Happy Holidays to you all. 

As we come to the end of the year, I hope we can all look back over the year and find gratitude in our hearts. I’m so grateful for many things. One is the ability to give. I give back to my community by teaching, I give back to the organizations to which I belong through service, and I joyfully give back to my family every day. I learned open hands receive and closed hands do not. We also have to be grateful when life throws us curve balls. I have to admit I have had many thrown at me… what I will say is I am a much stronger woman because of it. As we go into this season, please be mindful of the less fortunate and continue in gratitude for all we have and all we are able to do for ourselves and others. 



Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

President

AAUW San Antonio

2024-2025 Branch Leaders

Executive Committee

President

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.      

President Elect

Vacant  

Vice President Membership

Debbi Sochia                        

Vice President Programs

Martha Steele             

Secretary

Debbi Sochia    

Treasurer

Kathy Dicke

Parliamentarian

Vacant

Standing Committees

Public Policy

Pat Sanford

Finance/Budget

Kathy Dicke

Scholarships/NCCWSL/CU

Jeanette Pierce

AAUW Funds

Vacant

DEI

Dre Andrepoint

STEM

Vacant

Governance

Jeanette Pierce

Appointed Positions

Membership Outreach

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

Community Coordinator

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

Reservations

Martha Steele

Publicity

Michelle Burk

Historian

Rachel Skelley

Communications

Malinda Gaul

February Meeting

At our February meeting, we’ll take a break from the more serious concerns of our regular meetings, and engage in a creative activity. (See the suggestions in Pat Sanford’s article in the December newsletter.)

We’ll take an art lesson at Painting With A Twist, 8206 Agora Pkwy., Suite 100, in the Forum at Olympia Pkwy. The cost will range from $30, depending upon several factors, such as the number of people who participate. We’ll have to get your responses early to be able to set up the price.

Although we’ll offer wine and snacks at the painting party, we won’t have a meal. However, we’ll get together for brunch at La Madeleine, which is in the same center. Join us at 10:00 for brunch.

These are the procedures for Painting With A Twist: 

1. If you are interested, respond to me at Martha Steele (steelemar@gmail.com.) Once we have an idea of the number of participants, I’ll get a definite price.
2. I’ll send you an email with the information on the cost and the passcode for your registration. 
3. You will pay online directly to the studio, giving our hard-working AAUW treasurer a break. Let me know if you have any problem with the online registration.
4. If you have expressed interest by responding to me, but decide not to participate, please email me, so I can give the studio an exact number of registrations to expect.

PLEASE RESPOND BY JANUARY 15

December Meeting Recap

At our December meeting, we returned to the BaHa’i Center, thanks to member Norma Khoshbin. Again this year, Jeannette Pierce picked up bulk supplies of toiletries for homeless people served by Christian Assistance Ministry. Members assembled individual packages for distribution at CAM. Some members brought their own donations for distribution to unhoused people. Our new member, Linda Hearin, helped with final organizing of the collections, and helped Jeannette load them into the car.

Members also brought donations for two different groups. Juanita Sepulveda, who spoke to us last May about the service organization Dress for Success, accepted donations of professional and business-casual clothing for the men and women who are counseled by Dress for Success. Thank you to all who supported this collection.

President Claudia Walker asked for school supplies to replenish teacher’s supplies for Masters Elementary School in Judson ISD, and our members responded generously. She will take care of distributing them to the teachers.

Tablecloths and table centerpieces were supplied by Norma, Debbie Sochia, Pat Sanford and Suzanne Benson. Some unexpected table decor was provided by Patricia Tucker, who brought her late mother’s extensive collection of painted ceramic tiles. Patricia asked members to pick one out to take home.

We held a short business meeting, and Dr. Claudia Walker was recognized for her recent induction into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in the area of PK - 12 Education. Another AAUW member, Dr. Cheryl E. Davis, was also selected for the Hall of Fame, in the area of Health Professions.

In the spirit of the season, everyone who attended left with a holiday-wrapped door prize, provided by former president Diane Claiborne-Carr. Thanks to all who brought donations for our two collections, and for those who brought bottled water to replenish supplies for the BaHa’i Center. And thanks to those who helped to put away tables and chairs at the Center.

AAUW Supports, Guides, and Acts

Responses to the 2024 election results have been pronounced for many, and not in a good way. The voting electorate was almost evenly split, and approximately half the population has a sense of foreboding that runs along a continuum from unease to apprehension to extreme dread. We fear that life as we know it, with democracy as a model for the world, is in jeopardy. This includes rights for women.

Since it was founded almost 150 years ago, AAUW has provided support and guidance in the fight for equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. This was very apparent at the AAUW TX public policy quarterly meeting in mid-November and again at the most recent Public Policy Zoom meeting with lobbyist Kate Kuhlmann on December 3^rd. I was amazed and felt hopeful and fortified as I looked at the women’s faces on the Zoom screens. People were getting on with business. There was no wringing of hands. There was no weakness or backing away from AAUW priorities. Women were assessing the situation, discussing possibilities, and committing to action.

The 89 Texas Legislative Session convenes on January 14, 2025, and lasts for 140 days ending on June 2^nd. Pre-filing of bills started on Monday, November 14. The final day to file bills is on March 14^th, and the last day for the governor to act on bills is June 22^nd, 20 days after the general session is adjourned. The governor may call special sessions after the general session ends.

There is much to be done in the short 140-day session:

• Speaker’s Race
• Big Three Relations – Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and a newly elected Speaker of the House. How will they get along?
• House Leaders
• Revenue Estimate
• Impact of Presidential Election
• Property Taxes
• Vouchers
• Funding for Schools (Schools are being given incentives to adopt the Bluebonnet Curriculum which has Christian/Bible content.)
• Border Security
• Energy and the Texas Grid
• Taxpayer Funded Lobbying (teacher groups)
• Federal Policy Changes

Again, Governor Abbott has pledged to tie school funding and teacher pay to vouchers. Bills will probably be filed that put further restrictions on women’s health care including contraception. And so, the fight for women’s equality goes on. AAUW priorities for the 89^th sessions remain the same.

• Women’s Healthcare
• Reproductive rights
• Medicaid expansion
• Education-related issues
• Vouchers
• Book censorship
• Funding
• Teacher pay and working conditions
• Teacher training/retention
• Reducing Gun Violence
• Age restrictions and red flag regulations
• Standards for gun ownership
• Mental Health
• Free and Fair Elections
• Voter registration
• Extended early voting
• Easier voting by mail
• No new restrictions to voting
• Student IDs
• College polling locations
• Equal Pay/Pay Equity
• Family leave
• Wages of home health nursing
• Child care/Texas Rising Star program

AAUW national, state, and local branches will be promoting issues and actions. We will work with individual offices and committees connected to the legislature. We as individuals can communicate with our representatives in writing, by phone, or in person. We can attend legislative and interim hearings using links the Texas Legislature Online website provides. We will collaborate with professional organizations including the League of Women Voters, and organizations promoting public schools and public school education. We will develop relationships with community stakeholders and engage in community efforts. AAUW TX will also have a state lobby day, March 17, 2025, in Austin to meet with legislators and share AAUW priorities and concerns with them.

And right now, before the end of 2024 and the end of the current administration, you can call the White House and urge passage of the ERA.

Please call the White House at 202-456-1111 and urge President Biden to do everything he can to publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution.

 You may use the following script for your call: 

" I’m calling to urge President Biden to make the publication of the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution a priority before leaving the White House. The demand for the Equal Rights Amendment is more urgent than ever to protect us against gender discrimination and ensure equality for all. 

President Biden can cement his legacy on gender equality and do everything he can to make sure the Equal Rights Amendment is published before the end of his presidency. Thank you."

When there is mission-based work to be done, we are there.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to achieve equality for women and girls.

Pat Sanford

AAUW SA Public Policy Chair

AAUW TX Public Policy Committee

The Two-Minute Activist

The Two-Minute Activist is a source of information on topics relating to women’s issues. It also enhances our ability to send emails and texts to legislators to fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, equality in education and more. Sign up on the AAUW webpage to get regular alerts to be able to take timely action.

You can also text “AAUW” to 21333 to get AAUW action alerts via text. 

Over 1.1M Texas women have joined the workforce in the last decade. Yet, Texas women continue to earn 83% of their male counterparts.

Texas women are worth policies that allow them to thrive.

If women in Texas participated in the labor force at rates comparable to those in countries with paid leave, the state could see an annual boost of $19.1B.

Currently, over 70% of Texas workers do not have paid family leave.

Texans cannot create economic security for themselves or their families without access to healthcare. Yet working age Texas women are uninsured at rates over twice the national average.

Housing is an anchor of economic security. 1 in 3 Texas families is housing cost-burdened, spending more than 30% on housing.

Access to affordable child care is critical for Texas women and families. The child care crisis for infants and toddlers is estimated to cost the state's economy $11.4B annually.

Learn more from @texaswomensfdn new report.

#StrongWomenBetterTexas: txwf.org/research 

American Association of University Women

San Antonio Branch

2024-2025 Programs

Theme for 2024-2025:

Celebrating our Differences As We Advocate for All Women

February 1, 2025 - Valentine’s Day Celebration

Activity: Painting With A Twist, The Forum, 8206 Agora Pkwy, Live Oak.

One week in advance, select a painting project from the offerings of the studio, and make a reservation directly with them and pay them online. Approximately $40 per person. Refreshments will be served, but not lunch. Gather a group to have brunch on your own at nearby La Madeleine.

March 1, 2025 - Women’s History Month

Speaker: Betsy Gerhardt Palsey, author of From the Sidelines to the Headlines: The Legacy of Women’s Sports at Trinity University, Trinity University Press, 2023.

Topic: Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972. Ms. Palsey’s participation in sports preceded Title IX, but in researching her book, she learned about how this law has affected women’s educational opportunities, including extracurricular programs such as sports. At this year’s Olympics, U.S. women’s participation exceeded men’s participation for the first time.

Location: TBA

*Brunch, not Lunch - This year we hope to recruit more members to attend the March Can We Talk? dinner and program about issues and events affecting women in San Antonio. Date and program details will be announced at our February meeting and in the newsletter.

April 5, 2025 - Scholarship Luncheon

Master of Ceremonies: Jeanette Pierce, Scholarship Committee Chair.

Topic: Announcement of our scholarship winners, and introduction of those winners who can attend.

Location: Restaurant tba

Remember: The more money that is donated to the Raffle and to the Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser, the more textbook scholarships we can fund.

May 3, 2025

Speaker: Brian Thompson, Edward Jones Financial Management

Topic: Management of AAUW Endowments, which fund our graduate student scholarships.

Location and lunch tba

AAUW Movie Goers

I am tentatively putting the AAUW Movie Goers group back together. Movie, time, and place selected by the group and announced the day before. I’m thinking the fourth Saturday of each month. If interested, shoot me an email at dsochia@att.net

What Does AAUW National Do?

Policy Advocacy: Focuses on national issues affecting women and girls, such as education, equity, pay equity, and reproductive rights.

o   We coordinate our Public Policy Committees, participate in coalition work and partner with other prominent National organizations to raise awareness about our policy priorities (such as the YWCA for our Gen Z Town Hall in Philadelphia).

Subject Matter Expertise: We have historically produced in-depth studies on topics like the gender pay gap and women in leadership roles.

o   While we haven't produced reports recently due to limited funding - we have done high level analysis of pay gap data recently released. We are frequently asked to comment on topics related to pay equity, student loan debt and other issues related to gender equity. You can see our recently updated page on Latinas and the pay gap for example here: https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/latinas-and-the-pay-gap/

o   We have tens of thousands of social media followers across all platforms and have well over 1 million website viewers - ensuring that our brand remains prominent and relevant. CEO Gloria Blackwell has been invited to White House events on at least three occasions recently.

o   On a Global level - Gloria is AAUW's representative to the UN - and our work in this capacity provides great reputational value related to global gender equity work.

Salary Negotiation and Financial Literacy Training: Offers training and resources for women to develop skills to be financially empowered.

o   In particular our Work Smart, Start Smart and Money Smart trainings provide valuable resources and tools for women to become economically empowered. Nationally we work with organizations such as the HBCU Career Center, Tri Delta, Coca Cola Foundation, Finra Foundation, SAGE and others to bring these trainings to thousands of women across the country. These trainings were developed and are updated and managed by the National office. They have been independently evaluated by two separate entitles and continually receive very high ratings from participants.

Fellowships & Grants: We award and administer over $6 million in fellowships and grants each year to hundreds of women in the US and Internationally. 

o   We also connect our members and branches to these awardees and alumnae and have an Alumnae Relations team charged with growing and maintaining relationships with our thousands of distinguished Alumnae.

Membership Services: Provides support and resources for local branches and members, including access to national networks and events.

o   We host all aauw.net websites, process dues, support 990 filings, and maintain our history and globally recognized brand. Without AAUW National - AAUW branches would instead be independently organized entities who would not be networked with one another or have the ability to utilize the AAUW name. 

In essence, while AAUW National sets the strategic direction and focuses on broader issues, local branches implement programs and initiatives that directly benefit their local communities. Together, our aim is to work towards the common goal of advancing gender equity.

Follow AAUW San Antonio on:

Facebook www.facebook.com/aauw.sanantonio