Advancing Gender Equity for Women and Girls | | |
JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
edited by Cherie Sorokin, Dottie Burk, and Ann Vercoutere
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Alumna Recognition: Yie-Hsin Hung is a former AAUW Selected Professions Fellow, one of Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in 2025 and one of the American Banker's 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance. She is President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Investment Management, one of the largest asset managers in the investment business and in November, 2025, she received the AAUW Alumnae Recognition Award.
As noted in AAUW's December Mission & Action email, throughout her career Yie-Hsin Hung has championed mentorship and inclusion and she credits AAUW with helping to shape her career path. In receiving her Alumnae Recognition Award she commented on her first-hand knowledge of how access to opportunity can change lives and expressed gratitude for AAUW's commitment to "ensuring that everyone woman has the chance to reach her fullest potential and in doing so, lifts others along the way."
Yie-Hsin Hung's leadership philosophy -- "Leadership isn't about authority, it's about creating opportunity for others" -- is at the heart of AAUW's core mission to lift women through education and opportunity. And we create those opportunities for hundreds of women every year through our fellowships and grants programs.
Member Dedication to Mission: We bring our mission to life in many ways, not only through fellowship and grants. Gloria Blackwell, AAUW's CEO recently reported that our federal AAUW Lobby Corps group just celebrated more than 50 years of advocacy work on "the Hill." As Gloria noted, the dedicated volunteer members of our AAUW Lobby Corps have played a pivotal role in shaping public policy through persistent, informed, and strategic advocacy. They have helped advance critical legislation. Even in these difficult times, they continue to persist in their efforts to show up, speak out and work together to advance equity for women and girls through the legislative process. Members throughout the country are doing the same at the state legislative level and at municipal levels as well. Stay tuned for how our branch may get more active in this sort of activity in 2026!
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Two Important Webinars This Month
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Register now for Silicon Valley's annual Step Out for Pro Choice presentation. This Zoom presentation will be January 22 at 1 PM and feature Professor Leah Litman of the University of Michigan Law School. Professor Litman in the author of the NYT's best seller Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories and Bad Vibes. Here is the link to register. Space is limited for this one, so don't wait to register!
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Register now for AAUW CA's Zoom School Board Project Symposium from 9-12:30 PM on January 31, 2026. Learn how restrictive federal laws are impacting California's protective laws and how to advocate for AAUW's values with local school board members. Here is the link to register.
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Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Monday, January 26, 2026, 10:00 - Noon
Our member and a Buck Trustee, Afaf Meleis, has arranged a special presentation for us.
Come at 9:30 for coffee if you wish. The formal program starts at 10:00 and includes presentations and a tour of the center given by two of the Buck scientists (one of whom is Afaf's daughter-in-law). Learn about their research. Stay for lunch, kindly provided by Afaf, following the presentations.
Look for the program invitation on January 12 and please RSVP.
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Auction Results Are In!
We are pleased to report that our recent online auction and direct buy sales at the Holiday Luncheon raised over $14,600 for the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund. The auction proceeds will be added to your direct donations and grants from our sponsors to fund scholarships and awards for students at Dominican University and College of Marin and sponsorships for middle school girls to attend AAUW of California’s Tech Trek STEM camp next summer.
In the December newsletter we thanked the auction committee and direct buy helpers as well as members and interest groups who donated items to the auction and those who won or purchased items. This month we once again thank the merchants who supported us. Please patronize them and, if you do, thank them for supporting our AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund. See below for a list.
A special thank you to the members who solicited donations from merchants this year: Amy Anderson, Susan Angel, Katherine Brinnier, Dottie Burk, Kathleen Clark, Mary Mossteller, Paula Nichols, Angela Nuckles, Chris O’Neill, Laura Phipps, Sarah Pruden, Dianne Sheridan, Cherie Sorokin, Ann Thomas, Audrey Zavell, and Leslie Zimring.
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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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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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GO MARINERS. GO PENGUINS.
A group of AAUW members recently attended a Dominican Women's basketball game. At the beginning of the second half the Penguins were down by 15 points. At the final buzzer Dominican beat the Jessup Warriors by 12 points! Needless to say, this was a most exciting second half.
Join us in supporting women's basketball in Marin County! To receive the schedule for January and February along with updates on when AAUW Marin members will be attending 2026 games at Dominican University and College of Marin contact Dianne Sheridan.
There are 1 PM games at Dominican. Come for lunch and enjoy a $3 hot dog. COM games are all at 5 PM.
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Art Farther Afield
The next museum visit will be on Friday, January 23. We will visit the Cantor Museum at Stanford. Carpooling attendees will meet at the Montecito overflow parking lot at 9:30 AM. The museum opens at 11 AM. There is a free docent tour of the Rodin exhibits at 11:30 PM for those who wish. The museum has a lovely cafe for lunch. Please contact Diana Lyster if you wish more information.
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Bocce
The next big event will be held January 13 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 next hike will be January 6. We are heading up tp Phoenix Lake Trails. It's about a 5 mile loop. Contact Ann Vercoutere if interested.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits meets next on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, to discuss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943) the first of three books by Betty Smith that the group will read in early 2026.
LitWits meets in members' homes, 3rd Wednesday at 10 AM September through June. New members or guests 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 Reading Arts group is reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig this month. We meet on Thursday, January 15th at 1PM to discuss it. Interested in joining us? Please contact
Ann Jessup for information.
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Booklovers
Booklovers will be meeting on Tuesday, January 6th at 1 PM. to discuss Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maughan. Contact Carol Hoffman if you want to join.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting Monday, January 12, 1 PM on Zoom to discuss Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou. If you would like to be on the group’s email list and join us, please email Phyllis Kuehn (phyllisk@sonic.net) for the reading list and Zoom link. We always welcome new members! The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group regularly 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. October through March meetings are on Zoom. April through September meetings are in person at the home of Cherie Sorokin in Tiburon. Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you are interested in attending or joining the group. Topic for January is still TBD.
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Happy Hour Group
The next gathering of the group is Thursday, January 8, 2026, 4 - 6 PM, at Boca Pizzeria at the Village in Corte Madera. Contact Dottie Burk if you would like to join the group in the new year.
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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!
Our December movie was Hamnet followed by delicious food and a very noisy restaurant discussion at Farmshop. Ratings for the movie, an academy nomination for best picture, were high among the group and people commented particularly on the gorgeous photography, the setting, and the acting, as well as the accurate depiction of the book that most had also read. Next month we mill meet on January 13, details to follow once we are closer to our date. Contact Mary Mossteller or Freddie Greene if you would like to learn about the group or join us.
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French Conversation
Pour la premiere reunion en 2026 de conversation en français nous serons chez Rulli a Larkspur a 1:30 PM, mercredi le 14 janvier. Contact Janet Lynn or 415/755-8486 if interested.
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Spanish Conversation--Drop In for Friendly, Casual Conversation
Normalmente, nos reunimos a las 12:30 PM por una hora, la segunda y cuarta semana de cada mes. We meet at Gott's in the Bon Air Shopping Center. 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, 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
We finished off the year with a festive soup and sides lovely luncheon at Amy Anderson’s followed by crafting. Kudos to the group for contributing so successfully to the auction. Our next meeting is January 20 at Judy Kramer’s from 1-4 PM. Contact Mary Mossteller if you would like to learn about the group or join us.
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Play Mah Jongg?
Start off the New Year with a friendly Mah Jongg game. We play Wednesdays in members' homes 1:30 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!
| | The Tech Trek Alumnae Group (TTAG) met last month to create items (cookie and popcorn mixes) for the direct buy sale at the holiday luncheon. What a nice way to help support future Tech Trekkers. They also decorated holiday cookies and enjoyed other festive crafts. Follow the group's activities on Instagram. | | So Much to Do, So Little Time | | |
Keep Educated!
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The 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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Write our Senators and Congressman as an AAUW Two Minute Activist. AAUW's Two Minute Activist has suggested language on a variety of topics important to our mission. Not yet a Two Minute Activist? Join using this link.
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Continue to Practice Listening to Someone Who Thinks Differently than You. Keep practicing "tell me more" openings into deeper conversation with folks whose perspective differs. Read up on things you may not be aware of that lead to such differences.
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February 21 (Saturday) 10:00 – Noon. Bi-Branch Buffet Brunch at the Key Room at Homeward Bound (Petaluma and Marin Branches). Speaker and cost: TBD.
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March 21 (Saturday) 9:30 - Noon. Presentation by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Association at the Corte Madera Town Center Community Room.
For more AAUW Marin branch meeting dates, check our website HERE.
| | 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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If you did this accidentally, contact Ann Vercoutere.
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