March/ April 2023

Volume 41 Issue 5

President's Message


Dear Wonderful Branch Members,


I hope the incessant rains in January didn’t affect you too much. Thank you to everyone who contributed to help impoverished South County farmworkers badly impacted by both them and the tragic Half Moon Bay shooting. It is a testament to our membership that our community can always count on our generosity and compassion.


Suman Ganapathy, President

Read the rest of Suman's Message

Connecting with Our Members

Congratulations to Us


AAUW Morgan Hill Branch and two members will be honored at Chamber of Commerce 2023 Celebrate MH gala Garden Party on March 12 at Guglielmo Winery


·    AAUW MH: Non-Profit Organization of the Year

·    Kathy (Kat) Chavez Napoli: Volunteer of the Year

·    Cecelia Ponzini: Legacy Award

To reserve your place at the AAUW tables ($90), contact Suman. Deadline is March 5.

For more details about the event or to purchase individual ticket, click HERE.


Read all about it

Wildflower Run Update


Be part of our 40th Wildflower Run coming up on Sunday, March 26. Encourage family and friends to sign up now and consider volunteering for the many tasks open before the Run and also on Race Day! 

Don't Miss Out - We Need You!

Annual Wildflower Fund Giving Campaign


Member donations to the Wildflower Fund during recent years made a significant difference to the total funds raised. Do you know how much difference? Read on to find out.

Find out how to make a difference

March Program - Piano: An All-Woman Show


Celebrate Women’s History Month with a program of 250 years of piano music by women composers presented by Brianna Conrey Sunday, March 19, 2 pm, at the home of branch member Jan Conrey.


Members and guests only, limited seating, RSVP required by March 12. Contact Carol O’Hare for details.

Learn More

Member on Kelly Clarkson Show


Nancy Fishman was recently featured on the Kelly Clarkson show as the founder of Forgotten Harvest, a food rescue non-profit in Detroit, as part of the 'Good Neighbor of the Year' series.

 

We are grateful that compassionate and remarkable people like she make our world a better place. Thank you Nancy!

Watch the show

Photo of "Women of Note" taken at the Jazz Museum in New Orleans in 2019

Member Wins AAUW Annual Artwork Contest


When member Alissa Crispin submitted her photograph of "Women of Note" to the AAUW Annual Artwork Contest, little did she know that she would receive the third highest number of votes!


And the good news doesn't end there - Alissa and her husband are expecting their first child(ren) this summer - twins!


Look for this artwork on the AAUW notecards mailed in the Spring. Congratulations Alissa!

Did you embark on a notable trip recently? We'd love to see your photos and hear your story. Please send your pictures and a 30-60 word account to Friendship Chair, Jill Paveza .

Branch Business

Young Women Leaders Update


The Young Women Leaders group (YWL) is busy planning its annual conference for area youth. This year’s conference (the first to be held in-person since the pandemic) will be on Saturday, April 1, at Central High School in Morgan Hill. 

Read all the details

Membership Update


Morgan Hill AAUW is pleased to introduce our newest member, Anja Hamilton.

Meet our new member

Climate Education & Action Update


Our celebrity laden program “Climate Change is REAL: Where do we go from here?” was an enormous success! AAUW and community members filled the library for an enlighting evening. Thoughtful questions were asked by our Young Women Leaders and the audience. The responses of our professionals, Kari Hall, Maddy Kangas and Lesley Miles, were spot on.


Everyone left with a lot more information about what is going on in our world and ways to get involved. Way to go team!

Up next: Community Earth Day Festival, Saturday, April 22, Community & Cultural Center

Get the details

Proposed Slate of Officers


The Nominating Committee and Leadership Development Team would like to present the proposed Slate of Officers for the 2023-2024 year. Instructions for voting will be in the weekly email by April 1.

The Nominating Committee is also asking for any additional nominations “from the floor.” Please note that the position of Vice President AAUW Fund is still open. If you would like to be considered for an elected board position, please contact Marian Sacco, by March 15th to be included in this process.

Proposed Slate of Officers

Upcoming Events

March Wine & Whine


Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 15, from 5:30-7:00, for Wine & Whine at Betto's Bistro, 17385 Monterey Road, MH – on the back patio


For more information, or to RSVP

email Krisse Boursier at wine@aauwmh.org


New Member Wine & Whine


Each year we officially welcome all of our wonderful new members to AAUW MH by inviting them to the New Member Wine and Whine.


This year we will be celebrating at Morgan Hill House at Villa Mira Monte on Wednesday, April 19, from 5:30 to 7:00.

Complimentary food from Rosy’s at the Beach along with a cash bar. Long time members are invited to say “hello” and welcome our newest additions to our awesome group. There will be lots to talk about as we share what we do and who we are.


Come for the camaraderie, to chat, and to find out what a great group we are.

County, State & National Updates

AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund


LAF is the national AAUW program that challenges sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace by informing people of their rights and using the legal system to seek justice and change.


Louk v. Visible College

Mara Louk was a senior at Visible Music College when a fellow student forcibly raped and strangled her. 

She reported the rape to Visible the next day. They refused to investigate the assault and instead disciplined Mara for allegedly having premarital sex with a prior boyfriend. This information about Mara's sexual history was received from the man who raped her. Mara filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, and they are investigating Visible for retaliation and violation of the Clery Act and Title IX .

Read the full story

Public Policy


Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while simultaneously drawing attention to the poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces. As a women’s organization, these issues should be at the forefront of our collective education and activism - let’s help ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Visit the Public Policy website to learn more.

Visit the Public Policy website to learn more

AAUW Supports MHHS


Donate your old treasures for the Morgan Hill Historical Society antique and collectible sale at their Spring Faire April 29-30.


AAUW benefits by getting free use of Villa Mira Monte facilities for branch events, such as the April New Member Wine & Whine. Contact is Carol O’Hare.

Learn More

Gilroy City Council Hosting Women's Panel


Confirmed Panelists include:

Sousan Manteghi-Safakish speaking on the women's rights movement in Iran  #womanlifefreedom


Elisa Marina Alvarado of the Red Earth Women's Society to discuss Missing Murdered Indigenous Women #MMIW.


Elizabeth Molina of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, regarding the attack on women's reproductive freedom in the US.


And more!

Tired of those sticky paper name tags?


Order a nifty name badge from:

Make It Mine, 101 Main Street, Morgan Hill

408-776-0556 or mim@garlic.com

The price is $12 plus tax.

Branch Links

AAUW MH Website
Calendar of Events
Past Newsletters
Facebook  Instagram

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