AAUW MARIN FEBRUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER

edited by Dottie Burk, Jeanne Lese, Cherie Sorokin and

Leslie Zimring

AAUW Advances Equity

for Women and Girls!

What's Up at National?

For the past several years, AAUW's strategic plan has focused on four key areas: education and training, economic security, leadership, and governance and sustainability. Programs and activities include:

NCCWSL, AAUW's national conference for college women student leaders,
WorkSmart/StartSmart salary negotiation programs (145,000 trained so far),
MoneySmart, AAUW's financial literacy program,
STEMEd, a new online STEM program for high school girls,
Pilot programs such as Empower and the Equity Network that have reached hundreds of working people ages 21-40 on topics such as gender equity, advocacy, voting rights and professional career development,
National webinars on a wide range of topics relevant to our mission and through those webinars introducing thousands of attendees to the work of some amazing women scholars, writers, thinkers, and activists,
Development of tools to help members better understand implicit bias, confront and counter racism, and work toward diversifying our membership,
In the past two years engaging over 300 historically black colleges and universities, women’s colleges, and minority-serving institutions in our work,
Helping pass the Pregnant Worker's Fairness Act at the federal level and sixteen new state laws on pay equity,
All this, plus awarding over $6 million in graduate fellowships and grants.

On the governance and sustainability front, AAUW staff and the board are reviewing the impact and reach of all of our programs and have been working to bring our governance practices in line with evolving governance standards. Revisions to AAUW's bylaws will be up for a membership vote later this spring.

In short, there's a lot going on and a lot to be proud of! You can learn more by checking out AAUW's website but watch for more articles on AAUW's national efforts coming in future newsletters.

Celebrating Black Women

Although discriminated against, ignored or simply overlooked, many Black women have made significant contributions to history, society, innovation, science, government, civil rights, women’s rights, and much more. Thanks to the efforts of our own Nancy Major, who is on the state Public Policy Committee, the AAUW CA website is highlighting the achievements of a number of Black women this month. Can you match the names below with the brief summary of their achievements? If you want to check your answers or read more, go to AAUW CA’s website.

Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin, Dorothy Jean Dandridge, Katherine Johnson, Madam C.J Walker, Shirley Chisholm, Mae Jemison, Toni Morrison, Oprah Winfrey

Who in the list above:

Was the first African-American film star (actress, singer and dancer) to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Carmen Jones (1954)?

Was a brilliant mathematician (sometimes known as “the human computer”), one of three Black students to integrate West Virginia’s graduate schools who later was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for her contributions to America’s space program?

Won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel based on the true story of an African-American enslaved woman and later was the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Was the first Black woman elected to Congress (in 1968) and subsequently founded the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Women’s Caucus?

Was a former slave who became an outspoken advocate for abolition, temperance, and civil and women's rights?

Helped initiate the Civil Rights movement by refusing to give up seats to white men on Montgomery, Alabama buses?

Became the first Black woman to fly to space on the space shuttle Endeavour?

Is considered America’s first self-made female millionaire who created and sold widely manufactured and recognized hair-care solutions and remedies door-to-door through a network of 40,000 employee “ambassadors"?

Became an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist, and is considered by some to be one of the most influential women in the world?

GovTrek, AAUW California’s newest initiative, kicked off its inaugural year with the first of five sessions on Saturday January 28. This virtual program for high school junior and senior girls is designed to encourage the next generation to pursue careers in public service and elected office. The first session opened with an inspiring 'call to action' message by Nancy Pelosi. Girls met their team members and introduced themselves and their public policy passions in a 30-second elevator speech. The second hour saw a lively and informative panel discussion with five women representing various aspects of public service. The program will culminate in a team competition to create a realistic campaign simulation.

Kudos to branch member Nancy Chiu who served on the AAUW CA committee that designed GovTrek and who moderated the panel discussion in the first session.

Read more about GovTrek HERE.

AAUW Marin News

President's Message

Another month gone. It never ceases to amaze how quickly the time flies. I hope everyone survived our atmospheric rivers earlier this month.

As for time flying, it is only a few months away from the presentation of a slate of board officers for approval for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Many of the current board members will be remaining in their positions, but there will also be several openings. If you are looking for a way to support the mission of AAUW to provide gender equity for women and girls, create new friendships, and become actively involved in our activities, joining the Marin Branch Board is a good place to start.

If you are interested and would like to learn more about what positions are open please contact me at traciinmarin@sbcglobal.net

Dianne

Two Great Branch Programs in

February

February 8: Caring for Those Who Care for Us Wednesday, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Program on Zoom

Lindsay Imai Hong, California Director of Hand in Hand, the Domestic Employers Network, will speak to us about her work directing Hand in Hand efforts in California. She seeks to raise standards for domestic workers and to expand the homecare safety net so all Californians can get the support they need to live with dignity at home and in their communities. Hand in Hand is a national network of employers of nannies, housecleaners, and home attendants, focused on creating working conditions that benefit both employers and workers. This should be an excellent follow-on to our last program on women's health issues as we age. Most of us want to "age in place" and in-home caregiving is one aspect of making that a reality.

Here is the Zoom link so you have it handy (a reminder will also be sent on Wednesday, Feb 8).

Please RSVP to the separate invite that will be sent this week so we know how many to expect. Then email Cherie to let her know you plan to attend!

February 25: Annual Tri-Branch Brunch at Homeward Bound's Key Room

10:00 am - Noon

$30 per person by check

$31 via PayPal

The indefatigable Felecia Gaston will share highlights of Marin City's history with us. Her sure-to- be-enlightening talk is titled "Please We'd Rather Do It Ourselves, the Historical Perspective of Marin City Blacks Facing Housing and Income Inequity, Outside Influencers and Challenges, While Retaining Community Resilience." Felecia was the moving force behind the Marin City 80 exhibitions at the Civic Center and Bartolini Gallery last fall, and now is spearheading efforts to establish the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society. She also founded and runs Marin Performing Stars and the Phoenix Project. She truly is an energizer bunny!

We're also working on a special culinary surprise for this meeting in addition to Homeward Bound's great brunch fare, so be sure to come join our annual gathering with AAUW members from the Novato and Petaluma branches.

Cost is $30, payable by check to AAUW Marin and mailed to Sue Torres, 256 Marinda Dr., Fairfax, CA 94930 or $31 online via PayPal. Payment must be received by February 15 - the Key Room's deadline to confirm attendance.

Watch for the separate invitation that will be sent soon and please also RSVP to that when you receive it.

* Photo Credit: Ron Greene, Pacific Sun

You can check out all future programs on our website.

AAUW Marin Fundraising Demystified

Every year our branch fundraising activities focus on two different ways to contribute to advancing equity for women in girls. Why two and what’s the difference? It can be confusing, so hope this helps straighten things out.

Each spring, we ask members to financially support AAUW's national programming to advance equity for women and girls, focusing specifically on unrestricted donations to AAUW that enable AAUW to be flexible in conducting national programs, research, advocacy and special projects that aren't supported by specific grants. While contributions to national can be made at any time through the AAUW website we specifically email our members requesting donations to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund starting in March or April, with the spring "campaign" generally ending in June. Last year funds raised just during the spring campaign totaled $11,850. Additional funds were donated by our generous members at other times to significantly increase that total by year-end. AAUW Fund Chair, Lisa Allanson, will lead the 2023 spring campaign.

Each fall, we ask members to financially support our AAUW Marin efforts to provide funds to individual Marin women and girls pursuing undergraduate degrees at College of Marin or Dominican University or attending AAUW-sponsored programs such as Tech Trek or NCCWSL. We raise these funds through an email solicitation to members in November and our fall auction fundraiser. Funds are directed to our local AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund, which manages investment and distribution of these funds for purposes approved by the AAUW Marin Board. Funds raised in the 2022 Fall Campaign total almost $20,000 and will enable us to provide $8,000 in Tech Trek sponsorships, $6,000 each for scholarships at COM and Dominican, $1,400 for NCCWSL scholarships, and additional funds to continue to build our endowments for COM and Dominican scholarships.

Member Corner

All You Have To Do Is Ask

When you hear from the girls who participated in Tech Trek or take pride in knowing that your contribution to AAUW National helped pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, you know that our mission to empower women and girls can change the world. And what about those friends you’ve made through your interest group, attending an event, serving in a branch position? You know that AAUW Marin is a wonderful organization so why not invite a friend, neighbor, or colleague to attend an event or meeting and then “just ask” them to join? Many people want to find a community of women such as AAUW. Often all that is needed is an invitation to join us.

Contact Membership Chair Chris O’Neill coneill514@comcast.net, if you have questions or would like her to contact a prospective member.

New Names on the Masthead

You may have noticed a couple of new names on the newsletter masthead this month. Without being asked, Leslie Zimring stepped up to offer her help. How's that for member engagement?! We are most appreciative. Please copy Leslie on newsletter article submissions going forward. Welcome to the team, Leslie!

It's also about time we recognize the expert proofreading and editorial suggestions of Jeanne Lese. Jeanne has a long history of providing expertise in branch communications and has been working behind the scenes for the past few months to perfect the newsletter. Thank you, Jeanne!

Interest Group News

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. For general info or to suggest a new group, contact Interest Group Chair, Vicki Samo.

Coming in February

Non-fiction Reading Group

February 27 @ 1:00 on Zoom will discuss The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border by Francisco Cantú. Named a top 10 book of 2018 by NPR and the Washington Post. If you would like to join us, please email either co-leader for the Zoom link: Phyllis Kuehn phyllisk@sonic.net, Olivia Ruel oliviacelello@icloud.com.

Behind the Headlines

Behind the Headlines meeting in February will be joint with the Branch for the program on February 8. If you are not already on the Behind the Headlines email list and wish to be notified of future meetings, contact group leader Cherie Sorokin.

New Yorker Reading Group

Next meeting: February 13 @1pm on Zoom. Articles we'll discuss: our thought processes, Netflix's global takeover, in the trenches in the Ukraine, corporate hypocrisy, and ecological restoration of India. Interested? Contact leaders Phyllis Kuehn or Olivia Ruel for the links. Articles are also available on line free through the library.

LitWits Reading Group

LitWits Group meets February 15 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom to discuss The Seige, the second of three novels by Albanian writer and political activist Ismail Kadare. Meetings include lively discussion and analysis of the monthly book. For information, contact group leader Ann Thoma s .

What Are You Reading? Group

Group meets 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.

Reading Arts Group

The Reading Arts Interest Group has moved to a new day and time -- the third Thursday of each month, from 1-3 pm. If you would like to join the group, contact group leader Ann Jessup.

Happy Hour Group

Next Happy Hour is Thursday, February 2 @ 4:30 at Flores restaurant in the Corte Madera Town Center. Join us for conversation and libations. Please RSVP to Dottie Burk.

Play Mah Jongg?

Join our Mah Jongg Group. We play every Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 PM, in members’ homes or online using Myjongg.net. Contact Chris O’Neill for more information or if you don’t know how to play and would like to learn.

Homeward Bound Fresh Starts Chef Events

The Chef Event Dinner Group has restarted. They have some very exciting local chefs lined up. If you make a reservation for one of the Chef Events let Dianne Sheridan know. If there is more then one of you, she can ask that you be seated together.

Marin Women's Hall of Fame

The annual Marin Women's Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony is coming up on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Peacock Gap. Five extraordinary women will be inducted this year. (Did you know that AAUW Marin was one of the founders of the Marin Women's Hall of Fame?)

For Event Details and Registration click HERE.

If you register to attend, ask to sit with AAUW Marin members and let us know if you do. Contact Cherie Sorokin or Dottie Burk.

Know Someone Who'd Like to Join AAUW?

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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