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JUNE 2023 NEWSLETTER
edited by Dottie Burk, Jeanne Lese, Cherie Sorokin and
Leslie Zimring
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AAUW Advances Equity for Women and Girls! | |
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It's Enough, Already!
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80% of both men and women hold gender bias views against women!
- Sexual discrimination, harassment, and assault against women are still rampant!
- The intersection of racial, gender, ethnic, and class discrimination mean women of color and low-income women have even greater challenges to achieve equity.
- Startling inequities and biases still persist in American education.
- The pay gap is a long way from being closed.
- Women are over-represented in low paying jobs.
- Under-represented in top leadership jobs
- Women's reproductive rights are under attack in many states in the U.S.!
This is not a complete list of the problems we still face because of our gender. But this list alone should be enough to get your blood boiling!
Thank goodness AAUW continues to be at the forefront of efforts to call attention to and develop practical solutions to these persistent problems. Aren't you glad you are a member!
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If you attended our Spring Brunch you had a chance to hear this poem by Cherie Sorokin. We thought it worth repeating. Hope it gets you in the donating mood! | |
Hey feminism’s not dead
Though it still fills some folks with dread
But as AAUW women we’re forging ahead
We’re still fighting for the day
When we achieve equal pay
Equal treatment at work
Should not be a quirk
Thank goodness for Title Nine
Giving women athletes a chance to shine
But we also want girls studying science and math
Women CEOs running businesses with panache
And the end of groping from male psychopaths
We’ve had it with sexism, racism, and misogyny.
We want equitable treatment for all female progeny
Yes we’ve made progress, but the victory’s unsure
It’s still a long way ‘til our rights are secure
While gender equality is still so askew,
We need more dollars in order to pursue
the mission of AAUW
So won’t you join with us and donate
Don’t let backsliding and complacency seal our fate
Give big or give small, and before June 30 would be great!
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AAUW Marin Spring 2023 AAUW
Greatest Needs Campaign
Our branch is now raising money for the AAUW Fund, which supports the work that AAUW does at the national level. There are no free lunches! The price of equity is eternal vigilance, plus enough cash to create effective programs and advocacy to address the persistent bias against women.
You can help by making an unrestricted donation (or a donation to AAUW's Greatest Needs). If you do so before June 30, gifts from our members will be matched by the AAUW Marin Board and other "Marin Branch Angels' up to a total of $5,000!
Help us ensure this great $5,000 Marin Matching Challenge is fulfilled and double your impact. To donate: Go to AAUW National Website or BY MAIL – Mail your check made to “AAUW Fund” to Lisa Allanson Campaign Chair, 23 La Crescenta Way, San Rafael, CA. 94901.
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President's Message
Hello everyone.
This is my last message as I am leaving the president's position at the end of June. My two years in this role have been a rewarding experience, but the exciting news is that Leslie Zimring has agreed to become president starting in July. Leslie has been in leadership roles with other organizations and comes to AAUW Marin with experience and a fresh view point.
Highlights for this past year include the granting of $6,000 to Dominican University and the College of Marin. We also funded seven girls to fill the Tech Trek slots allowed us this year. $1,400 was allotted to send a college student to the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). Over $4,200 was added to each of our college endowments at Dominican University and the Marin Community Foundation for College of Marin. Thanks to Nancy Chiu our branch participated in Gov Trek, the new AAUW California Program for high schoolers. Monthly newsletters included Public Policy information provided by Nancy Major who is also the Public Policy representative for AAUW California. Some of our members participated in Lobby Week where they met with our State lawmakers. We have a new brochure, created by Nancy Finston and Jeanne Lese, explaining the AAUW mission as well as our local branch offerings. Our monthly programs arranged by Cherie Sorokin continued to be interesting and stimulating events.
During this time one especially exciting development has been the growth of our branch. Since July 1, 2022 we gave gained fifteen new members, and there is still one month to go. With this increase comes enthusiasm and fresh ideas. We already have added an interest group, hiking, started by new member Ann Vercoutere. So, encourage your friends to join us and don't forget to renew your membership. Chris O'Neill has sent out detailed directions on ways to renew. If you did not receive the email contact her.
I would like to extend my thanks to all the board members, committee chairs and members, who have worked for our branch during this past year. A special thanks to Vicki Samo (Interest Group Chair) and Amy Anderson (Tech Trek Coordinator) who will be giving up their positions. Thank you to Carol Lorenz, Laura O'Malley, Nancy Finston, and Angela Nuckles (rejoining in a different position), who along with Leslie will join the Board and Officers of the branch.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the AAUW mission. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Dianne
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Living with the Reality of the Dobbs Decision Overturning
Roe V. Wade
Wednesday, June 14, from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm on ZOOM
Barbara Creed, retired attorney and now Supreme Court Watcher, and Stacy Cross, CEO of Planned Parenthood Monte Mar, will speak on the reality of dealing with the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision in overturning Roe Vs. Wade. This will be an enlightening, eye-opening, presentation from two real experts. The Zoom link is below. Look for a separate reminder closer to the program date. Zoom Link
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Annual Meeting and Celebration
On May 20th over 30 members enjoyed brunch at McInnis Park and a year-end celebration of our branch and its accomplishments. On the agenda were election of new board members, an overview of branch highlights by president Dianne Sheridan, a presentation by Cherie Sorokin and Lisa Allanson on the state of women today and the importance of the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund (see above), and the announcement of this year's two Named Gift honorees (see below).
Our sincere appreciation and thanks to Dianne for two years of service to the branch as president. Well done!!!
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(Above) Members enjoy brunch
(Below) Cherie Sorokin and Lisa Allanson with Named Gift honoree Dottie Burk
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(Above) Dianne Sheridan, current president, with newly elected president, Leslie Zimring
(Below) Chris O'Neill shows her Named Gift certificate
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Tech Trek Girls Meet at Garden Party
The Marin and Novato Tech Trek girls and parents gathered at Chris O’Neill’s backyard on May 21st for an information session provided by former Tech Trek girls and Dorm Mom, Angela Nuckles. The girls then participated in three STEM challenges resulting in lots of laughs and brainwork. This event was put on by the Tech Trek Committee - Angela Nuckles, Kathleen Clark, Melanie Chancellor, and Tech Trek Coordinator Amy Anderson. The girls will be attending AAUW California's Tech Trek Science and Math camp at Sonoma State University this summer. Two week-long sessions of the residential camp will be held this year - one in June and one in July.
It's hard to believe that this year Tech Trek will celebrate it's 25th anniversary!
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Bank of Marin Awards Grant for Tech Trek
Speaking of Tech Trek ... Great news! We learned on May 4th that the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund was awarded a Bank of Marin 2023 Community Grant for Tech Trek. Former Scholarship Chair Angela Nuckles and newly elected Scholarship Chair Laura O'Malley received the $1,500 check from Tamara Ressler at the Greenbrae office of the bank.
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New Member Get Together
May 7th was a beautiful day for new members, guests, and some long-time members (we don't say old!) to gather in Membership Chair Chris O'Neill's backyard. Chris is seen below introducing the new members present. See if you can spot Ann Vercoutere, Joan Brown, Kathleen Clark, Gloria Rashti, and Mary Cotten.
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Scholarship Fund Recognizes STEM Achievement by Women at COM
Recipients of the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund STEM Achievement Awards were announced at the May 25th year-end STEM Celebration Lunch at the College of Marin. Dr. Paul Daubenmire, STEM director, introduced the three winners who were selected by a faculty committee. Each received $1,000. Dottie Burk, AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund Secretary, and Nancy Major, COM Liaison, were there to congratulate them.
Pictured with Dottie and Nancy are (from left to right) Reva Siu-Masset, Isela Sosa, and Christa Tsao.
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Chris O’Neill, our membership chair sent detailed instructions on the ways to renew your membership for the 2023-2024 year that starts July 1 (gmail users, check your Social and Promotions folders if you didn’t receive it.).
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The email went out only to those members who joined prior to July 1, 2022. If you joined after July 1, 2022, your membership expires one year from when you joined. Most of our members have a June 30 expiration date so the time to renew is NOW.
- Don’t miss out on anything AAUW has to offer, from the interesting National and California webinars to our branch Zoom and in-person meetings. And let’s not forget all the wonderful interest groups that we have for you.
- The total dues are $112 for branch members ($72 for National, with $69 being tax-deductible, $20 for California and $20 for Marin.) Honorary Lifetime Members pay nothing, Lifetime Members pay only California and Marin dues, and Dual members pay only Marin branch dues.
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Renew online at www.aauw.org or if you prefer to renew by mail, you can access the Dues Renewal Form from the branch website or contact our branch Treasurer, Sue Torres, and she can email the form. Print the form, complete it and send along with a check to Sue. Plus, if you renew by June 30, you’ll receive a one year free subscription to Ms. Magazine. Don’t delay and get your renewal in today!
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Other Member News
Wow! Thanks to current members' recruitment efforts SIX new members joined In May. Look for their bios in the August Newsletter.
In Memoriam We regret to inform you of the passing of member Brenda Foster who joined AAUW in 2014.
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Ready to join a new interest group? All groups welcome new members. Just contact the group leader for information or to be added to the group email list. For a list of all Marin branch interest groups with leader contact information, click HERE. Note: Interest Groups are just for members of AAUW Marin, but guests who may be thinking of joining are welcome to visit an interest group twice before being asked join. | |
What to do in June and Beyond?
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GOLF!
Golfers! Let's get together to plan golf outings at McInnis. Contact me if you are interested and we can talk about a weekday morning that suits. Looking forward to getting this group started.
Email me at Hannah Panger or call 650-743-4107.
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Summer Shakespeare
Join us at the July 9th matinee performance of Marin Shakespeare's Hamlet at Forest Meadows. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the event. Let Nancy Van Horn know if you plan to attend, so we can save seats.
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Non-fiction Reading Group
The Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting Monday, June 26, at 1:00 on Zoom to discuss Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin. This is a relatively short exploration of why we look the way we do If you would like to be on the group’s email list and join us, please email either co-leader for the Zoom link: Phyllis Kuehn or Olivia Ruel The nonfiction reading group meets on the 4th Monday at 1:00 via Zoom and discusses nonfiction books selected by the group members.
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Behind the Headlines
The Behind the Headlines will join the branch Zoom on June 14 at 6:00. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact group leader Cherie Sorokin. No meetings in July or August.
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New Yorker Reading Group
The New Yorker Reading Group is meeting Monday, June 12, at 1:00 on Zoom. We have an interesting selection of articles covering topics including: Biotech startup revolutions in human reproduction, A.I. in second language learning, book reviews including the making of Jackie Kennedy and the cult of creativity, and an article by Prince Harry’s ghostwriter. Total reading for all seven articles is 29.5 pages. All are welcome to join us. You can read the New Yorker on line free through the library, and we will also send you links to the articles. You can listen to most of the articles through the links. If you would like to be on our email list and receive the list of articles and Zoom link each month, please email Phyllis Kuehn The New Yorker group meets on the second Monday at 1:00 via Zoom.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits reads literary fiction by writers from any era or country and in June will select its list for next year. Meeting: 3rd Wednesday, 10AM, in person and on Zoom, and guests are welcome. Contact group leader Ann Thomas 415-924-9559
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What Are You Reading?
We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am to share comments and thoughts on books that individual members are reading. Contact Cherie Sorokin if you are interested in joining. The group is seeking new members.
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Happy Hour Group
Next Happy Hour is Thursday, June 8 @ 4:30. Contact Dottie Burk.
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Meet me at the Movies!
The movie group will meet next on June 13 with the movie time and place yet to be selected. Our May movie was, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, based on the book by Judy Blume. Our group enjoyed the movie and gave it a 4/5 in our discussion at The Club restaurant. Our conversation centered around how sex and religion were conveyed to middle school children in the early 70s versus our own upbringing. We also discussed book censorship as this book was censored in the Reagan years, similar to what is occurring now. We won’t meet in July because I will be out of town unless someone else would like to volunteer to facilitate the group in July. Want to join us? Contact Mary Mossteller and/or Freddie Greene
Handcraft Circle:
Crafts will meet throughout the summer in members homes on the 3rd Tuesday afternoon unless vacation schedules limit our numbers too much. Bring your own crafts project to work on and join us for lively discussion. Contact Mary Mossteller
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Play Mah Jongg?
The Mah Jongg interest group is taking a break for the summer. We will start again in August. We play weekly on Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00, in members’ homes. If you’re interested in joining us when we resume, contact Chris O’Neill for more information. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn Mah Jongg or brush up on your skills being offered by member Nancy Chiu. See the article below.
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Hiking
Next hike is June 13th! We plan hikes on the first Tuesday and the 3rd weekend of each month with distance and destination determined by the hikers. Please contact Ann Vercoutere if you are interested in joining us.
Pictured are intrepid hikers at Bon Tempe Lake - left to right: Laura Phipps, Nancy Van Horn, guest Janet Lynn, and Aileen Murphy.
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Art Tours
Contact Gerrie Young for new dates and times (please include your cell number) or call 415-497-1247 for more information.
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So Much to Do, So Little Time | |
Learn how to play American Mahjongg？
Here’s your chance to learn and support AAUW Marin. Member Nancy Chiu will give lessons for members and friends on six consecutive Mondays from 1:30 – 3:30 pm starting June 26, 2023. The first 2 lessons are geared toward beginners with no experience. The next 4 are for continuing students and those with some familiarity with playing.
Contact Nancy at nc@toolworks.com for more info and the Tiburon location for the lessons. Attendees must be vaccinated. Suggested donation: $20 for the classes on June 26th and July 3d. $40 for the set of classes scheduled for July 10, 17, 24, and 31st. All donations will go to AAUW Marin. Let Nancy know by June 18th that you want to attend.
Note: Students are recommended to have the 2023 mahjongg card issued by the National Mah Jongg League, which can be purchased online at www.nationalmahjonggleague.org or at local game stores. (If you purchase a mahjongg set, be sure it’s an American mah jongg set.).
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Join Experience Corps
Are you interested in helping a primary grade student improve on reading skills? Experience Corps has an excellent program placing volunteers in several schools in Marin. The program screens, trains, schedules, and makes placements to help volunteers make the most of their experience.
To find out more before the end of this school year, you can shadow a volunteer to see first-hand how your time will benefit students or tour a school with a site coordinator. If you would like to learn more about the opportunity to move ahead with the process this summer, contact Laura Phipps or call/text 415-250-0101.
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Become a Two-Minute Activist!
Even if you aren't currently in Congress, heading the World Trade Organization, inventing the Hubble Telescope or leading a campaign against discrimination, you can make a difference by advocating for issues important to women, girls and families as an AAUW Two-Minute Activist. AAUW makes it easy! You receive all the tools you need to call or send messages to your Congress persons or state legislators. You can use the language provided by AAUW or add your own thoughts, and at the press of a button your message will be on the way. Last year Two-Minute Activists sent over 200,000 messages, which helped ensure lawmakers knew how we felt on issues either under consideration or missing from legislative agendas. If you aren't already a Two-Minute Activist you can become one HERE.
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Domestic Employer Training Opportunity through Hand in Hand
Hand in Hand is a wonderful organization that did a great program for us on the problems domestic workers (housecleaners, home healthcare workers, nannies) face and the need for those of us who employ them to be savvier about their issues. They are offering a training program for those of us who are employers on how to make our homes safer for domestic workers, ourselves and our families. The program is being offered jointly with UC Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Department. The program will be on Zoom, and will be offered three times: June 27, 12-2, June 28, 4-6 and July 10, 5-7. You can register HERE.
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Know Someone Who'd Like to Join AAUW? | |
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AAUW women make an impact on women and girls.
Tell your friends what AAUW is doing. Word of mouth is the best way to recruit new members!
Why Join? AAUW offers you multiple ways to stay engaged with our mission of advancing equity for women and girls, as well as to develop friendship with others who understand that the fight for equality is still critical! Excellent national webinars! Engaging monthly branch programs! A wide variety of interest group meetings! Energetic, intellectually curious friends! A mission that is more important than ever! CONTACT Chris O'Neill for membership information.
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© 2019 AAUW
AAUW is a top-rated 501(c)(3) charity. Donations are tax deductible.
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