Advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy

American Association of University Women Austin, TX Branch

FY 25-26 Vol. 1 Summer 2025 Newsletter

Meet our new Austin Branch Co-Presidents, Shirlene Justice and Terry Whaley

Both are talented and dedicated women, committed to AAUW's mission and goals

Shirlene began her career as a middle school science teacher before pursuing a Master's in Public Affairs at UT and returning to Austin ISD to administer and coordinate after-school and summer learning opportunities for low-income youth. Through this work she realized the vital importance of these programs for children, youth, and working families. She was a founding member and board president of the Central Texas Afterschool Network (Learn All the Time) and the Texas Partnership of Out-of-School Time, dedicated to advocacy and out-comes. Shirlene and her husband have two daughters and six grandchildren, providing her with all the fun and spoiling of grandparenting. Ensuring that we all have opportunities to reach our full potential is Shirlene's goal.

Terry moved to Houston in 1980 as the spouse of an oil field engineer, raising her children there and earning degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics, and a Master's in Public Health. After a 30-year career in Houston hospitals, she retired in 2016 and moved to Round Rock. Already aware of AAUW’s mission to support women and girls, Terry promptly joined the Georgetown branch and later became a dual member of the Austin branch. She has served as President in Georgetown and as Program VP for AAUW Texas, planning both the 2022 and 2024 state conferences. As the mother of a daughter, two daughters-in-law and three granddaughters Terry hopes to make a difference in their lives and for all women by supporting and promoting AAUW’s mission and goals.

Annual Summer Social

The Summer Social is a great time to catch up with other members and energize yourself for our upcoming year. We encourage you to bring friends, colleagues, and family members as we gather with like-minded women seeking to advance equity for women and girls. We will have a short presentation about our branch, sign-ups for interest groups, and plenty of tasty nibbles and beverages. Guests who join as new members at the Social will receive a reduced annual membership rate. Contacts: Nancy Ennis #281.468.8564 or Lynn Gambrill #512.680.9034

Looking for a beautiful wall hanging or throw quilt? The beautiful donated quilt pictured below will be up for raffle at our upcoming Social. Just $5 will give you a chance to take this home.

Summer Social Specifics

When: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Where: Balcones Country Club

Time: 1pm to 3pm

RSVP: Please respond by 7/25/25

Bring a friend

RSVP Here

Fundraising Plans for 2025-2026

Our branch fundraising team met on June 25 to make plans for the coming year. Here are a few updates on our strategies:

Continue to save our loose change (coins and bills) for Change for Change collections. Money raised will stay in the branch. Proceeds from the other events described below will go to the AAUW National Greatest Needs Fund.
We plan to sell See’s candy and handmade greeting cards again and will also wrap gifts for tips at Book People during the month of December.
We will hold an in-person holiday sale of donated gift items at the December winter social. This will take the place of the online auction we held a few years ago.
Based on its great success, we will host another chili cookoff early in 2026 and hold another event near Mother’s Day at Kendra Scott, where a percentage of profits return to AAUW.
The Funds team will encourage year-end donations and Mother’s Day gifts to the Austin Branch Centennial Scholarship at Austin Community Foundation.

If you have thoughts on how to raise money and/or would like to join our team, contact Brenda Hahne at bwhahne@gmail.com or Joyce Pulich at joycepulich@sbcglobal.net

Fern Chester Memorial Information

Important Dues Reminder

If your membership runs from July 1st to June 30th each year -- the regular term for members who joined prior to 2023-24 -- and you have not yet renewed, please complete your renewal online using the link provided. You may also print and complete the membership form below and mail it with your payment to treasurer Cynthia Roberts at the address listed, or pay her directly at the upcoming Summer Social. Thank you!

Renew Here

Open to print

Open to Print

September isn't far behind

We have received several important email alerts from AAUW National concerning national policy issues of significance to us all. If you have not read this information already, click below for an update.

The deadline for submitting items for the September Newsletter is 8/15/25

Updates from our 2024 and 2025 Fellows will be included in the September newsletter

Policy Update