September/ October 2022 

Volume 41 Issue 2

President's Message


I hope you had a wonderful summer! We’ve had a blazing start to the 2022-2023 year and have been busy throughout. Thank you for your participation and enthusiasm - I encourage you to stay engaged all year. You can begin by attending the Fall Membership Lunch on September 11.


Suman Ganapathy, President

Read Suman's Message

Save the Date


Don't miss the annual Membership Lunch on Sunday, September 11, from 11am - 2pm.

Details & RSVP

Connecting with our Members

Interest Group Spotlight: Pilgrim's Process


The Pilgrim’s Process group meets twice a month at a member’s home to meditate and discuss helpful techniques and books. Meditation is the practice of developing mindful awareness and focusing attention on the present moment with the goal of calming the mind, enhancing a feeling of well being, and inner peace. 

Learn about this group

Happy Birthday!


Carol O’Hare and Joan Ensign enjoyed their annual birthday celebratory lunch at Coyote Creek Golf Course. This year is the big 80! And yes, as tradition dictates, we went in style as usual in Joan’s bright yellow Porsche Boxster! What fun!

Terrific Travels - Members on the Go

Krisse Boursier flew to Cape Canaveral with daughter Mimi and son John, to watch the launch of the early missile warning satellite that Mimi has been working on for the last year. The satellite was a joint venture with several agencies and the US Space Force. After the launch they spent the day at the Kennedy Space Center viewing the fascinating artifacts of the US space program.

Marji McMillan, along with her husband Jeff, daughter & former AAUW Tech Trekker & GEM participant Rachel, son Owen & his girlfriend Ysabel, took a long-postponed vacation to Portugal and Spain this summer. Rachel is now a PhD student in BioMedical Sciences attending UCSD.


Traveling during a pandemic was a challenge, but they were happy to discover that every city had delicious outdoor dining and all public transit required masks. Marji highly recommends going to the Iberian Peninsula with grown kids!

1 small ship, 10 days, 5 countries, 8 ports of call adds up to one wonderful cruise! Marilyn Pifer and her husband Steve cruised the Baltic Sea on tour to Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland


They saw Viking runestones, medieval churches, folkloric ensembles, old-town streets, and the Vasa, a nearly intact ship which sank in Stockholm Harbor 394 years ago. And everywhere they visited - including in front of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn - they saw Ukrainian flags.

Did you embark on a notable trip recently? We'd love to see your pictures and hear your story. Please send your pictures and a 60-80 word account to Friendship Chair, Jill Paveza .

New Member Meet-Up


Twenty-five new branch members who joined us within the past year were invited to the second New Member Meet-Up event on August 4 by cohosts, the Leadership Development Team and Membership Committee.

Meeting details & pictures

Diversity and the Roe v Wade Decision


On a Tuesday night in July, twenty-five concerned people came together to share thoughts, concerns and frustrations about the ruling from the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade. Read about the personal and thoughtful conversation that was shared by women and men who experienced life before and after Roe v Wade was the law.

Read about the meeting

AAUW in the 4th of July Parade


The 2022 theme “Let Freedom Ring” for the Morgan Hill Parade allowed us to celebrate and walk, together with the Gilroy Branch, to a very direct list of Freedoms.

The story & pictures

National Night Out


Our presence at the National Night Out event in the Civic Center Plaza on August 2 contributed to our goal of visibility in the community.

 

Our eye-catching booth with new vertical banner, display boards with QR codes, and treasure wheel game attracted many. Our wonderful volunteers spoke to community members about our mission and programs and handed out a variety of flyers.

 

It took an incredible team to make this event successful, special thanks to all!

Tammy Parker, Katie Khera, Krisse Boursier, Suman Ganapathy, Cecilia Ponzini, Peggy Martin, and Susan Hines. Not pictured: Marian Sacco.

Cecilia's Closet Fit for Fall


Every August Cecilia's Closet hosts elementary school families for a Back-to-School event, Fit For Fall. AAAUW members helped Cecilia distribute new backpacks, socks, and underwear to students.

Judy Kinker Memorial Scholarship


Judy Kinker’s daughters have established a $10,000 memorial fund in her name for annual high school scholarships of $1000 each.


Members may add to this fund in memory of our longtime friend. Donate by check: payable to ISPF AAUW, mail to AAUW, POB 1528, MH 95038; or with credit card: at www.aauwmh.org, scroll down to DONATE. Contact: Carol O’Hare, donations@aauwmh.org.

Condolences


We extend our sincere sympathy to member Jill Paveza on the recent loss of her mother.

Branch Business

Updates from Programs


Your Program Co-Vps, Wan Chen and Nancy Altman, have been diligently working on upcoming programs. September and October will be dedicated to helping facilitate the Candidate Forums listed below in "Upcoming Events". In November, we are organizing a continuation of women leaders; stay tuned for further information as the plans are solidified.  


We look forward to future programs and are always happy to consider your suggestions. We can be reached at programs@aauwmh.org.

Wildflower Run


The date of the 40th Anniversary run is March 26, 2023.

The Kick-off meeting is Nov 17, 2022.


We welcome new volunteers - all branch members are encouraged to participate. Watch the Sunday emails for more information.

WFR funds raised support our branch objectives of education and equity for women and girls. The WFR website provides recognition of supporters as well as photos of volunteer & participants.

Wildflower Run Website

Membership Update


Morgan Hill AAUW is pleased to introduce our newest members!

Meet our new members

Recognition from the State


Dear Suman Ganapathy, President; Barbara Palmer, Membership; Sherrie Wren, Membership,


It’s time to celebrate!  

Milestones are important and AAUW California recognizes that your branch is achieving one this year. Congratulations on celebrating 40 years as a branch.

To help you celebrate and share your success, we’ll place an anniversary celebration post on our Facebook Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. Watch for them on 9/8/22. 

Thanks for keeping AAUW relevant in the hearts and minds of our members.


Sandi Gabe

AAUW California State President

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.

Upcoming Events

Candidates Forums


Thursday, September 15, 7-9 pm

County Supervisor & State Assembly

City Council Chambers, 17555 Peak Avenue


Thursday, September 29, 7-9 pm

Morgan Hill Unified School District Board

Sobrato High School Theater


Thursday, October 13, 7-9 pm

MH Mayor and City Council Seats

City Council Chambers, 17555 Peak Avenue

Wine & Whine Nights


Wine & Whine is held the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30 - 7 pm, as a casual way for members to visit over no host drinks. Here are the upcoming nights:


September 21 88 Keys, front patio


October 19 location to be announced

Giving Back

Tech Trek Update


Our 18 Tech Trek campers are back in school now, with memories of their week at the virtual camp.  You can meet them and hear their stories in person at the annual Membership Lunch, or click on the button below to see the videos they each made on the last day of camp.

Watch the videos

Community Action Grants


Applications are now open for Community Action Grants for 2022-2023. Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded to local non-profit organizations for specific programming consistent with AAUW’s mission and are funded through the Wildflower Fund.

 

Application deadline is November 1, with recipients to be notified on Giving Tuesday, November 29.


Forms, criteria, past recipients

County, State & National Updates

AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund


AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) addresses barriers brought by unfair pay, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and violations of Title IX.

A student at the University of Colorado Boulder was sexually assaulted and reported the assault to the University. Her case was considered under the new tribunals established by the recent damaging Title Nine regulations.

Read the full story

                 When Women Vote We Change the Conversation


Midterm election voting is more important than ever, with a state Constitutional Amendment protecting women's reproductive rights on the ballot, and changes to Congressional districts that may affect local representation in Washington, D.C.

How to be a part of the change

Branch Links

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Calendar of Events
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