Dear Members,

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer despite the extremely high temperature. Just about everyone I know has traveled, is traveling, or plans to travel this summer! After 2 1/2 years, we want to get away and see what has changed, experience something new and exciting, or enjoy visiting family and friends.

Our AAUW - San Antonio theme for 2023-2024 is: “Building Connections to Meet Future Challenges”.

Please meet the newly elected members of the Executive Board:

President-Elect, Claudia Walker

Vice President of Programs, Deborah Andrepointe

Vice President of Membership, Ruth Lyle

Secretary, Mary Ellen Pratt

Treasurer, Antonina Duridanova

Jeanette Pierce has volunteered as the Committee Chair for Governance. We have three vacant Committee Chair positions: Reservations, Community Coordinator, Historian. We need to fill the position of Community Coordinator so that we can work with other community groups that are advocating for the same issues we support. Interest and Study Groups need leaders for: Moviegoers; Wine, Women, & Wisdom; Historic Southwest. If you are interested in filling any vacancy or being a member of any committee or interest group, please contact the relative Committee Chair, me, of any member of the Executive Board.

This next year is heating up to be even more politically challenging. The results of the 2024 election will be life changing, no matter who is elected for any office. We must be sure we have a plan to meet the challenges of the next 18 months that will contribute to positive change for women and girls, now and in the future.

First, we need to ensure we are up to date on AAUW positions addressing today’s issues. (See: aauw.org/resources/policy/documents). Also read the organization’s last three press releases addressing U.S. Supreme Court decisions on Student Loan Forgiveness and Affirmative Action, and Senate Vote on Federal Student Loan Debt Cancellation. (See: aauw.org/resources/news/media/press-releases/). We can stay abreast of important issues by following Pat Sanford’s Public Policy Chair reports to determine if and how we should react. Do we write letters? March? Protest? Exercise the Two-Minute Activist? The Bexar County Elections Department has not filled the majority of the positions needed for the coming elections. We can provide a valuable service as volunteer poll workers and judges. Recruitment and training are on-going.

Note:

The latest jobs report: Nearly 80% of women ages 25-54 are working or looking for work.

The cost of housing is increasing the number of homeless.

“Women are still at a higher risk for poverty.

Women are still underrepresented in leadership.”

{National Women’s History Project)

“Can We Talk?” is August 30, 2023. Topic: The 19th Amendment. More info to come.

Expect a few changes in the execution of our monthly general meetings this year. We are still in the planning phases, but I want to share two pieces of information. The first Monthly General Meeting will be September 9, 2023. This will be a membership drive meeting. We are asking members to bring a guest - or two - to this meeting. Invite someone you feel would be interested in joining our organization. Look for more information in our next newsletter.

AAUW Texas is planning for the State Conference in April 2024. We have a major part in the execution of the online event. Looking for four volunteers who love to type, to work as registrars and to assemble the program.

An AAUW Regional Conference is scheduled for October in St. Louis. More information is included in this newsletter. If you decide to attend, please notify me.

Stay Cool,

Diane Claiborne-Carr

President

AAUW San Antonio

571-330-1039

dcarr23.woman@gmail.com

IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS DUE PLEASE RENEW TODAY!

How to Renew

To Pay Online:

• Go to AAUW.org.
• Click LOGIN in the upper right corner.
• If you’re an AAUW member logging in for the first time or if you’ve forgotten your password, click FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD and follow the instructions.
• Once you are signed in - go to My Membership in the list on the left.
• Click the Blue Box RENEW.
• When you come to the branch information move down to TX7065 San Antonio.
• Continue until you complete all information.

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 Membership.
• Questions about Zelle? - Contact Diane Claiborne-Carr 571.330.1039.
• We will then renew your membership.

To Pay by Check:

• Mail your renewal check payable to AAUW-SA to: Diane Claiborne-Carr, 26024 Stone Canyon, San Antonio, TX 78260.
• We will then renew your membership.

Welcome

Eman Attar

Stephanie Silva

Equal Pay Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will be commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on June 10 and through to the eve of this year's Women's World Cup on August 20 by asking folks to create 15 - 30 second videos to post on social media in support of equal pay for equal work.

Lilly Ledbetter and Rachel Feldman each created a video already. Rachel Feldman is a film and television director and writer. Feldman is directing Patricia Clarkson in "Lilly," a political thriller she wrote based the life of fair pay activist Lilly Ledbetter.

We encourage all of you to participate. Here's how.

1. Record a video or write a social media post showing your support for equal pay.

2. Add the hashtag #LevelThePayingField and tag @USEEOC.

3. Add between Friday, June 9 and Sunday, August 20, 2023!

4. The campaign website is up and has useable graphics and instructions.

Video tips:

5. Choose an attractive, uncluttered, well-lit background.

6. Avoid noisy backgrounds.

7. Hold your phone vertically.

8. Speak clearly. Be brief – 30-seconds max.

9. Instructions (click through) for Instagram shoot and upload.

We are proud to support this effort. As we gear up to launch "Lilly" into the world, we anticipate getting behind other pay equity initiatives and much more.

Encourage your circle to sign up for our newsletter so that they can begin to receive news about the film and the social action campaign. We would love to hear from you with any introductions or ideas you may have for the social action campaign.

In solidarity,

TEAM LILLY

Call or email Diane Claiborne-Carr if you are interested in being part of an AAUW San Antonio video (571-330-1039 or dcarr23.woman@gmail.com).

ONE NCCWSL ATTENDEE’S EXPERIENCE

The three young women we supported have returned from their marvelous leadership experience at AAUW’s premier National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) at the University of MD. Here is what one of them had to say:

Thank you! It was beyond words and all expectations. I will try my best below to summarize this amazing experience.

Attending the NCCWSL 2023 conference at the University of Maryland was an incredible experience that left me feeling inspired, empowered, and grateful. From the moment I stepped onto the campus, I could sense the electric atmosphere of unity and enthusiasm among all the participants. It was truly a gathering of remarkable women from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique stories and aspirations.

The conference organizers did a phenomenal job of curating a program filled with thought-provoking lectures and engaging workshops. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to renowned speakers who shared their insights and experiences on a wide range of topics, from leadership and professional development to social justice and advocacy. Every session was meticulously designed to broaden our perspectives and ignite a passion within us to make a difference in the world.

I am immensely grateful to the AAUW San Antonio chapter for their generous support in granting me a scholarship to attend the conference. Their belief in my potential and their investment in my personal and professional growth allowed me to be part of this life-changing event. The connections I made and the friendships I forged during NCCWSL 2023 will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors and serve as a constant reminder of the impact we can make when we come together as a community of strong, driven women.

The NCCWSL 2023 conference at the University of Maryland exceeded all my expectations. I left the event with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with new knowledge, and a network of like-minded individuals. I will forever cherish the memories and the lessons learned from this extraordinary gathering of inspiring women.

Bianca Rawlings

Bianca Rawlings



National Conference of College Women

Student Leaders

NCCWSL

Check out the agenda of speakers and events that inspired Bianca here.

AAUW SAN ANTONIO MEMBER RECOGNITION

LEGACY CIRCLE

ALI HELLER

Thank you, Ali, for your gift to AAUW which will make a real impact

and leave an enduring legacy that will benefit AAUW long into the future.

AAUW CHAMPIONS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

MALINDA GAUL

Thank you, Malinda, for your significant financial

commitment to advancing equity for women and girls.

To learn more about these programs go to:

https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/support-aauw

OUTGOING BRANCH LEADERS

MONICA RUIZ MILLS - VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

ASHLEE MARTINEZ - SECRETARY

BETTY RUSSELL - RESERVATIONS

Thank you for giving of your time and skills

to advance equity for women and girls.

PUBLIC POLICY

The 88th Texas legislative session is over. A total of 8,046 House and Senate bills were filed, and 1,246 bills were passed. (744 House bills and 502 Senate bills) Over 60 per cent of these bills were passed in the last week of the session. The Legislature could not agree on the best approach to property tax cuts during the regular session, a priority of Gov. Abbott, so no laws for that purpose were passed. The first Special Session called by the Governor also did not yield property tax legislation, but in the second Called Session the House and Senate reached a compromise and Governor Abbott indicated he would sign that into law. The agreement will lower taxes for the state's 5.7 million homeowners and add a temporary cap on appraisal increases for some non-homesteaded properties. It will cut franchise taxes for small businesses and send billions of dollars to school districts so they can cut their taxes for all property owners and shift a portion of their operations costs to the state. The package still will not give new funding to schools.

AAUW TX played an active role during the session. The AAUW Texas Public Policy Advisory Committee sent informative action alerts via Constant Contact with links enabling members statewide to contact legislators weekly and urging them to vote for bills supporting AAUW priorities. The committee received guidance and strategic information from our state lobbyist Kate Kuhlman and colleagues at HillCo Partners that proved invaluable. “How to” instructions for using the Texas Legislature Online (TLO) website were added to the AAUW Texas website. You can also access the TLO site directly at https://capitol.texas.gov/.

Working together, AAUW Texas and members from AAUW San Antonio and other branches across the state, helped get several important bills passed. They include HB 12 which extends postpartum Medicaid Coverage to 12 months, the elimination of taxes on feminine hygiene products and other feminine products, and retired teachers will finally receive a COLA to their pensions and a supplemental check by September 2023.

Many bills that we oppose were passed and more that we oppose, including school vouchers (also referred to as Student Saving Accounts), voting rights restrictions, and more will possibly be addressed in special sessions. As developments occur, we will keep you posted via this newsletter and email action alerts via Constant Contact so that you can continue to make your voice heard.

Pat Sanford

AAUW SA Public Policy Chair

AAUW Texas Public Policy Advisory Committee

ZOOM MEETINGS

These meetings are conducted by the AAUW Texas officers

for the branch officers, but everyone is invited to attend.

PROGRAM – Thursday, September 7 – 6:30 p.m.

PUBLIC POLICY – Tuesday, September 12 – 6:30 p.m.

FUNDS – Thursday, September 14 – 6:30 p.m.

MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE - Tuesday, September 19 – 6:30 p.m.

Culinary Adventures

August: Mae Dunne is a newly opened breakfast and lunch restaurant owned by husband-and-wife team Santiago Carrera and Sofia Lopez. Their inspiration comes from their home cooking family traditions, local ingredients and a passion for gathering around the table.

See their menu at maedunne.com

May: After a tour of the Majestic and Charlene McCombs theaters, the Culinary Adventures group had lunch at Range, a Jason Dady restaurant.

DONATE!

You can donate to the AAUW San Antonio Branch for Scholarships by making a check out to AAUW SA and sending it to Diane Carr, 26024 Stone Canyon, San Antonio, TX 78260.

You can also donate to AAUW Greatest Needs

by clicking HERE.

AAUW SA members donated $7,448.50 to AAUW Greatest Needs in 2022-2023.

Follow AAUW San Antonio on:

Facebook www.facebook.com/aauw.sanantonio

Twitter @AAUW_SanAntonio

LinkedIn AAUW San Antonio