AAUW 2026 Installation Luncheon

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026

WHERE: Red Lobster restaurant 4802 E Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.



 WHAT: Installation of New Officers and Luncheon

We will be celebrating the installation of our new officers. The gathering will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Red Lobster restaurant at 4802 E Cactus Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. We have reserved the room in the back for a more private event like last year.

The menu consists of shrimp skewers, fish (fried cod) and chips, or chicken tenders. The sides include cole slaw, a brownie with a scoop of ice cream, as well as iced tea, soft drink, or water.

The cost will be $20 with any additional expenses to be paid through the Program budget. Please submit your payment to Gail Stempil, 8951 E. Floriade Drive, Scottsdale AZ 85260 with check made out to: AAUW Scottsdale with the food choice in the memo line. Reservations must be received by May 5, 2026.

If you use Zelle, the payment should be made to scottsaauwaz@gmail.com and your menu selection emailed to Gail at stemgw@aol.com.



We look forward to getting together one last time before summer arrives!

--Jacqui Sasser, Programs Coordinator

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD:

It’s May—a natural moment to pause and say thank you to all of you, our Branch members, for your engagement and generous support throughout the 2025–2026 program year. I’m equally grateful to our Board members and officers, whose dedication and hard work made this a truly successful and meaningful year.

Because of your dues, donations, and volunteer time, we were able to present a $15,000 gift to Dr. Eric Leshinskie, President of Scottsdale Community College, for the AAUW Scottsdale Endowment at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. These funds will directly support student scholarships at SCC—an investment that reflects both our mission and our shared commitment to expanding opportunities for women.

This has been a year marked by learning, community engagement, and genuine camaraderie that reflects alignment with AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

Our Special Interest Groups have continued to thrive—and even expand—with the addition of a new group. Storytellers' Corner, this year. These gatherings are at the heart of our connection as a Branch, offering opportunities for conversation, discovery, and friendship.

We also strengthened our presence in the broader community. Our participation in a recent Scottsdale Community College campus event, Artie's Palooza, allowed us to share AAUW’s mission and the value of membership to new members -– both students and university staff , at a reduced rate. In addition, our involvement in Artie’s Fit Pantry during SCC’s Spring 2026 programming supported an important campus initiative addressing students' food insecurity. Your generosity made a tangible difference. Thank you for showing up repeatedly in support of students and community needs.

Looking ahead, we will celebrate leadership and continuity at our May 9th luncheon, where Branch member Dr. Linda Thor will install our incoming officers for the 2026–2027 year. Thank you to all who voted in this new slate:

• President: Laraine Rodgers
• President-elect: Linda Nance
• VP Finance: Alice Buck
• VP Member Services: Jane Adrian
• VP Programs: Jacqui Sasser
• Secretary: Janet Larkin

As we move into summer, I hope you’ll join us at the installation luncheon or take part in one of our continuing summer activities, whether in person or via Zoom. These informal gatherings are a wonderful way to stay connected.

Thank you again for being part of this vibrant and committed community. Your participation, ideas, and generosity are what make this Branch so special.

All the best for an enjoyable summer! I look forward to seeing you again in September.

--Laraine Rodgers, President

$15,000 for Scottsdale Community College Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation

AAUW Scottsdale President Laraine Rodgers presented a check for $15,000 to President Eric Leshinskie, President of Scottsdale Community College (SCC) at the Author’s Luncheon held at the Indigenous Cultural Center, March 26, 2026. This member-funded donation brings the Branch corpus contribution to the Maricopa Community Colleges Fund (MCCF) to more than $54,000, according to Viva Ashcroft, Vice President, Finance.

Charles Silver, Development Director, SCC, and Dr. Linda Thor, elected President of the Maricopa Community Colleges District Governing Board this year and Scottsdale Branch member, joined in the check acceptance. Also in the photo above are Laraine Rodgers, Branch President, and Viva Ashcroft, Vice President, Finance.

Under the leadership of President Dorie Roepke, AAUW Scottsdale Branch (2011-2012), Scottsdale Branch's SCC-MCCF fund was opened with $1000 in 2011, followed with a $5,000 donation in 2012. Since then, under the leadership of Dr. Jan Gehler and now Dr. Leshinskie, SCC continues to open facility doors to the AAUW Scottsdale and Arizona State AAUW meetings and events.

Jane Adrian

(480) 710-0353

Membership Matters...

Congratulations to Member Amanda Acuna:

Here's Amanda's description of her very special ASU May 11, 2026, commencement news and plans for her future:

Degree/field: PhD in Neuroscience and a certificate in Scientific Teaching in Higher Education

Dissertation Title: Beyond Neuroinflammation: Neuronal Prostaglandin Signaling in Methamphetamine-Induced Behavioral Dysfunction

Plans for me: While I love research, I love teaching more so I’m pursuing teaching faculty positions here in Arizona. 

--Amanda Acuna

Amanda, we are so very, very proud of you!

*******************************************************

Welcome New Member Janna Walsh--

Janna Walsh graduated from St Mary's College ni South Bend, Indiana, and did graduate work in psychology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Having lived in several states, she has resided in the Phoenix area since 2012 and now lives in North Scottsdale. She is a grandmother of six ranging in age from 12 to 32, who are scattered from CA to MT and Phoenix. She had a career in medical market research for nearly 40 years, serving as senior research director, group director, and personal coach, among other roles. She retired in 2019. Janna has served on numerous community and synagogue boards. She loves to travel and has been to 48 states and over 30 countries. Janna also likes to read, write nonfiction, swim, follow politics, and read tarot for herself and others. Her most expensive hobby is collecting tarot decks.

--Janna Walsh

jphoenix912@gmail.com

267-614-1446

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Scottsdale AAUW Directory Correction

Please make the following correction to Shirley Perry's entry in your 2025-2026 directory:

Shirley Perry 9160 E Desert Cove Ave., Unit 217, Scottsdale 85260

602-670=2605

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Judy and Gail are doing the 2026-2027 AAUW Branch Directory. We need every member's help! Please look at your name and information in this year's Directory. If there are any necessary changes, please immediately email us at the following:

Judy Hubbard  trinahub@aol.com

Gail Stempil   stemgw@aol.com

This is so important that you look at your listing as soon as possible and correct it by notifying us as soon as possible!

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CARING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Many of you may not even know that we have a Caring Committee that sends out cards for deaths, surgeries, and any other events where members will appreciate support from our branch. Joyce Yarbrough has been the Leader for years. However, since she'll be out of town for several months, Laura Hurwich, who makes the beautiful cards, will take over. Her address is in the Directory but in case you don't have it handy, it's 7901 E Medlock Drive, Scottsdale 85250.

From your Co-Membership VPs: Judy H. @ trinahub@aol.com   Gail S. @ stemgw@aol.com

Artie's FIT Pantry

Congratulations fellow AAUW-Scottsdale members!

In the less than 4 short months we have committed ourselves to helping the food insecure students at SCC who use Artie's FIT Pantry, we have:

 1) Donated over 10 carts of pantry items

2) Contributed $220 in cash

 This speaks volumes about who we are as members, and what we value. With all of the mayhem in the world, we are making our small corner a better, kinder place.

 The pantry itself is falling on some hard times. They have lost some of the corporate funding for its $40,000 annual need. We have done well in these 4 months, so let's see how far we can go. Over the summer, I would like to brainstorm any and all ideas you may have as to how we can make up a significant portion of that $40,000. No idea is too far-fetched and I promise not to rope you in on any committee if you contribute your thoughts! So please, if you have any suggestions, email me at barbaraesses@comcast.net.

 If you would like to contribute before we meet again in the fall, feel free to use this QR code:

If you do make a cash contribution, please drop me a quick email so I can keep track of AAUW-Scottsdale participation.

 Thank you all again for a successful start.

Remember, if you shoot for the moon and miss, you still reach the stars!

-- Barb Esses 

FINANCES...

Please Pay Your Dues!!

Now that we are approaching the end of our 2025-2026 AAUW program year, let's talk about renewing our dues. Our dues for Branch, State, and National all support the varied programs of our organization. Many of our members today have a renewal date of June 29, 2026, and we

encourage those of you who do to please renew soon. Our dues are $115 for the year, which includes $76 for National, $9 for AZ State, and $30 for Scottsdale Branch. (Remember that the $76 to National is tax-deductible.) Your Scottsdale AAUW Board strongly recommends that you

renew your dues online at the National website aauw.org. If this method is not available to you, you may pay by Zelle to the Scottsdale Branch or by check to Alice Buck at 3863 W Ironwood Dr., Chandler AZ 85226.

Other members may have a renewal date related to the date of their joining AAUW and National will be reminding them of their renewal dates.

If you have any questions please contact the membership Vice Presidents below.

Gail Stempil stemgw@aol.com

Judy Hubbard trinahub@aol.com

More Dues Info:

Discounts and Waivers - Coupon Codes

The Shape the Future Campaign discount of 50% off national dues for new

members (those entirely new to AAUW or rejoining after two or more years)

remains. The coupon code is STFFY26. The report of free memberships earned will be available May 5. The coupon codes for AAUW College/University member students are CUStudentFY26 for Student Associates (undergraduates); CUGradStudentFY26 for Graduate Students.

https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2025/04/AAUW-JOIN-APPLICATION-FORM-FY26.pdf

Thank you!

Jane Adrian , Membership VP, Elect

(480) 710-0353

Special Interest Group News...

International Affairs/Great Decisions:

Books...

Books Etc.

Hello lovely ladies, 

Well, the time has come again when we are destined to meet and greet and eat and then determine the nine books we shall read and share during the 2026 - 2027 year! It is my favorite session when we come together, bring a dish to share, eat until we can only waddle to our chairs, then discuss the most exciting and explosive books on our list ——and then choose the nine books in which we are most interested. And this group is so erudite and knowledgeable and “booksmart” that those nine picks are usually DYNAMITE. So let me know if you will be attending our little soiree at my house at 3237 E Desert Cove, Phoenix, on May 21, at 12:00 noon (so we can eat before we discuss and support our “picks”!).

I will take new books for the list until May 10 and then I’ll close the list so we can ruminate over the specified books. Please do tell me as soon as possible if you will be attending our gathering, as I have to arrange for a seat of some kind for everyone who comes! THIS IS SO EXCITING! You don’t need to tell me what you are bringing in the food arena as it usually turns out with something for everyone -- and if we get 15 desserts, so be it! There are worse things!

See you on May 21 at 12:00 noon. 

--Cynthia Peplinski cynthiadysart@cox.net

Lunch Bunch...

For my last (at least for the season) culinary delight, on May 13 at 11:30 a.m., I’ve fallen back on an old favorite -- California Pizza Kitchen on Gold Dust and Scottsdale Rd. (10100 N Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale). Lest you have forgotten some of their especial goodies, let us begin with the delectable salads that many of you seem to lean toward: the chicken chopped salad or perhaps your choice would be one of the new selections that appeal to the exotic -- crispy Chinese dumpling salad.

But if you want a little of everything, choose one of their duos: a 7 in. pizza and a small salad . Or substitute half a sandwich (Banh Mi Sandwich or the California Club ).

And if you only came for dessert, you will not be disappointed: 

NEW UPSIDE DOWN CHEESECAKE

A rich and creamy New York-style cheesecake with a crust so good we serve it upside down. Plated on a bed of fresh berries tossed in raspberry coulis, making every bite the perfect balance of sweet and tart, or 

NEW CHURRO SWIRL

An elevated favorite. A delicate ring-style churro, hearth-baked and tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Served with vanilla Häagen Dazs ice cream and finished with rich caramel sauce.

We will be meeting at 11:30 a.m. at California Pizza Kitchen on Wednesday May 13 to sample some of these delights. Please let me know if you would like to join us!

--Cynthia Peplinski cynthiadysart@cox.net

Editor's Note:

This being the May edition of our newsletter, it will be the last for this program year, to resume in September 2026. As we all are making preparations to face and weather our wonderful Arizona summer, whether by fleeing to cooler climes or by reading and lunching together here in Arizona, I want to reach out and thank all our Branch members who contributed to make this newsletter always news-filled and informative every month. This is a fun position to have in the Branch, always knowing what has just happened or what's going to be happening, and always striving to share that information with each of you. Please never hesitate to reach out with any questions. Have a great, restful and restorative summer. See you in the Fall.

Alice

buckesq@gmail.com

AAUW Arizona Forum Survey

Mendy Gomez at mgomez@educationforwardarizona.org and

Bev Byrd at ybbord13@hotmail.com.

AAUW Arizona conducts two Forums annually - Fall and Spring. Understanding that the Forum content should align with National and State Public Policy Strategic Priorities, and that the Forum content be relevant to our members, we are conducting this survey to solicit your feedback regarding the content and logistics of the events.

Please click the link below to access the survey and respond no later than May 15, 2026.

 All responses will remain anonymous.

BEGIN SURVEY HERE

Shopping at Fry's Can Help an SCC Student...

Scottsdale Branch has, over the years, been part of Frys Reward Program--whereby, if you are enrolled, a percentage of your purchase goes to our scholarship fund at Scottsdale Community College's Maricopa Community Colleges Fund, which will then benefit a returning student. Here's how you can enroll:

1. Go to frysfood.com
2. click on Community
3. click on community rewards
4. click on Enroll Now
5. sign on with your email and password
6. enter with organization number XV773 (Maricopa Community Colleges Fund)
7. click Enroll
8. enter your 12 digit Frys account number (which you will have had to obtain first)
9. MCCF will pop up

HOW TO ORDER AN AAUW NAME BADGE

Go to AAUW.org and in the upper right hand corner, log in with your email and password. 

You'll need to create an account if you don't have one.



Click on Membership in the top right hand corner.

Go to Discounts and Perks on the right side of the screen.

Scroll down to Shop AAUW, about halfway down, and click on it.

Click on Accessorize.

You'll see Custom Name Badge and click on it.

Decide between pin or magnet back. 

Customize to order.

$11.50 w/pin   $15.00 w/magnet

And place your order!

NEWS FROM NATIONAL....

Time to sign up for the Two Minute Activist:

Send emails and texts to your legislators to fight for equal pay, family leave, stopping sexual harassment, equality in education and more. Sign up to get regular alerts to be able to take timely action.

To sign up, (click here).

Be an AAUW Activist. SIGN UP NOW