University Woman Texas
Volume 73 l Issue 2 l November 2021
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Message from the President |
This edition of the UWT comes with best wishes for everyone for the Holiday Season ahead – which ever holidays you celebrate. Every bit of joy you can find in your life is worthy of appreciation. By this time, we had certainly hoped the pandemic would have been in the rearview mirror and life would be back to “normal” – whatever that is for you. No such luck. However, AAUW members know how to persevere and that you HAVE done. Many of our branches have added new members and held fund raisers for local scholarships and the AAUW Greatest Needs fund. You have gathered – sometimes in person, sometimes on Zoom - to hear speakers, discuss books and play games – none of that “all work and no play” for AAUW members.
Your State Board has worked with our legislative counsel to relay AAUW values to our state legislature and is busy planning for a “Golden Opportunity” to gather at the Hurst Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn on April 29/30, 2022. Be sure to read all the articles in this newsletter so you are fully informed. Over the next several months we will have the opportunity to recognize 50 years of Title IX, attend our 50th state meeting, and celebrate 140 years of AAUW.
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AAUW Gathering Guidance: Safety First!
Given the current state of COVID-19, AAUW has created additional guidance to branch and state leaders regarding in-person meetings. Safety continues to be our most important concern, and we strongly encourage states and branches to hold events virtually. This is the easiest and best way to keep all members and other event attendees safe. If you are thinking of holding an in-person or hybrid event, please consider the potential legal and health risks.
Updated September 2021
Given the current state of COVID-19, we wanted to provide additional guidance to branch and state leaders regarding in-person meetings. Safety continues to be our most important concern, and we continue to strongly encourage that states and branches hold events virtually. This is the easiest and best way to keep all members and other event attendees safe.
Holding any in-person event presents a level of risk that must be considered. If you are thinking of holding an in-person or hybrid (some people attend in person while the event is also held virtually) event, you should consider the potential legal and health risks that holding in-person events may hold.
Given the myriad of state and local guidelines, AAUW cannot provide legal advice to state or branch affiliates, but here are some suggestions you may wish to consider before holding an in-person event:
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Observe all local and state guidelines. Require (and enforce!) masking even if your state/locality doesn’t require it and observe social distancing.
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Require vaccination for in-person attendance unless your branch is prohibited from enforcing a vaccination requirement by applicable state and local law.
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Communicate clearly in event invitations if vaccinations are required and provide a virtual option for those not comfortable attending or are unvaccinated (including those who are unvaccinated because of a disability or their religious beliefs).
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Understand meeting cancellation charges. If you sign a contract to hold an event at a venue, you may encounter significant cancellation challenges. This was the case in spring 2020 when many AAUW affiliates cancelled state conventions only to have challenges in cancelling their contracts without penalty. If you are set on holding an in-person event at a venue, understand the conditions under which you and the venue can cancel and any associated cancellation charges. AAUW National cannot cover cancellation penalty fees for affiliates.
We understand the community that AAUW provides and that many want to see each other in-person, while we also recognize that this unique situation calls for changes to how we normally do our work. Please join us in ensuring the safety of our members while we continue to fight for equity for women and girls!
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December Zoom Conference Calls
Calls will begin at 6:00 P.M.
(Please note new time.)
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, 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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50 Years of Title IX
Title IX is a federal civil rights law in the United States of America that was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. It prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives federal money.
AAUW of Texas will celebrate 50 years of Title IX at the April 2022 Conference in Hurst, Texas. On April 30, Coach Reagan Pebley from Texas Christian University will be our speaker to help us understand the importance of Title IX to women’s sports. She is the women’s head basketball coach at TCU and played two seasons in the WNBA.
Please join us to celebrate this important anniversary in women’s rights. Thanks to Title IX, all women and girls can GO FOR THE GOLD!
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Proposed Bylaws Changes
Report of the AAUW Texas Bylaws Committee
The seven proposed changes to the bylaws fall into two categories. Proposals #1 - #3 are clarifying amendments and Proposals #4 - #7 relate to the district representatives. Each proposal below gives the rationale for the change and shows the proposed new language in underline and the proposed deletions in strikeout. The section prior to Proposals #4 - #7 contains background information related to all four proposals.
If members have any questions about the changes, please contact Bylaws Chair, Ann Berasley at [email protected].
Proposal #1: To make the description for dual members consistent with individual members and life members in Section 2. Basis of Membership by specifying the dues paid by dual members.
Rationale: Dues paid by dual members are not included this section as they are for individual and life members. This addition makes this section consistent with itself and with Section 3. Dues, which specifies when an individual member chooses to become a dual member, they pay AAUW Texas dues once regardless of the number of branches they join.
Proposed Change:
ARTICLE IX. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 2. Basis of Membership.
a. Individual members.
(1) An individual member must be a member of AAUW. Membership in AAUW Texas is granted upon the payment of AAUW Texas dues. Individual members may be, but are not required to be, members of an affiliate formed as a branch.
(2) Life Membership
(a) Paid. Paid Life Members of AAUW, who are members of affiliates within the boundaries of AAUW Texas are required to pay AAUW Texas dues.
(b) Fifty-Year Honorary. Fifty-Year Honorary Life Members of AAUW who reside or are members of affiliates within the boundaries of AAUW Texas are exempt from payment of AAUW Texas dues.
(3) Dual members. Dual members are individual members who have concurrent membership in more than one affiliate formed as a branch within AAUW Texas boundaries. A member may become a dual member without payment of additional AAUW Texas dues.
Proposal #2: To align the AAUW Texas bylaws with AAUW policies related to admittance and discontinuance of affiliates formed as branches.
Rationale: Over time, AAUW has changed its policies regarding how state organizations, such as AAUW Texas, participates in the process to admit new affiliates that form as branches and to discontinue existing branches. This change aligns AAUW Texas bylaws with the current AAUW policies. In addition, because this change refers to AAUW policies rather than incorporating the current policy, the AAUW Texas bylaws would not require updating when the AAUW policy changes.
Proposed Change:
Article XII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3. Branch Recommendations. The board shall participate in recommend to the AAUW action to be taken in regard to the admittance of new affiliates formed as branches or discontinuance of current branches within the organization as specified in AAUW policies.
Proposal #3: To clarify that the board of directors will determine the voting method or methods that each member may use to cast their vote regarding AAUW Texas business.
Rationale: The current bylaws language was added to allow AAUW Texas to implement one-member one-vote. This change clarifies the process used by AAUW Texas to implement this bylaws provision.
Proposed Change:
Article XVIII. CONVENINGS OF AAUW TEXAS
Section 2. Voting.
c. Voting shall be held so that each in which all members may cast their vote. The board of directors will determine the voting method or methods in which members may vote. in person, electronically, or by mail.
Background Information on Proposals #4 - #7
Proposals #4 - #7 relate to the district representatives. Currently, the state is divided into four districts. Each district has at least one representative. Districts with more than 10 branches have two representatives. For the 2022-23 program year, each district will have one representative. The number of branches in Texas continues to decline, which has created challenges for district representatives as the distance between and the needs of branches change. As a package these changes provide the board and the district representatives more flexibility to determine the best way to provide services to the branches.
The following four proposals work best if implemented together, but because they can be implemented independently and therefore must be voted on separately.
Proposal #4: To eliminate the minimum number of branches in a district.
Rationale: The bylaws require a minimum of four branches in a district. In 2009-2010, AAUW Texas had 45 branches. Since then, AAUW Texas continues to lose branches, with the current count at 29 that are more geographically dispersed. Requiring the board of directors to consider the size and number of the branches along with the distance among the branches when setting district boundaries would allow more flexibility to allow district representatives to best serve the branches in their district.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1. Districts. The state shall be divided into at least four geographical districts, the total number and boundaries of which shall be determined by the state board of directors no later than March 31 on non-designated convening years. When determining the district boundaries, the state board will consider the size and number of branches along with the distance among the branches in a district. No district shall have fewer than four branches.
Proposal #5: To reduce the threshold for a district representative from one for each 10 to one for each 8 branches.
Rationale: Balancing the workload of a district representative has historically considered the number of branches served along with the travel distance/time to the branches in the district. Reducing the number of branches per district director to a maximum of 8 instead of 10 will help maintain a balanced workload.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 2. Representation. Each district is entitled to one representative for each eight (8) ten (10) branches or fraction thereof.
Proposal #6: To require the district representatives to join the branches in their district and for AAUW Texas to reimburse the cost of those memberships.
Rationale: Joining the branches has been an effective way to for district representatives to get to know their branches as they receive all the branch communications and are notified of the opportunities to participate in branch activities. Asking the district representatives to join three or more other branches at their own expense may be prohibitive for some members.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 3. Duties.
b. The district representatives will join all the branches in their district. The state board will pay for the branch dues for the branches other than the district representative’s home branch.
Proposal #7: To eliminate the requirement that district representatives host district meetings at each state convening.
Rationale: At one time, district representatives were elected at district meetings held at state convenings. Since the district representatives are no longer elected at district meetings, the reason for these meetings to be mandatory no longer exists. However, if district representatives need or want to hold a meeting the bylaws will remain flexible.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 3. Duties.
c. b. At a state convening, the district representatives will may host district meetings with attendees from their district.
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HAPPY 140TH ANNIVERSARY AAUW!
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Legislative Review for 2021
During the Texas Legislature's Sessions this year, AAUW Texas has endeavored to promote equity issues. Thanks to the Board's support and the hiring of Legislative Counsel Kevin Stewart, our organization has steadily engaged in legislative procedures. Our priority policies have included support for women's healthcare, childcare, pay equity and family paid leave, job training and advancement for women, and voting rights, plus opposition to voter suppression and sexual discrimination. We monitored redistricting and budgeting actions.
At the end of the Regular Session, which ended on May 31, we had registered favorable positions on 44 bills, 29 of which were sent to Governor Abbott, but he signed only 15 of them into law, effective as of September 1, 2021. Even bills passed with bi-partisan support were discarded. During the summer and early fall, three successive Special Sessions were called by the governor, insisting that his party's agenda be passed. A few unpopular bills were delayed, but they eventually reached the governor's desk for approval.
When Redistricting procedures were finally begun, legislators were allowed to redraw the state congressional map, including district boundaries used to elect members of the Texas Senate, the Texas House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education. Done every ten years, this process is intended to reflect the most recent population data from the U. S. Census Bureau and to allow voters to choose their leaders fairly. Texas and several other states have instead practiced gerrymandering to favor the dominant party. As a result, some efforts to thwart voter infringement are already being challenged in court for specific instances of discrimination against communities of color.
Are you wondering what individual branch members can do now? We can urge the United States Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Right Advancement Act. These federal proposals should override the states' restrictive laws. Personal letters, emails, and calls remain timely and appropriate. We can also use AAUW's 'Two-Minute Activist' to contact federal legislators. Looking forward to elections next fall, we can even consider becoming voter registrars and then begin to register new voters in early 2022. The next quarterly AAUW Texas public policy meeting on Zoom will occur on Tuesday, December 14 at 4 PM, and you are invited. If interested, you may contact Pat Rehm at [email protected].
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The Five-Star Portal Is Open for Any Branch
that Wants to Share its Successes with Others
The Five-Star branch portal is now officially open for the new fiscal year! Presidents, membership VPs, and finance officers, please sign in and begin cataloging your progress towards five stars! If you haven’t already, please familiarize yourself with the tweaks made to the criteria or watch our webinar, both of which can be found on the AAUW website Five-Star National Recognition Program. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
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AAUW Texas congratulates Gloria Blackwell
on her new role as the CEO of AAUW Texas.
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Gloria, in addition to her role as CEO, is also AAUW’s main representative to the United Nations. Among her many accomplishments is her 15-year management of AAUW’s highly esteemed fellowships and grants program—awarding more than $70 million in funding to women scholars and programs in the U.S. and overseas.
Gloria has also been the driving force behind AAUW’s signature programs, including its salary negotiation trainings, which have reached nearly 190,000 nationwide. She has worked on pay equity initiatives with public officials in Washington D.C., New York City, Boston and Pittsburgh, as well as with numerous other state and municipal partners. She also worked with the National Science Foundation to increase girls’ participation in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Most notably, Gloria has significantly expanded the AAUW’s outreach to girls and women of color.
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AAUW of Texas is proud to recognize significant achievements by our members. |
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AAUW Texas Board Member
Named to Hall of Fame
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The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association proudly announces the 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees: Dr. Lynn Hagan ’94, ‘96 of College Station, Texas; Jimmy Heidelberg ‘75 of Pascagoula, Miss.; Joy Lightsey ’73 of Ridgeland, Miss; Dr. James Lock ’78 of Brandon, Miss.; Shane Loper ’90 of Ocean Springs, Miss.; Tracy Powell ’86 of Nashville, Tenn.; and Joe Quinlan of Miramar Beach, Fla.
The inductees represent the University’s most dedicated and distinguished alumni and were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 8 as one of the highlights of the 2021 Homecoming celebration. (Dr. Hagan is wearing the yellow jacket.)
Dr. Lynn Hagan is a licensed clinical social worker who has served throughout the United States and globally, including working extensively with the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait and The American Red Cross. She is the Brazos Valley Alumni HUB Leader and has funded two endowments for the USM School of Social Work. She was also awarded an Alumni Outstanding Engagement Award.
Dr. Hagan serves on the board of the America Red Cross, where she has deployed to High-profile disasters and mass casualty events in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi and works with members of the Armed Forces and their families. Dr. Hagan has served on the Mississippi and Texas boards of directors of AAUW and served as the local branch chair of NASW.
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Malinda Gaul, AAUW of Texas immediate past president and AAUW Board Vice Chair has been inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates.
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AAUW of Texas extends condolences to the members of
branches who have lost valued members over the past biennium.
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NANCY MADISON, our longtime friend and AAUW Honorary Life Member (50-year member), passed away on July 19th. Nancy Schmuck Madison of Arlington, Texas passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Walker Gregson Madison, in 2016. .
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LOUISE MAE UNDERWOOD, 104, passed away August 18, 2021. She had been a member of AAUW since 7/1/1940 and was an Honorary Life Member of our Arlington Branch. Several of us remember her helping the Book Fair by donating surplus books from the Trinity Terrace library. She was born in Binghamton, NY, earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, and had a long career with American Airlines.
The following submitted by Diane Feldman: When I first met Louise in the late 1970's, she was living in the Arlington Downs townhouses on Norwood. She participated in AAUW Bridge, which donated to the Educational Foundation, and, with my mother-in-law, Ruth Feldman, was a member of the branch's Daytime Literature group. After a fall, she realized a second-floor apartment was not ideal for a woman living alone and relocated to the then brand-new Trinity Terrace retirement community in Ft. Worth. Louise continued her associations in Arlington for many years while she was still driving. When she had a medical or social appointment in Arlington, she regularly came to the Arlington Charities building on Secretary Drive where our book sorting room was located with donations for our annual sale at the TX National Guard Armory from the TT's library surplus. Louise was retired from American Airlines.
Past Arlington Branch president Ann Brooks of Albuquerque, NM recalls visiting at her Trinity Terrace apartment and discovering she had a baby grand piano, so we assume she was also a musician. In 1999 Louise became a Named Gift Honoree for her contributions to the branch and was also an Honorary Life member in recognition of 50 years in AAUW. At the time of her death, Louise Mae Underwood had been a member of AAUW for 81 years.
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LEE COLLINS (1942-2020) Austin Branch member Lee Collins died on December 9th. Lee had been a member only a short time but had joined the Contemporary Books group and was already an active part of the branch.
Lee was born in San Antonio and spent her last days in Austin but, in between, she lived and worked in places around the world, including Mexico, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. She was a teacher, a businessperson, and a student. After multiple degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Lee completed a doctorate in economics in 2012 from the Newcastle School of Business in the United Kingdom.
Early in her career, Lee worked in computer programming for the Bank of America and taught fighter pilots in the Lackland Air Force Base Foreign Language School. Later, she was a wife and mother; worked as an executive at several tech companies; and again, was an educator.
Her obituary thanks her for, “giving so much of herself to her family and friends and encouraging them to pursue limitless possibilities.”
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BARBARA ANN HOUSTON (1945-2021), a long-time AAUW Austin Branch member, died on May 30, 2021, in Austin, Texas. She was born in San Antonio and grew up in California and New Mexico, graduating from Sandia High School, in Albuquerque.
She received a degree in Applied Arts-Interior Design from Texas Tech University and then lived in Llano, Texas for many years, raising her three sons.
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KAREN PRATT, a member of the Corpus Chrisi Branch, passed away a few months ago. Karen held a master's degree in speech pathology and had been a member of this branch since 2004.
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Northeast Tarrant County Branch |
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LINDA WHISTLER, a member of AAUW Northeast Tarrant County Branch since 2014, passed away on December 2, 2020. Linda fought valiantly against the cancer that engulfed her body.
Linda and her husband Bob resided in Bedford, Texas for many years. Linda and Bob recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were regular attendees of dinner clubs, especially AAUW NETC Gourmet Group. They have two daughters and a granddaughter. Linda enjoyed traveling with her husband and daughters and was an avid card player.
She was involved in the community as a member of AAUW NETC and Midcities Women's and Newcomer's Club. She volunteered for local nonprofit agency NEED and delivered for Metroport Meals on Wheels.
Linda had a quiet dignity amid chaos, and she will be missed by all who knew her.
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North Harris County Branch |
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TOMIKA LONG passed away at the age of 92 on June 11, 2021.Tomiko has been an AAUW member for 26 years and more recently a member of North Harris AAUW. Tomiko was born in Japan. Her father was a sea captain in the Japanese Navy and his ship was sunk by a U.S. submarine towards the end of WWII. Her parents wanted her to have an arranged marriage, but Tomiko was very independent and decided that she wanted to come to school in the United States. She applied to several schools and was granted a scholarship at Brigham Young and received a degree in business management or accounting. She married and her husband died many years ago of pancreatic cancer. She was an avid bridge player, playing several times a month. She was passionate about women’s rights and animal rights and donated an endowment for Asian women at Brigham Young upon her death.
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DOUG NEWSOM (1934-2021) was born in Dallas to J.D. and Ruby Grace Johnson, graduated from the University of Texas with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Fine Arts, a Master’s degree in Journalism and a Doctorate. She was a tenured Professor in the Journalism Department of Texas Christian University, retiring in 2009. She was a member of AAUW (American Association of University Women), Tarrant County Branch, since 1973.
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HARRIET RISK WOLDT passed away peacefully Wednesday, on May 19, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. Mrs. Woldt was 96.
She was a member of the Tarrant County Branch of AAUW. Harriet was a musician, professor, and performer. Harriet is survived by her four children and their families.
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West Harris County Branch |
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CAROL JEAN BOBERG passed away peacefully on July 23, 2021. Carol was born in Flint, MI where she received her BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Michigan. Carol joined AAUW in 2013.
For over 50 years, Carol was an active member of her church and a faithful volunteer in many different ministries including tutoring students and supporting teachers at a local school. She and her husband, Tom, were world travelers.
Raising her family, quilting, gardening, baking, and tennis were among her daily endeavors. She shared her love of books with many of her AAUW friends.
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BARBARA HOPKINS was an Honorary Life Member of AAUW having joined in 1957. She passed away quietly on June 2, 2021.She attended Eastern Illinois University graduating with a BS in Education. She was previously a member of a branch in Illinois before coming to Houston, and AAUW-WHC is certainly happy she came our way.
Barbara was a Branch President from 1992 to 1994. She also spearheaded the branch’s Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics (EYH) program beginning in1993 and was a part of this STEM program for middle school girls for over 25 years. She served on the EYH Board contributing many insightful ideas from its inception. Barbara also served on the Texas Board of Directors as a District Director representing branches in the greater Houston area.
When the subject of HOSPITALITY comes up, Barbara was the QUEEN! Everyone who knew Barbara remembers how as Hospitality Chair of EYH, she along with her husband, John, capably organized the lunch menu for every presenter and volunteer year after year. She always had a theme to create an element of appreciation to all those who sat down between the morning and afternoon sessions. She had her hand in every aspect of the branch in one way or the other including not only the previously mentioned contributions but also fundraising, hosting dinner parties at her home, and her ardent support of many community causes.
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PRISCILLA LIST (1939-2021) passed away on April 3, 2021, after a short illness. Priscilla graduated from Harvard Business School, AMP, Management and the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BS in Psychology. Her business expertise led her to a position as the first female executive with the national advertising agency McCann-Erickson. While there, she developed the stagecoach as the brand for Wells Fargo.
Priscilla was an outstanding member of West Harris County assuming many leadership roles: Membership Committee, Cultural Tour Chair, Activities Coordinator and always ready to fill in a spot where needed including being a volunteer at Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Math Conference for middle school girls in many essential positions. She was an avid reader and enjoyed being part of the Contemporary Fiction Group.
Priscilla’s mother was Lois List and has a completely funded AAUW Educational Endowment.
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MARGARET PRATT (1934-2021) attended Ohio State University and graduated with a BA in English. She worked in Public Affairs at both Eastern Airlines in New York and Exxon Chemical in Texas. She was very active in Exxon’s retirement group over the years.
Margaret was a 20-year member of AAUW-WHC and was a faithful volunteer with Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics (EYH) serving as facilitator for many years as well as Brochure Editor in 2016 and 2017.
Margaret was very involved in community affairs especially as a volunteer and supporter of 10,000 Villages in Rice Village, a non-profit organization that provides a U.S. market for quality handicrafts made by artisans in developing countries who would otherwise be unemployed or under-employed.
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Elected Officers
Gloria Long
Terry Whaley
Barbara Cager
Margie Poole
Diane Roberts
Mary Smith
Elected District Representatives
Betsy Calabro
Marsi Liddell
Sara Wood
Emelia Hoefle
Lucy Barrington
Standing Committees
Ann Berasley
Pat Rehm
Appointed Positions
Crystal Garcia
Lynn Hagan
Karen Reichensperger
Marina Rivers
Communications Team
Malinda Gaul
Janani Janakiraman
Pam Wolfe
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President
Program VP
Membership VP
AAUW Funds VP
Finance Officer
Secretary
South District
Central District
North District
North District
West District
Bylaws/Parliamentarian
Public Policy
Diversity and Inclusion
SHARE Grant Coordinator
College/University Rep
Branch Services
UWT Editor/Email Communications
Website
Website/Facebook
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