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

American Association of University Women Austin, TX Branch

FY 25-26 Vol. 8 March 2026 Newsletter

There are signs around us that Spring is on its way. That means that bluebonnets, paintbrush and other colors of nature will soon brighten our days. Our meeting this month will be on Wednesday, March 18th at 10AM at Balcones Country Club. Watch your email in the coming weeks for the Evite. Please remember to comment with your food choice when you RSVP Here

A Message from Co-President, Terry Whaley

AAUW Austin continues to be a dynamic and growing organization. We recently gained six new members and our two new interest groups are off to a good start. Do you have an activity that you would like to promote? You only need three interested members to form a new group. Reading, cooking, travel, music, theater, movies or crafts are only a few pursuits that could become an active interest group. Berta Lloyd, Shirlene Justice, or Terry Whaley would each be glad to assist with getting your interest group board-approved and launched. Interest groups are a great way to recruit new members!

Please continue to follow our dedicated Public Policy group and assist in any way you can. With the election this year, we need to actively promote both voter registration and participation in the voting process. A League of Women Voters member remarked that Texas is not a red state, it is a non-voting state. There will be many opportunities for all of us to assist with get out the vote initiatives. Becoming a Volunteer Deputy Registrar is an easy online process. Remember, our rights depend on the outcome of elections.

We have two more fundraising opportunities this year. On March 7 there will be an appetizer party hosted by Kathy Stewart, and later in the spring we will continue our annual event at Kendra Scott in Austin. You can get tickets for the appetizer party from Kathy Stewart and we will have more details about Kendra Scott in future announcements.

Thanks to all members and leaders for continuing to support AAUW Austin. Your efforts make us a successful organization with a positive impact on all of us and the community.

Thank you! Terry

PHOTO ABOVE. Speaking of interest groups, Art Group members Brenda, Ceci, Berta and Debbie were among a large group of us who recently learned about and supported The Vera Gallery and store on the square in Georgetown. They have such an interesting back story....and so many beautiful scarves!

Our AAUW Austin Centennial Scholarship at Austin Community College is ongoing and has a current balance of $18,708 as of January 31. Please continue to support the scholarship by donating online following the links below: https://offices.austincc.edu/foundation/make-a-donation-to-the-austin-community-college-foundation/ (enter donation amount, then select "other" then specify in "notes" that it is for our AAUW Centennial Endowed fund). Or print and mail in this card: DONATION CARD.

March Guest Speaker

Adventures of a Female Geologist in a Male-Dominated Profession: 1978-2026

Patricia (Pat) Bobeck, PhD, grew up in Michigan and Indiana and had the opportunity to study abroad in France and Switzerland as an undergraduate. She later enrolled in the Linguistics MA program at the University of Michigan and went on to teach ESL in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, as well as ESL and French in Hawaii.

After being encouraged by an acquaintance to pursue a career in science, Pat moved to Texas to obtain a master’s degree in Geology from UT in 1985. Her thesis project focused on a large igneous intrusion in the Chihuahuan desert. Due to a depressed market at that time for those in her field, Pat taught French at ACC until being hired to teach geology there. In 1992 she was hired by the Texas Water Commission to clean up industrial and hazardous waste sites, later taking a position at the TX Department of Health Services as Chief of the Geologic Assessment Program in the Radiation Safety Licensing Branch. While there she oversaw cleanups of the South Texas uranium mines and permitting of a radioactive waste storage site in Andrews County, Texas. She retired from state service in 2007.

While working as a translator of technical literature on hydrogeology and geomorphology during her retirement, Pat also completed a PhD in geology in 2017. Pat continues to work on geologic projects and is currently creating an English-language Geologic Guidebook to Paris, for geologists who want to learn about and see Paris geology but lack fluency in the language and/or history.

Reflections on the Wisdom Shared by our February Speaker

This correspondence tells it all.

Suki,

I can't thank you enough and your members for giving me the opportunity to share the film and history with my sisters to enhance our collective identity as Austinites and people who fight for equity and justice in this season in which we live.

It was so inspiring to see them engaged and passionate. And having Jacob Harrell's great-great-granddaughter in the audience was a divinely appointed moment. We have been corresponding.

Also, thank you for honoring my time and research with the honorarium. I am eternally grateful. Blessings and my deepest gratitude to the Austin members of AAUW. Keep the faith and stay on mission. Too, thanks for being such a gracious host, putting me at ease and being my "handler" (smile). Give thanks to Sarah for the help on the technical end, please.

Blessings, Jen Cumberbatch

Hey Jen,

It was our pleasure! So glad you felt the energy in the room. That moment with Jacob Harrell's relative who happened to be a guest -- kismet!! I'll pass along your thanks. Keep fighting the good fight and inspiring others.

With love and gratitude, Suki

MANY THANKS to Terry Whaley for the wonderful Valentine's hearts she hand-crocheted for everyone of us in attendance at this meeting!

Welcome New Members Barbara Morgan and Cynthia Johnson

Barbara Morgan earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1968 from Baylor University and began teaching elementary music in Dallas. In 1971 she completed a master's degree in Music Education from North Texas State University and taught in El Paso at the Regional Day School for the Deaf. Motivated by her deaf students, Barbara established a Fine Arts program at the school to expand opportunities for student participation in the arts.

In 1979 Barbara moved to Austin and began teaching drama at the Texas School for the Deaf. Video production with its perfect combination of music, drama and video inspired her to create a video production class there. Her students produced a student news program and her TV students created a PSA that was aired for Ann Richards’ inauguration celebration in the Erwin Center.

Barbara’s students also partnered with hearing students from Covington MS to produce video documentaries for the Junior Historian National History Day competition. One of their projects, Helen Keller, the Miracle Worked, won second place. Later, Barbara obtained certification as a sign language interpreter. After retiring from teaching in 2002, she continued to interpret for classes at Austin Community College for a total of 25 years.

Today, Barbara lives in south Austin with Cynthia, her partner of nearly 44 years. She likes to decorate their backyard with rescued pieces of everyday life. The only thing that slows her down are her beloved chihuahuas who love to cuddle on the couch and watch old movies.

Cynthia R. Johnson joined AAUW because her friends, Shirlene and Nancy, shared the fun and interesting activities they participated in as members of the association. Cynthia earned her B.S. in Education with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1976, and an M.A. in History, also from UT Austin, in 1999.

Living History was an important part of Cynthia's classroom activities as a teacher. Hands on activities, costumes, artifacts, and oral history with an emphasis on social history were all part of her toolbox for success in the classroom. She taught grades 6-12 and community college.

In addition to many other awards, Austin ISD honored her as the Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1990. Thousands of students were inspired by her exciting and creative teaching methods. Students called her “that teacher who dressed up!”

Cynthia’s 43-year career in education included Austin ISD and Austin Community College. She retired from Austin ISD in 2008 and ACC in 2020. Today, she enjoys traveling, decorating her home, and caring for her two chihuahuas with Barbara, her partner of nearly 44 years.

Public Policy Issues, Actions and Opportunities

VOTING + OTHER ACTIONS -- Anita Knight

GREEN AUSTIN

In June, Austin will host the 2026 Greater and Greener Conference, the premier event for innovators and decision-makers from across the global urban park community. Austin Parks Foundation will be heavily involved in hosting and attending, and encourages all park champions to participate - be it attending the full conference, getting a day pass, or helping with volunteer opportunities.

ABORTION

The Branch Public Policy subcommitee on women’s healthcare continues to monitor changes in Texas’ abortion ban. Also starting Jan. 20, when we sponsored the film Zurawski v. Texas (hope you all saw it!), is this ACLU series: Texans of different races, ages, and genders are joining together once again through the Texas Abortion Advocacy Network (TAAN) Academy. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, identify gaps in care and resources, and discuss what’s missing in local healthcare and advocacy.

ELECTION DAY IS MARCH 3! PLEASE VOTE!

We are excited that we will have the opportunity to participate in this Spring's AAUW-Texas Seminar via Zoom or in person. For the latter option, our Branch is working on ride-sharing opportunities -- using our own vehicles or possibly a rental van -- so that we are able to attend in San Antonio. More information will be forthcoming, but for now save the date and make plans to participate however you can.

**AAUW-Texas provides local branches across the state with pertinent information on actions and activities of concern to us all. All members should be receiving the State newsletter via email, but if you missed the most recent edition, you will find it here: Read More

NOTE: As of 4/1/26, annual member dues will be $105, a $2.00 increase over last year. This breaks down to $76 to National, $13 to the state, and $16 to our branch.

**Congrats to our Austin Branch members nominated for the AAUW-Texas board:

Terry Whaley, Co-President * Linda Welsh, Co-President * Larayne Dallas, Secretary * Sharon Lesikar (dual member with Georgetown), Central District Representative. Look for your ballot on 3/23 and submit your vote by 4/1. Show your Austin Branch Pride!

We are also pleased to announce the nominations for branch officers in the 2026-2027 program year.

Co-Presidents

Shirlene Justice - Returning

Sarah Averill - Nominee

Co-Vice Presidents for Programs

Kathy Stewart - Returning

Berta Lloyd - Nominee

Co-Vice Presidents for Membership

Lynn Gambrill - Returning

Paula Coopwood - Nominee

Treasurer

Cynthia Roberts - Returning

Secretary

Elaine Penn - Returning

Special thanks to the nominating committee for recruiting this outstanding slate. The nominating committee members included:

Linda Welsh, Chair; Joyce Pulich;

Cynthia Roberts; Debbie Starr and

Pat Beal

Beginning next year, we will have a new officer position, treasurer-elect (treasurer-in-training). The addition of this position will improve our ability to recruit for this very important function, allowing for a smooth transition from year to year.

Please consider volunteering for this office. You will be working side by side with the very capable Cynthia Roberts. You do not need an accounting background to fill this role. Good organizational skills and a willingness to learn from Cynthia are the main requirements. Please contact Cynthia or Shirlene if you are interested in learning more about the position.

2026A2026direct and compelling headline

March Interest Group Activities 2026

ART TOUR

When: Wednesday, March 4

Time: 10 am

Where: The Canopy, 916 Springdale Rd., Austin

Host: Milli Segal

Contacts: Pat Beal: patrbeal@gmail.com 512.762.9924

Devon Austin: devonaustin@msn.com 562.225.7681

BRIDGE GROUP

When: March 12 and March 26, Second and Fourth Thursdays

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: North Lamar Senior Activity Center, 29^th& North Lamar

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

CENTRAL BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, March 9

Time: 10:30 am

Where: La Madeleine, 5493 Brodie Lane, Austin, Tx.

Book: “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation”

Author Kristin Kobes Du Mez

Facilitator: Suellen Myers

Contact: Linda Quintanilla: quintalin@gmail.com 713.202.8525

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

When: First Monday, March 2 (meets on Zoom)

Time: 7 pm

Where: Zoom

Book: “North Woods,” Author Daniel Manson

Facilitator: Louise Jordan

Contact: Mary Ellen Schribner: maryescribner@gmail.com 512.698.5539

CREATIVE STITCHERY

When: Wednesday, March 11

Time: 10:00 am

Where: 1811 Running Brook Drive, Austin

Project: Quilt Binding

Hosts: Jackie Hardee and Kathryn Pew

Contact: Beverly Locklin: bklocklin@outlook.com 512.633.2902

CULTURE AND CUISINE

When: 2^nd Thursday, March 12

Time: 6 PM

Theme: 50’s Theme

Hosts: Nancy Andren and Sarah Averill

Where: Home of Nancy Andren

Contact: Ann Gibbs: agibbs5200@gmail.com, 512.250.1203

FRIDAY MORNING BOOK REVIEW

Unfortunately, this group has disbanded.

HIKING

Hike 1

When: Thursday, March 5

Time: 10 am

Where: Canyon Lake Spillway

Leader: Jackie Hardee

Contacts: Kate DiPronio: ktlee523@gmail.com 512.924.9061

Gayle Kanies,gayle.kaines@gmail.com 512.587.7747

Hike 2

When: Saturday, March 21

Time: 10 AM

Where: Rough Hollow Lakeside Trail

Leader: Jackie Hardee

Contacts: Kate DiPronio: ktlee523@gmail.com 512.924.9061

Gayle Kanies,gayle.kaines@gmail.com 512.587.7747

MAHJONG

When: Every Thursday

*Thursday, March 5

*Thursday, March 12

*Thursday, March 19

*Thursday, March 26

Time: 1-4:00 pm

Where: N. Lamar Senior Activity Center 2874 Shoal Crest Ave (29th and North Lamar) Austin, Tx.

Contact: Connie Munoz, comunoz1@yahoo.com 361.813.8012

MYSTERY INTEREST GROUP

When: March 24

Time: 11:00 AM

Book: Texas Author

Place: BJ Brewhouse. The Shops at Arbor Walk, 10515 N. Mopac Expy, NB Austin, Tx.

Contact: Pam Wolfe: piwolfe@yahoo.com 512.925.7865

OUT TO LUNCH

When: Tuesday, March 17

Time: 11:00 AM

Where: Cafe Largesse, 2800 Barton Creek Blvd.

Planner: Lynn Gambrill

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

PEARS

When: Saturday, March 21

Time: 5:30 PM

Where: 60 Vines Domain

Contact: Milli Stecker: mstecker@austin.rr.com 512-468-1088

SOUTHWEST BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, March 9

Time: 10:30 – 12:30 pm

Book: “Flight Behavior” Author Barbara Kingsolver (F) (PP 453)

Facilitator: Ines Garcia

Host: Ginny Tannebring

Contact: Brenda Hahne: bwhahne@gmail.com 832.233.4254

WINE TASTERS

When: Sunday, March 15

Time: TBD

Theme: Destination Tasting

Where/Host: Linda Welsh, 2023 Cervin, ATX

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

NEW GROUP UPDATES

It's 5:00 Somewhere Our first meeting of this new interest group was a big success. There were 11 of us enjoying good food and great conversation, with a good mix of new and veteran members. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, at 4:00 p.m. at Santa Catarina Restaurant. The address is 2901 Manor Road. The food and ambiance are very good, and they offer excellent happy-hour deals. You will receive more details when Shirlene sends out the Evite in a few days. For the remainder of this program year, we will try different days to see what works best for the group. We will decide on a regular schedule for next year's calendar.

Santa Catarina Restaurant

Wellness 2026 Interest Group

Group Leader: Fai Chan

The first Wellness 2026 meeting will be a visit to Hotworx Lakeline to experience infrared sauna-based workouts, including cycling, Pilates, yoga, and more, guided by virtual instructors.

On Wednesday, March 11, at 11:00 a.m., Hotworx will host a Zoom call to provide a brief orientation and answer your questions. At that time, the group will select one of the following dates for the first Wellness 2026 meeting: Tuesday, March 24; Saturday, March 28; Thursday, April 2; Tuesday, April 7; or Saturday, April 11.

To learn more, contact Fai Chan at deliaroma8@gmail.com

February Fundraising News

The Fundraising team is sponsoring an appetizer exchange on Saturday March 7 from 2-4 pm at Kathy Stewart’s home. Tickets are $25 each and there are only a few remaining. Each guest will bring an appetizer to share with others. Wine and margaritas (and water) will be provided. Guests will email a typewritten copy of their appetizer recipe to Shirlene Justice at: shirelenejustice@gmail.com and she will provide you with a PDF file of the recipes to help you re-create your favorites. It will be a fun time to mingle and snack and drink.

If you want to attend, contact Kathy at kbsaustin@yahoo.com All proceeds will support the national AAUW greatest needs fund.

We will continue to sell See’s candy until we run out as well as handmade greeting cards. Please continue to collect spare change to bring to the next branch meeting. The change for change project has already generated $192 so far this year. This money stays with the branch. Thanks for your financial support of AAUW’s mission.

Nominate Your AAUW Hero by March 15th

Named Gifts. Each year, members of the Austin Branch are selected to be honored as recipients of "Named Gifts." We think of our colleagues who have, for example:

· Held a position for the branch and completed duties in an exceptional manner,

· Led a project,

· Served over time in multiple roles,

· Represented the branch to other groups in an outstanding manner, or

· Always given a helping hand with branch activities.

To copy a nomination form, go here. If you prefer, you can make nominations by explaining your support of the nominee without using the form. Please send submissions by March 15, 2026 to

Larayne Dallas ldallas@austin.utexas.edu or by mail at 8118 Cardin Drive; Austin, TX 78759-8737.

Larayne Dallas, Chair of the Named Gifts Committee

Stephanie Barko stephanie@stephaniebarko.com

Marilyn Brock mc_brock@yahoo.com

Kelley Brough recklessbluesky@gmail.com

Cynthia Johnson cynthia.johnson620@gmail.com

Rashaanne Lewis rashaannelewis@gmail.com

Alicia Kae Miller alicia@empathyuprise.com

Barbara Morgan barbara.morgan0@gmail.com

Doris Penny damsp6@hotmail.com

Liz Picone lp7729@yahoo.com

Nikki Roberts nicolleroberts90@gmail.com

Gabrielle Rysenga atxgabbi@gmail.com

New Member Contact Information

Please add the contact information for these new members to your Branch Yearbook. We are so happy to have them in our Austin Branch.

Enjoying the good life in AAUW

Above and around: Wine group at Kathy's; Vera Gallery art group; Hiking group on the Shoal Creek Trail; Jackie and Ceci at the branch meeting; Shirlene and Pam hosting Culture & Cuisine; Brenda, Marsha, Lisa and Cathy at branch meeting.