Monterey Peninsula
Messenger
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Monterey Peninsula Branch |
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Calendar of Coming Events
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 10:30 AM - Hike, Mission Trail with Pat Fletcher
Wednesday, Jan. 18 - Hike, Pacific Grove Trail with Nancy Edwards
Thursday, Jan. 19, noon - Romancing the Coast planning meeting, home of Carol Young, 905 Ruth Court, Pacific Grove
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2:00 - 3:00 PM - January Branch Zoom Meeting. An AAUW Fellowship recipient speaks on her research on forced change for women in Soviet Tajikistan. A professor from MIIS speaks on her native Kyrgyzstan.
Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Hike, De Anza Trail with Fatima Dias
Thursday, Feb. 9, 10:00 AM - Romancing the Coast tours Equine Healing Collaborative, 902 Monterey Salinas Highway.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Hike, Huckleberry Hill with Nancy Soulé
Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Hike planning meeting. Details TBA
Saturday, Feb. 25, noon - 2:00 PM - IBC (Inter Branch Council) Luncheon Meeting with Santa Cruz Co. Branch. Black Horse/Bayonet Golf Club. Speaker TBA.
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JANUARY ZOOM BRANCH MEETING
Fundraiser - AAUW Fund
Date: Saturday, January 28
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Speakers: Zamira Abman PhD, AAUW American Fellow and Director of Comparative and International Studies at San Diego State University
Dr. Mahabat Baimyrzaeva, Associate Professor at Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey
Topic: Forced Liberation: What happens when an outside force attempts to modernize a society deeply rooted in centuries of religious traditions and values?
Zamira Abman received an American Fellowship from AAUW to publish her PhD thesis based on research in her native Tajikistan, which explores the question: What happens when an outside force (Bolshevik communism) attempts to modernize a society deeply rooted in centuries of religious traditions and values? This top-down, forced dramatic change that women endured starting with the Bolshevik takeover in 1920 is unique in history and can teach us a thing or two about gender reform.
For her case study, Dr. Abman had unprecedented access to state and party archives and conducted Oral History interviews with women of her mother’s and grandmother’s generations in the three languages spoken in Tajikistan; Russian, Tajik (a dialect of Farsi) and Uzbek (a Turkic language).
We invited MIIS Professor Mahabat Baimyrzaeva to join the discussion. As a native of Kyrgyzstan, another former Soviet Republic with strong religious and social traditions, she can expand on the topic. She teaches International Policy and Development, focusing on organizational learning, capacity building, change and strategic planning.
Our January meeting celebrates the many AAUW fellowship and grant recipients and their contributions. In the award year 2022/23, AAUW Fund provided $6 million to more than 320 persons and organizations, 40 from California. Thanks to virtual meetings, we can hear this exceptional presentation about women in Tajikistan and hear from a local professor with a related personal story.
Join our Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 828 4757 6164
Passcode: 915152
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,82847576164#,,,,*915152# US (San Jose)
AAUW invests in women, advances educational opportunities for women, and advocates equity for women and girls. You can be part of this important work by contributing to AAUW Fund. Please make a donation on the national website https://www.aauw.org/ where you can choose which cause you want to support. This is the easiest way. Alternatively, mail a check, payable to AAUW Fund, to me at 880 Newton Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Large or small, your gift makes a difference.
Gabriele Simbriger-Williams, AAUW Fund Director, AAUW Monterey Peninsula
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FEBRUARY MEETING
Annual Inter-Branch Council (IBC) Luncheon Meeting
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM
Place: Bayonet/Blackhorse Golf Club, 1 McClure Way, Seaside (Click here for map.)
Speaker: TBA
Monterey Peninsula and Santa Cruz County AAUW Branches will have an Interbranch Council Meeting and Luncheon on Saturday, February 25, at Noon at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Club (on the former Fort Ord). At press time our speaker is yet to be confirmed, but it will be a valuable meeting and a great chance for AAUW members of both branches to get to know each other. Details on the speaker and menu will be sent to everyone in a January eblast. For now, Save the Date.
Marilyn Erickson, Public Policy and Diversity Director
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PRESIDENTS' MESSAGE
“Remember the days you wished for what you have today.” Unknown
As we prepare to improve ourselves with New Year’s Resolutions, let’s celebrate our accomplishments as individuals and as the AAUW Monterey Peninsula Branch.
Together in 2022 we eased the financial burden of eight young women through our local scholarships. We stimulated the pursuit of STEM in eight middle school girls and, hopefully, some of their friends, with Tech Trek. We supported women scholars in the US and abroad with AAUW Funds. And we nurtured one another with the many activities our branch offers and the friendships we’ve cultivated.
Torrents of rain, downed trees and power outages couldn’t keep more than 50 of us away from the Holiday Party at Peter and Pat Fletcher’s home. Peter was the hero of the day; brandishing a huge umbrella, he kept us as dry as possible. Be sure to thank them when you see them. Several of our newer members attended and it was delightful to get to know them better.
We look forward to more gatherings in 2023. If you have a particular interest you’d like to pursue, let us know. Maybe some other members would like that activity too. Upcoming programs are diverse and we’re going to try some informal get-togethers. Resolve to engage and your wishes just may come true.
Fatima Dias and Joanne Webster, Co-Presidents
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Lost and Found Department
If anyone picked up the wrong glass platter (one with a Christmas tree on it) by mistake when they were leaving the Holiday Party, please contact Pat Fletcher at pfletcher02@gmail.com.
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TECH TREK Is 25 This Year!
Celebrate Tech Trek’s milestone by sharing this new flyer, which describes the fabulous Tech Trek program. Check it out. Forward it to teachers and friends whom you think should know more about what we do to encourage 7th grade girls to explore STEM careers. And to parents of girls who can help spread the word with teachers.
Sharyn Siebert, MPB Tech Trek Director
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PUBLIC POLICY & DIVERSITY
Overall, midterm election results were very favorable to women. On December 1, AAUW-CA Public Policy Director Kathi Harper did a presentation for the California Online Branch on the election results. A recording of that presentation is posted on the website here.
AAUW-California Board to Board, December 2022
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On November 5, Capt. Deidre McLay (Ret.) spoke on her experiences in the U.S. Navy, including being the first commanding officer of a new guided missile destroyer, the USS Farragut.
Branch members telling of their military experience were Cheryl Moore and Chris Parmentier.
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On December 10, the branch Holiday Party was held at the home of Pat and Peter Fletcher. In spite of the rain, over 50 people attended the party. |
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Morning Books (via Zoom)
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Mon., Jan. 16, 10 AM
Members will share book possibilities and select 10 books to read in 2023; Dec. 2023 will be a holiday luncheon.
Mon., Feb. 20, 10 AM
TBA (from books chosen in January)
Contact Kathy Poulson if you want more information.
Kathy Poulson, Coordinator
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Joy of Reading Books
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Tues., Jan. 10, 2 PM
Gift from the Sea
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Host: Marilyn Erickson
Tues., Feb. 14, 2 PM
Matrix
by Lauren Groff
Host: Diana Paul
Marilyn Erickson, Coordinator
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Evening Books
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Tues., Jan. 17, 7 PM
We Begin at the End
by Chris Whitager
Host: Miriam Lilley
Leader: Noelle Hetz
Tues., Feb. 21, 7 PM
The Great Circle
by Maggie Shipstead
Host: Noelle Hetz
Leader: Fatima Dias
Miriam Lilley, Coordinator
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Thursday Afternoon Books
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Thurs., Jan. 12, 2 PM
The Henna Artist
by Alka Joshi
Host: Mardi Taubert
Thurs., Feb. 9, 2 PM
West with Giraffes
by Lynda Rutledge
Host: Judi Giordano
Nancy Soulé, Coordinator
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Hiking Group
Here is the current list of future hikes:
January 4, 10:30 AM - Carmel/Mission Trail with Pat Fletcher
January 18 - Pacific Grove Trail with Nancy Edwards
February 1 - De Anza Trail with Fatima Dias
February 15 - Huckleberry Hill with Nancy Soulé
March 1 - Garrapata Beach and Calla Lily Valley with Deborah Stern
March 15 - Marks Ranch with Anne Albano
We will have a hike planning meeting on February 22. Location, host and other details TBA, but please save the date. Also note that hikes are subject to changes or cancellations depending on the weather or the discretion of the hike leader, although we will always attempt to provide an alternate leader.
Chris Parmentier and Ardith Peck, Coordinators
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Romancing the Coast
“Romancing the Coast” meets monthly to explore places of interest, mostly within the county but also farther afield.
Thursday, January 19, 12 pm - Romancing the Coast Planning Meeting at the home of Carol Young, 905 Ruth Court, Pacific Grove. Bring your calendars and ideas. Lunch provided. RSVP to Carol at 831-236-7772.
Thursday, February 9, 10:00-11:00 am - Tour of the Equine Healing Collaborative, 902 Monterey Salinas Highway, Salinas (across from Pasadera). (Click here for a map.) Learn how horses are helping child and adult victims of trauma. Donation - $10. Optional lunch at Tarpy's afterwards. RSVP by February 1 to Nancy Soulé at nancyksoule@yahoo.com.
Carol Young, Coordinator
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Happy New Year from your Membership team.
If you are enjoying our many AAUW activities, consider asking a friend to join you in the new year. If joining at a meeting or event, they receive a 50% discount on national dues their first year, $69.50. This is a great opportunity to be a part of an organization that continues to support and advocate for women on the national, state and local levels. Still curious? Look at AAUW National https://www.aauw.org/about/ and CA State AAUW https://www.aauw-ca.org/about-us-3/
When you have a moment, check out the MEMBER CENTER on the local branch website https://mpb-ca.aauw.net where you can read the bios of your fellow branch members. This area is password protected. If you need the password look on page 2 of your Directory or contact membership. To add to your profile, contact Debbie Hobbs.
The answer to last issue’s trivia question: AAUW began in 1881.
Anne Albano and Julie Smith, Co VP Membership
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Perks of AAUW Membership
AAUW National offers discounts on several things, such as cruises and car rentals. If you take advantage of any of these benefits, AAUW receives royalties to support its work. Check them out on the national website here.
AAUW California Connection, December 2022
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To protect the information of our members, membership information about new members and changes for current members will not be shown in the newsletter. Instead, we will list their names, for you to go to the password-protected online directory (see the third column below) to see what is new, allowing you to make changes in your printed directory. - Editor |
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Directory Updates
If there are errors or changes in your directory listing, please tell us so corrections can be made. - Editor
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New Members
Edward Gavrin
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Online Directory
The password to our password-protected online directory on our website in the Member Center is on the second page of your yellow membership directory. (If you cannot find it, call Julie Smith or Anne Albano.) This is where all of our members' contact information is readily accessible.
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New Member Bios
Edward Gavrin
Ed is the husband of member Jeanne Gavrin. He received his BS in Physics from MIT.
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Women's March Commemorates Roe
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade and guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion care. On June 24, 2022, the Court overturned that decision.
January 22, 2023, is the 50th anniversary of Roe. The Women's March movement will have marches and rallies on that day. We do not know if the local organization is planning a rally, but you will be notified if we hear that they do.
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AAUW-California Elections for Board of Directors
In 2023, AAUW-CA will hold elections for five positions on its Board of Directors:
- President-Elect (one year term, followed by two years as president)
- CFO (two year term)
- three Directors (two year term)
Relevant Dates:
January 15 - Candidate information posted on website, in order of receipt.
March 1 - Deadline for nominations
April 22 - May 13 - Voting period
For details on candidate applications or on nominating someone, click here.
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Board Meetings
Jan. 5 at 3:00 PM: CFMC
2354 Garden Road
Monterey
Feb. 2 at 4:00 PM: Zoom
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Websites
AAUW-MPB
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AAUW-CA
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March/April Messenger
Please email articles for the March/April newsletter to
Caryl Rojas by Feb. 15.
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AAUW DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
If you paid the full $103 AAUW yearly dues, $64 of that is tax deductible. In addition, any donations to our charitable funds will be tax deductible for a tax year if paid by December 31st of that year and if you itemize deductions. Note that a donation to any of these three areas can also be made in honor or in memory of a friend or family member.
More information and a donation form (optional) may be found at this link to our website. If making a donation directly from an IRA as a qualified charitable donation (QCD), consult your tax advisor or www.irs.gov for further information.
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Tech Trek
Make check payable to "AAUW-CA SPF"
with "Tech Trek, Monterey Peninsula" in the
memo line.
Send to Sharyn Siebert
P.O. Box 1584
Carmel, CA 93921-1584
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AAUW Fund
Make check payable to "AAUW"
with "AAUW Fund" in the memo line.
Send your check to Gabriele Simbriger-Williams
880 Newton Street Monterey, CA 93940-1210
or donate at aauw.org, including your member ID for credit to our branch.
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Local Scholarships
Make check payable to "AAUW-MPB Local Scholarships".
Send your check to
Jeanne Krener
25180 Pine Hills Drive Carmel, CA 93923-8965
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Newsletter Schedule
Newsletters are published around the 1st of the months of September, November, January, March and May. There will be short "eblasts", containing reminders or special announcements. If you do not receive a newsletter, please contact me so we can fix it. Please note that newsletter content will relate only to AAUW and branch matters, a policy of AAUW National.
Caryl Rojas, Newsletter Editor
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