President’s Message

A new AAUW Texas president? No, just a shift in which co-president is taking the lead. This biennium, you elected four co-presidents each taking on primary responsibilities for six months. Mary Smith’s term as the primary co-president ended on December 31 and on January 1 my term began. Look forward to Pam Wolfe’s leadership starting in July 2025 and Malinda Gaul’s in January 2026.

5 – Star Branch

Congratulations to the Northeast Tarrant County Branch – the only Texas branch to earn all five stars in FY24. I encourage every branch to participate in the 5-Star Branch Program. The National data shows 14 branches earned all five stars, but 306 branches earned at least one star.

Many Texas branches will find that they have or are on track to earn one or more stars this year. Except for the Programming star, the branch earns a star by completing at least three of the five activities listed. To earn the Programming star, the branch must hold at least 4 mission-based programs a year. The details on the criteria for FY 25 are found on the AAUW website at https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/initiatives/5-star-program/. 

To report your accomplishments, the branch president must complete the Branch Survey (which is one of the criteria) that will be sent in April 2025. If your branch started the year with a plan to complete one or more stars this year – congratulations! But what if you are just beginning to think about it now? Here are a few tips from other states and branches:

• Review the criteria and check off the ones your branch has already completed or has planned. You may have one or more stars completed!
• Identify any planned activities that could be tweaked to allow the branch to meet another criteria or finish a star.
• Recall that one activity can meet multiple criteria, such as holding a public policy program can meet criteria for both the public policy and programming stars.
• Gather the supporting information to make filling out the survey easier.

Other officers are sharing information about how your branch can meet criteria for specific stars, so keep reading through this issue.

Serving on the State Board

Every branch in Texas is full of talented women. These next few months many of you will be considering accepting a leadership role in your branch. As you do, please plan further ahead and consider sharing your talents on the AAUW Texas board of directors. The next group of officers will be elected in March 2026 and serve from July 2026 to June 2028. 

In the meantime, we are seeking a bylaws chair and a North District representative. Our current officers would welcome additional members to serve on their committees – membership, finance, and program, and public policy.

The state board meets about 6 times a year using Zoom or other electronic meeting programs. The nominating committee will begin its work this summer, but if you have any questions about serving as a board or committee member, please reach out to me at aauwtxpres@gmail.com.

Ann Berasley

President

AAUW Texas

January - June 2025

NCCWSL Conference

National Conference for College Women Student Leaders

Registration is open for the 2025 NCCWSL Conference (National Conference for College Women Student Leaders), which is scheduled to take place May 28-30, 2025. The conference unites college students from across the nation for a transformative experience in leadership development, networking, and inspiration. This year the conference is being sponsored by NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) (https://naspa.org/events/nccwsl). The NCCWSL conference will take place at the University of Maryland, College Park.

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH AAUW TEXAS - DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO NASPA FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

The SHARE scholarship application through AAUW Texas is available HERE for completion and submission to the Scholarship Committee by April 5, 2025.

Each Branch has received the notice to encourage their membership to recruit students to apply for EARLY REGISTRATION cost of $585/double occupancy (includes opening reception, 2 lunch meals). Those who are awarded the Share Scholarship may also need additional funding to cover transportation, additional meals, and fees for late registration or single occupancy. Let them know they should seek support from other college/university sources and their Branch.

Send completed applications no later than Saturday, April 5, 2025. For information call Michele Taylor 281-851-6598

AAUW 2025 VOTE

By Pam Wolfe

An email was sent to every AAUW member with a valid email address. AAUW is proposing 2025 changes to Bylaws and Public Policy Principles and 2025-2027 Action Priorities. Members will vote on these 2 items. 

THE PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGES ARE MINOR

• Article V 2 Term: Board of Directors may use their discretion to extend the term of the Board Chair for one additional year.
• Article VI 1. Officers of AAUW: Add: The board in its sole discretion may also establish and elect a Vice Board Finance Chair and Vice Board Secretary. There is additional language explaining the responsibilities of these two new appointees.
• Article VIII Executive Committee 1: Add: The Vice Board Finance Chair or Vice Board Secretary, if any, shall serve on the Executive Board without a vote.
• Article IX Committees of the Board: 2 Committee Chairs: Add the Board at its discretion may appoint committee or task force vice chairs from among the members of the committee or task force.

AAUW PUBLIC POLICY

Principles (summary)

AAUW stands for Education AAUW stands for Economic Security      

AAUW stands for Social Justice and Civil Rights

2025-2027 Biennial Action Priorities

AAUW’s Biennial Action Priorities for federal action are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution or leadership. These national priorities inform state and local action. Additional priorities may be added based on circumstances. No order of importance for priorities is implied.

To support equitable access to higher education that promotes gender fairness, equity, diversity and inclusivity, and to address the barriers and implicit biases that hinder the advancement of women and girls, AAUW advocates for:

• Vigorous protection of the 2024 update to Title IX regulations that provide clear directives to build safer and more inclusive institutions for all students, including student survivors of sexual violence, pregnant and parenting students, LGBTQ+ students
• Ensuring institutions of higher education are accessible to all students regardless of socioeconomic status, the environment is inclusive, and free from political intervention around curriculum
• Reducing barriers to postsecondary success, specifically for women of color, including increasing investment in financial support for degree programs, campus childcare programs
• Policies that support working women in pursuit of higher education, including increased access to paid leave, access to contraception and abortion care, affordable high-quality childcare.

DUES INCREASE INFORMATION

By Pam Wolfe

AAUW BOARD VOTED ON A DUES INCREASE IN FEBRUARY 2025

$2 PER YEAR FOR TWO YEARS

So, your question is why the dues increase? Dues cover about 15% of AAUW’s budget and do not cover the cost of member support. The operating budget includes rent of office space, salaries, technology, postage, etc. 

Besides income from dues, operating support is from:

1.    Institutional Partners (the list of companies is at AAUW.org)

2.    Champions (give at least $5,000 - $50,000 per year)  

3.    Legacy Circle Members when they die

Interested in seeing the 2022-2023 (last final) financial statements (33 pages)? It is called CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, INC. AAUW ACTION FUND, INC. FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 AND 2022 and can be found at: AAUW-2023-Consolidated-FS.pdf

Announcing the Spring 2025 Mini Session Titled “Celebrating Successful Women”

April 24, 2025, 6 pm CST via Zoom

Plans are moving forward for a Spring 2025 Mini Session via Zoom on Thursday, April 24, 2025 to celebrate successful women in Texas with a panel discussion. Four or five women will talk about their careers, their challenges and those who influenced them. 

We have secured Lauren Cannattela, a retired American Airlines Pilot; Linda Martin, Mayor of Euless, TX; Dr. Pam Wells, a top notch career Educator; Judge Yvonne Y. Ho, Houston’s first Asian American federal Judge. We are still searching for a Legislator. 

Look out for a flyer soon with the link to the meeting and pictures and bios of the panelists.

Save the date for this outstanding program.

Cheri Butler

VP Programs 2024-2026

Texas AAUW

AAUW Texas MEMBERSHIP

Recruitment: Just One Thought

Diane Claiborne-Carr

We all understand that the sustainment of our organization is dependent on attracting new members. There is no magic strategy that ensures success. Using various methods may gain you 3 to 5 new members over a year. So, recruitment is continuous. One of your contributing goals to the branch goals might be something like: “Implement no less than 3 recruitment strategies during the year to attract new members.” Discuss with your board or membership committee, or members some possible strategies.

One strategy we have discussed and suggested many times is partnering with other organizations that share a similar focus and goals. One group you may want to approach is graduate sorority organizations. There you may find the ideal age groups-40, 50, 60+ year olds-who may have children who no longer require their undivided attention. This group may be working, but some may be planning retirement, or are retired. Some are looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities to apply their skills and experiences. They may also have a little disposable income. This group has lots of energy, can multitask, and are digital natives.

But, to attract and keep this group, your branch must practice what you advertise. If you advertise that you advocate for women, what activities and events have you planned that will allow the new recruit to experience the feeling of contributing to the advancement of women. How can the new recruit engage in being a part of your branch? Will the recruit feel welcome?

Is your branch ready to share, engage in meaningful discussions, listen, compromise, and accept some changes? This group comes with ideas and are ready to work on solutions. They will not be patient with a lot of: “But this is the way we’ve always done it!”

Do you have a recruitment suggestion or strategy to share?

Diane

Texas Proud!

by Debbie Campbell and Margie Poole

Next state-wide Programs & Funds officer Zoom meeting: Tuesday, May 13, at 7 pm***

During 2024, AAUW Texas members and branches donated almost $57,000 to National through 343 donations. Showing that they “understood the assignment,” most donors supported the Greatest Needs fund as National requested. NCCWSL, Legal Advocacy, and Education & Training also made the list but trailed far behind Greatest Needs:

•        $55,367 (98%) for Greatest Needs
•        $872 (1.5%) for NCCWSL*
•        $232 (<1%) for the Legal Advocacy**
•       $225 (<1%) for Education & Training

These numbers represent a lot of hard fundraising efforts at the branch level, as well as the less labor-intensive process of simply logging in to aauw.org and donating via credit card.

Equally impressive, our 2024 donations surpassed 2023 total donations of just under $50,000.

A Five Star Reminder

Although membership headcounts per branch were not yet available at year-end, if we assume 1,400 members in Texas, total donations averaged about $40 per member. This means that qualifying branches may be on track to earn a “star” through National’s Five Star Program: www.aauw.org/resources/member/initiatives/5-star-program/.

Even if your branch is not pursuing all five stars this year, it’s a handy yardstick to consider that just $30 per branch member in donations to aauw.org between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 brings your branch one step closer to a star in the category of Advancement.

The Power of MATCHING!

Many donors enjoyed having their donations doubled by National’s year-end matching campaign. Consider promoting this option when National announces it again through email, usually around Thanksgiving.

Donating Online

As always, please remind fellow donors who belong to more than one branch to log in, check My Affiliations, and confirm that your branch is listed as their Primary branch. This helps their donation contribute to your spot on our January-through-December state leaderboards and July-through-June Five Star Program. (During a matching drive, the amount donated through aauw.org, not the additional matched amount, counts toward leaderboard and Five Star totals.)

We only see “Greatest Needs”? Where did the other funds go?

When donors visit aauw.org, the only fund they will see is 9110-AAUW Greatest Needs Fund. Not to worry, the other funds still exist. They are just not currently available via Donate links because National wants to prioritize Greatest Needs donations.

Individual donors may still support other funds by taking these extra steps:

1.      Contact connect@aauw.org with the name and number of the fund, the amount to be donated, the TX branch to associate the donation with, and the donor’s name, member number, and email address.

Funds accepting new donations are listed at www.aauw.org/resources/member/leader-resources-tools/state-branch/how-to-support-aauw-through-fundraising/. Other funds that you may remember from previous years are well funded and no longer accepting donations, with one exception: As described below, there are now two ways to support fund 2504-National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL).*

2.      National will reply by email with a unique hyperlink specifically for that donation.

3.      The donor clicks that hyperlink and uses a credit card to make that donation.

*NCCWSL (“nick whistle”) Now Under NASPA

 May 28 - 30, 2025, College Park, MD

Now there are two ways to continue supporting the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL, pronounced “nick whistle”). National announced in November that, starting in 2025, NCCWSL will be administered by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (www.naspa.org/events/nccwsl).

If you wish to donate to fund 2504-NCCWSL through aauw.org, follow the steps above to request a unique hyperlink to pay by credit card. NASPA.org will receive 80% of your donation earmarked for registration fee scholarships, and AAUW will keep 20% of your donation to cover AAUW administrative costs.

Instructions for donating to NCCWSL directly through naspa.org will be provided as they become available.



**Why don’t donors see the Legal Advocacy Fund list among donation options?

Many of us remember when National strongly urged every member to donate $5 or more to support the Legal Advocacy Fund, in addition to separate donations to other fund(s) of our choice. In recent years, however, National shared that LAF is so well funded that they are no longer soliciting donations for it. Instead, National now prioritizes donations to the Greatest Needs Fund. 

***If you have questions about Funds or would like to receive meeting announcements for state-wide Funds officers, contact Funds Vice President 

(Life Member, Houston and West Harris County Branches).

Legislative Day 2025

Twenty-seven AAUW TX members from across the state met at the capitol in Austin for the AAUW TEXAS LEGISLATIVE DAY on Monday, March 17, 2025. The goals for the event were for our members to become more familiar with the legislative process and to meet with their legislators to advocate on behalf of AAUW TX priority issues.

Prior to the event, training sessions were held via Zoom. Training focused on what to expect and how to prepare for the day.

The agenda included an introduction to the 89th Legislative Session and tips for meeting with legislators given by David Anderson, Strive Public Policy Resources.  Attendees went to their own Representative’s offices. Some also visited a member of the House Education Committee. Those meetings were followed by visits to Senators. In each office members left a flyer about AAUW TX and a separate sheet explaining AAUW TX positions on specific priority Legislation. 

Our AAUW TX members visited with more than 30 Representatives including all members of the House Education committee and more than 15 Senators including 6 members of the Senate K -16 Education committee. 

The AAUW TX positions on public education legislation presented to Texas legislators:

Supporting

HB 2    Relating to public education and public school finance. Pending in house committee

SB 26   Relating to public education, including the rights and compensation of public school educators and funding for teacher compensation under the Foundation School Program.  In house Education Committee Received from the Senate

AAUW Texas supports efforts to provide adequate and equitable state funding for public schools as contained in SB 26 and HB 2. However, we support a much more substantial increase to the basic allotment.

Opposing

SB 2     Relating to the establishment of an education savings account program. Referred to House Public Education

HB 3   Relating to the establishment of an education savings account program. Pending in House Public committee

AAUW and AAUW Texas support public education and oppose the diversion of public funds to private schools contained in SB 2 and HB 3. In addition, these bills do not hold private schools receiving funding via Educational Savings Accounts or voucher programs to the same operational and academic standards as public schools or equitable access. 

SB 13   Relating to a school district's library materials and catalog, the creation of local school library advisory councils, and parental rights regarding public school library catalogs and access by the parent's child to library materials. In House Education Committee Received from the Senate

AAUW opposes the provisions in this bill. The provisions are not necessary because these rights are already available to parents in current policies and procedures of the school districts.

SB 10   Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms  In House Education Committee Received from the Senate

AAUW opposes the provisions in this bill. AAUW supports the separation of church and state. The government should not mandate the display of any religion’s scripture in public schools. This legislation’s actions can be harmful to students who represent a variety of faith backgrounds and does not give parent’s choice as to what their child is exposed to in the classroom.



Georgia Kimmel

AAUW TX Public Policy Chair

Choices

“There is always a choice to do nothing or to do something.” These words can serve as a mantra to inspire us in difficult times.

The 89^th Texas Legislative Session is underway. Education Savings Account/Vouchers are one of the seven priorities the governor has deemed as emergencies allowing representatives to begin voting on bills now instead of the usual timeframe in mid-March. Once again, he has tied vouchers to teacher pay raises. Teachers haven’t had a pay raise since 2019, and will not get one this year unless vouchers are made into law. Placing the Ten Commandments in schools is among Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s first 25 priorities. So much for separation of school and state. We can do something.

Advocacy is step we can take.

• make in person visits, phone, email, or use social media to contact your legislators
• write emails or call legislative committee members
• write a letter(s) to the editor of a paper
• write a script so you can testify in person or online
• take along your notes with bullet points and stick to them when visiting legislators
• leave a one-page information sheet with your legislators on the issue you are discussing

Tips for making strong arguments:

• state the reason you are writing; write your first sentence to catch their attention
• tell why the issue matters to you; include a brief story if you can – 2-3 sentences
• tell why you’re qualified – for example the number of years taught in public schools, worked in a government agency, or currently are a grandparent who values public education for her grandchildren
• make a request – what do you want the legislator to do

For a list of Online Resources for issue information and other information on Public Policy refer to our AAUW TX website Public Policy page

https://aauw-tx.aauw.net/publicpolicy

Far too many things are happening for us to be uninvolved. Act to support your beliefs. It is time to make a choice to do something.

Pat Sanford,

AAUW San Antonio Public Policy Chair

AAUW TX Public Policy Committee Member

AAUW Texas West District

Representative Transition

Our many thanks go to Tamara Mancini for her service as the West District Representative on the AAUW Texas Board. We wish her the very best as she steps down to focus on her growing responsibilities. We welcome Dr. Charlotte Dunham as the new West District Representative. She has graciously agreed to fill the position for the remainder of the term ending in June, 2026.

Dr. Dunham is a dedicated member of AAUW and the current President of the Lubbock branch. She brings valuable experience as a retired Professor of Sociology at Texas Tech University where she was a faculty member for thirty years. She was also the Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program for eight years.

While at Texas Tech, she served as faculty advisor for the Texas Tech AAUW student affiliate organization as the group was launched. Under her guidance, the students introduced the pioneering stage production of "The Love Below," which aimed to share the experiences of black women in America. During that time, the production was performed to standing room only performances.

Her motivation to serve on the AAUW Texas Board comes from her concern about the decline in women’s participation in community organizations, particularly AAUW. She states, “I hope that I can bring my thirty-five years of experience teaching and in leadership positions in Lubbock and at Texas Tech to work toward reversing this trend.” She believes that organizations such as AAUW are critical to protecting the rights and well-being of women in our communities, whether it is assuring the quality of our schools, giving young women access to higher education, or protecting knowledge about their own health.

Sara Wood

Branch Services Officer

2025 Equal Pay Days

March 25, 2025: Equal Pay Day

April 7, 2025: AANHPI Women’s Equal Pay Day

May 6, 2025: Moms’ Equal Pay Day

June 17, 2025: LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day

July 10, 2025: Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

August 28, 2025: NHPI Women's Equal Pay Day

October 8, 2025: Latina Equal Pay Day

October 23, 2025: Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day

November 18, 2025: Native Women’s Equal Pay Day

A Look Back from Jackie Littleton

Twenty years ago AAUW members proudly wore a tee shirt that proclaimed “Someday a Woman will be President.” Did they really believe it? A Roper poll conducted for AAUW and The Allstate Foundation in the Fall of 2004 revealed that 61% of respondents actually believed this to be true. Twenty-four percent were even more optimistic. They were confident that a woman would be elected to our highest office within 10 years. More than 50% of the respondents accurately predicted that a man from an underrepresented group would be elected president before a woman was.

In America’s history, only two women have been nominated for president by a major party, Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. Both women lost to Donald Trump, although Clinton won the popular vote. Want to know more? Check out these names: Victoria Woodhull, Belva Ann Lockwood, Laura Clay, Charlotte Bass, Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, and Patsy Mink. 

The tee shirts are still available on line. ‘Nough said!

BREAKING NEWS: LILLY Hits Theaters Nationwide on May 9th!

Patricia Clarkson, who was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role of Joy Burns in 2003’s Pieces of April, stars as the title character Ledbetter, a real life Alabama tire factory supervisor who aspired to lift her family into the middle class after having grown up in poverty.

Click Here For More About the Lilly Movie

AAUW Defending Equity: Strengthening Our Collective Impact Series 

Amid growing attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, AAUW is taking action. This series equips members with key policy updates, advocacy strategies, and tools to strengthen our impact. Join one or all sessions to stay informed and take action! 

AAUW: Standing Strong Against Attacks on Equity in Education  

March 26 | 6:00 p.m. ET Register Here 

Recent executive actions threaten diversity, equity, and inclusion nationwide. Join us to learn about these policy changes, how they impact women and marginalized communities, and how AAUW is taking action to defend equity. Stay informed and discover ways to support our mission in this critical moment.

Building A Stronger AAUW  

April 1 | 7:00 p.m. ET Register here 

Strong fundraising fuels AAUW’s impact. This session, led by AAUW National’s Advancement Committee, will provide strategies for successful branch fundraising. Learn about AAUW’s budget, the Greatest Needs Fund, and hear directly from branches with proven fundraising success. Walk away with tools and resources to help your branch grow its financial support.

AAUW Advocacy Strategies for In-District Meetings 

April 8 | 7:00 p.m. ET Register Here 

Face-to-face advocacy can drive real change. This session will guide members on how to set up in-district meetings with members of Congress, maximize town hall participation, and effectively use key talking points during the upcoming April congressional recess. Learn how to make your voice heard.

Funding Futures: Understanding Changes to Sex and Gender-Based Scholarship Programs  

April 15 | 7:00 p.m. ET Register Here 

Navigating legal changes to sex-based scholarships can be complex. This session will provide guidance for AAUW branches on how to administer scholarships in compliance with evolving regulations while staying true to our mission of advancing education for women and girls. 

Elected Officers  

Mary Smith

Ann Berasley

Pam Wolfe

Malinda Gaul

Cheri Butler

Diane Claiborne-Carr

Debbie Campbell

Vickie Natale

LInda Walsh

Elected District Representatives

Brenda Van Derbur

Cheryl Fuller

Margaret Martin

Tamara Mancini

Standing Committees

Georgia Kimmel

Appointed Positions

Michele Taylor

Sara Wood

Chasity Crawford

Communications Team

Malinda Gaul

Janani Janakiraman

Jerrilyn Woodard-Entrekin

Contact at:https://aauw-tx.aauw.net/about/leadership/

President

President

President

President

Program VP

Membership VP

AAUW Funds VP

Finance Officer

Secretary

South District

Central District

North District

West District

Bylaws/Parliamentarian

Public Policy

C/U Partners

Branch Services

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)

UWT Editor/Constant Contact

Website

Facebook