September 2025

President's Message

Welcome to the 2025-2026 Program Year!

Dear AAUW Florida Members,

As we embark on a new program year, I am filled with both excitement and gratitude. The work we do together is more than a calendar of meetings and events—it is a shared commitment to equity, opportunity, and progress for women and girls in every corner of our state.

This year’s theme, "Rising Higher: Empowering Women, Advancing Equity," reflects our collective determination to lift each other, strengthen our branches, and amplify our impact. Together, we will build on our proud legacy while reaching for new heights in advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.

Our Focus for 2025–2026:

• Advocacy with Impact: Advancing public policies that protect and expand equity in education, workplace fairness, and economic opportunity.
• Leadership for the Future: Empowering members to grow as leaders through mentorship, training, and innovative programs.
• Stronger Connections: Fostering collaboration among branches, partners, and communities to extend our reach and relevance.
• Action You Can See: Turning ideas into measurable results that strengthen our mission and inspire new members to join our cause.
• Investing in the Next Generation: Strengthening our support for Tech Trek Florida by increasing funding to provide more girls with this transformative STEM experience. Your contributions—whether personal gifts, branch fundraisers, or community partnerships—will ensure that talented young women have the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on, inspiring environment.

We begin this year with a clear vision: to create meaningful change that lasts beyond the program year. Every member—whether you lead a branch, advocate at the state level, or quietly support from behind the scenes—has an important role in our success.



I invite you to bring your ideas, your energy, and your voice. Let’s rise together, empower one another, and make 2025–2026 a year that propels AAUW Florida to new heights.

"Together we are stronger! Together we can make a difference!"

With gratitude and determination,

K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.

AAUW Florida President

🎉Congratulations & Thank You to AAUW Florida Branches🎉

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Congratulations to the Florida Branches

recognized this year in the AAUW Five Star Program!

The star categories are: 

⭐Advancement

⭐Communications

⭐Programs

⭐Policy

⭐Governance

We celebrate your achievements and extend heartfelt thanks to every branch for your leadership, commitment, and dedication. Together, you ensure AAUW remains a powerful force for equity and opportunity across Florida. To view all the 5 Star Program branch awardees, visit the website: AAUW Five Star Program

2025 Five Star Program Recognitions

• Flagler County (FL) Branch – 5 Stars
• Gainesville (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Saint Augustine (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Sarasota (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Tampa (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Greater Naples (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Venice (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• Nova Southeastern University AAUW (FL) Branch – 4 Stars
• New Smyrna Beach (FL) Branch – 2 Stars
• Sun City Center (FL) Branch – 2 Stars
• Northern Palm Beach County (FL) Branch – 2 Stars
• Jacksonville (FL) Branch – 1 Star
• Marco Island (FL) Branch – 1 Star

👏Thank you all for raising the bar and advancing AAUW’s mission across the state!👏

Investing in Tomorrow’s Innovators:

Tech Trek Empowers 85 Girls Across Florida

Tech Trek Florida held two successful camps in June 2025. Eighty-five girls were in attendance at either Stetson University in DeLand or Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter. The cost per girl was $1500. Which is an investment in the future of these bright capable girls.

Planning for Tech Trek 2026 is underway. We are kicking off this year with a Zoom meeting with branch presidents and Tech Trek contacts on September 10. Nomination information will be sent to branches so that schools can be contacted. The nomination period opens November 1. Girls must be nominated by their STEM teacher.

Fund raising efforts will begin in the Fall as well. We have set a goal to raise $175,000 this year. Donations can be made via Zeffy (https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/9e097894-8842-4c4f-bf3a-3fe5cb750ba7) or send a check made out to AAUW FL Supporting Foundation, Tech Trek and your branch name on the memo line. Mail it to AAUW FL Supporting Fnd, PO Box 126, Palm City, Fl 34991.

Tech trek Meeting

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 PM. We will be holding the Tech Trek 2026 Kickoff Planning Session with all Florida AAUW Branch Presidents and Tech Trek Contacts or interested persons from your Branch. An agenda will be shared in advance of the meeting. See Zoom details below.

We look forward to your participation and hope everyone will be able to attend.

Warm regards,

Sue Slone and Kim Rostick

Florida Tech Trek Co-Chairs

Topic: Tech Trek Branch Contacts Mtg

Time: Sep 10, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87867237296?pwd=J8b90VKjWNbMEIIOWinoM8ajYiVSTR.1

Meeting ID: 878 6723 7296

Passcode: 368508

AAUW Weston Celebrates Dr. Kamala Anandam at 96

Kamala was born and grew up in India with eight siblings. After her high school graduation, she got her B.A. degree with a major in Chemistry at Queen Mary's College. She then worked for two years and got married to Ernest Anandam and had two beautiful daughters, Nirmala and Shanthi. After several years, she resumed working as a teacher and a social service agent, helping women in villages under the auspices of a university. The latter job provided her an opportunity to be selected to come to the U.S. to do her Master's degree in Child Development at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She then went back to India and established the Department of Child Development for the university. Meanwhile, her husband also did his Master's degree in Microbiology and was hired by the UT hospital. That allowed Kamala, Nirmala, and Shanthi to move to the U.S. permanently in 1967.

Kamala then obtained her Doctorate degree in Educational Psychology. She taught two years each at Maryville College in Tennessee and Bethune-Cookman College in Florida. She then joined Miami Dade College as a research specialist for its Open College. After a few years, she established a new Department of Educational Technology and led the department until she retired in 1998. During those years, she was selected by IBM to be one of its Consulting Scholars for two years and helped other colleges and universities to integrate technology in teaching and learning. The best compliment she received for all her accomplishments was from the college president: "If only we could clone Kamala..."

She lost her husband in 1985. After retirement, she settled in Weston and established the Weston Branch of AAUW in 2007, which is well known for its projects and public meetings on topics such as human trafficking and gun violence, and its signature STEM awards to graduating senior young women going on to colleges/universities.

Kamala is a charter member of the Women's History Museum in D.C. and a member of the Broward County League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, and International Women's Club. She was inducted into the Broward County Women's Hall of Fame and Senior Hall of Fame. She also received the Achievement Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.

She was an avid tennis player and enjoys her family get-togethers, especially with two great-grandchildren.

We celebrate and honor Dr. Kamala Anandam!

This article was submitted by Dr. Marjorie Fontalvo, AAUW Florida Director of Membership

AAUW National Updates

Strategic Plan Resources:

• Learn how members, branches, and states can align with our future vision. 
• Strategic Plan Leader Toolkit with new content added all the time
• 5 Calls to Action page  
• Find other past webinars on the AAUW YouTube page 

Celebrating Our FY25 Five Star Branches! 

• We’re excited to announce that the Five Star Program website now highlights branches that earned stars through the FY25 Annual Branch Survey!
• This recognition celebrates the outstanding work branches are doing nationwide to advance AAUW’s mission and strengthen their communities. 

AAUW Fellowship & Grant Applications Closes September 30!

• Each year, AAUW provides millions in funding to support women pursuing academic, research, and professional opportunities that advance equity for women and girls. Students, scholars, and leaders should apply today. 

Learn more about Branch Community Action Grants! 

• This year, branches can apply for Community Action Grants from National to help the mission in supporting women and girls across our country.
• Join the info session on September 2, 2025 for more information. Register here.  

Dues Change - Invest In Our Future 

• Fees are increasing $2 each year, for this year and next. 
• For more details, visit our website:
• https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/membership-dues-change-talking-points/

Branch Donations: 

• Email connect@aauw.org to request an Express Payment Link. Please include the amount and fund name when making requests. 
• Contribution Report Form: Please make a copy of the completed form and checks before sending. AAUW member IDs must be included in the form. Donations to Greatest Needs can be made online by leaders using the Renewals and Donations application. 
• Mail-in Contributions: Mail to P.O. Box 98045, Washington DC 20090-8045. Tracking numbers are needed to search for uncashed checks.  

New Funds – Defend Higher Education and Public Policy Fund: 

• Your donations fuel AAUW’s most impactful work—from defending higher education to sustaining core advocacy and operations. Contribute today to the Greatest Needs Fund and the Defend Higher Education Fund to help AAUW respond swiftly, lead boldly, and champion equity nationwide.
• 9110 – AAUW Greatest Needs Fund: Supports AAUW’s core operations and advocacy, enabling rapid response and long-term impact in advancing gender equity.
• 4513 – Defend Higher Education Fund: Strengthens AAUW’s voice in higher education by funding advocacy, campus resources, and strategic infrastructure.
• Both funds are now live on our donation page: https://my.aauw.org/donation-product-detail

Members Not Receiving Messages from AAUW 

Share this resubscribe link with members who are not receiving AAUW emails: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/8fvkDOF_gkmwgUN5RDy1tw2. 

For information contact: 



K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D. - AAUW Florida President

Rose Llanos - AAUW Florida President Elect

D. Rostick-Owens, Ed.D. - AAUW Florida and Tampa Director of Communications

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