In this Newsletter:

• Upcoming Events
• President's Message
• Branch Business
• Here's what Happened
• Connecting with Our Members

Candidate Forums

When women vote, we change the conversation!

Before voting starts, AAUW is sponsoring three candidate forums for the public to hear from candidates for local offices. 

• September 12 Mayor’s race

• September 19 Morgan Hill Unified School District board of trustees

• September 26 Morgan Hill City Council seats 

Morgan Hill City Council Chambers, 17555 Peak Ave., 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Share the flyer. To volunteer to help, contact Susan Rife, Public Policy Chair.

October Showcase

October 22, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

AAUW SHOWCASE

Morgan Hill Library 

Back by popular demand! Members will display and explain the activities of our AAUW Branch, including support for our mission, raising funds through the Wildflower Run, and connecting members in weekly events.

Through videos, discussion, and table demonstrations, participants will find new opportunities for enhanced involvement with AAUW.

Join us for a fun and interesting night!

November Program: Brain Health

November 14, 6:30 - 8:30 pm 

DEFYING THE ODDS: Brain Health, Dementia Prevention and Dementia Care

Britton Student Union (in-person or on Zoom)

Important community conversation to shine a spotlight on brain health and the challenging condition of dementia. This will be a moderated event with panelists from Santa Clara Public Health and South County health and hospital organizations. Learn about planning ahead, guiding the family along the cognitive continuum, and accessing resources in the South County.

President’s Message

Krisse Boursier takes a look at summer events, including “dog days" and what lies ahead: a potential increase in branch membership dues.

Read her message HERE.

2025 Wildflower Run Kick-off Meeting

The first meeting of the 2025 Wildflower Run committee will be held on Thursday, November 14, at the home of new member Anita Connors. Several other new members have also volunteered to take on run responsibilities.

Read about who’s doing what HERE.

New Board Composition Approved

At its August meeting, the AAUW MH Board of Directors approved changes to the composition of the board. These updates are the result of the Board and Bylaws/Governance committee working together to gradually modify how the Branch governs itself.

For more information about this yearlong process, READ the committee report.

Send any questions to Carol O’Hare, committee chair.

Welcome New Members

Read more about these new members HERE.

4th of July Parade

Our branch celebrated the 4th of July with a colorfully decorated trailer for the annual MH parade. Tech Trek campers, Young Women Leaders, and scholarship recipients joined members in the festivities, preparing the float and marching proudly alongside it. Our theme focused on the Wildflower Run.

Special thanks to Bo Goldie for constructing and pulling the trailer and to Gilroy AAUW members who participated with us.

View photos HERE.

AAUW MH and National NIght Out

The AAUW Morgan Hill Branch’s bright red tent was in full display at the National Night Out event at the MH Civic Center plaza on August 8.

There were speeches and entertainment, and dedicated fire and police personnel greeted families with ice cream and games. We connected with community members who stopped by our booth - much fun was had by all!

All Member MeetUp

Our first-ever All Member Meet-Up was a resounding success! With about 85 attendees, delicious food, and inspiring speeches and information, the energy at the Morgan Hill Grange on August 27 was electric.

Discover how we kicked off the AAUW 2024-2025 year with excitement, camaraderie, and a strong commitment to our mission.

Read HERE for all the details!

Go HERE for our Helpful Information handout.

Member Profile: Karen Parks

Karen Parks grew up in San Francisco, spending summers at Sveadal where she met her husband Mike at a dance. She has been a member of AAUW since 1985. Read about her branch activities: being in charge of tee shirts at the Wildflower Run and organizing programs.

You can also learn more about her from the MHHS 2020 “Stories from the Past.”

New Meditation Group

A new meditation group will be starting this fall. Individuals who would like to learn about meditation as well as experienced meditators are invited to join. We will be meeting twice a month, time and day to be decided.

If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more, please contact Joan Stempel HERE.

Bobbie and the 2024 Paris Olympics

Bobbie Erb and her husband recently attended the Paris Olympic Games. Read about her memorable experiences: following women’s sports, watching the thrilling women’s soccer game for gold, her collection of Olympic pins, and the people she met HERE.

Condolences to Sandy

Our sincere condolences to Sandy Stoob and her husband Jerry Goldsmith, on the death of Sandy’s father in Arcata, CA, at the age of 90.

Click HERE to read all about him.

Marian's Italian Family Reunion

In August Marian Sacco attended the 55th Annual Massimo Family Reunion in Pennsylvania, celebrating the legacy of five sisters born to Italian immigrants in the late 1880s.

The weekend was full of fun, wine, hugs and love, with over 125 people sharing stories that are handed down to each generation. It included golf, cooking together, memorial mass, and a big picnic event with a toast to “The Big M Familia.”

Travels with Grandkids Part 1

Buon giorno, amici! Ça va? Jenny Redfern and granddaughter Rosi Rinck hiked and ate their way through the Sorrento peninsula for a week in late June. Their Road Scholar grandparent-grandchild tour in Italy stayed in the O Sole Mio hotel in Sant’agata, a tiny village with great fish dishes, thin-crust pizza, and gelato. Ask her about Sorrento, Pompeii, the Amalfi coast - bellissima!

Travels with Grandkids Part 2

Jenny and grandson Arthur Rinck enjoyed Key Largo, Florida, and snorkeled for a few days with a Road Scholar grandparent-grandchild group. Tropical storm Debby bypassed the area, thank goodness. August temps and humidity were high, but floating in the clear reef waters and hotel pools kept us comfortable. Trumpetfish, wrasse, parrotfish, sergeant majors, sharks! And seafood dinners at small local restaurants! Worth the sweat.

Tech Trek 2024 at Camp Carson

The inaugural session of Tech Trek Camp Rachel Carson was held at UC Santa Cruz this year from July 14 – 19. Our Morgan Hill branch sent ten incoming 8th graders, and over 15 members helped out! Read all about it HERE.

CEAC at Tech Trek

The Climate Education and Action group presented a workshop at Tech Trek Camp Carson at UC Santa Cruz that focused on single-use plastic bags.

A short video showed the damage to the environment, which was followed by hands-on activities and discussion on how to get involved. The girls’ enthusiasm for the topic was evidence of the program’s success.

Read more HERE.

Leadership Morgan Hill, 2024

Read Cindy Adams’ report on her Leadership Morgan Hill experience and the class project, “Turtle Rock Family Splash Zone” HERE.

Cindy was the recipient of the AAUW MH LMH scholarship. Branch member Carol Ferri is also a member of the 2024 LMH class.

AAUW Morgan Hill Scholarship for Leadership Morgan Hill Class of 2025

Our branch will once again offer one scholarship from the AAUW MH Wildflower Fund for the Leadership Morgan Hill Class of 2025. LMH is dedicated to “inspiring leadership and service for a better Morgan Hill.” Learn more about LMH HERE.

Don't miss this opportunity. Apply by September 15. Click HERE for the AAUW MH LMH application. Questions? Contact Suman.

Where does your money go?

Each year, we ask our branch members to contribute as volunteers at the Wildflower Run and financially to our annual fundraising campaign. You can review all the individuals and programs we supported this past year by clicking on HERE for 2023-2024 Wildflower Fund Recipients.

Reflect on how your contributions—a​s an individual and as a member of our branch--have had a positive impact on so many. Thank you!

When women vote, we change the conversation!



Since 1881, AAUW has been a leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW encourages women voters to get involved in the political process and gain a better understanding of the impact legislative action can have on our lives.

Read more HERE.