FEBRUARY 2026

Dear Members of the American Association of University Women, Greater Naples Branch,

As we gather for our final general meeting, let us celebrate the enduring spirit of our organization — a community founded on empowering women through education, advocacy, and friendship. March is a time of renewal and hope, a perfect moment to reflect on the achievements we've shared and the bright future that lies ahead.

Though this may be our last official gathering, the values we champion and the bonds we have formed will continue to inspire us and others. Let us carry forward the legacy of AAUW, fostering opportunities, encouraging leadership, and promoting equality and equity for women everywhere.

Thank you for your dedication, passion, and the countless ways you've contributed to our mission. Together, we have made a difference — and together, we will continue to do so, in new and meaningful ways.

Wishing you all a hopeful and empowering spring.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Lucy Williams and Sylvia Natale

AAUW Greater Naples Branch

Co-Presidents

NEXT BRANCH MEETING SATURDAY MARCH 7

The Greater Naples Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUV) will hold a meeting open to the public on Saturday, March 7, 2026. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Starlette Sinclair of FGCU. Her topic will be the changing definition of DEl by social movements in the early 21st century.

Dr. Sinclair earned her PhD in Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech), specializing in Cognitive Psychology and Aging. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) where she teaches undergraduate courses in research and heads an active research lab where students conduct research on topics including mental health perceptions, imposter phenomenon, professional development in academia, nutrition education of student-athletes, aging self-efficacy, student success, and metacognition in adulthood. Dr. Sinclair is also co-chair of FCUs Institutional Review Board (IRB), an Honors Faculty Fellow, and research affiliate faculty for the Shady Rest Institute for

Positive Aging at FGCU.

The meeting will be at the Collier County Education Association (CCEA), located at 6710 Lone Oak Blvd, Naples, FL 34109.

Refreshments will be available at 9:30 AM, with the program starting at 10:00 AM. There's no fee for attendance, all are welcome, and pre-registration is not

required.

The Non-Fiction Book Club meets from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the North Collier County Government Center, 2335 Orange Blossom, Naples.

PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE IN MEETING PLACE LOCATION.

March 23 — 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How It Shattered a Nation by Anderson Ross Sorken

April 27 — to be determined.

New members are welcome. If you have any questions or need further information, contact Karen Clegg, Non-Fiction Book Club Coordinator, 913-488-7707 (mobile) or

clegg15@gmail.com

The Great Decisions group will meet on Monday, March 2, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the North Collier Government Center’s community room, 2335 Orange Blossom Drive, to discuss U.S. foreign policy.

We are diving into the topic of the role of tariffs in foreign policy, past and present. Come join our discussion!

If you are interested in learning more about the group, please contact Carol Light.

NonSequiturs

NonSequiturs March Gathering

We proudly present:!

An intimate Concert with Carlene Thissen!

Including Some of Her Own Compositions!

Thursday March 19!

5:30 p.m.!

In the home of Nancy Beights!

Please Bring a Heavy Appetizer!

And a $10 contribution!



Beverages will be provided!

R.S.V.P. to Nancy by Tuesday March 17 at Noon

Scholarship Luncheon Information

"By registering for this event, you agree to being photographed, filmed, or recorded during the event, and to the use of such images or recordings for social media, other media, and promotional purposes by AAUW Greater Naples Branch and Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc., without compensation or further notice, and you release each of them from any related claims and liability."

Reading Is Fun

We held a book distribution at Lavern Gaynor Elementary School in February and distributed 325 books. The next distributions are on May 1 at Golden Terrace Elementary and on May 28 at Lavern Gaynor Elementary. If you can help with the distributions, please let Reading Is Fun Coordinator Judy Blackburn know (mobile 732-801-7913). As many of us leave the area in May, volunteers are especially needed for the May 28 distribution.

Public Policy

AAUW Greater Naples Branch Public Policy Committee Searches for Co-Chair

Public policy is one of the foundations of AAUW’S Mission. Every two years national AAUW adopts a set of public policy principles which state organizations, local branches and individual members support by taking action. Generally, actions include speaking out on pending legislation, educating members about current issues and communicating with other groups to develop action plans. In the Greater Naples AAAUW branch this work has been the responsibility of the Public Policy Committee. For many years the committee has been led by Co chairs who divided responsibilities between themselves. We are seeking a volunteer to serve as second co-chair for the upcoming year

The Co-chairs for Public Policy share these responsibilities:

1. Chair a non-partisan public policy committee and recruit committee members to develop a branch public policy program consistent with the AAUW Mission, using the AAUW Public Policy Priorities as a guide. (The annual legislative and social action issues for branch action must be approved by the Board.)
2. Advocate for AAUW priorities to policy makers, elected and appointed officials, AAUW members, and, if requested to do so by the President, to the public and the media.
3. Maintain regular contact with the AAUW Florida Public Policy chair to keep the branch members informed and to share successful branch strategies with state leaders.
4. Provide current information on national, state, and local legislative/social action issues through regular reports at board and branch meetings, in the branch newsletter, and in orange sheet handouts and updates for Branch meetings.
5. Assist in planning special events that are sponsored by the Public Policy committee, such as providing tables with information at the Martin Luther King Day celebration and other demonstrations. Another shared responsibility is developing and publicizing special panels and symposia like the upcoming one in February on Women and healthcare which requires planning and organization.
6. Help coordinate visits to local officials and legislators both in Tallahassee and when they are home in the Spring.
7. Lead Branch activities coordinating responses to pending local issues, state or federal legislation through shared activities like writing postcards, making telephone calls, making email contacts, writing letters to the Editor, and voter education and turnout campaigns.

If you are interested in learning more about this Co-Chair position, please contact Barbara Richardson (brichards1000@gmailcom) 734-485-5425

or Denny McGuire (jmcguire11@comcast.net

From our Education Ambassadors…

A school board response to a lawsuit, that seeks to have CCPS release every parent email address, is on track to go to trial in March. EA will continue to support the fight against this invasion of parental privacy and trust. 

Your reps on EA steering committee announced at the February chapter meeting that we are supporting Florida SB318. At the time of this writing, we are advocating for a House companion bill, so that this can go before the legislature for a vote. The bill seeks to reform the voucher system to make it more accountable and efficient.

Currently we are also keeping tabs on SB424/HB6023 that remove provisions that require Schools of Hope to co-locate in public school facilities at no cost. This may not be a threat to any Collier County public schools at this time, but we support this legislation.

Also on our radar: laws that require teacher oaths, book bans, and other proposals that limit local control of our school system. DO let Nancy Dick or Nancy Chism know if you want more detail on these bills, our actions, or wish to get involved as a member-on-call. As we have had to call members to show up to meetings on short notice, not everyone can make it—so we love having a “deep bench”!

SUNNY THOUGHTS