In this issue...
President's Message
Featured Article:
- The Pulse of Public Policy by Mary Hager, PhD
State News:
- Charitable Trust
- Tech Trek 2023 is coming, volunteer now
- Volunteer for upcoming Tween Tech events
- Nominate a Woman as Agent of Change
- Congratulations to member Dr. Keturah Harris
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Effective Bystander Intervention and future DEI Sessions
- Why I Donate
National News:
- AAUW Five-Star Program
- Video on Fall Member Gathering
- Reports and applications on websites
- National Art Contest
Other News:
- Fall Focus 2022 Highlights
- Women on the field at World Cup
- Women take the helm as NYC Commissioners
- Upcoming AAUW NJ 2023 Dates
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Research
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Education
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Advocacy
Equity
for all
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Connect, collaborate, create– we’re on a roll!
We’re fortunate to have other groups in NJ working toward equity for women and thanks to our members who’ve made connections we have several new equity project collaborations in the works for 2023:
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Thanks to National AAUW member Stephanie Falana, who eagerly volunteered to take the lead, we are able to respond to a request for a Teen Tech at Essex County College
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An in-person Tech Trek STEM camp for middle school girls is being planned at Stockton University, thanks to volunteer leaders Megan Hooper, Claudine Keenan, Linda Harmon and Jacqueline McGuinness (see the article below for details)
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Collaborations with the Alice Paul Institute on efforts to pass the ERA are also in the works thanks to our connected members, Jacqueline McGuinness and Keturah Harris.
As the saying goes, many hands make light work – don’t let our leaders down. Statewide support from our members is needed to amplify our impact and bring opportunities to women and girls statewide. No prior experience is required, so these are great opportunities for new members to participate. Use the “Contact Us” form on the aauwnj.org website to get more information.
As 2022 winds down, enjoy the holidays and be sure to take care of yourself so that you’re energized for 2023.
Wishing you all the best this holiday season,
Karen Brown
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The Pulse of Public Policy
Mary H. Hager, PhD
AAUW NJ Public Policy Director
Today, the Pulse is racing. The unexpected outcomes of the midterm races are intriguing, leading to much speculation.
But first, let me introduce myself. I am a retired Director of Regulatory Affairs and Interim VP of Policy Initiatives and Advocacy for a 70,000-member professional organization in Washington DC. Before that position, I was active at the group’s state level, organizing and training the NJ members to educate and lobby members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation and the State Legislators. This work was primarily done in district offices. After all, as Tip O’Neill said, “all politics is local.”
For AAUW NJ, my goal is to create a dynamic network of branch public policy directors that will effectively communicate with elected officials, working at both the state and federal levels. It’s particularly important to create an open dialog with these elected officials who represent us in Trenton and in Washington, regardless of party affiliation. It’s up to us to articulate the aspirations of NJ’s women and girls, and we need to communicate this to our local representatives.
AAUW’s current (as of May 2021) top public policy priorities are:
- To support a strong system of public 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.
- To achieve economic security for all women.
- To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society.
In 2023, the AAUW public policy priorities will be reviewed and updated. Your input will be essential.
PUBLIC POLICY NEWS NUGGETS
Sign up for AAUW’s Washington Updates for a complete review of upcoming initiatives to support AAUW’s public policy priorities. The following news nuggets are additional information from other outlets you may find interesting.
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From Politico NJ: New Jersey Democrats moving forward toward putting abortion on the 2023 ballot. You can subscribe to this NJ specific Politico e-newsletter.
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Are you a WOMAN Corp? According to a Forbes article, ‘the ERA Coalition founded WOMAN Corp to raise awareness about the disturbing fact that the American government protects, and continues to expand, the rights of corporations while the rights of women are stripped away.’
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Subscribe to Politico’s Women Rule and read their article Our takeaways from the midterms. While the numbers of women governors reach all-time high, fewer women were elected to Congress. Who are these women?
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From Politico (sponsored content by Women Rule: The Exchange): Repair. Remake. Reimagine—Women Fixing Communities. “What if we could reshape society to benefit everyone equally? Women would run for office in higher numbers. Health care treatments would be more accessible. Cities and systems would be designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. We know what our communities could be. But how do we pursue the paths to achieve it?”
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Ever wanted to do something to advance our mission, but lacked the funds to do it?
A grant from the Charitable Trust may be the answer.
This trust exists to help YOU – AAUW NJ members, branches, and state organization – to fulfill our mission and goals. Areas of particular interest include gender equity in education, workplace, and leadership for women and girls. Collaborations are encouraged with other like-minded organizations to achieve these goals.
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Learn about the Charitable Trust and how the Grant Program works Here
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Download a CT Grant Application Here
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Contact for more information aauwnj.ct@gmail.com
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Donate to the Charitable Trust Here
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Tech Trek Camp will be in-person
July 2023 at Stockton University
You are needed!! Volunteering with Tech Trek is a great way to get involved in helping middle school girls discover their potential in STEM. Tech Trek is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and couldn’t be done without volunteer efforts. All overnight and multi-day volunteers receive reimbursement for obtaining required clearance, complimentary room and board on campus, and a modest stipend.
How can you help? Here is a list of volunteer positions needed to be filled. Please go to: https://techtrek-nj.aauw.net/ to learn what each position does and the form to complete to become a volunteer:
* Multiple volunteers needed in these roles.
Donate Today... Every gift makes a difference.
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OR
Mail a check payable to AWCO (Atlantic Women’s Charitable Org.) c/o Claudine Keenan 230 E. Ridgewood Ave Galloway, NJ 08205
Gratefully,
Linda Harmon, AAUW NJ STEM Director
Megan Hooper, Camp Director
Claudine Keenan, Asst Camp Director and Stockton University Liaison
Jackie McGuiness, Coordinator of Volunteers
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One-day, interactive STEM programs
for high school and middle school girls.
Tween Tech and Teentech programs can be conducted throughout the State, where there is a collaboration with a college/university and a local branch. This year, Teentech a one-day, interactive STEM program for high school girls will be conducted at Essex County College. Tween Tech the program for middle school girls will be held at Stockton University.
If interested in volunteering to help out with either program, please email Linda Harmon, NJ STEM Director linda.harmon@gmail.com.
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Each year AAUW NJ seeks to select a woman that exemplifies the goals of AAUW. This woman should be a New Jersey resident who:
- Works to assist women in their endeavors to reach their true potential
- Demonstrates leadership in supporting the empowerment of women
- And continues to strive to reform political, economic, social and/or cultural areas to support women.
We are soliciting nominations from now until February 1, 2023.
All nominations will be reviewed by the Awards Committee with final recommendations being presented to the Executive Committee for selection of the awardee.
The award presentation will be conducted at the State Leadership Meeting on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Please read who our PAST AWARDEES were to help you in your nominations for this year.
The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2023.
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Alice Paul Institute recently named Dr. Keturah Harris to the organization's Board of Directors. She is an AAUW NJ Director of Public Policy and a member of the AAUW Burlington County Branch. Keturah is one of three new board members.
Congratulations on your appointment, Keturah!
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Strategies of Effective Bystander Intervention
On November 15th, the Burlington County Branch hosted the State’s first program in its Diversity Equity, & Inclusion Initiative. The program was entitled Strategies of Effective Bystander Intervention and was presented by the State DEI Director Edwina Sessons. There will be two more DEI programs this year.
Upcoming DEI sessions:
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February 13th What Inclusion Really Means, hosted by the Summit College Club Branch.
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April 18th: Anti-Racism - Let’s Own It! hosted by the Northern Ocean County Branch.
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Why I Donate
December 2022
Many of us think of the month of December as the time to donate to our favorite organizations and charities, so here is some very good news for you:
If you make your year-end AAUW contribution now, every dollar can be doubled for
twice the impact!
To begin the Year-End Giving Drive, our board of directors, along with AAUW committee leaders, staff, and other committed partners, has generously created a Matching Gift Fund. The goal is $52,000, meaning all gifts up to $26,000 will be matched to double your support if you donate by December 31st.
If you would like to make your year-end donation to AAUW and help continue our great work, please go to https://www.aauw.org. By donating to Greatest Needs Fund, AAUW can respond rapidly, in our communications and advocacy, to critical issues affecting women as they emerge—whether it’s a new threat to Title IX, an opportunity to partner with employers, or the dawn of a social justice movement like #MeToo. When donations are not restricted to fellowships or specific projects, we have the dollars we need to pivot as the national dialogue shifts and get our work covered by major media outlets, such as the New York Times, CNN, and Fortune. Greatest Needs is also what fuels our groundbreaking research and effective advocacy work to pass fair pay laws and other key equity legislation.
Sending you my warmest wishes for good health and peace for the holidays and thank you for your continued support of AAUW.
Nina R. Del Collo, Funds Director
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AAUW's Five-Star National Recognition Program acknowledges the work of AAUW states and branches to advance gender equity in their communities. The program acknowledges states and branches for aligning their work with the AAUW’s strategic plan in five vital areas: Advancement; Public Policy & Research;Governance & Sustainability; Programs; and Communications & External Relations.
Last SY22 year, Burlington County Branch was recognized as a
2-Star Winner for aligning their work in Programs and Communications & External Relations
Every year AAUW’s Five-Star National Recognition Program rewards branches for aligning their work with the AAUW strategic plan and initiatives that foster the mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls. The current program covers branch activities and programs from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (FY23).
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National Video on Fall Member Gathering September 2022 |
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Are you looking for these?
Due Reports? Honorary Life Applications? Contribution Reports?
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Get Ready to Create for the
National Art Contest
In the art world women are underrepresented and undervalued. Only a third of artists represented by commercial galleries are women and women working in arts professions are paid on average 74 cents to every dollar paid to men. This is what motivates AAUW to host an annual art contest—to give women artists the attention they deserve.
The 2023 AAUW art contest is scheduled to open in January.
Membership will vote on the submissions in February. The six winning entries are featured in a collection of note cards mailed to AAUW members in the spring!
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Missed Fall Focus 2022?
You can find the October 2022 Fall Focus Highlights on the state website under the Members Only section.
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Women are on the Field at World Cup!
For World Cup 2022, FIFA has released a list of 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials overseeing the video assistant referee (VAR) system. This will be the first World Cup with female match officials – referees Stéphanie Frappart (France), Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) and Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan); assistant referees Neuza Back (Brazil), Karen Díaz Medina (Mexico) and Kathryn Nesbitt (US).
Kathryn Nesbitt from the United States holds a PhD in Chemistry.
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Women Take the Helm as NYC Commissioners |
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The City of New York has appointed women as Fire and Police Commissioners. In In October, Laura Kavanagh, became the 34th Fire Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), making her the first woman to hold that position. In November, Keechant L. Sewell was appointed the 45th Police Commissioner making her the first woman of color to hold that position.
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Upcoming AAUW NJ Dates
2023
February 13, 2023 - DEI: What Inclusion Really Means, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by the Summit College Club Branch
April 18, 2023 - DEI: Anti-Racism - Let’s Own It! 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by the Northern Ocean County Branch
April 29, 2023 - Annual Business Meeting via Zoom. Details to be announced
June 3, 2023 - AAUW-NJ Leadership Conference - Time, location and agenda to be announced
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If your branch is forwarding the AAUW mission in some way, please share your activities with aauwnj@gmail.com. We want to celebrate you!
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See what's happening on our social sites |
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