AAUW San Antonio February Newsletter

Volume 113 Issue 6

2021-2022 Theme:

Economic Security Through Pay Equity

Message from the President

February is Black History month and we celebrate our nation’s diversity. Perhaps it is most appropriate to harken back to the words of Martin Luther King Jr. when he said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

The pandemic is not over and the strain is evident on the country in general, our medical system, our families, and ourselves. We will continue our membership meetings in virtual mode and take advantage of the diversity of the topics our speakers have been bringing to us. We look forward to discussions on factors affecting pay equity (such as student debt and skills to help women in hiring and promotion) and how to build wealth to ensure promising futures.

Join AAUW’s effort in supporting the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure that all Americans have free and fair voting rights. Let your position be known to your senators and representatives in Congress. See the Two-Minute Activist information in this issue.

The slate of nominees for our 2022-2023 officers will be presented to members at our March General Meeting, with voting at our April Annual Meeting. We encourage members to consider running – if not this time, maybe another. Details of the positions and Nominating Committee contacts are included in this newsletter.

As we celebrate the month of February and its focus on love, we are mindful of our families and friends, and grateful for the fellowship we share in our AAUW sisterhood. Reach out and help each other through these tough times. Stay healthy, fully vaccinated, with mask on!

Looking forward to seeing you all at our February 5th meeting. Watch for the agenda and Zoom codes coming your way soon. And don’t forget to try your hand at the “Fun Facts” survey!

Stronger together –

Cheryl Fuller

President

AAUW San Antonio

AAUW

STILL ZOOMING

February 5, 2022

11:30 a.m.

Speaker: Malinda Gaul

Topic: Student Debt and Its Effect on Women’s Economic Security

RSVP to Cheryl Fuller

to receive the Zoom link.

[email protected]

The Zoom link will be sent a few days before the meeting.

The recording will be posted on the

website after the meeting.

“Student Debt and Its Effect on Women’s Economic Security” is the subject of our next program, part of our series on the theme of economic security through pay equity. The presentation will be given by our own Malinda Gaul, who is stepping in for our scheduled speaker, who had to cancel. As you know, Malinda is Vice Chair of our national AAUW Board. She is very familiar with the research on this topic and with recommendations on the student debt issue made by AAUW. She has worked with AAUW and other non-profit organizations to advance the rights of women, and has served on AAUW’s Racial and Social Justice Working Group.

Malinda practices employment law in San Antonio, and has chaired the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. She was President of the Texas Employment Lawyers Association.

Malinda has served AAUW in so many capacities for over 30 years, holding many offices in our branch, including two terms as President. She has served as President of AAUW Texas, and was elected to that position again 18 years later. Her participation on AAUW’s national board began in 2013. She was elected to the position of Vice Chair of the board in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021.

Chocolate and Champagne Fundraiser

Time to Raise Money for Text Book Scholarships

Even though we will not be meeting in-person in February, you can still participate in the Chocolate and Champagne Fundraiser.

$25 Chocolate

$50 Chocolate and Champagne

$100 Chocolate, Champagne, and a Surprise!

Between now and February 28, mail your check made payable to AAUW SA to:

Malinda Gaul

15734 Knolldown 78247

Include Your Address For Delivery

IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE ITEMS

LET ME KNOW!

AAUW Texas Convention

All Virtual

April 30, 2022

Watch your email for more information on the upcoming Convention in the University Women Texas (UWT) newsletter.

After celebrating the 140^th Anniversary of AAUW, we now celebrate the 50^th AAUW Texas Convention, and 50^th Anniversary of Title IX.

New Members

Please welcome our new members to AAUW SA: Jean Hackett and Mary L. Adams. We look forward to getting to know you.

Ruth Lyle

Vice President Membership

AAUW San Antonio

Advocacy Needed for Current Federal Legislation

It has often been said that the Texas legislature only meets every two years – and then – thank goodness!

Last year, 2021, three sessions were called, and some highly contested bills were eventually passed.

• The nation watches as the Texas 6-week abortion law takes effect and the effects the law is having on women across the state.

• The third session was primarily for redistricting. Legislators were allowed to redraw the state congressional map, including boundaries used to elect members of the Texas Senate, House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education. The process is intended to reflect the most recent Census data and allow voters to choose their leaders fairly. Unfortunately, Texas and several other states have instead practiced gerrymandering to favor the dominant party.

As we move into 2022, it is essential for us to consider advocacy needed for current Federal legislation in Congress. Important pending bills currently supported by AAUW include Build Back Better and the Freedom to Vote Act. The Family Paid Leave bill will be in committee on January 6, and part of our individual advocacy efforts includes contacting our Congress members to express and document our support before then.

This does not mean that AAUW is partisan. In fact, speakers at an AAUW Public Policy webinar, made it clear that AAUW has long supported legislation that supports our mission of advancing equity of women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. As individuals, we can contribute to candidates who embody our personal opinions and preferences, but here we must remain non-partisan and not connect our actions to AAUW. Supporting candidates who support our mission, however, is still non-partisan. AAUW has been promoting women’s rights and equity for over 140 years. Changes have occurred, but there is much that remains to be done. Be proud of being an active AAUW member during these trying times. And please exercise your right to advocate for legislation supporting our mission.

NCCWSL

National Conference for College Women Leaders

The following was submitted by Vanessa Quinones, one of the young women we sponsored to attend NCCWSL's virtual session last spring.

Numerous times I wanted to step out and try new things in my younger days. From being the first to sign up for a play, the only female on an all‐male sports team, or the first on the dance floor at an event. My father’s words to me always: be the leader not the follower, and never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. When I saw the opportunity to apply for the NCCWSL scholarship I hesitated, because I thought I am not far enough in my studies or career to be attending a women’s leadership conference like this. I went back to the application and email several times before submitting, and I am so glad that I replayed those words from my father in my head, because they pushed me to submit my application. The speakers at the conference amazed, inspired, and motivated me to continue to reach for more; it was exactly the type of conference I needed. The speakers presented at this conference were in a variety of age groups, nationalities, education and career backgrounds. It was amazing to see that some of the leaders started early in age in their studies and careers, and some waited a bit longer to begin, and still have accomplished so much. Visit the NCCWSL website and you will read “be a leader, and that this conference will give passionate leaders the skills and confidence they need to pursue their goals.” By taking the step to apply for this scholarship, attending the conference, and then being inspired. I was motivated to apply for a study abroad program and a partial scholarship where I have been accepted to study abroad in Ireland this summer. This conference also inspired me to apply for a job I thought I would never get and have been offered the position to work with an Air Force base in a job relating to my major. I am so thankful for this type of women’s leadership conference and that scholarships are offered to attend. Pump yourself up and believe that you are worthy of this, take the time to apply for it. If you are in need of some additional motivation, to be surrounded by likeminded women like yourself, and to meet and listen to women who are taking over the world who will inspire you to do the same! NCCWSL women’s conference is the way to go!

Vanessa Quinones

Emergency Management & Homeland Security Major

Look for announcements of this upcoming spring's conference. We hope to sponsor more young women.

Karen Reichensperger

A Call For Volunteers

As an organization, we need an infusion of fresh and new ideas to invigorate our efforts in advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. We need you!

Nomination is open for our elected officers slate for 2022-2023 year which begins 1 July 2022. You may now nominate someone or yourself. If you wish to nominate someone, first ask their permission, then provide the name of your nominee to someone on the Nominating Committee.

The open officer positions are:

President-Elect

Vice President for Programs

Vice President for Membership

Secretary

Volunteers are also needed to work on committees. A list of committees is listed on page nine in our Directory. The other committees will be announced at a later date. At present, these are committees of one. If you have ideas, skills, or interests in working on any committee, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee. Some skills that may be needed for some of our committees are: writing, listening, artistic, web-site development or maintenance, grant writing, marketing, stuffing envelopes, talking, worker beeing, telephoning, reading, etc! Remember, at present -and maybe for some time- you don’t need to leave home to volunteer.

Hope to talk to you soon.

The Nominating Committee

Ruth Lyle

Kathy Dicke

Janet Black

Pearl Eng

Diane Claiborne-Carr

(Contact information in your AAUW-SA Directory)

COVID Test Kits

Beginning Wednesday, January 19^th, you can order free rapid COVID-19 test kits through the government at the following website: www.covidtests.gov

A total of four test kits can be ordered per household.

AAUW Members Plan to Vote

AAUW’s fight for equity in the lives of women and girls and lives of all people starts with voting. Voting in 2022 is extremely important and starts with the Primary. The first step is to ensure you are registered where you are presently living, and if you want to vote by mail, you must request your ballot by the deadline. These three websites will answer any questions about voting. Review these websites, take notes, and develop your plan to cast your vote. Also, this year you need to determine if there is a change in your precinct. Who are your present representatives- local, state, national- and who is up for re-election?

https://lwvsa.org/whats-on-the-ballot/ The League of Women Voter’s website that has a toolbox of all the information you need on voting in Bexar County. The LWVSA Voters Guides contains candidate information and will be published early February.

https://www.vote411.org/texas The first information you encounter at this site are dates you need to be aware of. This information is developed to provide information about voting in Texas.

https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department This site also provides information on where you can vote, precinct changes, your elected officials, tracking your mail ballot. It is important that you use this site as the final source of answers to questions about voting in Bexar County.

DONATE!

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.

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.