2021-2022 Theme:
Economic Security Through Pay Equity
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Message from the President |
Holiday time is here! Best wishes to each and every one of you for the health and well-being of your families, the country, and the success of the year ahead! We each need to do what we can to support our democracy in these tough times and fully recover from the effects of Covid to be truly healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
We continue to celebrate our friendship—and we’ve added about a dozen new members so far this new AAUW year, by the way! That’s because of you and the great job done in spreading the word about our great organization. Together, we promote the advancement of women and girls and strive to make our world more equitable for all.
Our speakers this year have enabled us to better understand our theme of Economic Security through Pay Equity. Most recently, we heard Dolores Zapata-Caballero, Director of Operations for AlamoPROMISE, emphasizing how this San Antonio initiative is working to support educational equity. Remember that all speaker presentations are posted on our website and remain there for the month following their presentation.
The AAUW Board of Directors announced Gloria L. Blackwell as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 18, 2021. Gloria has been with AAUW for 17 years, led numerous initiatives, and was most recently AAUW’s Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer. See the article in this newsletter for more details on Gloria’s career and contributions to AAUW.
Thanks to Ruth Lyle for her generosity and willingness to serve as our new Membership Vice President. Ruth has been on our board for some time and had already taken on the fund-raising task for the raffle to support textbook scholarships. Don’t forget to mail in your tickets that Ruth sent to each member. It’s a $300 VISA card to the winner with the drawing at our December 4th meeting.
This is the giving season. By giving to AAUW you will help those who need an advocate to get Congress to give families what they need; provide research on Covid’s impact on women and give attention to them; train women to negotiate for fair salaries and financial skills; and engage with company leaders for fair-pay practices.
Enjoy the season and find its joy and peace with those you love.
Here’s to the coming year—
Cheryl Fuller, AAUW SA President
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AAUW Celebrates 140th Anniversary
You should have received an email with a private invitation to AAUW’s 140th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, November 17, at 4 p.m. ET.
AAUW will present the 2021 AAUW Alumnae Recognition Award to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Ph.D., the first woman and first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Time magazine named Dr. Okonjo-Iweala one of its 100 most influential people of 2021. AAUW invested in her potential 44 years ago! In 1977, she was awarded an AAUW International Fellowship—funding that meant a lot to her. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is a global finance expert, economist and international development professional with more than 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. She twice served as Nigeria's finance minister and briefly acted as foreign minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions. And she chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunized 760 million children and saved 13 million lives.
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December 4, 2021
11:30 a.m.
Speaker: M.-A. Lucas
Topic: Childcare: A Workforce Issue
RSVP to Cheryl Fuller
to receive the Zoom link.
The Zoom link will be sent a few days before the meeting.
The recording will be posted on the
website after the meeting.
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In the past year the country has seen that childcare is a workforce issue, and essential for women's participation in the workforce. That is the reason we have included this topic as pertinent to our 2021 theme: Economic Security Through Pay Equity.
We are privileged to have a nationally-recognized expert on childcare, M.-A. Lucas, as our speaker on this issue. Our member, Mary Ellen Pratt invited her friend and former boss to frame this issue for us.
M.-A. Lucas was the Founding Director of the US Army’s Child, Youth and School Services Division, which encompasses a seamless world-wide delivery system of Army operated Child Development Centers, Family Child Care Networks, School Age Programs, Youth Centers, Youth Sports and Fitness Programs, and School Support Programs in 26 states and 7 foreign countries. In addition, M.-A. forged partnerships with multiple national child and youth programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, and the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies to increase the availability of care and recreational opportunities for Army children and youth world-wide. The purpose of the Army’s Child and Youth program is simply to allow parents to “Go to Work.” M.-A. decided that as long as that was the mission, she was going to make sure the Army’s program would be implemented exceedingly well. The Army now operates the largest program of the Armed Forces, and combined, the military operates the largest “corporate sponsored” child care system in the United States. Through M-A.’s efforts and those of her counterparts in the other military services, the military’s child care system is now recognized by Presidential order as the “model for the nation.”
In addition, M.-A. was the Executive Director of the Early Care and Education Consortium, a non-profit alliance of over 7,000 of America’s leading national, regional, and independent providers of high quality child care and early learning programs.
M.-A.’s contributions to the field of early child care and education have been recognized and praised by the US General Accountability, the U.S. Congress, the Clinton Administration, and the National Women’s Law Center, among others. This statement sums up M.-A.’s efforts best: “Perhaps the most impressive achievement of the American military isn’t its aircraft carriers , stunning as they are. Rather, it’s the military’s day care system for working parents.” Nicholas Christ, New York Times.
M.-A. received a Master’s degree in Child Development/Family Relations from Pennsylvania State University and a B.S. from the University of New Hampshire. She recently retired from the consulting firm she founded, Lucas and Associates Early Childhood Systems Consultants.
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Summary of Message from November Speaker
Access to education is one of the factors that must be considered in the effort to ensure economic security and pay equity for women. Our program on November 4th covered this important new initiative on the local level, spearheaded by Alamo Colleges, which offers unprecedented opportunities for students in school districts in San Antonio and the area. The initiative is called AlamoPROMISE, and our speaker was Dolores Zapata-Caballero, Head of Operations for the AlamoPROMISE.
This new program, enacted in 2019, ensures holistic support for students in San Antonio school districts who apply to Alamo Colleges, as well as “last-dollar” funding. This funding allows students to avoid taking on debt to cover costs not covered by federal Pell grants or other grants. But also crucial, in addition to funding, is strategic engagement of students. Problems encountered in completing applications, submitting documents, etc. are addressed with communication and open events inviting students and parents to receive hands-on assistance. Outreach staff visit all high schools in the program to give students a chance to talk to them in person. During their college enrollment, program staff offer advocacy and can help them apply for emergency aid. All students are required to take financial literacy courses to help them manage their personal circumstances in order to continue at a four-year college or start a career.
Dolores emphasized that the program has been enabled by financial supporters and stakeholders. Some of the contributors are Toyota and HEB, as well as the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. School superintendents offered wholehearted support for the program, with school rallies to raise awareness and generate student interest. This year the staff will reach out to 12,000 students. The program, though impacted by the worldwide pandemic, has met its enrollment goal of a 17% increase of college enrollments by students graduating from the selected high schools.
If you want to know more about this program, which has the potential to profoundly change the futures of young women and men in San Antonio, watch the video of the program on our AAUW SA website.
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$300 VISA Gift Card - Textbook Scholarship Drawing
The money raised from this drawing will be used for Textbook Scholarships that assist women attending college or university in Bexar County. The drawing for the $300 gift card will be held at our December 4th meeting just in time for holiday shopping. You do not have to be present to win and do not have to be a member of AAUW. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. Invite friends/family to purchase tickets.
You should have received your tickets in the mail. If not please email/call/text Ruth Lyle at ruthannlyle@gmail.com or 210.722.1732.
Please mail your check and tickets no later than November 27 to make sure they are entered in the drawing.
Thanks in advance for making this fundraiser another great success.
Ruth Lyle
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Shape the Future Membership
Invite a friend or family member to attend a meeting. If they join after attending a San Antonio AAUW event or meeting the National dues are only $31, AAUW Texas $13 and San Antonio Branch $16 for a total of $60.
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We’re Proud of What We’ve Done and Where We’re Headed
The AAUW Annual Report is now on the aauw.org webpage. In the words of outgoing CEO Kim Churches, “Goodness, what a year 2020 was! Yet despite the global pandemic, social unrest, threats to our democracy and the worst economic downturn in decades, AAUW has stayed focused on our mission.”
National office staff quickly began working remotely and avoided furloughs and layoffs by tightening belts and working strategically. And yet, our organization continued to achieve many accomplishments. You can find a complete listing in this year’s national report under the headings of Outreach, Public Policy Action, Fellowships and Grants, and Research.
Several highlights are listed below.
A YEAR OF OUTREACH
• In the face of pandemic closures last March, AAUW quickly moved its programs online and, as of the end of 2020, we hosted more than 35 webinars for both AAUW members and members of the Equity Network learning community. These programs reached more than 30,000 people, engaging them on a wide range of topics.
• AAUW’s Start Smart and Work Smart salary negotiation trainings continued to be AAUW’s most sought-after programs, reaching more than 180,000 participants to date.
• We ramped up our work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions, thanks to a generous grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. A total of 29 minority-serving colleges, including 18 HBCUs, now offer AAUW’s Start Smart training, bringing the number of colleges and universities hosting the program to 142.
PUBLIC POLICY – A YEAR OF ACTION
• AAUW Two-Minute Activists sent 62,400 letters to elected officials calling for action on AAUW priorities such as comprehensive COVID-19 relief, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act, removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, paid family leave, support for Title IX, and more.
• AAUW launched the Latina Policy Initiative to gain a better understanding of the economic and health impact of COVID-19 on Latinas, particularly those who are essential workers and in low wage occupations. A forthcoming fact sheet on the status of Latinas in the U.S. will be used to advocate for polices to address inequities that disproportionately impact this vulnerable population.
• The AAUW Action Fund provided 65 head-to-head voter guides on candidate positions in key federal races for 2020 elections. Members also educated and mobilized voters using the AAUW Action Fund Voter Issue Guide, Congressional Voting Record, and tips on how to GOTV using social media.
FELLOWSHIPS AND GRANTS
• More than 250 recipients received nearly $3.9 million in AAUW fellowships and grants for the 2020–21 academic year. The funding aims to advance educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe.
• AAUW is one of the world’s leading supporters of graduate women’s education. Since 1888, it has awarded more than $115 million in fellowships, grants and awards to 13,000 recipients from 145 countries.
RESEARCH
• The Simple Truth About the Gender Wage Gap, 2020 Update focused on how women of color face a wider pay gap — and one that will take far longer to close than the pay gap for white women. A special 2021 supplement to the report will include an analysis of the historical factors behind the wider pay gap for women of color.
• Deeper in Debt: Women and Student Loans in the Time of COVID explored how the pandemic exacerbated the student debt crisis and made it more difficult for many women to pay off student loans. Among the recommended remedies are loan forgiveness programs and expansion of federal and state tuition aid.
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Make a Year End Donation to AAUW
You can donate to the AAUW San Antonio Branch for Scholarships by making a check out to AAUW SA and sending it to Treasurer Adrien Frank, 140 Patterson, #104, San Antonio, TX 78209.
You can donate to AAUW Greatest Needs by clicking HERE.
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December Zoom Conference Calls
Texas Board with Branches
Calls will begin at 6:00 P.M. and take place in:
September – December – March – June
Please RSVP to the Board Member who is hosting
to receive the Zoom link.
December 7, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - Membership with
December 9, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – AAUW Funds/Fundraising with
December 14, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – Public Policy with
December 16, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - Program with
Remember that Zoom calls can be accessed by phone
for anyone unable to connect virtually.
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College/University Opportunities
As a College/University member of AAUW, all C/U students are automatically eligible for free national AAUW e-membership. Representatives can let them know that they are eligible and the student needs to apply. As a national e-member, they will receive first announcements of grant opportunities, discounts to attend the annual NCCWSL leadership conference, announcements of political and judicial happenings, subscription to Action Alerts to express their views directly to their legislators, one year of free AAUW national membership after graduation, and more.
To apply to be an e-member, all they need to do is go on the AAUW website (www.aauw.org), select the Membership tab, find Student and select that, then click on Free e-Student Memberships.
Some specific Educational Funding/Professional Development/Networking and Learning Opportunities are:
• Students, staff and alumni can access in-person and virtual career-development tools such as our webinars and AAUW’s salary-negotiation workshops.
• Aspiring leaders can receive funding to attend the premier leadership event for college women, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL).
• Your campus can be part of the Equity Network, a community of students and young professionals committed to gender equity, diversity, inclusion and allyship.
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AAUW Welcomes a New CEO
The AAUW Board of Directors announced the selection of Gloria L. Blackwell as the new Chief Executive Officer of AAUW, effective October 18, 2021.
Gloria most recently served as AAUW’s Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer and led AAUW in its fellowships and grants program, awarding over $70 million in funding to women scholars and programs in the U.S. and abroad. As AAUW’s main representative to the United Nations, and more than 30 years of nonprofit, international, and government experience, she brings great leadership and expertise as the position of AAUW CEO.
Ms. Blackwell has been the driving force in AAUW’s signature programs, including salary negotiation training, which has reached nearly 190,000 nationwide. She has initiated and built partnerships with major funders, including the Coca-Cola Foundation. She has worked on pay equity initiatives with public officials in Washington, D.C., and other large cities, states, and municipalities.
Prior to joining AAUW, Gloria worked at the Institute of International Education in Washington, D.C., leading educational programs in Africa and mid-career fellowships for global professionals. She began her career as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon.
We congratulate Gloria on her past achievements and welcome her as our new AAUW CEO.
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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.
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2021-2022 Officers
President Cheryl Fuller
President-Elect Diane Claiborne-Carr
VP Membership Ruth Lyle
VP Programs Martha Steele
Secretary Kate Vetters
Treasurer Adrien Frank
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For more information visit the AAUW websites:
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Let’s celebrate the Holiday Season and do dinner.
December’s Culinary Adventure will take us to a restaurant near the Riverwalk that does things old school - before the industrial revolution. No blenders, deep fryers - nothing with a plug (exception is a refrigerator). Treat yourself ($$$$) to a five or seven course tasting menu.
You may take a look at their current menu online, however it changes with the season:
We can see the Riverwalk Holiday Lights from their balcony or we may decide to take the Riverwalk boat tour after dinner.
Restaurant Gwendolyn
152 E Pecan Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Thursday, December 9, 5:30 pm
Parking is limited. I will send a list of participants a few days prior so you may get a carpool together.
Heads Up…..
I’ve arranged a private cooking class for our January 2022 adventure. Prepaid $55 per person. Spots will be limited. More details next month.
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BRIDGE
Cancelled until further notice.
Contact Pearl Eng
210.240.8118
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HISTORIC SOUTHWEST
Cancelled until further notice.
Contact Lola Hill
210.334.5897
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BOOK DISCUSSION
VIA ZOOM!
Saturday, December 18, 10:00 am
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
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CULINARY ADVENTURES
Thursday, December 9, 5:30 pm
Restaurant Gwendolyn
152 E Pecan Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
RSVP to Ali Heller by Noon December 2
210-617-8189
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WINE, WOMEN & WISDOM
To give time to celebrate the holidays, there will be no WWW HAPPY HOUR in November or December. Next WWW HAPPY HOUR will be in January 2022.
Wishing all a very happy and special holiday season.
Stay well,
Helga Anderson
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MOVIEGOERS
Cancelled until further notice.
Movie, time, and place selected by the group and announced the day before.
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