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

American Association of University Women Austin, TX Branch

FY 25-26 Vol. 4 November 2025 Newsletter

One of our favorite meetings is fast approaching -- our

Thanksgiving dinner extravaganza! Bring a friend, some turkey cravings, and a desire to learn more about the Beatles, teen magazines and their enduring impact, featuring an expert in the field, Dr. Allison Bumsted. This is all happening on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 10A - 1P at Balcones Country Club.

For more info and to save your spot, click here: RSVP here

A Message from Co-President, Shirlene Justice

My first encounter with AAUW was when my friend, Cindy Darilek, invited me to an art tour. Unaware of AAUW or its mission and purpose, I just wanted to go look at art with my friend. What impressed me most that morning 8 years ago was not the art itself, but the brilliant and beautiful women I met that fateful day. I distinctly remember meeting Marsha Endahl-Kramer who was leading the tour that morning, and Diane Brewer, who made a special effort to welcome me.

I joined AAUW as soon as I could after that and knew I’d hit the jackpot when I saw the list of interest groups I could join and participate in. I signed up for Culture and Cuisine even though they said they had limited space -- I suppose I didn’t take no for an answer. Fast forward a couple of years to a request from Anita Knight for me to edit the newsletter, and she didn’t take no for an answer. It wasn’t until then that I truly engaged with the mission and understood the scope of what our tiny band of mighty warriors was fighting for. I believe that this is a familiar path for those of us in our branch journey.

Now, like many of you, I am all in. By assuming a leadership role, I have lost none of the excitement of meeting new friends and participating in interest groups. Instead, I have gained a sense of purpose that goes beyond personal fulfillment. Even though our numbers aren’t massive, we bring different experiences and expertise to the table and we can and do make a difference. Because a member's journey to engagement starts with one encounter, one invitation to a meeting, one interest group visit, and/or one Facebook post, I encourage each of you to invite a friend to the Winter Social, your interest group, or one of our exceptional program meetings. Friends brought by you to a program meeting even receive a discount on the price of admission. I want to grow our army. My personal goal is to recruit two new members this year and I am halfway there. It is through this collective effort that we can expand our force and make a difference.

As we slowly ease into fall and the Thanksgiving season, please know that I am extremely grateful that I was asked to participate in AAUW, even though I didn’t know at the time what that meant. I am grateful for my new friends, the interesting topics I have been exposed to, and the incredible conversations I have had. I am one lucky gal. If I have not had a chance to meet you yet, I hope that by the end of this year I will have done so. Please invite a friend, and the women of AAUW will do the rest. Don’t take no for an answer.

Branch T-Shirt pick-ups have begun! Seen here at Central Market are Jackie Hardie, Karen Juhl and Mary Ellen Scribner.

November Guest Speaker -- Allison Bumsted

Our guest speaker for the November branch meeting will be Allison Bumsted, PhD. She is an Associate Professor of Cultural Studies at Austin Community College and the author of TeenSet, Teen Fan Magazines, and Rock Journalism: Don’t Let the Name Fool You. (Available through Amazon as well as Birdhouse Books, a local independent bookstore). Dr. Bumsted details how these magazines are important artifacts of 1960s American popular culture through their use of critical commentary, iconic photography, and the broader treatment of social issues, e.g. politics, race, and gender.

Dr. Bumsted earned an AA in Education at Austin Community College before moving on to Texas State for a BA in Political Science and then to Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, England for an MA in The Beatles, Popular Music, and Society (2014) and a PhD in Cultural Studies (2022). She has since returned to ACC as an Associate Adjunct professor in the Humanities, teaching issues such as feminism, gender studies, women in music and all things popular culture. Dr. Bumsted also contributes to her community through mentorships and engagements, including the Rockin’ Reading program in Bastrop.

***The fundraising team is seeking donations for our holiday sale at the December 7th Winter Party. Please consider donating an item you have on hand, or something you can make, bake, or create for that event. (FYI, items not purchased will go home with you that day). We do have some items already -- a handmade blanket throw, a painting, table runners, baked goods, umbrella, and bottles of wine -- but would love to have more.

***To donate, please contact Brenda bwhahne@gmail.com and/or Joyce joycepulich@sbcglobal.net by 11/30/25 with the name of your item, a photo and a suggested minimum price. We are also continuing our sale of handmade cards at meetings, as well as collecting spare change and starting up our annual See's candy sale. Thanks for your continued support of our fundraising efforts.

Winter Party Details

Mark your calendars for our Winter Party. Hosted by the Branch past-presidents, it is scheduled for:

· Sunday, December 7

· 1:00 – 2:45 pm

· At the Balcones Country Club (8600 Balcones Club Dr, Austin, TX 78750)

Expect good conversation and good food, plus wonderful items --- collected by the Funds Committee --- for sale to benefit the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund.

The invitation and RSVP request will be out soon.

Public Policy Issues and Updates

Important Dates:

Last Day of Early Voting 10/31/25 Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail

(if not postmarked by 7 PM on Election Day) 11/4/25

Election Day is 11/4/25

VOTE BY MAIL ELIGIBILITY:

application form. If you are:

a. Absent from your county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period,

b. Sick or have a disability that prevents you from voting in person without assistance,

c. 65 years old or older,

d. Confined to jail serving a misdemeanor sentence; or confined to jail without bail pending trial for

a felony or appeal of a felony conviction,

e. Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day, or

f. Civilly committed under Chapter 841 of the Texas Health and Safety Code

Special thanks to Terry Whaley, Anita Knight, Joyce Pulich, Kate DiPronio, Lynn Gambrill, and Pam Doan for helping Jackie Hardee register new voters recently at a coffee shop by ACC.

According to Katrina Sun Breese at AAUW National, higher education and gender equity are facing mounting obstacles --financial aid is being slashed, student loan programs eliminated, and opportunities for women threatened. Member support makes success possible in addressing these issues.

We celebrate the work of Jane Goodall even as we mourn her death. See her March interview on Netflix: “Famous Last Words.”

Oct. 6^th was National Child Health Day. If we care about children, we must start by caring for mothers and restoring access to reproductive healthcare and support before, during, and after birth.” The Austin branch's Women’s Healthcare Subcom-mittee is focusing on this and has met with Rep. Bucy’s staff to discuss proposed legislation.

Reading assignment: AAUW's Systemic Racism and the Gender Pay Gap (A Supplement to The Simple Truth).

Other celebratory dates in October were Latina Equal Pay Day on Oct. 8th and Indigenous Peoples' Day on Oct. 13th.

In Texas, commissions, councils and various boards and committees are major drivers within local government. These entities should become our prime targets for AAUW advocacy efforts. Before plunging in, we need to learn about the leaders and members (elected or appointed), what is within their jurisdiction, and what motivated them to serve. We can help identify and support candidates; email and call members; express our views at hearings; monitor meetings in person or online, and speak up when needed.

***Pay special attention to developments with (SB 13), STAAR testing; (HB 8), bathroom restrictions; (SB 10 & 11) misuse of religion in classrooms (Ten Commandments & Lord’s Prayer); and curriculum (Bluebonnet Learning Materials), etc. If your school district has a school library advisory council, ask to join it.

Election Day is November 4th....PleaseVote!

November Interest Group Activity

ART TOUR

When: November 5

Time: 10 am

Where: Cat Quintanilla Sculpture Garden and Art Studio

Host: Linda Quintanilla

Contacts: Pat Beal: patrbeal@gmail.com 512.762.9924

Devon Austin: devonaustin@msn.com 562.225.7681

BRIDGE GROUP

When: November 13^th and November 27th

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

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

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

CENTRAL BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, November 10

Time: 10:30 am

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

Book: “The Last Thing You Remember” Author, Leonard Pitts

Facilitator: Linda Parker

Contact: Linda Quintanilla, quintalin@gmail.com 713.202.8525

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

When: Monday, November 3

Time: 7 pm

Where: Zoom

Book: “James” Author, Percival Everett

Facilitator: Leslie Curtin

Contact: maryescribner@gmail.com 512.698.5539

CREATIVE STITCHERY

When: Wednesday, November 19

Time: 10:00 am

Where: 6301 Big Cat Cove

Host: Louise Jordan

Contact: Beverly Locklin, bklocklin@outlook.com 512.633.2902

CULTURE AND CUISINE

When: Thursday, November 13

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Theme: West African/Nigerian Food

Where: Tailit Kitchen, 3900 Westminster Dr., Austin

Hosts: Terry Whaley and Phyllis Folarin

Contact: Ann Gibbs agibbs5200@gmail.com, 512.250.1203

FRIDAY MORNING BOOK REVIEW

When: Friday, November 7

Time: 10:00 am

Where: Church of Christ at Hyde Park, 10 West Avenue B

Book: An Odyssey: A Father, a Son and an Eric” Author, Daniel Mendelsohn

Facilitator: Beverly Locklin

Contact: Judy Reinhart: jareinhart@att.net, 512.345.5936

HIKING

Hike 1

When: Thursday, November 6

Time: 10 am

Where: Butler Trail Boardwalk East of 35

Leader: Ruth Subramanian

Contact: Kate DiPronio, ktlee523@gmail.com 512.924.9061

Hike 2

When: Saturday, November 15

Time: 10 am

Where: Pedernales Falls SP

Leader: Nancy Andren

Contact: Kate DiPronio, ktlee523@gmail.com 512.924.9061

MAHJONG

When: Thursday, November 20

Time: 1-4:00 pm

Where: N. Lamar Senior Activity Center, 29th and North Lamar

Contact: Connie Munoz, comunoz1@yahoo.com 361.813.8012

Bring your 2025 updated mahjong card.

We join other ladies that play every Thursday and if more than 4 players show up, we help fill other tables.

MYSTERY INTEREST GROUP

When: Tuesday, November 25

Time: 11:00 am

Book: Mysteries that take place in other countries

Where: BJ's Brewhouse, The Shops at Arbor Walk, 10515 N. Mopac Expy. NB, Austin, TX 78759 Contact: Pam Wolfe: piwolfe@yahoo.com 512-925-7865

OUT TO LUNCH

When: Tuesday, November 18

Time: 11:15 AM

Where: The Grove - Far West

Planner: Brenda Hahne

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

PEARS

When: Saturday, November 15

Time: 5:30 pm

Where: Salt Traders

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

SOUTHWEST BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, November 10

Time: 10:30 – 12:30 pm

Book: The 4^th Quarter of Your Life” (NF) (PP 224) Author Mathew Kelly

Facilitator: Lisa Sura

Host/Where: Sharon Babot 110 Brins Way, Dripping Springs, Tx.

Contact: Brenda Hahne: bwhahne@gmail.com 832.233.4254

WINE TASTERS

When: Sunday, November 16, 3:00PM

Hosted by: Lynn Gambrill 1102 Quaker Ridge Dr, Austin

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

Branch Interest Group Activities in October

Top left: Terry Whaley with new voter; Middle: Abi Shirley and her mom Shirlene Justice at recent No Kings Rally; Upper right above: October speaker, Kathleen Stafford, and her artwork; Bottom left: Nancy Ennis at the Witliff; Center: Caw Caw at the Witliff

Our interest groups are going

and growing!

Above left: Hiking Group at Belterra, and at Nalle Bunny Run below left. Culture & Cuisine members enjoying Greek fare, above right. Ann Berasley and daughter Morgan, middle right, at the No Kings Rally on Oct. 18th.

Stitchery group being creative, bottom left. SW Book Group being bookish, bottom right. Right middle: New member Pam Doan assisting with voter registration at a coffee shop near the ACC campus.

[Thanks to all who shared photos this month. Please remember to send the names of those pictured, too.]

If you haven't looked yet, please check out our Austin Branch's social media presence by clicking here AAUW-Austin for Facebook, or using the QR code shown below to access us on Instagram. If you're not on either site yet, sign up.

The deadline for our December newsletter will be November 15th. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!