Advancing Gender Equity for Women and Girls | | |
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
edited by Cherie Sorokin, Dottie Burk, and Ann Vercoutere
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Get Ready for the 2026 Election
There is a lot at stake for women in the 2026 election! AAUW's 2026 Civic Engagement Guide is a great free resource summarizing issues that are critical to the lives and rights of women and girls. The Guide covers what's at stake and why it matters, and offers questions to ask candidates at every level.
The Guide is nonpartisan, will help educate those unfamiliar with the issues and can also serve as a refresher for you on the important details of 10 major issues. Reading the guide can make it easier to engage in conversation on these issues with family members, friends, colleagues, candidates, and even those who might not have the same views. It's downloadable and easy to email to others who could use the information. The link to download is HERE.
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Statewide Programs Coming Up!
Learn More about NCCWSL--September 22nd at 7:00 PM on ZOOM: The California and Oregon online branches are hosting a Zoom program spotlighting the voices, insights, and leadership journeys of some of this year’s Oregon and California attendees at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). Register Here.
Plan Ahead for a Statewide Gathering: April 16-18, 2027. AAUW CA is planning an in-person gathering over the weekend of April 16-18, 2027, at a location in the Bay Area to be announced later this fall. This will be a great opportunity to reconnect with or get to know AAUW members from all over California! Nothing like a few days with highly educated and energized women who support AAUW's mission. Stay tuned for more information as the program takes shape.
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Celebrate Our Tech Trekkers!
Saturday, September 12, 10 am - 12 noon
Marin Bocce Rose Garden
550 B St., San Rafael
Meet & mingle with 2026 Tech Trekkers, Tech Trek Alums and Camp Instructors and Staff.
This is your opportunity to hear about the camp experience and its impact directly
from current and past campers.
Please respond to the program invitation sent on August 27.
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2026 Tech Trek Camps - Another Great Year
by Angela Nuckles, Tech Trek Coordinator,
Marin sent 14 girls to Tech Trek this summer - 8 campers to Camp Franklin at Sonoma State University and 6 campers to Camp Hopper at Santa Clara University. Since the closing of the Novato branch in 2025 the Marin branch has absorbed the Novato schools into our selection process.
A BIG THANK YOU to the Marin Branch members and Tech Trek Alums who volunteered at Camp Franklin & Camp Hopper this summer:
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Amy Anderson – Origami Workshop Presenter
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Angela Nuckles – Dorm Monitor/Camp Treasurer
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Cynthia Demchuk – Forensics Core Instructor
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Judy Kramer – Dorm Monitor
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Lillian Cohen (2014) – Co-Director
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Mattea Fazio (2022) – Peer Counselor
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Melanie Chancellor – Dorm Monitor
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Neesha Meyer – Electrical Engineering Core Instructor
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Ann Vercoutere, Christine O’Neill, Kim Aalfs, Laura Phipps, Kathleen Clark, and Mardi Diamond -- Day Volunteers
- And members who saved newspapers for the camp Build-It Night activity!
For more information on Tech Trek see our branch website HERE. If you visit our site, you will find thank you notes written to us by some of this year's campers, as well as a list of all the campers the Marin and Novato branches have sponsored since 1998 (over 260!)
| | Leadership Team Plans for the Coming Year | | |
Led by President Kathleen Clark and President-Elect Judy Kramer, board members and other officers met on August 24 to review the past year and to get ready to hit the ground running this month as we kick off the 2026 - 2027 branch year. Energy abounds!
For a list of all 2026 - 27 officers, visit our branch website.
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Expanding Our Public Policy Work
In July, Cherie Sorokin, Barbara Strong, Mardi Diamond, Linda Groah, Janis Chan, and Dottie Burk met to brainstorm ways AAUW Marin might expand our local public policy efforts. Those ideas were shared with the board at its recent planning session in August. The board approved the idea of this expansion and authorized the creation of a working group to be chaired by Public Policy Chair Cherie Sorokin to move forward with the idea of expanding our efforts. Some of the ideas the group will be considering include:
- creating our own "public policy corps" of interested branch members who, as needed, would attend targeted local town council, school board, and government agency meetings;
- developing closer relationships with local town council members and continuing our outreach to members of the County Board of Supervisors;
- creating more timely alerts and communication on local public policy issues needing member engagement; and
- offering public support in the name of AAUW for local or state-wide ballot initiatives that focus on AAUW priorities--such as the Marin childcare and the Workforce Affordable Housing initiatives that will be on the ballot this fall.
Stay tuned. Looks like there will be a number of opportunities for branch members with a public policy bent to contribute to this expansion effort!
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Tech Trek Alum Group Needs Additional Advisors
We’re seeking 1-2 Branch members to join us as Adult Advisors to Marin’s
Tech Trek Alum Group (TTAG). No STEM background needed. If you’ve ever helped young people develop, you’ve got the skills to do this.
Background: Our TTAG is led by a student board of about 10 high schoolers from different schools throughout Marin. They meet monthly to explore, plan and deliver events and activities of interest to other former campers. The Adult Advisor’s role is to nurture and support these young women in their leadership roles.
Specifically,, we are looking for volunteers to provide:
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Advice/mentoring to our TTAG co-presidents as they plan and deliver the monthly board meetings
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Since most of the TTAG board positions are filled by 2 girls, advice/mentoring to each girl serving as a co-chair on how to divide the role throughout the year.
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Project management support and advice to the girls on how to take an activity idea from brainstorming to delivery as a team.
If any of this interests you, please contact Judy Kramer (TTAG Coordinator) or Angela Nuckles (Tech Trek Coordinator) to discuss it in more detail.
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Fall Fundraising Campaign Starts Soon!
Fall is the time of year our branch raises funds to support our local programs:
- Scholarships and awards for women at Dominican University and College of Marin,
- Sponsorships for 7th grade Marin girls to attend Tech Trek, and
- Sponsorships for local college women to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL).
A major fundraiser for us is our Online Silent Auction and Direct Buy Sale held in conjunction with our Holiday Luncheon on December 5. The auction committee is gearing up to start collecting items for the auction and direct buy sale soon, so put on your thinking caps! A top priority is to reach out to local merchants to ask for donations of gift cards/certificates items.
Look for an announcement coming mid-month with information on the types of items we seek and details on how you can help. Last year's fall fundraising effort was one of the best ever. Let's repeat or, better yet, exceed those results this year!
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Welcome New Members!
Cathy Janigian obtained her BA from UC Berkeley in 1977 and MBA from St Mary's College in 1987. She worked in marketing and communications. Now she volunteers with suicide prevention as well as Northbay Community Services.
Patricia (Trish) Scott Goodman is a lawyer with an undergrad degree from Stanford and JD from UCSF Law (formerly called Hastings). She worked in a firm, first doing litigation, then an appellate practice before transitioning to BioMarin. She has retired and has volunteered on the Marin Civil Grand Jury and is part of the California Grand Juror's Assn. Her hobbies include hiking, book clubs, travel and food and wine.
Fulgani Amin recently retired as an accountant. She got her degree from Loughbough University in the UK, and worked as a licensed accountant. She is looking for new hobbies. She enjoys cooking, hiking and yoga.
Robin Wythe received her undergrad degree from UC Berkeley and Masters from Cornell in Industrial and Labor Relations. She worked as a benefits manager for unionized companies. She now enjoys hiking, mah jongg, several book clubs and travel.
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September Membership Drive Update
We have received a great response to our “Bring-a-Friend Wine and Cheese Reception” on September 8. The reservations are now CLOSED.
Your second chance to introduce a friend to AAUW is our September 12 Tech Trek event (or any branch meeting or interest group during the year for that matter). If you ask a member how she found out about AAUW Marin, most often she will say a friend told me about it.
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Kudos
Kudos to Rhys Bowen (Janet Quin-Harkin to us). Her newest mystery The Castle in the Glen was published in August.
Do you know about a member who has done something notable that should be included in the next newsletter? Published a book? Received an award? Reached a milestone birthday like 100? Please let us know!
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Concern
Are you aware of a member who is ill or grieving or in need of our support and best wishes. If so, please contact board secretary Sarah Pruden. Sarah and member Gerrie Young have kindly offered to send cards on behalf of the branch.
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Interest Group News
One of the main reasons (according to our survey) women join AAUW!
| | Gratitude for our interest group leaders | | In June, interest group leaders attended a ‘thank you’ salad luncheon hosted by Interest Group Chair Amy Anderson. Four leaders were honored for leading their group for 10 years or more: Chris O’Neill for Mah Jongg, Mary Mossteller for Meet Me at the Movies and Handcraft Circle, Ann Jessup for Reading Arts, and Cherie Sorokin for Behind the Headlines. Amy reminds us that, "We are all indebted to the wonderful ladies who gather us together for intellectual, physical, or social pursuits on a regular basis." | | |
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 and a CALENDAR, visit our branch website.
Don't see what you like? Start your own group! Contact Amy Anderson for details.
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.
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Art Farther Afield
The next museum visit for the group will be on Friday, September 25 to the Sonoma Museum of Art in Santa Rosa. The museum is featuring a 50th anniversary of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Running Fence. There will be a docent tour at 11 AM. If you are interested in joining please respond to Diana Lyster.
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Bocce
The next big event will be held Sept 8 at the Albert Park Courts in San Rafael at 10 AM. You don't need to know how to play! Come for the fun. Contact Ann Vercoutere if interested. We do pay for the court: $15 per person.
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Hiking Group
The hiking group is heading to San Francisco- specifically Golden Gate Park on Sept 1. The walk will be about 5.6 miles.
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Women's Athletics The Fall season for women's sports begins- at Dominican it's soccer. Consider joining us for a home game to show our support for women in sports. Possible dates:
Thursday, September 3, 4 PM vs SF State University
Saturday, September 12, noon vs Cal Poly Humboldt
To get the details, contact Dianne Sheridan.
If you'd like join a group to see the Valkyries play, contact
Nancy Chiu. Also, please contact her if you know someone with season tickets to the Valkyries.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits continues its practice of each year reading 3 books each by 3 authors, this year the works of Canadian writer Carol Shields, Nigerian-American writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and African-American science fiction writer Octavia Butler. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September16, to discuss Carol Shields' The Stone Diaries. LitWits meets in members' homes, 3rd Wednesday at 10 AM September through June, no December meeting. New members or guests welcome. Info: Ann Thomas, or 415-924-9559.
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What Are You Reading?
The group meets at 10 AM on the second Monday of each month on Zoom. Members share what they are reading. You always come away with a list of great books to read. What could be better than a referral from an erudite woman friend! Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you wish to join the group. September 14 is the next meeting.
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Book Lovers
Booklovers will be meeting on Tuesday, September 1st at 1 PM. We will be discussing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Contact Carol Hoffman if interested.
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Reading Arts Group
The Reading Arts group is back after a summer break and reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. We meet on Thursday, September 17, at 1 PM to chat and discuss the book. Please contact Ann Jessup for information.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The Group meets on Zoom the second Monday of the month at 1 PM. On September 14 we are discussing The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, about a Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures, by Anne Fadiman. If you would like to be on the group’s email list and join us, please email Phyllis Kuehn for the reading list and Zoom link. We always welcome new members!
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Behind the Headlines
Behind the Headlines meets at 6 PM the second Wednesday of the month for discussion of current issues, generally tied to AAUW's mission. The September 9th meeting will focus on the upcoming Marin Childcare ballot initiative. Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you are interested in attending or joining the group. Note: Our regular schedule is to meet in person March - October starting with a light potluck dinner. We meet on Zoom from November - February. No meeting in December.
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Happy Hour Group
Our next gathering is Thursday, September 3 at 4 PM. We will visit Above Fifth, the rooftop bar at the AC Hotel in San Rafael. Contact Dottie Burk if you would like to attend or to be added to the group email list.
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Homeward Bound Chef Events
Join members of AAUW Marin for an evening of culinary demonstrations and delicious food. Homeward Bound is focused on solutions to homelessness with a range of long-term supportive housing programs for families and adults. Local, renowned chefs are featured and always guarantee a well-spent evening out and the opportunity to support this worthy cause. Contact Dianne Sheridan if interested or for a schedule of upcoming events.
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Meet Me at the Movies!
We will meet on September 8 for our next movie group. The movie selection, time and dinner location will be announced as we are closer to the date. Contact Mary Mossteller or Freddie Greene if you want to learn more about the group.
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French Conversation
Bonjour, les Francophiles!
Notre heure de conversation en français en septembre sera mercredi le 16 chez Rulli Larkspur. Si cela vous intéresse le contacte est Janet Lynn,
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Spanish Conversation--Drop In for Friendly, Casual Conversation
Vengan a charlar! First and third Tuesdays at 12:30 PM at Gotts in Bon Aire Shopping Center. Pick up lunch or a cup of coffee and join us at one of the long tables to the right of the bar in the back! Preguntas? Please contact one of the organizers if you have questions. Nancy Finston, Vicki Samo, Cherie Sorokin, or Leslie Zimring.
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Handcraft Circle
Our September 15 meeting is at Lane Yee’s home from 1-4 PM. Meanwhile, led by Carolyn Jones, we have been working on our Holiday Direct Buy offering by creating handmade stamped tea towels that will be for sale at the holiday party. Contact Mary Mossteller if you want to learn more about the group.
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Play Mah Jongg
See what all the buzz is about- join our Mah Jongg group. We meet in member homes Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 PM. We play American Mah Jongg. You need a card to play and play when you are available. We play for a quarter a game- to be donated to the Scholarship Fund. Beginners welcome, but you should have a basic knowlege of the game. Contact Chris O'Neill if interested. Chris also has information about local teachers and online resources.
| | Interest Group Picture of the Month | | The French Conversation Group enjoys food and conversation en Francais at Chalet Basque. | | So Much to Do, So Little Time | | |
Keep Educated!
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Register for the AAUW Fall Gathering on Zoom. Date and time are September 17, 2:00 PM Pacific Time. Find out what's happening at AAUW national and with branches around the country. Click here to register.
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Keep Up with AAUW's Comment Letters! August was a busy month for the AAUW Public Policy Team. Alone or working with coalition partners they sent 15 comment letters opposing or expressing concern about current administration proposals undermining protections for women, joined an Amicus brief on a Title IX matter, and testified against EEOC plans to stop collecting workplace demographic data. You can read the letters at this LINK.
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Check out this report! Last spring a number of AAUW Marin members met with individual Marin County Supervisors to talk about AAUW priorities. Read the report HERE
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Resubscribe to AAUW emails and publications. Mission & Action is AAUW national's monthly newsletter. It's a great way to stay in touch with what is going on at AAUW, to receive notice of webinars, to hear about our most recent advocacy. If you aren't getting Mission & Action, you may have inadvertently unsubscribed. You can resubscribe using this Link.
Be Active!
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Speak Up: Keep our local, state and federal politicians informed. As budget cuts and other changes loom, our elected officials at all levels need to know how their actions can negatively impact women and girls. Send letters and emails or reach out personally. Contact information is easily available on the web.
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Take Advantage of Work Smart and Start Smart Opportunities. Still working? Know a woman who is in the workforce but concerned about her salary, or a woman about to join the workforce for the first time? Need a refresher yourself so you can pass along tips to others? Sign up for these webinars or send the sign up link to someone you think would be interested:
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AAUW Work Smart: Know Your Value and Get Paid. (for those already in the workforce) September 16 1-2 PM Pacific Time. Zoom Registration Required
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AAUW Start Smart (for those just starting out). September 23, 1-2 PM Pacific Time. Zoom Registration
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Find Out How to Apply for an AAUW Community Action Grant! Register for the informational Zoom on September 16 at 11 AM Pacific Time. Here is the Link.
Have Fun While You're at It!
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Anytime! Watch 250 for 250 on YouTube. If you haven't already seen them, Heather Cox Richardson and her team have been creating great one-minute peeks into history. They are enlightening, sometimes sad, but mostly inspiring to watch. They highlight the wide variety of people, places and events that have shaped our history. Here is the Youtube link. Well worth the time to watch and definitely a good way to take your mind off the present.
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Wednesday, September 19 from 9 AM - 3 PM. Swing by the Annual Marin County Senior Fair at the Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Sometimes likened to an early "trick or treat" event for seniors because so many exhibitors give out candy, the senior fair highlights the amazing variety of services and organizations serving older adults in Marin.
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Future Branch Meetings
Save These Dates!
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Tuesday, October 20. AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund Presentation at Dominican University
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Saturday, November 21. Book Passage Event
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Saturday, December 5. Holiday Lunch and Silent Auction at McInnis Park
Meeting dates and details are listed on our branch website as soon as they are set. 2026 dates are set and 2027 is filling up fast!
| | Know Someone Who'd Like to Join AAUW? | | |
AAUW women make an impact on women and girls.
Word of mouth is the best way to recruit new members!
Why Join? AAUW offers 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 Mardi Diamond for membership information.
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AAUW is a top-rated 501(c)(3) charity. Donations are tax deductible.
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PLEASE NOTE IF YOU HIT THE UNSUBSCRIBE BUTTON BELOW YOU WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE AAUW MARIN NEWSLETTERS.
If you did this accidentally, contact Ann Vercoutere.
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