In this issue...
President's Message
Featured Article:
- Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories
State News:
- The Pulse of Public Policy
- Alice Paul Institute ERA Symposium - March 24th
- Tech Trek and Tweentech looking for volunteers
- Is Your Branch Being Inclusive?
- Charitable Trust
- Dues Update
- Presidents' 2nd meeting - March 23rd
National News:
- NCCWSL announces Keynote Speaker Minda Harts
- Closing the Digital Gender Gap
Branch & Other News:
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Women in Leadership Corporate Breakfast - March 9th
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Remembering the Ladies From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates - March 9th
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Crazy Daisy: The intrepid Founder of the Girl Scouts - March 14th
- The Women Behind the New Deal - Book Review - March 16th
- Book & Author Luncheon - April 1st
- 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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In this newsletter you’ll see we’re closing out the winter with a flurry of activity around all sorts of mission driven events, programs and projects - thanks to all the members who’ve said, “Yes,” and contributed their time and talents to the cause!
I also want to thank the branch presidents who came together to discuss how they see their branches coming together to participate in district-wide or state-wide events in the future. It was a lively discussion considering a wide variety of activities, with the Southern and Central Districts having a distinctly different flavor from the Northern District. We’ll be continuing the discussion on March 23.
We’re looking forward to representing AAUW at two big events in March: AAUW NJ will have a table display at the NJEA “Celebration of Women” on March 18, and AAUW NJ will be represented at “ERA Now:Forward Together, Backward Never,” a symposium sponsored by the Alice Paul Institute, in partnership with the New Jersey State Bar Association on March 24 (see article below). Remember to promote AAUW membership when you attend events like these by carrying our AAUW NJ membership brochure with you.
Looking forward to an active spring 🌷
Karen Brown
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2023 National Women’s History Month
“Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”
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Top: Toni Morrison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Jovita Idar, Maya Angelou; Middle: Gerda Lerner, Gloria Steinmen, Winona La Duke, Lillian Hellman; Bottom: Betty Soskin, Willa Cather, Gertrude Stein, Marjory Stoneman Douglas |
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Each year the National Women's History Alliance creates a theme in recognition of Women’s History Month. The 2023 theme encourages recognition of women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, and more. This timely theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade. From the earliest storytellers through pioneering journalists, women’s experiences have been captured by a wide variety of artists and teachers. These include authors, songwriters, scholars, playwrights, performers, and grandmothers throughout time. Women have long been instrumental in passing on our heritage in word and in print to communicate the lessons of those who came before us. Women’s stories, and the larger human story, expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other.
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Here are some great ways we can celebrate the accomplishments of women during this special month:
Donate to AAUW in honor or memory of a special woman.
We all have special women in our lives who we love and admire. Whether they are an outstanding teacher, a beloved member of our family, or a great friend, they can be honored or memorialized with a donation to AAUW. Donate to support an organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Donate to AAUW to help women and girls realize their dreams of becoming leaders, creators, helpers, problem-solvers, and change-makers. Just go to https://www.aauw.org
Participate in political advocacy.
Even though women’s rights have come a long way, there is still plenty of work to do to level the playing field and make sure women and girls succeed. Pick a topic that matters to you and donate your time to AAUW. Whether you choose Tech Trek 2023 at Stockton University, the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Teentech, or the AAUW of New Jersey Charitable Trust, just know that you will be donating your time to achieve the AAUW goal of equity for all.
Support women authors and artists.
The 2023 National Women’s History theme honors women of past and present in every community who devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade. Let’s give these visionaries some well-earned love and learn from their creativity and generosity of spirit.
Write a thank you note to a woman who inspires you.
A small gesture like sending a written personal note to your female friends and family can mean a great deal to them. A few simple words to acknowledge how another woman has inspired you is a real show of gratitude.
Support female-owned brands.
At one time or another, many women CEOs find themselves in a male-dominated industry or workplace that does not want to acknowledge their leadership role. Support female entrepreneurs by purchasing their services or products and recommending them to others.
Have a wonderful Women’s History Month and celebrate women!
Nina R. Del Collo
AAUW NJ Funds Chair
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The Pulse of Public Policy
Submitted by Mary H. Hager, PhD
AAUW NJ Public Policy Director
YOU CAN HELP TO MAKE THE E.R.A. HAPPEN!
In January 2023, early in the 118th Congressional session (2023-2024), members of Congress introduced joint resolutions affirming the validity of the Equal Rights Amendment and removing the time limit from its preamble.
Even though, on March 17, 2021, during the 117th Congressional session, the House of Representatives had voted, with bipartisan support, to remove the deadline for ratification of the ERA, the Senate version was stalled. Thus, the legislation ‘died’ with the end of the 117th session (2021-2022).
Do you part now and urge your members of Congress to speak in favor of and support the joint resolution. Go to AAUW’s website to Urge Congress to act, once and for all, to ensure women and men are guaranteed equality under the Constitution.
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ALICE PAUL INSTITUTE ERA SYMPOSIUM:
FORWARD TOGETHER, BACKWARD NEVER!
The Alice Paul Institute will host a day of education and conversation about the history and future of the ERA. The full day conference at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick will
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feature panel discussions with historians, state legislators, attorneys, and advocates,
- explore the history of the Equal Rights Amendment,
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discuss the way NJ’s constitution and legislature are impacted by the state’s ERA provision,
- review the current state of advocacy for equal rights amendments, and
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describe how NJ’s ERA impacts the practice of law in the state.
Fri, March 24, 2023, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EDT
New Jersey Law Center One Constitution Sq New Brunswick, NJ
Cost is $40 - $80
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Volunteers Are Still Needed at
Stockton University
Friday, March 17, 2023
A day of hands-on technology workshops for girls in middle school. Tween Tech serves as a “sampler” for our Tech Trek residential camp, which is open to for 7th grade girls from our state (entering 8th grade after the camp)
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Teentech
Thursday, May 25, 2023
AAUW NJ and Essex County College is planning a day of hands-on technology workshops for high school girls. Volunteering at this program would be a great opportunity for you to see if this is a program that your branch would like to conduct in your area. Remember Charitable Trust Funds are available.
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Is Your Branch Being Inclusive?
On February 13th, The Summit College Club Branch hosted the State’s second program in its Diversity Equity, & Inclusion Initiative. What Inclusion Really Means was presented by the State DEI Director Edwina Sessons.
Did You Miss the Program?
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Charitable Trust
We’ve Got the Money if You’ve Got the Project!
This unusual 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.Learn about the Charitable Trust and how the Grant Program works here.
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DUES Update
Effective April 1, 2023, AAUW National dues for FY24 will be $72 in accordance with the three-year increase implemented by the AAUW Board of Directors back in October 2020. Renewing members (those who were members in the last fiscal year) DO NOT renew online prior to April 1 as a host of system updates are underway.
Good News - Same Dues - Thanks to the continued cost savings from virtual meetings and a few other operational savings, AAUW NJ dues will be staying at $10 per member to support our operations, events and AAUW NJ marketing.
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Presidents, Your Second Meeting
AAUW NJ needs your branch's input as we consider alternatives to our spring state-wide conference. Bring all your great ideas to this virtual meeting.
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Minda Harts bestselling author and leading advocate for equity in the workplace is a highly sought-after speaker who is committed to empowering women to thrive at work, even when they come up against the sexism and racism that's still present in so many workplaces. Minda's bestselling books include The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, and Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace. She is assistant professor of public service at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and the founder of The Memo LLC, a career development company.
A rising star, Minda was named the #1 Top Voice for Equity in the Workplace by LinkedIn in 2020, and one of the top 100 People Transforming Business by Business Insider in 2022. We are honored that she'll be sharing her expert insights and advice with the young leaders at this year's NCCWSL!
Early Bird Rates (Effective through April 3)
NCCWSL STEM Half-Day Workshop Only (May 31): $65
NCCWSL Residential Conference Only (May 31 – June 3): $565
After April 3 - $685 regular rate
AAUW NJ will sponsor two college students to attend NCCWSL this year. All branches may nominate candidates by sending the students’ resumes and a brief “letter of interest” stating why they want to attend NCCWSL and how they expect to use what they learn, to aauwnj@gmail.com by March 3, 2023. The Executive Committee will select which students to sponsor. Sponsored students are expected to report to AAUW NJ board about their experience at the conference (can be in-person, writing, or video).
If your branch is also sponsoring students to NCCWSL
please let the state know by sending an email to aauwnj@gmail.com.
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Closing the Digital Gender Gap
Join AAUW on Wednesday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET. for an engaging online panel discussion about the “digital gender gap.” You’ll learn from our expert panel how women are still being left behind from pursuing the most promising tech fields of the future—and how we can work to change that. The event is part of the 67th NGO Committee on the Status of Women and UN Commission on the Status of Women.
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Women in Leadership Corporate Breakfast!
Join Alice Paul Institute on Thursday, March 9th for their first-ever Women in Leadership Corporate Breakfast. During this event they will present the inaugural Alice Paul Trailblazer Award to Deirdre Webster Cobb, Esq.
Deirdre Webster Cobb most recently served as the Chair/Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission in Trenton, New Jersey, having been appointed to this cabinet position by Governor Murphy in February 2018. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alice Paul Institute.
During the event at historic Paulsdale, guests will enjoy breakfast and listen to a presentation given by the API team. The presentation discusses effective leadership traits by first looking at the life of Alice Paul and the ways she succeeded and stumbled in her work. From there, we examine how many of the roadblocks Alice faced still promote systemic gender inequality and some of the ways we can combat that in our careers.
For more information, please contact Heather Lonks Minty at hminty@alicepaul.org or call 856-231-1885.
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Thursday, March 9 Freehold Branch is hosting a Central Inter-Branch Meeting at 1 PM – Brookdale Community College, Freehold Campus, 3680 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728.
Carol Simon Levin will be discussing the women in her book Remembering the Ladies From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates
The book invites readers to discover the contributions of 69 courageous and tenacious women of all colors and creeds who fought for women’s rights and women’s lives. Each two page spread includes a full page bio, a fascinating fact and a quotation along with a coloring page, further reading, places to visit, and suggestions for activities and activism. To make it more accessible, Remembering the Ladies is now available as a free e-book.
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March 14, 2023 Somerset Hills Branch presents Crazy Daisy: The intrepid Founder of the Girl Scouts Carol Simon Levin will impersonate Juliette Gordon Low and tells how an impulsive, nearly-deaf, eccentric and fun-loving transatlantic socialite founded an inclusive movement which has empowered tens of millions of girls worldwide. 7:00PM
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Upcoming AAUW NJ Dates
2023
March 17, 2023 - Tween Tech at Stockton University
Spring 2023 TBA - TeenTech at Essex County College
April 18, 2023 - DEI: Anti-Racism - Let’s Own It! 7:00 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 - Leadership Conference - Time, location and agenda to be announced
July 22 2023 Tech Trek Orientation Day for Staff and Alumni Reunion, Stockton University
July 23 - 29, 2023 Tech Trek Camp, Stockton University
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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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