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GULF BREEZE
October 2026
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Presidents Message
On September 24, I was notified that we have achieved the AAUW Five-Star Award. We are one of only three branches in Florida to earn all five stars! This achievement is only possible because our members put in the work!
Please enjoy reading the official award letter, below.
Ginger Kelly
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From: Parquet, Tremayne
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 2:09PM
To: vskelly2005@msn.com
Subject: Congratulations, Your AAUW Branch Earned All Five Stars in FY26!
Dear Virginia Kelly,
Congratulations! We are delighted to recognize the Greater Naples (FL) Branchf or earning all five stars in AAUW’s Five-Star Program for FY26.
Achieving all five stars is a significant accomplishment and reflects your branch’s outstanding work across every area of the program: Advancement; Public Policy & Advocacy; Governance & Sustainability; Programming; and Communications & External Relations.
This recognition represents more than success in any one area. It reflects a well-rounded commitment to AAUW’s mission, thoughtful branch leadership, strong programming and engagement, effective advocacy and communications, and the continued work needed to sustain a thriving affiliate.
We know accomplishments like this do not happen automatically. They are the result of leaders and members who plan, organize, communicate, collaborate, and continually find ways to strengthen their branch. Thank you for the leadership you have provided and for the time and energy you have invested in making the Greater Naples (FL) Branch so successful.
We are especially appreciative of your leadership through the new Branch & Affiliate Annual Report process. The expanded report represented an important change for our affiliate network, and your branch not only stepped up to complete that process but demonstrated excellence across all five areas of the Five-Star Program along the way.
Please share our congratulations and appreciation with your fellow branch leaders and members. We hope you will take time to celebrate this achievement as you have certainly earned it.
Thank you for your exceptional commitment to AAUW and for everything you do to advance our mission. Congratulations again on earning all five stars in FY26!
Warmly,
Tremayne A. Parquet
Deputy Director of Advancement
AAUW,1310 L St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005
p.202.728.7611 | f.202.463.7169
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Public Policy Committee
The Public Policy Committee is reaching for new strength on issues connected with our AAUW mission. We are stressing engagement from all our members, whether they want to be actively involved in committee meetings where we set priorities and work to advocate for our positions or be open to writing an occasional email or making a phone call to legislators or those others controlling our areas of interest. Joining the committee means affirming our role and agreeing to receive our messages and to act when an issue is important to you. Sign up now!
Our Welcome Back meeting will be on Tuesday, October 20 at 10 AM at the new conference facilities of the Collier Community Foundation, 2340 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Kapnick Conference Room, 3rd floor. We will also arrange a Zoom link if there are those who can’t come in person. Contact Barbara Richardson to let us know if you are coming in person or prefer the Zoom option.
In September, the Education Ambassadors subcommittee continued to monitor every Collier County School Board meeting. We will work with Voter Services of the League of Women Voters to table at FGCU to get out the vote of young people. At the October 5 meeting, we made a statement opposing the recent instructions on book banning by the Commissioner of Education, which could lead to massive removals of titles in our library collection.
The first AAUW-Florida Public Policy Forum will be Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM on the topic, "The Effects of Florida Legislation Since 2022 on Florida Universities." Pat DeWitt (AAUW-FL), Jill Lewis-Spector (LWVFL), and Nancy Chism (LWVFL/AAUW) will present results of a joint AAUW-LWVFL study. Click here to register.
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Scholarship Committee
Did you know that Greater Naples AAUW awarded 17 Scholarships to deserving women in 2026? Are you interested in being part of this selection process in 2027? Please join us for the first meeting of the Scholarship Committee on Friday, October 16th at 11am! The scholarship awards made annually are a cornerstone for our branch activities and we invite all members who would like to take part in this selection process for 2027 to join us.
We are getting started early this year because we will be opening our scholarship submission window on December 1st. The first committee meeting is when we divide and conquer the marketing efforts of our available scholarships. If you potentially have community connections that will help us get candidates to apply, we would appreciate your participation in this meeting. Please email Rebecca Roberts at rebeccaroberts625@gmail.com and you will be added to the email list to receive communications regarding the Scholarship Committee for the upcoming season. A Zoom link will be sent out for those that would like to participate in this meeting. Thank you! Please contact Scholarship Director Rebecca Roberts 239-318-9479 with any questions.
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Judy Martin Welch READING IS FUN! Program
AAUW will conduct book distributions this school year at Golden Terrace Elementary and Lavern Gaynor Elementary. When the media specialists/librarians have their schedules for the year firmly in place, we will be able to set the dates for the distributions. Volunteers are needed so if you would like to join in the fun, contact Reading Is Fun Coordinator Judy Blackburn at 732-801-7913.
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Donations Needed for Holiday Silent Auction
Planning is underway for our Annual Holiday Luncheon and Silent Auction to raise funds for our AAUW Branch. The Luncheon will be held on Saturday, December 5th at Countryside Golf and Country Club.
We need your help to make sure this event – and the branch programs that it supports – is a success. We are seeking donations of auction items. Have you received a lovely gift that you are unable to use? Donate it! Ask restaurants, stores or salons that you frequent to donate gift certificates. Do you have a skill or talent? Donate a handmade item or offer lessons! I’m donating a mahjongg set and 4 lessons. Maybe you are a skilled artist, baker or jewelry crafter and can donate one (or more) of your creations. Host a pool party or luncheon at your home or clubhouse. You can bring the items to a chapter meeting, or I can pick it up from you. Please contact Donna McCoy (423-416-4791) if you have any questions, need me to pick up your donation, or if you’re available to help on the day of the event.
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Special Interest Groups
The last virtual book group discussion until May will take place on Monday, October 19 at 11:00, Naples time. Barb Richardson will facilitate our discussion of Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray about Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor under FDR. All are welcome! Contact Laura Candris for details.
On Wednesday, October 21, Kathleen Hawryluk, a member of AAUW and an Ikebana (Sogetsu) Instructor, will present an Introduction to Ikebana at her studio. Time: 10 a m - noon Cost: $25 per student Address: 5081 Tamarind Ridge Drive, Naples,. Parking is limited; please carpool. Minimum number of students: 10 Maximum 20. Please bring clippers and an apron. Flowers, greens and containers provided.You will take home your own design in a provided container. There will be a short demonstration, followed by time for you to make your own creation, and then a very gentle critique and opportunity for picture taking. A fun morning for all. If interested, please contact Carol Siwinski 215-913-7667.
The first meeting of the Non-Fiction Book Club is at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26 at the North Collier County Government Center Community Room, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. The book selection is Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux.
All members are welcome. If you need further information, contact Non-Fiction Book Club Coordinator Karen Clegg, 913-488-7707.
The Great Decisions group will meet on Monday, November 2, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the North Collier County Government Center community room, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. Our topic this month is the future of multilateral institutions, including the U.N. Everyone is welcome!
Please contact Carol Light if you are interested in learning more about U.S. foreign policy and sharing your knowledge, experiences, and opinions on the important issues we discuss each month. We'd love to have you join us.
The Fiction/Non-fiction Book Group will meet on Friday, November 13 to discuss The Lost Masterpiece by V.A. Shapiro. Contact Susan Becker for details.
The NonSequiturs November Adventure will be Thursday, November 19, 9:30 am - Noon. Experience a hands-on Ikebana workshop with nationally recognized Sogetsu school floral designer Kathleen Hawryluk, in her home workshop. 9:30 - 9:50 Social, Demo and intro. A selection of fresh floral material will be available, and a basic container will be supplied.You will make your own design to take home. A gentle critique and photos will complete this very special opportunity. Please bring clippers, an apron and a paper bag for trash (to take home)
Fee is $25 and class is limited to 15. Register by noon Thursday November 12. Email Nancy Beights to reserve your place.
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Special Events
December 5 - Holiday Luncheon and Silent Auction - Auction at 10:30; luncheon at 11:30. Countryside Golf and Country Club, 600 Countryside Drive
The 2027 Catherine E. Hackney, Ph.D. Lecture: “Higher Education under Attack: The Florida Perspective,” featuring Dr. Nancy Van Note Chism, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Higher Education Administration, Indiana University and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, IUPUI, and Dr. Michael V. Martin, Ph. D., President Emeritus of FGCU, will be held on Monday, February 8. Reception begins at 5:15; Location: Grace Lutheran Church, Park Shore. $60.
The Annual Scholarship Awards Celebration Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Tibruròn Golf Club. The Keynote speaker will be Dr. Starlette Sinclair, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Florida Gulf Coast University & Chair, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Department of Psychology program coordinator, Honors College faculty fellow. Topic: "Gatekeeping: The importance of barrier-breaking, radical optimism, and lifting while we climb.” $90.
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