Advancing Gender Equity for Women and Girls | | |
SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
edited by Cherie Sorokin, Dottie Burk, and Ann Vercoutere
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It's a Jungle Out There, But You Can Help AAUW Continue to Fight for Gender Equity
Fellowships and Grants: AAUW's longstanding commitment to empowering women in higher education and professional fields remains unshaken, despite current political challenges. AAUW awarded $5.3+ million to 228 women scholars and to community projects advancing our mission for the academic year 2025-2026. Applications are now open for grants for 2026-2027.
How Can You Help?
- Spread the word to women and organizations you know about applications being open for our fellowships and grants.
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Apply to be a review and selection panelist for our fellowships and grants program. Panelists share their expertise, provide valuable feedback and help ensure our programs reflect diverse perspective and lived experiences. It's work but rewarding! Find out more information here.
Training in Salary Negotiation and Personal Finance. AAUW's Start Smart, Work Smart and Money Smart, are award-winning programs designed to address challenges women face in the workplace and to develop their skills to assure their own financial stability.
How Can You Help?
- Spread the word to women you know who could benefit from the type of skill development provided by these programs
- Sign yourself up so you have a solid understanding of these great programs offered by AAUW. Who knows, you might learn something valuable for yourself in the process!
Advocacy and Public Policy: AAUW is now highly focused on regulatory advocacy--responding to proposed rules from the Administration that will shape how laws are implemented. Such rules are often more difficult to undo than legislation and they will shape access to education, health care and civil rights for many years to come.
How Can You Help?
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Submit your public comments so policy makers hear from you! AAUW's Two Minute Activist Program makes it easy to get your comments through to policy makers. Add your own voice to AAUW's suggested comments! Sign up here, and if you are already an Activist, be sure to respond to requests for comments.
| | Learn How To Pivot with AAUW CA | | The acronym DEI may be "out of favor," but the underlying importance of infusing diversity, equity and inclusion into our lives remains. AAUW CA President Charmen Goehring will be hosting a statewide book study this year with the book The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves, written by Dr. Shawn Ginwright. The book focuses on uncovering blind spots and understanding what's holding us back from needed systemic change to create a more just and open society. There will be four zoom meetings, one for each "pivot." Dates will be announced later in September. All members are invited to join in, but even if you can't join the zoom meetings, consider reading or listening to Dr. Ginwright's book. There's always more to learn! | |
September Branch Meeting
Celebrate Our Tech Trek Girls!
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Saturday, September 13, 10 am - Noon
Marin Bocce Rose Garden, 550 B St., San Rafael
You are invited to our annual celebration of the next generation of STEM women!
Meet & mingle with:
- 2025 Tech Trek campers from AAUW Marin & Novato
- Tech Trek Alumnae
- Tech Trek Camp instructors & camp staff
Feel free to bring a friend (especially someone interested in joining AAUW!)
Please RSVP to the invitation sent to you on August 16 or the reminder coming soon.
Donations to help defray expenses will be gratefully accepted at check-in.
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Tech Trek 2025
Through generous donations from our members, as well as the Fenwick Foundation and Giving Marin, and corporate sponsors Bank of Marin and the Bon Air Center, AAUW Marin was able to sponsor 7 girls to attend Tech Trek at Sonoma State (Camp Franklin) and 3 at Santa Clara University (Camp Hopper). Plus, we sent one extra girl to Santa Clara at no cost when there was a last-minute cancellation.
The camps were a huge success, immersing NorCal girls in all things STEM, empowering them to see their full potential to succeed in college and beyond.
A big thank you to Angela Nuckles and the branch members who supported Camp Franklin this year: Amy Anderson: origami workshop presenter; Cindy Demchuck: forensics core instructor; Neesha Meyer: electrical engineering core instructor; Judy Kramer: dorm monitor; and Angela Nuckles: dorm monitor, treasurer and Do-everything-else-Virtuoso!
Four Tech Trek alums also joined the camp staff this year: Lillian Cohen (2014): assistant director; Divya Lourdu Francis Xavier (2022) and Mattea Fazio (2022): peer counselors;
and Christina Schwartz (2007): dorm monitor.
Thanks also to member day volunteers: Kim Aalfs, Mardi Diamond, Deborah McCarthy, Mary Mossteller, Ann Vercoutere, Susan Whittom and Lane Yee.
For more about Tech Trek, including a list of all the campers AAUW Marin has sponsored since 1998, check our website HERE.
| | Fall Fundraising for the AAUW Marin Scholarship Fund | | |
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 college women to attend a national leadership conference (NCCWSL).
A major fundraiser for us is an online Silent Auction and a Direct Buy Sale held in conjunction with our Holiday Luncheon on December 6. The auction committee is gearing up to start collecting items for the auction, so put on your thinking caps! A top priority is to reach out to local merchants to ask for donations of gift cards/certificates or other items.
Please read the next section for tips on how to solicit merchants.
Silent Auction Kickoff!
We are counting on YOU! What experience would you or your friends like? What gift card would encourage you to try a new merchant? Now’s the time! Ask a merchant for a donation.
Auction goal: to gather a selection of items and experiences that will appeal to our members, friends, family and hopefully, the community at large. In the past we have had restaurant certificates, theater and symphony tickets, a sailing experience, photoshoot, spa treatments, etc. See the merchants who donated items to last year's silent auction on our website HERE.
Letters: To help you approach merchants, we have attached a flyer announcing the auction and two suggested letters -- a sample letter to a new donor and one to a returning donor. These letters are customizable and should be tailored or personalized to the person, group, or company you are soliciting.
Silent Auction Flyer
Letter to a new donor
Letter to a previous donor
Process: When you receive the gift certificate or item or letter of intent, send the information (donor name and contact information, item description, fair market value) to:
Keep in mind that your efforts are critical to AAUW Marin supporting education for Marin students! Any questions? Email or text Leslie Zimring @ 732-580-4988.
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Look for AAUW at the Marin Senior Fair
This year’s Marin Senior Fair, “A Day at the Disco,” will be at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, September 17, 9:00 – 3:00. It is free with entertainment, food, raffle prizes, 140 exhibit booths presenting valuable information and resources for seniors and, for the third year, AAUW Marin will have a booth. Get out your go-go boots and stop by and say hello. Tell your friends to stop by to check us out and perhaps join AAUW Marin. Questions? Contact Chris O’Neill. Many thanks to the members who have volunteered to staff our booth. See you at the Fair!
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Volunteer at the College of Marin Resource Fair
Volunteer at our student outreach table at COM on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Kentfield Campus from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm in the Redwood Grove. It's a great opportunity to meet COM students and promote AAUW. Contact Deb Learner to sign up or for more details.
| | Celebrating Our New Members | | |
Carol Adams got her degree from Madison College. She worked in retail management and, most recently, as a residential realtor, but is now retired. She is active in her church, and was involved with Soroptimists and Women's Council of Realtors in Sacramento. She enjoys golf, reading and hiking.
Suzanne Bales travel consultant extraordinaire, got her BA in Spanish from Univ of San Diego. She has done the travel work for the last 45 years, and now works as an independent contractor. She has been a member of Novato AAUW 47 years, inc. a stent as president. She has also been involved in Rotary Novato, Women's Club of Marin, AM Business Club, and the Italian Catholic Federation (with her Irish passport!!!)
Leslee Budge earned her undergrad degree from Utah State and a Masters from San Francisco State. For years she worked in research and development of clinical care guidelines for people with chronic diseases. She detoured to fiber arts and became involved in the fiber arts council at SFFAM. She designs and makes most of her own clothing and enjoys traveling and studying French.
Janis Fisher Chan collected degrees from SF State: BA and MA in theater and post grad work in social psychology. Previously working for herself as a writer, editor and training consultant, she is now semi-retired. But stays busy with ESL tutoring, volunteering at Town Books and Improv Marin, doing Improv classes and performances.
Kathleen Gallivan graduated from Seattle University and moved to San Francisco after, then worked for 30 years for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company in their IT department. She's been retired nearly as long. She joined Novato AAUW in 1986 and served in many positions over the years, including Recording Secretary and President, but her longest stints were in Finance (two separate periods) and as Newsletter Editor (11 years). She enjoys mah jongg, theater, books, music, ballet, and meals with friends.
Linda Groah got her degree, a Masters, from UCSF and has worked in healthcare administration, nursing and nonprofit governance. She recently retired. Linda is interested in current events, health policy, lifestyle healthcare and emerging technologies including AI. We can all do our best to keep her busy.
Elaine Isner got her degrees from Univ of Wisconsin (BA) and Univ of Illinois (MA). She has worked as a high school art teacher and jewelry designer but is now retired. She stays busy with clay, enameling, jewelry making, design, swimming, gardening, reading, cooking and baking, studying Italian and exercising.
Gail Reid comes to us with a variety of degrees: from Hollins College, University of Paris in Paris and Dominican University. She worked as a French teacher, political analyst and writer but is now retired. She is a Master Gardener and involved as a Senior Warden in St John's Church, while living on 25 acres between Novato and Petaluma!
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Member KUDOS
Kudos to member Janet Quin-Harkin, aka author Rhys Bowen, for the wonderful story about her life that appeared in the Marin IJ on August 28. If you haven't yet experienced a Rhys Bowen novel, Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is her newest. But Rhys is a prolific writer turning out two books a year and maintaining several series as well as stand-alone stories. Many feature strong women characters, plus a dash of romance.
Kudos to member Nancy Greenfield, who certainly captured a lot of everyone's thoughts with this drawing that won third prize in the Hand Drawn Cartoon Art Competition at the Marin County Fair. Was she reading your mind?
| | Mary Lou Widdifield was a lifetime member of AAUW. She was a third generation Santa Rosan and second-generation grad of Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa. She then went on to USF. She worked as a corporate tax supervisor and as a mom. She was the consummate volunteer: St. Patrick in Larkspur, Marin Catholic, Marin General, Twin Cities Little League. Also an avid sports fan (GO GIANTS!) | |
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
Diana Lyster is planning to resurrect an art group, with Friday visits to out of town museums. The first outing will be Friday, September 26, to di Rosa, a contemporary art museum in Carneros. The Di Rosa is about a 45-minute drive. We can arrange carpooling. There will be a docent tour and the first twenty to sign up will be able to take the tour. Note this interest group with not include the Fine Arts Museums nor SFMOMA. If you are interested in participating in this group, please respond to Diana Lyster.
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Bocce
The next big event will be held September 9 at Albert Park Courts in San Rafael at 10am. 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 September 2 on Angel Island. Hopefully it will be a not too hot day. Email Laura Phipps if you are interested and not already on the list for this hike.
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LitWits Reading Group
LitWits began its 2025-26 year early with a special meeting on two banned books: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and MAUS. For the coming year we will read works by Sinclair Lewis, Betty Smith, and Ann Tyler - spanning the 20th century - and starting on Wednesday, September 17 with Main Street, the Sinclair Lewis satire of small-town American life in the early 20th century. LitWits meets in members' homes, 3rd Wednesday at 10 AM September through June, no December meeting, and focuses on literary fiction. New members or guests always welcome. Info: Ann Thomas, or 415-924-9559.
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What Are You Reading?
What Are You Reading book group meets 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
Reading Arts resumes on Thursday, September 18 at 1 PM. The book for this meeting is A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. Like to join us? Contact Ann Jessup
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Booklovers
Booklovers is meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd at 1 pm to discuss Table for Two by Amor Towles. Contact Carol Hoffman if you want to join.
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Nonfiction Reading Group
The AAUW Marin Nonfiction Reading Group is meeting Monday, September 8, 1:00 pm on Zoom to discuss Erasing History. How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. 2024 By Jason Stanley. 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 the second Wednesday of the month for discussion of current issues, generally tied to AAUW's mission. September will be our final "in person" potluck dinner meeting until the spring. October through March meetings will be on Zoom. Topic/Speaker for the September meeting is not yet finalized. Contact Cherie Sorokin or 415 730-0204 if you are interested in attending or joining the group.
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Happy Hour Group
Our next Happy Hour is Thursday, September 4, at 4:00 pm at Above Fifth in San Rafael. Contact Dottie Burk if you would like to join the group.
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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. Chefs for the next five months are set and there are tickets available. Contact Dianne Sheridan if interested..
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Meet Me at the Movies!
We took a brief break in August but will have our next movie group on September 9. As always, the movie selection will be a few days in front of our meeting date when the movie schedules are out for the theaters; members are notified by email of the details.
if interested in joining the group, contact either Mary Mossteller or Freddie Greene
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French Conversation
Chères Francophiles, le prochain rendez-vous pour notre heure de conversation en français sera mercredi le 10 septembre a 1:30 chez Emporio Rulli à Larkspur.
A la prochaine! Pour les informations: Janet Lynn or 415/755-8486
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Spanish Conversation--Drop In for Friendly, Casual Conversation
12:30 pm, second and fourth Tuesday of the month, at Gotts in the Bon Air Shopping Center. Pick up lunch or a cup of coffee, look for our group of intrepid Spanish speakers and join the conversation. Lo importante es charlar! Preguntas? Contact Nancy Finston, Vicki Samo, Cherie Sorokin, or Leslie Zimring.
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Handcraft Circle
We continued to meet through the summer months and had a great time together at Mary Mossteller's home in August with many of the members working on embroidery ornaments for our AAUW Marin holiday party. Our next meeting is September 16 from 1-4 at Dianne Sheridan’s home. If you are interested in joining the group, contact Mary Mossteller
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Play Mah Jongg?
After summer break, Mah Jongg is back. Join us for our weekly games on Wednesdays in members' homes 1:30 to 3:30. 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. If you would like to learn, contact Chris for a list of teachers.
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VOLUNTEER TO BE A READING TUTOR
As students return to school, they will be tested for their reading levels. The Empowering Children Bay Area (ECBA) program matches volunteer tutors ages 50 years and older with readers in grades 1-3 who test below their grade level. By pairing young learners with experienced adults, it helps to build confidence and trust at a critical time for children. ECBA helps volunteers put their wisdom to work, while, at the same time, addressing a major contributor to poverty: the inability of children to read at grade level by the end of third grade. There is no experience necessary to become an ECBA tutor. Training and continuing support for volunteers are provided. Take a look at this video to learn more. Our AAUW contact for questions or to get started is Laura Phipps OR 415-250-0101
| | So Much To Do, So LitttleTime | | |
Title IX Panel
With all the recent changes to Title IX and assaults on DEI at the Federal level, it can be hard to keep up. The California Online Branch invites you to join them on September 17, 2025, from 5:30 to 7 pm, for an in-depth review of the past, present, and future of Title IX. The panel, presented by the AAUW Washington Online Branch, will feature scholars in the fields of Political Science, Athletics, and Student Affairs.
To register click HERE. Two days before the presentation you will receive the Zoom link. You must register to attend.
AAUW Fall Gathering on Zoom
Members from all around the country are invited to attend the AAUW Fall Gathering hosted by the national staff at 2:00 pm Pacific Time on September 18, 2025. Meet Gloria Blackwell and the staff. Hear about the accomplishments of many AAUW branches and evaluate how our branch "stacks up." Learn about AAUW's strategic plan and the initiatives already in progress. You must Log In to the AAUW website and register to attend. Click HERE.
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Monday, October 13, our Public Policy Chair, Cherie Sorokin, has arranged a meeting with State Assemblymember Damon Connolly in his Marin Office. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cherie.
- Saturday, October 11 or 18 (date TBD) Branch program at College of Marin. Tour the campus and meet our scholarship and award winners.
- Saturday, November 22, 10:30 - noon. Book Passage event. Learn what books are hot for the holidays.
- Saturday, December 6, 11 am - 2 pm, Holiday Luncheon and Auction
For all 2025 -26 program dates, check our branch website HERE.
| | Summer Fling Fun August 3rd in Chris O'Neill's beautiful backyard | | | 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 Chris O'Neill for membership information.
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© 2019 AAUW
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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