2025-2026 Branch Leaders

Executive Committee

President

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.      

President Elect

Martha Steele

Vice President Membership

Debbi Sochia                        

Vice President Programs

Martha Steele             

Secretary

Debbi Sochia    

Treasurer

Sharon Parson

Parliamentarian

Vacant

Standing Committees

Public Policy

Pat Sanford

Finance/Budget

Sharon Parson

Scholarships/NCCWSL/CU

Jeanette Pierce

AAUW Funds

Vacant

DEI

Vacant

STEM

Vacant

Governance

Jeanette Pierce

Appointed Positions

Membership Outreach

Adrien Frank

Community Coordinator

Claudia L. Walker, Ed.D.

Reservations

Martha Steele

Publicity

Michelle Burk

Historian

Rachel Skelley

Communications

Malinda Gaul

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

SAN ANTONIO

MAY MEETING

MAY 2, 2026

11:30 am

Mexican-American Civil Rights and the San Antonio-based Mexican-American Civil Rights Institute is our topic for the May 2 meeting. Our speaker is Sarah Zenaida Gould, Ph.D., who is the executive director of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Institute.

The Institute claims San Antonio as the cradle of Mexican-American civil rights. Many significant organizations and leaders originated here in San Antonio, and the institute has an ambitious plan to create an important historical archive. Using research and professional preservation techniques, their goal is to provide this vital history to scholars and the general public for generations to come.

This topic touches on our AAUW goals of advocacy, inclusion, and education, as well as emphasizing our theme for the year, “Embracing our differences while advocating for all women.” It is of interest to us as an endeavor by our fellow San Antonians to build an institution of national import.

Dr. Gould, with her extensive background in museum work, is the ideal person for this position. You may have seen her exhibits at the Institute of Texan Cultures, where she was lead curatorial researcher at the institute. She later founded the Museo del Westside, housed at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. A biography of Dr. Gould accompanies the article in this newsletter. Please take a look.

Luncheon

Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant

4100 McCullough Avenue

Menu: Fajita Buffet

Beef and Chicken Fajitas — corn or flour tortillas

Sides of Spanish rice, charro beans and guacamole

Vegetarian Option

Roasted veggie fajitas with sides as above

Specify this option when you RSVP.

This is not a regular offering of the buffer, so we need to submit a count.

Cash bar available.

 Cost: $32.00

Payable at the door (exact change)

OR

Pay in advance with Zelle to

aauwsatx@gmail.com

Deadline: April 24

Firm deadline from the restaurant!

RSVP right away to

Martha Steele, steelemar@gmail.com



Don’t forget—we need a count of vegetarian selections.

This is not a regular buffet offering.

Sarah Zenaida Gould, Ph.D.

Dr. Sarah Gould, Executive Director of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Institute, will speak to us on the goals of the institute, which was founded in San Antonio. Their ambitious goal is to create an historical archive of national importance, using research and professional preservation techniques, starting with documents of the many important organizations and leaders that originated here in San Antonio,

Dr. Gould’s education, work experience and personal history all make her an ideal candidate to helm this undertaking. She received her Ph.D. in American Culture from the University of Michigan, and she holds a certificate in Philanthropic and Fundraising Administration from NYU.

Her work experience includes Lead Curatorial Researcher at the Institute of Texan Cultures, where she curated dozens of exhibits, and founder of The Museo del Westside, housed at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. She also co-founded Latinas in Heritage Conservation, a national organization,

A native Tejana and the descendent of farmers and farmworkers, Dr. Gould is proud to state that her maternal grandparents were active members of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States.

Among her most valued awards is the “crown” bestowed upon her at the 2019 Biennial Reimaining the Museum; Conference of the Americas, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Locally, Dr, Gould has served on several boards, including the San Antonio Cultural Arts and the South Texas Popular Culture Center. She is currently a member of the boards of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission of the Texas Historical Commission and also Texans for the Arts.

Her articles have been published in scholarly journals and books for specialists and laymen. Of interest to our group would be 300 Years of San Antonio and Bexar County, Trinity University Press, 2018, and Vernacular Architecture of San Antonio and its Environs, Texas A & M University Press, 2021.

2026 Scholarship Winners

Our April 4^th luncheon at Pompeii Grill was a delightful experience for members as we heard the heartfelt thanks of our scholarship winners, met their family members, and enjoyed a delicious lunch topped off with celebratory cake for dessert. We heard moving words expressing dedication to fields of study and overcoming obstacles faced due to racism. It is truly an honor to support these women in their pursuit of excellence. 

This year our affiliate was able to offer three graduate scholarships of $2000 each and five textbook scholarships of $500 each. The funds for the graduate awards are the result of interest earned on our investment portfolio managed by Edward Jones, and the textbook funds come from the hard work of Ruth Lyle and Malinda Gaul who manage a gift card drawing and our Chocolate and Champagne fundraiser, respectively. Thanks to our generous members and friends for participating in our fundraising efforts.

Many thanks also go to our Scholarship Committee members including Ali Heller and Diantha Perelli who evaluated the textbook applications and Adrien Frank and Pat Sanford who assessed the graduate applications. Also, thanks to our treasurer, Sharon Parson, for her work to help us determine how many scholarships could be given this year. Through the scholarship program, the San Antonio AAUW affiliate continues our dedication to fulfilling our mission to advocate for women and support their educational goals.  

Jeanette Pierce

Scholarship Chairman

2026 Graduate Scholars

Sanjna Das - Doctor of Medicine, UT Health Science Center-San Antonio

Liliana Gomez - Doctorate in Leadership Studies, Our Lady of the Lake University

India Warren - Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Auburn University

2026 Textbook Scholars

Tiara Navarro - Bachelor of Science in Political Science,

Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio

Anna Mayorga - Bachelor of Science in Psychology,

Our Lady of the Lake University-San Antonio

Genesis Meza - Bachelor of Science in Business,

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Dr. Patricia Del Toro - Superintendent Certificate in Education,

Texas A&M University, San Antonio

Madeleine DeMarchi - Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Psychology,

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Below are statements from graduate recipients Sanjna Das

and India Warren and textbook recipient Genesis Meza.

Recap of Can We Talk?

March 24, 2026

AAUW San Antonio is a member of Can We Talk?, a coalition of over 50 local women’s organizations that holds two events every year. One is held in March, to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month. The other is held in August to recognize Women’s Equality Day and to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.

This March the program moderator was our own Malinda Gaul, who headed a panel discussion on Sustainable Housing for Women in San Antonio. The speakers were Kristin Davila, President and Executive Director of Merced Housing, and Mark Wittig, President of Towne Twin Village. Both non-profits were founded to assist unhoused people, or those at risk of losing homes. They both endorsed the need for counselors to help the residents, who often had homelessness or evictions in their backgrounds. Ms. Davila stated that one of the new goals of her organization is providing repair and other services to older widows which could allow them to stay in their homes.

Can We Talk? honored the passing of founding member Ginger Purdy.

AAUW

Public Education

Education Powers Equity

Currently, educational content, access, and opportunity are under attack. AAUW values education and demonstrates that education powers equity. National provided over five million dollars last year in education grants and scholarships. Locally, our branch conducts two fundraising events annually to provide textbook scholarships, and uses interest earned from our endowments to provide graduate scholarships. Scholarship winners at the April meeting shared how important these scholarships are in helping them achieve their goals.  

Why It Matters

Persistent barriers continue to hold women and girls back. From civil rights rollbacks and rising tuition costs to disproportionate debt and campus discrimination, systemic obstacles threaten access and equity at every level. The following are happening right here, right now in Texas:

• The state board of education has given a preliminary OK to a required reading list that includes Bible material. The board will have multiple opportunities to revise the list before a final vote in June. The proposal’s length, lack of diversity, and focus on the Christian religion have received criticism.
• The State Board of Education began to redesign the Texas social studies standards last year. A panel of nine advisers has led the process. Most of them have no K-12 classroom experience in Texas and several have ties to conservative activism.
• Critics say:
• The panel has taken full control of the rewrite and undermined teacher expertise, when in previous years teachers have usually guided the process.
• Draft proposals prioritize memorization over critical thinking and simplification over accuracy.
• The plan focuses heavily on Western civilization at the expense of other cultures, omits the historical perspective of people of color, and prioritizes Christianity over other major world religions.

Look For It, Do It

May 2, 2026, Election Law Calendar

The uniform election date in May of an even-numbered year is a date which many local political subdivisions such as cities, school districts, and water districts have their regular general elections for members of their governing bodies or special elections to fill vacancies. In San Antonio, be sure to vote for school board members who support strong, free public education.

June 13, 2026, Runoff Date

This is the date for all runoff elections that resulted from the election held on May 2, 2026.

Vote411

Go to the League of Women Voters Vote411 at https://vote411.org  for information on elections, candidates, and more.

Public Policy Action Alerts from AAUW TX Public Policy Committee

Watch for timely emails from the committee that suggest actions and events to participate in to make a positive difference in legislative matters. Make your voice heard by supporting AAUW priorities and urging your legislators to do the same.

Now is the time for all of us to stay alert and aware of what is happening. We can only make a difference if we are informed and take our citizenship duties seriously. How fortunate we are to have them. Let’s do all we can to keep them - for us and those we love.

Pat Sanford

AAUW SA Public Policy Chair

AAUW TX Public Policy Committee

 Let's Vote San Antonio!

By Jill Torbert, President of the League of Women Voters

Spring is always a busy time in San Antonio. Fiesta, Mother’s Day and graduations keep everyone on the run. Among the many events of spring are two critical elections that need your participation. On May 2nd, many local municipalities, school boards and special improvement districts are holding elections. The people elected to these governing bodies hold enormous power that is often overlooked. School Board members decide financial and taxation issues, regulate the use of students’ cell phones, make curriculum choices, make decisions about what books and resources are available and set attendance and discipline policies. Mayors and city councils also wield power. They adopt tax rates and set funding priorities such as parks, fire and police. These local governing bodies adopt zoning ordinances which can have significant repercussions on affordable housing, traffic and safety. Some ballots will also include bond issues.

Later in the month, on May 26th, the primary runoffs will be held. Depending upon where you live in Bexar County, and which party’s election you select to vote in, the races on your ballot will vary. The League’s website has all the information you need to determine what races will be on your ballot. You can read about the candidates in the pdf of the Voters Guide on the website, too. 

The last two election cycles, March and November, saw a significant increase in participation over recent similar elections. Historically, however, both local elections and primary runoff elections garner little participation. On average, only 5% of registered voters cast their vote in these types of elections, resulting in a small minority of the citizenry deciding how the majority will be governed.

You can help change this narrative. The libraries will have printed copies of the Voters Guides the first week of May. Vote411.org will be live after May 10. Please utilize the League’s elections resources mentioned and share them with others. Remember, even if you missed the primaries in March, you can still vote in May. Your vote matters! 

Membership Matters! 

YOU Matter!

Are you not getting our online newsletters? 

Click this link to resubscribe:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/32IYN60

Ever considered gifting one of your friends, colleagues, or fellow AAUW members the sweetest gift of all? Membership! The nicest gift of all is the gift of membership with a group of women who champion gender equity by funding education for women. Gift someone you know a Membership to AAUW! Know someone with a birthday coming up? Or maybe want to surprise a friend by renewing their membership? My mom brought me in to AAUW many years ago and it was one of the nicest gifts I think she ever gave me. :)

Renew Your Membership

Dues are $103

How this Breaks Down:

National Dues: $74

AAUW Texas: $13

San Antonio Branch $ 16

Total: $103

WHY: Member dues are an important funding source for AAUW. Costs have increased annually, but AAUW has not raised the amount of dues for many years. Our dues helps fund our work such as:

• Education and Advocacy: Our dues help support AAUW's Public Policy and member advocacy programs which defend higher education and rights for women on campus.

• Member Trainings: Regular virtual member gatherings and training programs which provide education and engagement on relevant topics.

• Member Engagement: such as Archives Corps, Lobby Corps, and national committees, as well as coordinating member advocacy through our 2-minute activist.

• Real-Time Support: members can receive daily assistance through the Connect Team.

You can pay in a variety of ways:

 Online: https://www.aauw.org/ (you will have to have made an account)

With Zelle: Zelle payment: Click the Zelle tab in your bank account.  

Use the email aauwsatx@gmail.com to send money.

In the memo field identify the payment: AAUW

 Or by check: Checks made out to AAUW-SA

Mail to: AAUW SAN ANTONIO

P.O. Box 460825

San Antonio, TX 78246-0825



 Call/text/email Debbi Sochia, Membership Vice-President for assistance.

dsochia@att.net

(210) 218-2675

11020 Huebner Oaks #1122

San Antonio, TX 78230

RSVP by Wednesday May 13th

Adamsma5349@yahoo.com

713-620-8048

AAUW Moviegoers (Let’s All Go to the Movies!)

Moviegoers! We meet on the last Sunday of each month (unless I miscalculate how many days are in each month and then I pinch hit, lol). I send out an email with a list of currently showing movies to vote on and then let everyone know the winning movie and location. Please join us! All are welcome! 

Our next movie is scheduled for Sunday, May 31!

Call/text/email Debbi Sochia

dsochia@att.net

210-218-2675

Culinary Adventures visited Duck and Dumpling

What Does AAUW National Do?

Policy Advocacy: Focuses on national issues affecting women and girls, such as education equity, pay equity, and reproductive rights.

o   We coordinate our Public Policy Committees, participate in coalition work and partner with other prominent National organizations to raise awareness about our policy priorities (such as the YWCA for our Gen Z Town Hall in Philadelphia).

Subject Matter Expertise: We have historically produced in-depth studies on topics like the gender pay gap and women in leadership roles.

o   While we haven't produced reports recently due to limited funding - we have done high level analysis of recently released pay gap data. We are frequently asked to comment on topics related to pay equity, student loan debt and other issues related to gender equity. You can see our recently updated page on Latinas and the pay gap for example, here: https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/latinas-and-the-pay-gap/

o   We have tens of thousands of social media followers across all platforms and have well over 1 million website viewers - ensuring that our brand remains prominent and relevant. CEO Gloria Blackwell has been invited to White House events on at least three occasions recently.

o   On a Global level - Gloria is AAUW's representative to the UN - and our work in this capacity provides great reputational value related to global gender equity work.

Salary Negotiation and Financial Literacy Training: Offers training and resources for women to develop skills to be financially empowered.

o   In particular our Work Smart, Start Smart and Money Smart trainings provide valuable resources and tools for women to become economically empowered. Nationally we work with organizations such as the HBCU Career Center, Tri Delta, Coca Cola Foundation, Finra Foundation, SAGE and others to bring these trainings to thousands of women across the country. These trainings were developed and are updated and managed by the National office. They have been independently evaluated by two separate entitles and continually receive very high ratings from participants.

Fellowships & Grants: We award and administer over $6 million in fellowships and grants each year to hundreds of women in the US and Internationally. 

o   We also connect our members and branches to these awardees and alumnae and have an Alumnae Relations team charged with growing and maintaining relationships with our thousands of distinguished Alumnae.

Membership Services: Provides support and resources for local branches and members, including access to national networks and events.

o   We host all aauw.net websites, process dues, support 990 filings, and maintain our history and globally recognized brand. Without AAUW National - AAUW branches would instead be independently organized entities who would not be networked with one another or have the ability to utilize the AAUW name. 

In essence, while AAUW National sets the strategic direction and focuses on broader issues, local branches implement programs and initiatives that directly benefit their local communities. Together, our aim is to work towards the common goal of advancing gender equity.

Follow AAUW San Antonio on:

Facebook www.facebook.com/aauw.sanantonio