October 2025

Rooted in Purpose and Rising in Power

As we step into this new year, we do so with clarity and commitment — to equity, to education and to leadership for women and girls. We are not just a group. We are a movement, rooted in the belief that when women rise, communities thrive.

Across generations, women have lifted as they climbed, from trailblazers in education to quiet revolutionaries in homes and neighborhoods. The legacy we inherit is one of resilience and vision, and yet, the work continues. Too many girls still grow up doubting their worth, too many women are still asked to wait their turn, speak softer, or settle for less.

But not in this Branch. Not in this year. Not on our watch.

In 2025/2026, we move ahead inspired— investing in girls through our Reading Is Fun Program for Kindergarten to grade 4 students and through our STEAM Program for 5th grade girls and a soon to begin a Tech Trek Program for 8th grade girls!  We move ahead by mentoring young leaders through our Start Smart program for young female college seniors. We create space for voices that need to be heard through our Scholarship Program for college and graduate students.  These programs not only mentor students to become young leaders but, also, create space for voices that need to be heard.

We advocate, we educate, we elevate.

This year, let’s commit to:

Equity for all is not only an idea, but a commitment to action; in schools, through supporting our school programs K -12; and scrutinize School Boards through supporting our Ambassador Committee and our Public Policy Committee and beyond.

Empowerment is not only in talking, but by supporting and promoting our Programs; Reading is Fun, STEAM, Tech Trek, Start Smart and our Scholarships.

Leadership that is inclusive, compassionate and unapologetically strong.

Let this be the year we don’t just hope for change; we are the change.

Here is an Inspiration to carry forward:

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.” — Serena Williams

So let’s rise - together, for the girls watching us, for the women who walked before us, and for the future we are helping each other to build now.

PURPOSE - AAUW NATIONALLY

Mission: To advance gender equality for women and girls through research, advocacy and education

Vision: Equality for All

Values: Non-partisan, Fact-based, Integrity, Inclusion & Intersectionality

Sylvia Natale

Lucy Williams

Co-presidents

Welcome New Members

Welcome New Members

Carolyn Alden

Attiana Cogswell

Sara Dustin

Cassia Elwin

Kathleen Hawryluk

Jada Johnson 

Ginger Kelly

Donna McCoy

Simone Perry

Altanice Valentine



Thank you for joining AAUW’s mission to continue the advancement of gender equality for women and girls.  

BRANCH MEETING SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1

The offices of President, Vice President for Programs, and Secretary will expire on June 30, 2026, and in March, 2026, we will elect those officers.

Nominating Committee Members will be selected and presented to the Board and to the members at the November Branch Meeting. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, please contact Jacky Territo, Past President and Committee Chair. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

As always, the task of reaching willing leaders is a difficult one, and yet, in assuming these roles, our officers continue to excel in leading our Branch to outstanding accomplishments. To prepare our prospective leaders, succession planning can be highly effective, and for that reason, I have encouraged each Board member to invite a Branch member to assist her as she performs her duties throughout the year. This will provide additional assistance to the Board member, experience to the Branch member, and,

hopefully, an enhanced pipeline to leadership from which we would all benefit. Without the burden of commitment, our members may then assume the roles and responsibilities with knowledge of the job, confidence in accomplishing the tasks, and new ideas that continue to improve the Branch programs and operations.

Please respond positively to this

request as it will help you to prepare to assume a leadership role and share the responsibilities that have strengthened our Branch and continue to enrich the membership experiences of our Branch members.

The Great Decisions group will meet on Monday, November 3, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the North Collier Government Center’s community room, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive.

Our topic is the future of NATO. Come learn with us and join our discussion!

If you are interested in learning more about the group, please contact Carol Light.

FRIDAY BOOK CLUB

The Friday Book Club's 2025-2026 season runs November through April.

Below are the titles voted in by members and the dates of each meeting. (Aso found on our website and monthly calendar)

The time of each meeting is 1:00 PM.  Locations vary and are TBD.



To join the book club email listing, contact Facilitator Susan Becker

Susan Becker   smmsbecker@gmail.com

2025-2026 AAUW TITLES

November 14, 2025pp

THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon

December 12, 2025

THE MIGHTY RED by Louise Erdrich

January 9, 2026p

WEYWARD by Emilia Hart

February 13, 2026

THE LAST TWELVE MILES by Erica Robuck

March 13, 2026

THE GREAT DIVIDE by Christina Henriquez



April 10, 2026

THE PROSPECTORS by Ariel Djanikianin

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Did you know.... Greater Naples AAUW awarded 17 Scholarships in 2025? Are you interested in being part of this selection process in 2026?

Please join us for the first meeting of the SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE on Wednesday, October 29th at 10am!!

The scholarship awards made annually are a cornerstone for our branch activities and we invite all members that would like to take part in this selection process for 2026 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 Jeannine Stetson at jeannine07@gmail.com and I will add you to the email list to receive communications regarding the Scholarship Committee for the upcoming season. I will send out a Zoom link for those that would like to participate in this meeting online and I will also have a meeting location set up for those who would like to attend in person.

Thank you! Please contact Schoarship Director Jeannine Stetson 239-961-3481 with any questions

Public Policy

Education Ambassadors



"EA” steering committee has been active this summer attending school board meetings and tracking on many issues, including book bans. CCPS budget work that we are watching includes keeping an eye on the Collier County Commission budget process too, as impact fees influence the school district budget. A state initiative to reduce or eliminate property taxes also affects our schools. On our list to monitor: the impact of unfunded State and Federal mandates, the cost of school choice programs, salary negotiations and more!

Please know that you may sign up anytime to be a “member on call” by contacting Nancy Dick

or Nancy Chism.

The next Talk & Tour is at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The mission of the Conservancy is "to protect Southwest Florida's unique natural environment and quality of life...now and forever".

We will meet at 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, on November 19 at 10:00, 

explore some of the exhibits in the Discovery Center and, at 11:00, join an electric boat tour along the Gordon River.

Cost is $ 22.00. Please bring payment to the November 1 branch meeting.

Lunch to follow at Grappino’s, 90 9th St N, Naples, Fl. 34102

AAUW NATIONAL NEWS

AAUW GNB ENDOWMENTS

AAUW GNB Endowments Help Sponsor Awardees

This fall, AAUW awarded over $5.3 Million in fellowships and grants to 228 women scholars and community projects. The Greater Naples Branch's two endowments are helping to sponsor two of the awardees.

An American Dissertation Fellowship has been awarded to Carson Outler. She is a Ph.D candidate in Marriage and Family therapy at Florida State University. Her dissertation examines how formal and informal supports influence the mental health of sandwiched caregivers, adults (often women) caring for both their children and aging parents. She aims to inform policies that promote family well-being and aspires to a faculty role where she can lead training, research, and advocacy that uplifts women and strengthens care giving systems.



The Greater Naples Branch is also helping to sponsor a Community Action Grant to an organization based in Florida that provides community support to immigrant families. The grantee has requested that their details not be made public.