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AAUW MARIN JANUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER
edited by Dottie Burk and Cherie Sorokin
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AAUW Advances Equity
for Women and Girls!
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A Woman's Place is in the House and the Senate and wherever public policy is being made...
There are now 25 women in the US Senate (out of 100) and 124 in the house (out of 435). Fifty-four of the combined total are women of color. 12 state governors are women. Women now make up 24% of the CA state legislature. OK, the numbers are better, but still well below 50%. There is at least one very bright spot in CA, however. All executive level elected positions in CA Government, except the Governor, are held by women!
Of course, being female doesn't ensure wise leadership nor does it mean we all necessarily agree on what equity for women and girls actually means. Nor is increasing the number of women in government a "silver bullet" for women's empowerment. There is still A LOT of work to be done both within government and in corporate and nonprofit organizations to ensure that women are treated equally and public policy is designed to recognize and support gender equity. If you aren't already an AAUW Two Minute Activist make it a New Year's Resolution to become one! Help us make sure our representatives know how strongly we feel about advancing equity for women and girls! By the way, AAUW's two-minute activists and our other lobbying efforts recently helped encourage passage of the Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act (Yes, (ah duh?) pregnant women should be given bathroom breaks, and yes they should be able to carry water with them on the job!).
And how about another New Year's Resolution to personally speak up whenever you witness sexism rearing its ugly head? Gender inequality is real and sexism and sexist beliefs of individuals have been shown to be directly associated with increases in gender inequality. Don't just shake your head and move on, say something!
SAVE the DATE: AAUW-CA's next lobby days have been scheduled for March 21st and 22nd, 2023. There will be a training session on March 20th.
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Staff Urgently Needed
Because requests for camper spaces to the Davis and Sonoma Tech Trek camps greatly exceed available space, each Northern California branch may be limited to sending only 3 girls to AAUW’s Tech Trek STEM Camp for Girls. Our Marin Branch is planning to send 8 girls, so only 3 would not be a good thing.
Rescue is on the horizon - but we need your help. Two more camps (Stanford and a second week at Sonoma) may be able to open IF we have staff. We have camp directors for the 2023 camps at Stanford and Sonoma, but WE NEED:
Dorm Moms
Workshop Presenters
Core Class Teachers
Camp Directors-in-Training,
Camp Nurses/Doctors/Health Aids
Other Volunteers
The Sonoma camp dates are June 17-24 for Camp Rosalind Franklin and July 22-29 for Camp Katherine Johnson. While Stanford definitely wants us back, we don’t have dates for that week yet.
Please contact Amy Anderson aanderson0708@gmail.com with any ideas of people who would be interested in any of the positions. (Some positions are paid and open to non-members.)
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President's Message
Welcome to 2023! The past several days have brought much needed rain to the Bay Area. With predictions of rain during the coming weeks the forecast is “sunny”.
I want to thank all of you who attended our December luncheon, which along with being a lively social gathering, garnered additional funds for our scholarship fund.
In 2023, if the COVID numbers stay low after January, we hope to continue to have in person programs. You can always check ahead for the programs and dates on our website. This way you can add them to your calendar ahead of time.
New for 2023 is Gov Trek, the state program for high school girls. The state website describes Gov Trek as: A virtual program for high school junior and senior girls designed to elevate the next generation to pursue careers in public service and elected office. There are still openings, so if you know of a young woman who is interested, please encourage her to participate. For more complete information click here. This program will help change the still lopsided demographics as noted in the lead article.
Above all, thank you for your continued support of AAUW, both at the national and our local level.
Dianne
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Two Great Branch Programs in January 2023 | |
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January 7: Pop Art Presentation by Avril Angevine
11:00 am on Zoom!
Avril Angevine, a public guide at SF MOMA, docent at the Oakland Museum, and art educator in many venues, returns for another enlightening program. The topic this time is California Pop Art. California Pop artists may follow styles that originate in Europe or New York, but they put their own stamp on things - sometimes more irreverent, sometimes more down to earth, but always full of California color and verve. Avril will focus on Ed Ruscha, Wayne Thiebaud, Joan Brown,* Roger Kuntz, and Robert Colescott in this talk. Whether you are a great fan of Pop Art, or somewhat dubious onlooker, you always learn something worth knowing from Avril!
*By the way, Joan Brown is the subject of a large exhibition at the SF MOMA through this March!
Here is the Zoom link so you have it handy (a reminder will also be sent on Friday).
Please RSVP to the separate invite that was sent last week so we know how many to expect. Can't find it? Then email Cherie to let her know you plan to attend!
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January 21: Dr. Wynne Canio on Aging
11:00 am on Zoom!
Dr. Wynne Canio, Geriatrician at Kaiser, will speak to us on Women’s Health as we age--perhaps not the "art of aging," but at least how to navigate the journey. Dr. Canio is a physician at Kaiser in Marin who teaches and works with physicians there to understand the particular needs of older adults. She is one of the relatively few geriatricians in the United States and we are so lucky to have her working in Marin and even luckier to have her speaking to us! Be sure to Zoom in to hear her words of wisdom on this important topic.
Watch for the invitation and please RSVP when you receive it.
You can check out all future programs on our website.
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Holiday Lunch Recap
Almost 50 members attended our annual Holiday Lunch on December 3rd at McInnis Park. We enjoyed catching up in person with friends, listening to music, and shopping for direct buy items contributed by members. An amazing variety of mostly homemade goodies were snapped up quickly, raising a whopping $900 on the spot for the Scholarship Fund. During lunch, tables competed to write six-word stories about famous (or in some cases infamous) women. The festivities ended with a poem written by Cherie Sorokin, our branch poet laureate.
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Ann Thomas, Joyce Erlenbach, Becky Bingea and Pauline Nakamuli arrange direct buy items. | |
Branch President Dianne Sheridan speaks to members as they enjoy a festive meal | |
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2022 AAUW Marin Holiday Poem
By Cherie Sorokin
Tis the month of December and all through Marin
We’re fretting about viruses and the state the world’s in
Will there be a recession, what’s happening afar?
And can the Supreme Court get even more bizarre?
In mid 2022 we seemed to move backwards, my friends
Especially when viewing the world though a feminist lens
But we rallied and voted, and fought off some losses
When it comes to our bodies, we want to be bosses
But our work is not done, not by a long shot
There are still so many rights we simply ain’t got
What about equal pay and paid family and medical leave
And what about freedom from roles preconceived?
And why are misogynists still so blankety blank prevalent?
Isn’t it time we made them irrelevant?
These are questions I know you think of in bed
As visions of the world run through in your head
Yes, at three in the morning, of course we can’t sleep
With so much at stake, there’s no time to count sheep
Women and girls are counting on us to know what to do
And of course, that’s why we all belong to AAUW
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Thank You, Supporters of our Fall
Fundraising Campaign!
We are pleased to report that $7,000 was raised via the online Silent Auction and Direct Buy sales at the Holiday Lunch and to-date another $11,500 via direct donations. These donations to the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund will support college scholarships at Dominican University and College of Marin as well as provide Tech Trek and NCCWSL sponsorships. When all of the donations have been tallied, we will update the "Honor Roll of Donors" on the Philanthropy tab of the branch website HERE .
A sincere thank you to all who contributed to the fundraising effort whether with a direct donation, or by donating or buying an auction or direct buy item. It all helps. A special thanks to those who solicited Marin merchants for items. Thirty-five merchants donated items to the auction this year, a significant increase from last year. Kudos again to the Auction Committee for their efforts on behalf of the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund: Nancy Lubamersky, Amy Anderson, Elaine Marevich, Ann Thomas, Pauline Nakamuli, and Dottie Burk.
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New Members: Where do they come from?
They come from YOU! Current members telling their neighbors, friends, co-workers about all that AAUW Marin has to offer is how most of our new members find out about us and join. So spread the word about our mission, interest groups, programs and all the wonderful women friends you’ve made and help us increase our membership. Contact Membership Chair Chris O’Neill coneill514@comcast.net, if you have questions or would like her to contact a prospective member.
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Joan Brown
(Not to be confused with Pop Artist Joan Brown who will be highlighted in next Saturday's talk)
Joan has known about AAUW for years and finally has joined us, with some gentle persuasion from Chris O’Neill. Many of you probably already know Joan. She is truly one of Marin’s most well-known women. She founded and headed Civic Center Volunteers for 33 years, was inducted into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame and has served as its emcee, ran many political and grass roots campaigns, serves on the Board of Wednesday Morning Dialogue, is active in Dominican’s Women Leadership and Philanthropy Council, serves as a Board of Supervisors appointee on the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center Conservancy and is a Marin Civic Center docent. She is particularly interested in homelessness, the environment, housing, and women’s issues and is a political junkie. A resident of Kentfield, in her free time she enjoys spending time with her partner Jim Allen, her son and his partner, two granddaughters plus two surrogate daughters and their families on the Brown side, as well as two sons and their wives and 4 grandkids on the Allen side. She also enjoys her book club, gardening, good conversations with friends and supporting those in assisted living situations. Welcome Joan.
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Ann Vercoutere
Ann retires at the end of the month from practicing as a general surgeon for 30 years in Marin and then 7 at the VA Hospital in Vallejo. She is looking forward to getting to know our wonderful AAUW members. Ann has been in a book club with Angela Nuckles, which is how she learned about AAUW. She plans to do more cooking, traveling, hiking, and volunteering at China Camp in retirement. Ann lives in Greenbrae. She has an adult daughter here in Marin and a son in Munich. She says she has no pets or partner for now, but I’m thinking that might change once she’s retired. She’s probably one of only a few of our members who has traveled in Mongolia. Welcome Ann and we’re looking forward to learning more about you.
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Other Member News
Dorothy Petitt, longtime branch member, died in early December. Dorothy was an active member of the What Are You Reading book group, a retired San Francisco State English professor, and was 99 at the time of her death.
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Ready to join a new interest group? All groups welcome new members. Just contact the group leader for information or to be added to the group email list. For a list of all Marin branch interest groups with leader contact information, click HERE.
Note: Interest Groups are just for members of AAUW Marin, but guests who may be thinking of joining are welcome to visit an interest group twice before being asked join. For general info or to suggest a new group, contact Interest Group Chair, Vicki Samo.
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Behind the Headlines
In January Behind the Headlines will focus on issues related to the long and complex relationship between Russia and the Ukraine, and the impact of the current war on Russian and Ukrainian families in the United States. Our guest speaker will be Sonia Melnikova, an American citizen and former "refusnik" for many years in Russia before being allowed to emigrate. Sonia is an artist, not a political scientist or historian, but has agreed to share her insights on the "behind the headlines" aspects of this war and the relationship between the two cultures with our group. January 11 at 6:00 via Zoom. Contact Cherie Sorokin if you are interested in joining and are not yet on the Headlines mailing list for program notices.
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Homeward Bound Fresh Starts Chef Events
The Chef Event Dinner Group has restarted now that Homeward Bound has re-instituted their events. They have some very exciting local chefs lined up. There is a difference in how to make your reservations. There are a limited number of seats that you can reserve as an individual and then you can reserve a table for 4, 6 or 8. January is sold out, but they are taking reservations for Stephane Saint Louis on February 27. If you make a reservation for one of the Chef Events let Dianne Sheridan know. If there is more then one of you, she can ask that you be seated together.
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New Meeting Day/Time for the Reading Arts Group!
The Reading Arts Interest Group has moved to a new day and time. The group voted to move from evening to daytime meetings, a big change after many years. The new meeting time is the THIRD THURSDAY of each month, from 1-3 pm. If you would like to join the group, contact group leader Ann Jessup.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits reading group kicks off 2023 with three novels by Albanian writer and political activist Ismail Kadare: The General, winner of the first Mann Booker International Prize, on January 18; The Seige on February 15; and Chronicle in Stone on March 15. Themes in these books are Albanian history, politics, folklore, and tradition. Meetings include lively discussion and analysis of the monthly book. The next meeting is January 18 at 10 am. A good time to join. For information, contact group leader Ann Thomas.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting January 23 at 1:00 on Zoom to discuss Incarnations. A History of India in Fifty Lives by Sunil Khilnani. The library has a limited number of copies. If you are having trouble getting a copy, you can listen to the book on Audible using their free trial offer. The nonfiction reading group meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 1:00 via Zoom and discusses nonfiction books selected by the group members. If you would like to be on the group’s email list, email either co-leader for the Zoom link: Phyllis Kuehn or Olivia Ruel .
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New Yorker Reading Group
Our next meeting will be January 9 at 1:00 on Zoom. We have an interesting selection of articles covering topics including the hospice industry, climate change issues for Alaskan natives, Annie Ernaux and her Nobel Prize, an oral history of Hollywood, and parasites! Something for everyone! You can read the New Yorker online free through the library, and we will also send you links to the articles. You can also listen to most of the articles through the links. Contact leaders Phyllis Kuehn or Olivia Ruel for the links.
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What Are You Reading? Group
On January 17 the group will gather at Cherie Sorokin's home for a delayed Holiday Lunch. This group shares comments and thoughts on books that individual members are reading. Contact Cherie Sorokin if you are interested in joining. The group is seeking new members.
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Happy Hour Group
The January Happy Hour will be on Zoom this time. We will meet on Thursday, January 5 at 4:30. If you are not already a group member and would like to join us for conversation and cocktails (your own this time), contact Dottie Burk.
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Play Mah Jongg?
Join our Mah Jongg Group. We play every Wednesday, 1:00-3:00 PM, in members’ homes or online using Myjongg.net. Contact Chris O’Neill for more information or if you don’t know how to play and would like to learn.
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New Year's Day Fun in the Sun!
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Approximately 20 branch members came together for brunch on New Year's Day on an amazingly warm and sunny day in Tiburon! Great fun, great food and great company! Pictured above are some of the attendees: Afaf Meleis, Trubee Schock, Sarah Pruden, Pat Ernsberger, Mary Mossteller, Nancy Greenfield, Lorraine Voskanian, and Liz Clark.
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Know Someone Who'd Like to Join AAUW? | |
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AAUW women make an impact for women and girls.
Spread the news amongst your friends about what AAUW is doing. Word of mouth is the best way to recruit new members!
Why Join? AAUW offers you multiple ways to stay engaged with our mission of advancing equity for women and girls, as well as to develop friendship with others who understand that the fight for equality is still critical! Excellent national webinars! Engaging monthly branch programs! A wide variety of interest group meetings! Energetic, intellectually curious friends! A mission that is more important than ever! CONTACT Chris O'Neill for membership information.
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AAUW is a top-rated 501(c)(3) charity. Donations are tax deductible.
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