Advancing Gender Equity for Women and Girls | | |
MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER
edited by Cherie Sorokin, Dottie Burk, and Ann Vercoutere
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Maybe worrying works as the above cartoon suggests, but it may not be enough these days. So don't just worry, act by letting our Congressman, Senators and federal agencies know what we are worrying about. You can easily use AAUW's Two Minute Activist program to make your voice heard on any of the following topics that are of critical concern right now:
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Defend women's access to higher education. Submit a comment today or tomorrow (the deadline is March 2nd) opposing proposed changes to graduate student loan programs that could cut off higher education pathways for women. Among other things careers in nursing, social work, public health and physical therapy, would no longer be eligible for higher amount graduate loan programs. Urge the Department to revise the proposed rule before it goes into effect in July 2026.
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Oppose the SAVE Act which has passed the House, but not the Senate. It would require voters to present proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport) in person each time they register or re-register, and would undermine current online, mail-in and automatic voter registration options. Women whose names change because of marriage or divorce would be disproportionately affected, as would persons with disabilities, some older individuals and some people of color without copies of birth certificates or passports, etc.
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Ask Congress to investigate the DOJ civil rights rollback and provide oversight of DOJ rulemaking. The Department of Justice recently issued a final rule to rescind antidiscrimination protections after denying public comment and cancelling meetings with civil rights groups. The effect of this action means the DOJ will no longer step in to consider policies that seem neutral on the surface but have discriminatory effect. Its enforcement will be limited to cases of blatant and intentional discrimination.
To access a prepared comment or letter on these and other issues which you can send "as is" or, better yet, personalize, click HERE. Keep worrying but ACT!
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Understanding and transforming social justice work. AAUW CA is holding its next Four Pivots book discussion on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM. The discussion will focus on Pivot 3, From Problem to Possibility. All are welcome even if you haven't attended any of the prior discussions. The book offers a roadmap for long term social justice work by shifting the focus from problem-solving to possibility creation. You can register HERE.
Focusing on gender equity, diversity and inclusion locally. AAUW CA Public Policy Team has launched a new program to
1. help educate local elected officials on the need to keep focused on the importance of gender equity, as well as the broader vision of diversity, equity and inclusion, and
2. keep an eye on local governments that may be unaware of or, alas, determined to ignore the discriminatory effect of their actions given the current anti-DEI environment.
In concert with this state-wide effort, Barbara Strong and Cherie Sorokin are in the process of scheduling meetings with local elected officials, starting first with the board of supervisors, and would welcome involvement of other branch members interested in meeting with local representatives. The meetings will be conversational and largely focused on AAUW's mission. Barbara and Cherie will be reaching out to members residing in local districts, but if you'd like to participate, please contact Barbara or Cherie now so they know of your interest.
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Ever wondered who's on a Civil Grand Jury and what they do once they are there?
Come be Enlightened!
Saturday, March 21st
10 AM to Noon
Community Room at the Corte Madera Town Center.
BYO coffee or tea and join us for a great presentation by Beth Rowett, a former member of the Marin Civil Grand Jury and now active with the selection process for new jurors. She'll be joined by our own Mardi Diamond, who has previously served on the Grand Jury, as well as Kathleen Clark's husband Patrick Woods who is now serving a second term on the Grand Jury. They will give us the first-hand scoop on what the Grand Jury does (Hint: it's not like being on a civil or criminal jury!), what it's like to be a member, and why you might want to consider service yourself at some point. To learn more about the Grand Jury click here.
Look for the program invitation with more details coming to your inbox on March 9. Please RSVP.
Note, there is no charge for this program.
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Branch Members Invited to Behind the Headlines
Natalie Adona, Registrar of Voters for Marin County will be speaking to the Behind the Headlines Interest Group on March 11 at 6:00 PM. She'll be talking about Marin's efforts to make sure our elections go smoothly and safely, and how the current national political environment is affecting the work of the County elections team. If you are not already on the mailing list for this meeting and would like to attend, please contact Cherie Sorokin. This meeting will begin with a light potluck dinner at Cherie's home in Tiburon and will end by 8:00 PM.
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Scholarship Fund Board Announces 2026 Funding
The AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund Board met on February 26. After reviewing the results of our successful fall fundraising campaign which exceeded original goals, the board approved the following allocations.
- $13,000 for scholarships and awards at Dominican University ($7,000) and College of Marin ($6,000)
- $17,750 to sponsor 14 girls to attend AAUW’s Tech Trek residential STEM camps this summer. (Note. This is a significant increase from last year as we will now be sponsoring girls from schools previously sponsored by the Novato branch.)
- $3,000 to send two college students, one from Dominican and one from COM to NCCWSL (the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) in College Park Maryland in May.
- $1,000 to be added to the Ann Ruane Lubamersky AAUW Marin endowment at Dominican University. (This endowment was established in 2015 and is currently valued at over $109,000.)
The Scholarship Fund board has also committed to donating a minimum of $25,000 to the College of Marin Foundation to build an AAUW Marin endowment. This is an exciting opportunity as the College of Marin Foundation recently received a $10 million matching grant from the Jay Pritzker Foundation, creating a one-to-one match on contributions. The Jay Pritzker Foundation Centennial Endowment Fund is designed to provide needs-based scholarships and grants to cover non-tuition expenses in order to alleviate financial burdens so students can focus on academics, complete degrees or certifications, and contribute to Marin County’s economic and social vitality. Learn more about it here.
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Current Scholarship Fund board directors are Nancy Lubamersky, president, Ann Vercoutere, secretary, Katie Wickes, Dottie Burk, Sarah Pruden, Leslie Zimring and newly elected director Jessie Powell who will serve as treasurer.
At right, representing the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund, Leslie Zimring and Nancy Lubamersky attended a Marin Community Foundation (MCF) meeting at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon to meet and hear from their new investment advisors, Cambridge Associates.
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In Case You Missed It
February Bi-Branch Meeting
The AAUW Petaluma and Marin branches met for our annual get together on Saturday February 21 at Homeward Bound's Key Room. More than 70 members enjoyed getting to know each other. Stacks of books donated by Petaluma members decorated the tables and the brunch was as tasty as ever. Branch leaders gave updates about recent activities and speaker Kim Bruno educated us on frauds and scams.
| | Assigned tables with a mix of Marin and Petaluma members promoted interaction. | | The buffet brunch was yummy especially the scones and lemon curd. | | |
(L-R) Marin president Kathleen Clark and Petaluma leaders Patsy Knight (seated)
Marlene Abel, JoAnn Rooney, Stefanie Capps and Charlene Nugent
| | Speaker Kim Bruno advised us on ways to recognize and avoid fraud and scams. | | Note the centerpieces. Best of all we were invited to take the books home with us! | | Thank you to Patsy Knight and Katherine Brinnier for making this event a success. | | |
Member News
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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Celebrating Our Newest Member
Our newest member is Gillian Emblad. Gillian has an undergrad degree from the University of Illinois, with a biology major. She then got a Master of Health Science from the Chicago Medical School. She continues to work as a physician assistant in emergency medicine. In her spare time, she volunteers at San Pedro elementary school and at Rotacare Health Clinic.
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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 Gerrie Young have kindly offered to send cards on behalf of the branch.
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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.
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Art Farther Afield
The Art Farther Afield group will be going to the Cantor Museum at Stanford on Friday, March 27. This tour had to be postponed two months ago. The museum opens at 11 AM. There is a docent tour of the Rodin exhibits at 11:30AM. The museum is free of charge. There is a lovely cafe that overlooks the Rodin sculpture garden.
Contact Diana Lyster if you wish more information.
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Bocce
The next big event will be held March 10 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.
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Hiking Group
The hiking group is heading out to the waterfalls on March 3--Cataract Falls this time. This is a 4-mile loop led by Joanne Lee. Contact Ann Vercoutere if interested.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits meets next on Wednesday, March 18 to review and discuss Maggie-Now (1958), the last of three books by Betty Smith that the group is reading. For the following three months the group will read novels by Ann Tyler. LitWits meets in members' homes, 3rd Wednesday at 10 AM. New members or guests are welcome. Info: Ann Thomas, or 415-924-9559.
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What Are You Reading?
What Are You Reading book group meets at 10 AM on the second Monday of the 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.
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Reading Arts Group
The book for Reading Arts this month is Without A Map: A Memoir by Meredith Hall. We meet on Thursday, March 19 at 1 PM to discuss it. Interested in joining us? Please contact Ann Jessup for information.
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Booklovers
Booklovers is meeting on Tuesday March 3 at 1 PM to discuss State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Contact Carol Hoffman if you want to join.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting Monday, March 9, 1 PM on Zoom to discuss When Women Ruled the World. Six Queens of Egypt. by Cara Cooney. 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! The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group meets the second Monday of the month at 1 PM on Zoom.
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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. March through September our meetings are in person at the home of Cherie Sorokin in Tiburon and start with a light pot luck supper. Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you are interested in attending or joining the group. Speaker for March will be Natalie Adona, Registrar of Voters for Marin County. She'll be talking about Marin's efforts to make sure our elections go smoothly and safely, and how the current national political environment is affecting the work of the County elections team.
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Happy Hour Group
The next gathering of the group is Thursday, March 5, 4 - 6 PM, at Flatiron San Rafael, 724 B Street. Contact Dottie Burk if you would like to join the group this month.
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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!
Fourteen of us saw another academy award nominated film in February, a Swedish film Sentimental Value, which has 9 academy nominations this year (the most for any Swedish film) followed by a lively discussion at the Left Bank. Our next film will be March 10, with the movie TBD once the schedule of movies is out. If you are interested in joining the group please contact either Mary Mossteller or Freddie Greene .
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French Conversation
Cheres Francophiles Le rendez-vous de conversation en français sera mercredi le 18 mars a 1:30 PM chez Rulli Larkspur. Contact Janet Lynn or 415/755-8486 if interested.
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Spanish Conversation--Drop In for Friendly, Casual Conversation
Vengan a charlar! Dos veces al mes. 12:30 PM hasta la una y media. We meet at Gott's in the Bon Air Shopping Center every second and fourth Tuesday. Pick up lunch or a cup of coffee, look for our group of intrepid Spanish speakers at one of the long tables to the right of the bar in the back, or if the weather is nice, just outside at the picnic tables, and join the conversation. Lo importante es charlar! 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 next meeting will be March 17, St Patrick’s Day, from 1-4 PM. Mary Mossteller is the hostess and can seat 8 people as we craft. Please let her know if you can come and also if you might be interested in joining the group. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1-4 PM at members’ homes. All you need to be a part of the group is to bring a craft such as knitting, embroidery, card making, jewelry making etc. that you can do in a group while chatting. Mary Mossteller is the group leader to contact.
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Play Mah Jongg
Want to play? We play Wednesdays in members' homes 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM. If you are interested in joining or would like to get on the list, email the group leader Chris O'Neill. We play American Mah Jongg. You need the card to play and should have a basic knowledge of the game. You play when available. If you would like to learn, contact Chris and she will give you a list of teachers. We play for a quarter per game which we donate to AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund. Join us!
| | Interest Group Picture of the Month | | The Art Farther Afield group ventured to the Oakland Museum of California on February 27 where favorite docent, Avril Angevine, led an enriching tour of the California Art Galleries. Group leader Diana Lyster said "It was a perfect day filled with art and rich conversation followed by a nice lunch in the cafe." | | So Much to Do, So Little Time | | |
Keep Educated!
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Hear from a feminist. Marianna Marlowe will be speaking about her book Portrait of a Feminist, a Memoir in Essays, on Wednesday, March 4 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Guzman Lecture Hall on the Dominican Campus. Ms. Marlowe is a Latina writer who explores her evolution as a biracial, multicultural woman—from a childhood in California, Peru, and Ecuador to adulthood as an academic, wife, and mother—examining how early observations of power and gender have shaped her life. Tickets are $40 and include the book. You can purchase tickets HERE.
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Watch one or more of the webinars in this three-part series on Public Education in California. This series is offered in collaboration with Lift Up Public Schools (LUPS) a coalition in Alameda County founded by members of AAUW's Public Policy Committee. The organization is dedicated to championing excellent, safe, and welcoming public education for all children. The first webinar was in late February, but a recording should be available on the AAUW CA website soon. Two more can be watched live:
School Board Trustees: Leadership That Serves Everyone on Thursday,
March 26, 2026, 7-8:30 pm PT. Register Here.
Why School Boards Matter to Everyone on Thursday,
April 23, 2026, 7-8:30 pm PT. Register Here.
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Tune in to one of the Buck Institute's Live Better Longer Community Seminars. We learned about these seminars which focus on aging when we visited the Buck for the branch program in January. These are both in person and on Zoom and the cost is $10 either way. Here is the link to sign up.
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The AAUW 2026 Virtual Economic Empowerment Schedule is available. Know someone (maybe even yourself?) who could benefit from free training on salary negotiation or managing finances? These are great webinars. Check out the schedule and register!
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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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Start a Trend: Donate to AAUW on March 8, International Women's Day. What if women everywhere donated to an organization focused on improving the lives of women and girls on this date? Wow, that would be powerful! Click HERE to donate to AAUW now or on March 8!
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March here in Marin for Equality and Freedom. Join with the League of Women Voters and others on International Women's Day and "take to the streets" to demand equal rights, defend freedom of choice, and demand a better future for our daughters, fight back against injustice, denounce discrimination, and speak up for oppressed women and victims of violence everywhere. Build connections for the work ahead! 10:30 AM behind the Corte Madera Rec Center. Come at 9:30 AM if you need to make a sign. Materials provided.
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Consider joining the next local No Kings Day (March 28) or other defend democracy protest demonstrations. Show your support for democracy. If you have participated in the past, tell people about what it was like, why it was important to you and why they should consider joining the next protest. Refresh your understanding of AAUW's policy on keeping participation in protests nonpartisan when representing AAUW.
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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.
Have Fun While You're At It!
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March 4 and April 1. Learn about art with Avril Angevine who will give a talk at the City Hall Chambers next Wednesday, March 4 at 1pm. The San Rafael Library sponsors free art lectures every first Wednesday of the month. Avril will be speaking on Mexican Photography on March 4 and about Matisse's Femme au Chapeau on April 1.
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March 8. Enjoy a sail around the Bay to celebrate International Women's Day. Just sit back and relax on the Schooner Freda B, a traditionally rigged "tall ship", and learn about some famous (and infamous) local women as you sail around the Bay. 1:15 PM-3:30 PM from the Sausalito Yacht Club Harbor. Tickets can be purchased through THIS LINK
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March 29. Enjoy a selection of short films at the AAUW Petaluma Women's Film Festival. Showtime is 2 PM at the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma Campus. Order tickets HERE.
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April 11 (Saturday, 2– 4 PM) Afternoon Tea with two branch authors at The Key Room at Homeward Bound
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May 16 (Saturday, 10 AM - Noon) Annual Branch Meeting and Brunch at The Club at McInnis Park.
| | 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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If you did this accidentally, contact Ann Vercoutere.
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