Advancing Gender Equity for Women and Girls | |
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JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER
edited by Dottie Burk, Jeanne Lese, Cherie Sorokin and Ann Vercoutere
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ERA--100 Years and Counting! | |
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Did you know that the U.S. is the only modern democracy that does not include sex equality in its constitution? Gloria Blackwell, CEO of AAUW, made this point in her remarks at press conference held in December in front of the U.S. Capitol. She joined senior representatives of the ERA Coalition, the Feminist Majority, League of Women Voters, Generation Ratify, and the YWCA USA as well as several Congressmen and women in emphasizing the importance of the ERA to women.
The rally which preceded the press conference included a march down Pennsylvania Avenue by ERA advocates from across the country. As noted in the December 20, 2023 Ms. Memo: This Week in Women's Rights, ralliers stopped at the Department of Justice to ask Attorney General Merrick Garland to remove the Trump Administration Legal Memo that is obstructing the ERA's path and also stopped at the National Archives to reiterate to the National Archivist, Colleen Shogan, that the Amendment has met all the criteria set forth in Article V of the Constitution and should be published as the 28th amendment. For more info, check out the Ms. Memo which you should have received on December 20, or AAUW's Mission in Action, which you should have received on December 21.
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Have you ever considered running for the AAUW-CA board? The 11-member board helps branches in the state fulfill AAUW's mission of advancing equity for women and girls by providing programs, education, and resources to branch leaders as well as members. Among other things individual directors spearhead AAUW-CA's Tech Trek, Gov Trek and Speech Trek programs, and others use their expertise to help branches needing organizational, membership or leadership development assistance. Elections will be held this spring. There are five positions available: four director positions for two-year terms, one director position for a one-year term, and the officer position of secretary (a two-year term). The application deadline is March 1, 2024. For more information, check the AAUW-CA Website | |
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Chat with Leslie
Happy and healthy new year to all of you! We’re excited to welcome new student members from the College of Marin! Great work by Nancy Major, Deborah Learner, and Stormy Miller organizing this group of young, interesting women.
Mark your calendars! We have several interesting spring programs and initiatives that address some of the important issues we face in 2024. This newsletter is a great way to keep abreast of opportunities to meet our mission of supporting and empowering women. Now – think about choosing one of those opportunities or an issue that is meaningful to you in 2024. Where will YOU put YOUR time this year? When I wade through the pressing needs in our country right now, I choose to work to ensure that as many voters as possible have the right and the information necessary to vote. What will YOU choose?
January 17, 6PM Register Her
January 28, 2-4PM Gun Violence Protection
February 24, 10-noon Building a more Equitable Community
Best regards,
Leslie O. Zimring
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? – Mary Oliver, poet
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Getting More Women Ready to Vote!
January 17, 2024 at 6:00 pm on Zoom.
Yikes, the California primary is in March! Judging from the state of the country, getting more women registered to vote and to the polls is going to be even more important than ever this year. Our program in January will focus on the efforts of Register Her, a nonprofit organization, to register women to vote throughout the country. They focus particularly on younger women, women of color and women in lower economic brackets, who often fail to register and vote. Watch for the invitation in early January.
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Recruiting for Gov Trek
AAUW California's Gov Trek is a relatively new and important interactive virtual program that gives high school junior and senior girls an opportunity to learn about careers in public service and elected office. Check out the promotional video HERE.
The Gov Trek registration deadline is January 20, 2024, so now is the time to get the word out to all Marin high schools. Nancy Major and Deb Learner have reached out to several high schools already and are thrilled that two girls from Terra Linda High have registered! They could use a couple more members on their team to cultivate connections to Tam, Archie Williams, and Redwood High Schools. If you can help with this project, please contact either Nancy Major or Deborah Learner,
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California Lobby Days are Coming Up!
LOBBY DAYS 2024 WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2nd AND 3rd. All AAUW California members are encouraged to participate in this act of advocacy that is essential for achievement of our legislative priorities. Again this year, it will be a hybrid event with team meetings with legislators scheduled virtually over Zoom as well as in person at the Capitol for members who live near Sacramento.
Training materials on the bills will be posted on the state website in mid-March, and a mandatory training webinar will be held on March 25th.
Participation in Lobby Days is a wonderful opportunity to meet with your legislators and advocate for legislation to promote gender equity and improve the lives of women and girls. If you are interested in participating this year, let our Public Policy Chair Nancy Major know.
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Speak Spanish? Tech Trek Needs Your Help
Tech Trek Coordinator Angela Nuckles is looking for a fluent Spanish speaking member/volunteer to help communicate with Spanish speaking parents of Tech Trek nominees to make clear the opportunity this is for their daughter and to help them with the parent application, approval & waiver process. After reaching out to Davidson teachers to get a Tech Trek commitment for 2024, it became apparent that communication with Spanish speaking parents was their biggest obstacle. If you can help, please contact Angela Nuckles.
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Auction Results Are In!
We are pleased to report that our recent online auction and direct buy sales at the Holiday Luncheon raised over $9,000 for the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund. The auction proceeds will be added to your direct donations and grants from our sponsors to fund scholarships and awards for students at Dominican University and College of Marin and sponsorships for middle school girls to attend AAUW of California’s Tech Trek STEM camp next summer.
We thank members and interest groups who donated items to the auction and extend a special thanks to the merchants who donated to this year's auction and to the members who solicited donations from merchants. Click HERE for a list of merchant donors. Please patronize them and express your appreciation.
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Are you planning to attend the MWHF induction dinner and ceremony on Thursday, February 8th? If so, and if you would like to be seated at an AAUW Marin table, let Leslie Zimring know. She is working with the YWCA to cluster us. | |
Lane Yee
I was raised in Corte Madera and moved to Novato in 1988. I worked for the State of California until 2022, mostly for the Coastal Commission. I'm now on the board of the Novato Historic Guild and volunteer with the downtown museum. I joined AAUW Novato a few years ago. Some of my hobbies include mah jongg, hiking, knitting, painting, gardening and reading. My husband and I like to spend time together walking our dog, going to the theater and traveling. In February I will be traveling to Guatemala to learn to weave and dye fabric with local women artisans. I look forward to getting involved with AAUW Marin in 2024!.
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We're Growing!!
Over the past few months, we have added many new members - Dianne Garcia, Jennifer Northridge, Laurie Nardone, Susie Mariam, Kathleen Camp, Sheva Feld, Marilyn Black and Sara Goerke. We’ll be featuring short articles highlighting each of them in the coming months. Welcome all!
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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.
Or start a new group?
Many have expressed interest in a walking group, walking on the flats. If you want to join or organize it, please contact Ann Vercoutere.
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Art Tours
The next tour is January 16 to Botticelli Drawings at the Legion of Honor. It is a rare privilege to see these works including paintings, some of which have never left Italy. Buy tickets for 10:30 a.m. RSVP to Julia Geist. 9:30 a.m. carpool info from Gerrie Young. RSVP to her as well.
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Hiking Group
Our next hike is planned for January 2, weather permitting. We plan to go to the Indian Tree Preserve in Novato. The hike will be about 5 1/2 miles. Please contact Ann Vercoutere if you are interested in joining us.
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LitWits Reading Group
In January we begin reading a trio of novels by English author J.G. Farrell, known as “The Empire Trilogy”, about the political and human consequences of British colonial rule. The January book is Troubles, set in Ireland in 1919. Subsequent novels in the series, to be read and discussed in February and March, focus on the collapse of colonial rule in India and Singapore. LitWits meets 3rd Wednesday at 10 AM, in person or on Zoom. New Members always welcome. Inf: Ann Thomas.
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What Are You Reading?
What Are You Reading book group will meet on January 8 from 10-11 on Zoom. Members share what they are reading. You always come away with a list of great books to read! Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you wish to join the group.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting January 8 at 1:00 on Zoom to discuss China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower. Author: Frank Dikotter. 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 . We always welcome new members! The Nonfiction Reading Group meets the second Monday of the month at 1:00 on Zoom.
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Behind the Headlines
Behind the headlines will meet on January 10 at 6:00 pm, most likely on Zoom, on the topic of women and reinvention. Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you are interested in attending or joining the group.
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Happy Hour Group
Our next Happy Hour is Thursday, January 11 at 4:30 pm at Flores restaurant in the Corte Madera Town Center. Contact Dottie Burk if you would like to be added to our email list.
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Meet Me at the Movies!
The movie group met December 12, saw Holdovers and had dinner and discussion together at The Club. The movie was highly recommended by the group. Our next movie will be January 9 with the movie to be selected closer to the date. Contact Mary Mossteller or Freddie Greene if you would like to learn more about or join this interest group.
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Handcraft Circle
Handcraft Circle will meet at Ann Jessup's’ home the afternoon of January 16. Contact Mary Mossteller mcmossteller@mac.com if you would like to join the group.
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Play Mah Jongg?
Join us for our weekly games on Wednesdays in members' homes 1:30 to 3:30. If you are interested in joining or would like to get on the list, email the group leader Chris O'Neill. We play American Mah Jongg. You need the card to play and should have a basic knowledge of the game. Chris can also give you information on where to take lessons, if you'd like to learn to play. Come join us!
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So Much to Do, So Little Time | |
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Friday, January 19, 10:00-11:00: ESCOM Presentation on AAUW.
Kathi Harper, member of the AAUW CA Public Policy Committee, will speak about AAUW’s history, mission, public policy priorities, and programs via Zoom. Please join the Emeritus Students of the College of Marin (ESCOM) for this important overview of AAUW.
Here's the Zoom link:
https://marin-edu.zoom.us/j/81517105874?pwd=MYK4iXt7raWcKCurBsYuGh7HYYtmul.1
Sunday, January 28, 2024, 2:00-4:00: Gun Violence Protection. Save the date and plan to join the AAUW Petaluma Branch at the Lucchesi Center in Petaluma for this program on Gun Violence Protection. Congressman Jared Huffman is one of the speakers. Contact Jean Reed for more information or to RSVP.
Tuesdays in January: Pioneering Women in U.S. Art. OLLI (Osher Life-Long Learning) at Dominican is offering a course on women responsible for some of the most outstanding art collections in the U.S. Per the OLLI catalogue, these women brought old masters as well as modernist impressionist works to the U.S., commissioned art and ran salons, founded museums and art organizations, ran galleries, and introduced contemporary public art. Sylvia Laudien-Mao is the instructor and classes will be held Tuesdays at 2:00 pm via Zoom from January 9 to January 30. Register on the OLLI site. The course is $80 and there is a $20 session registration fee on top if you aren't already signed up for classes through Olli this term.
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February 24: Our annual Tri-Branch meeting with a speaker on Building a More Equitable Community. 10-noon at the Key Room at Homeward Bound. Petaluma Branch is the host this year.
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March 25: Mandatory Training Seminar for those wanting to participate in AAUW Lobby Days
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April 2-3: AAUW Lobby Days in Sacramento and on Zoom.
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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.
Word of mouth is the best way to recruit new members!
Why Join? AAUW offers 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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