone can buy tickets!

Drawing at the Dec 7 General Meeting

1 Ticket - $10    10 Tickets - $75    3 Tickets - $25    15 Tickets - $100

Paying by check: 

Payable to:   AAUW San Antonio

Mail check to: Ruth Lyle

14907 Hidden Glen Woods, San Antonio, TX 78249

To Pay with Zelle:

Click the bill pay tab in your bank account and select Zelle.

Use the email aauwsatx@gmail.com to send money.

In the memo field identify the payment: AAUW Textbook drawing.

Tickets will be available at AAUW monthly meetings and some interest group meetings.

Thank you for making this year’s Textbook Scholarship Fundraiser another great success.

Questions: Ruth Lyle, 210.722.1732, ruthannlyle@gmail.com

Welcome new members!

Linda Hearin

Laurie Reinhart

In our New Member Spotlight this month:

Linda Hearin

Linda has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master's Degree in Education. She is an RN and was a Commander of the Nurse Corps in the United States Navy (Retired.) She loves to play golf, she plays the flute in the Helotes Community Band and the Bells at her Church. She is interested in Natural Medicine.

Laurie Reinhart

Laurie is a former member of the Santa Cruz AAUW Branch in California! She has a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, a Bachelor of Arts in Biometry, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics. She keeps very busy with interests in genealogy and epidemiology. She works on her family history; she has her parents and grand parents papers with much material!

On behalf of all of us, I’d like to extend a great big WELCOME to both of you!

Membership Matters

Invite a friend or family member to attend a meeting! If they join as a New Member after attending a San Antonio AAUW event or meeting, the National dues are half price: only $36. AAUW Texas dues are $13.00, and San Antonio Branch dues are $16.00, for a total of $65 for their first year! It’s a great deal!

IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS DUE, PLEASE RENEW TODAY!

You can pay online with Zelle or by check.

Call/text/email Debbi Sochia, Membership Vice-President for assistance.

dsochia@att.net

(210) 218-2675

AAUW Yearbooks/Directories

We now have hard copies of the San Antonio Branch Yearbook/Directory available! I will have a few available at the next meeting to distribute to members (if you would like one or didn’t get to pick one up at the September Meeting.) If there are any additions or corrections that need to be made to your name, address, email or telephone number, please send me an email so I can update the directory for next year. 

Debbi Sochia

AAUW San Antonio

Membership VP

Coping and Staying Strong

The long-awaited 2024 election has come and gone. Not so its long-term ramifications. Across the nation many candidates who do not support AAUW priorities were elected. Rights we have lived with, worked for, and supported are in real danger. What are we going to do about it?

Like many of you, I’ve watched news reports, listened to network anchors, and read article upon article analyzing the campaign and what’s to come.

Five main ideas emerge.

• Accept the result
• Allot a finite time to mourn
• Be resilient                                 
• Show resistance                    
• Practice self-care                  

Integrating these concepts into daily life gives purpose and direction.

• Accept the result

o  The population is almost equally divided on numerous issues.

o  Half the people think like you; half don’t.

o  Find a new way to talk to people, ask questions, and really listen.

• Allot a finite time to mourn

o  Acknowledge your feelings.

o  It’s OK that you spent a few days feeling sad that not everyone values AAUW priorities the way you do.

• Be resilient

o  Choose to be in charge of what you do, think, and feel.

o  Adopt a proactive mindset.

o  Realize that you can still support women’s rights and make a positive difference.

• Show resistance

o  Be aware. Keep up with what is happening. But for the sake of your emotional health, do not let it consume you.

o  Show resistance to erosion of women’s rights.

o  Showing resistance shows it’s not easy to erode or remove rights. There will be a fight.

• Practice self-care

o  Spend more time being kind to yourself.

o  Spend more time doing what you like.

o  Spend more time pampering yourself.

o  Spend more time with friends.

o  Spend more time enjoying the arts.

o  Spend more time reflecting.

o  Start a gratitude journal and make entries regularly. Reread your entries regularly too or when you need a boost

We believe in our mission. We and our sisters have been fighting for equality for women and girls for almost 150 years! We won’t stop now. Branch meetings have speakers who share insights and motivate us to be engaged. Attend as often as you can. The AAUW Texas Public Policy Committee will continue to send action alerts via Constant Contact. Look for one you will receive soon. It invites you to attend a Zoom session on December 3rd, with Kate Kuhlmann, HillCo Partners, who will again help us navigate the legislative session.

Kate Kuhlmann provides an introduction to the 89^th legislative session.

AAUW Texas is inviting you to a Public Policy Zoom meeting.

Time: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6542612876?omn=82234997601

Meeting ID: 654 261 2876

Pat Sanford

AAUW SA Public Policy Chair

AAUW TX Public Policy Committee

The Two-Minute Activist

The Two-Minute Activist is a source of information on topics relating to women’s issues. It also enhances our ability to send emails and texts to legislators to fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, equality in education and more. Sign up on the AAUW webpage to get regular alerts to be able to take timely action.

You can also text “AAUW” to 21333 to get AAUW action alerts via text. 

Scholarship Committee Report

Thank you all for your support of our Textbook Scholarship Fund raffle. Each ticket you buy will be a help to this year’s recipients of these book scholarships available to both undergraduate and graduate women. Typically, we are able to award four $500. book scholarships, and that is our goal again this year. The drawing for the two gift card raffle prizes ($300. and $100.) will be held at the Dec. 7th meeting. Purchases can be made now through the Dec. meeting using cash, check, or Zelle.

The Graduate Scholarships are funded through our investment portfolio, and our affiliate continues to carefully seek guidance from our financial advisor to do the most we can with those funds. These scholarships are for $2000, and the number given varies with funding available.

Our Scholarship Committee members include Dr. Patricia Tucker, Dr. Cheryl Davis, Rachel Skelley, Pearl Eng, Ali Heller, and Diantha Perelli. The task of reading and evaluating each application is one that requires time and attention to detail as each member fills out a rubric for each applicant. Information and requirements for the two types of scholarships are available on our website. Our deadline is Feb. 1, 2025, for the scholarship applicants.

At our Nov. meeting, those present agreed to a change in the guidelines to allow those who reside in Bexar and surrounding counties to apply for scholarships even though their college or university may be in another area. The intention in this change is to accommodate those studying at accredited online universities. Many working women use this pathway to keep their full-time jobs and complete their degrees.

There have been some recent changes with the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). In 2025, NASPA, the professional home for student affairs administrators in higher education, will take over coordination of the conference. AAUW will continue to have a presence, and we will receive more information as it becomes available. 



Thank you again for your support of our scholarship program!

Jeanette Pierce

Scholarship Chair     

Feel Better! Arm Yourself with a Care Kit

Dee Kite

I’ve lived with MS for 35 years and every day am crippled by afternoon and evening fatigue. For years I railed against being sidelined…If only I had eaten better, exercised more, hadn’t pushed myself so hard… 

The question, I’ve discovered, isn’t how will I get back to who I used to be? It’s, how will I care for myself?

First, I changed my expectations. No matter what I do, I will be exhausted. Second, I prepared. I want for you the same. No guilt. There are times you will be sick or sorely disappointed in what life hands you. Or worn to a fragile thread. For these times you need…a Care Kit.

Your kit will be different than mine. Because your kit will reflect what you need to make your experience as enjoyable and meaningful as possible. 

My Care Kit includes a list of movies and shows, apps with games, meditations and the books I’m currently reading. I put on my noise cancelling headphones (which signal to others I have checked out and can play anything on my phone) and with my blankets, sip a cup of hot tea.

Consciously creating and using this kit makes my downtime an opportunity. To watch all the silly shows on my list. To sleep. To jot down ideas. To finish my book in time for book group. To watch movies. To just be. 

With your own kit, I hope you find peace and even enjoyment when you’re down and out.

American Association of University Women

San Antonio Branch

2024-2025 Programs

Theme for 2024-2025:

Celebrating our Differences As We Advocate for All Women

February 1, 2025 - Valentine’s Day Celebration

Activity: Painting With A Twist, The Forum, 8206 Agora Pkwy, Live Oak.

One week in advance, select a painting project from the offerings of the studio, and make a reservation directly with them and pay them online. Approximately $40 per person. Refreshments will be served, but not lunch. Gather a group to have brunch on your own at nearby La Madeleine.

March 1, 2025 - Women’s History Month

Speaker: Betsy Gerhardt Palsey, author of From the Sidelines to the Headlines: The Legacy of Women’s Sports at Trinity University, Trinity University Press, 2023.

Topic: Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972. Ms. Palsey’s participation in sports preceded Title IX, but in researching her book, she learned about how this law has affected women’s educational opportunities, including extracurricular programs such as sports. At this year’s Olympics, U.S. women’s participation exceeded men’s participation for the first time.

Location: TBA

*Brunch, not Lunch - This year we hope to recruit more members to attend the March Can We Talk? dinner and program about issues and events affecting women in San Antonio. Date and program details will be announced at our February meeting and in the newsletter.

April 5, 2025 - Scholarship Luncheon

Master of Ceremonies: Jeanette Pierce, Scholarship Committee Chair.

Topic: Announcement of our scholarship winners, and introduction of those winners who can attend.

Location: Restaurant tba

Remember: The more money that is donated to the Raffle and to the Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser, the more textbook scholarships we can fund.

May 3, 2025

Speaker: Brian Thompson, Edward Jones Financial Management

Topic: Management of AAUW Endowments, which fund our graduate student scholarships.

Location and lunch tba

AAUW Movie Goers

I am tentatively putting the AAUW Movie Goers group back together. Movie, time, and place selected by the group and announced the day before. I’m thinking the fourth Saturday of each month; if interested, shoot me an email at dsochia@att.net

Culinary Adventures

at

Plantology

What Does AAUW National Do?

Policy Advocacy: Focuses on national issues affecting women and girls, such as education, equity, pay equity, and reproductive rights.

o   We coordinate our Public Policy Committees, participate in coalition work and partner with other prominent National organizations to raise awareness about our policy priorities (such as the YWCA for our Gen Z Town Hall in Philadelphia).

Subject Matter Expertise: We have historically produced in-depth studies on topics like the gender pay gap and women in leadership roles.

o   While we haven't produced reports recently due to limited funding - we have done high level analysis of pay gap data recently released. We are frequently asked to comment on topics related to pay equity, student loan debt and other issues related to gender equity. You can see our recently updated page on Latinas and the pay gap for example here: https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/latinas-and-the-pay-gap/

o   We have tens of thousands of social media followers across all platforms and have well over 1 million website viewers - ensuring that our brand remains prominent and relevant. CEO Gloria Blackwell has been invited to White House events on at least three occasions recently.

o   On a Global level - Gloria is AAUW's representative to the UN - and our work in this capacity provides great reputational value related to global gender equity work.

Salary Negotiation and Financial Literacy Training: Offers training and resources for women to develop skills to be financially empowered.

o   In particular our Work Smart, Start Smart and Money Smart trainings provide valuable resources and tools for women to become economically empowered. Nationally we work with organizations such as the HBCU Career Center, Tri Delta, Coca Cola Foundation, Finra Foundation, SAGE and others to bring these trainings to thousands of women across the country. These trainings were developed and are updated and managed by the National office. They have been independently evaluated by two separate entitles and continually receive very high ratings from participants.

Fellowships & Grants: We award and administer over $6 million in fellowships and grants each year to hundreds of women in the US and Internationally. 

o   We also connect our members and branches to these awardees and alumnae and have an Alumnae Relations team charged with growing and maintaining relationships with our thousands of distinguished Alumnae.

Membership Services: Provides support and resources for local branches and members, including access to national networks and events.

o   We host all aauw.net websites, process dues, support 990 filings, and maintain our history and globally recognized brand. Without AAUW National - AAUW branches would instead be independently organized entities who would not be networked with one another or have the ability to utilize the AAUW name. 

In essence, while AAUW National sets the strategic direction and focuses on broader issues, local branches implement programs and initiatives that directly benefit their local communities. Together, our aim is to work towards the common goal of advancing gender equity.

Upcoming AAUW Webinars:

AAUW Money Smart: Smart Future

Date: November 21, 2024 

Time: 3 – 4 p.m. ET 

Gain vital personal finance skills to ensure long-term financial security, from budgeting basics to savvy investment strategies.

AAUW Work Smart: Refresher

Date: December 3, 2024 

Time: 3 – 4 p.m. ET 

 If you've previously participated in any Start Smart, Work Smart or Work Smart Online programs, this is a perfect opportunity to brush up on your skills.

Fundamentals of Saving for Retirement

Date: December 5, 2024 

Time: 12 – 1 p.m. ET 

This session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively plan and save for a secure retirement. By the end of the session, participants will have a foundation to make informed financial decisions. This session is being presented by our partner, The FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

AAUW Work Smart/Start Smart Deep Dive: Developing Your Value Statement

Date: December 10, 2024 

Time: 3 – 4 p.m. ET 

Understanding and articulating your value is crucial for successful salary negotiation. In this session, explore how to develop your Value Statement, the first step in the Salary Negotiation process: Knowing Your Value.

AAUW Money Smart Deep Dive: Budget and Credit Management

Date: December 17, 2024 

Time: 3 – 4 p.m. ET 

The AAUW Money Smart program is aimed at providing all women with the personal finance information they need to ensure their own financial security. Learn the ins and outs of budgeting and understand how to manage your existing credit and debt. We will cover how to set up a budget and how to improve your credit.

Our webinars are designed not just to educate but to transform. They provide practical, actionable strategies that empower you to take charge of your career and financial future. 

The schedule and registration for Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative

webinars can be found here.

Follow AAUW San Antonio on:

Facebook www.facebook.com/aauw.sanantonio