Advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy

American Association of University Women - Austin, TX Branch

FY 26-27 Vol. 2 October 2026 Newsletter

It's Fall (kinda sorta) and we're ready for cooler temps, pumpkin spice and action-packed AAUW activities. Don't miss our program on "Gun Sense" at our branch meeting at 10am on October 10th at Balcones Country Club. Here is a link to RSVP and specify your meal choice if you have not yet done so. See you soon!

We recently marked the passing of two great American women, Gloria Steinem and Dolly Parton. Each advanced feminist ideals in different but complementary ways, Steinem through outspoken organizing and journalism and Parton through artistic independence, business leadership, and generous public service. Both challenged narrow expectations of women and demonstrated that equality includes the freedom to speak, create, lead, and define success on one’s own terms.

Steinem helped bring women’s experiences into national debate by co-founding Ms. magazine and supporting organizations such as the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Women’s Action Alliance. Her advocacy strengthened public attention to workplace discrimination, reproductive freedom, political representation, and limiting gender stereotypes.

Parton’s contribution has been more cultural and practical, as her songs and films such as 9 to 5 gave working women’s frustrations and hopes a memorable voice, while her success as a songwriter, performer, and entrepreneur modeled female agency in a male-dominated industry. Through the Imagination Library and other educational giving, she also widened access to literacy—an essential foundation for confidence, opportunity, and independence. Together, Steinem and Parton showed that feminist progress can be pursued through many forms of courage.

While one confronted inequality directly in public institutions, the other transformed popular culture, built economic power, and reinvested her success in others. We don’t all have the talents these amazing women shared with the world, but through our collective voice as members of AAUW we too can remind society that dignity, opportunity, and self-determination should belong to everyone.

Together in Service,

Sarah Averill and Shirlene Justice

Meet Laura Minnigerode

It has become all too frequent to read the daily news and feel overwhelmed by the continuing incidents of gun violence in our country and the lack of any coordinated and appropriate response. Our speaker in October, Laura Minnigerode, M.Ed, will give us some hope. Laura is the current director of development at Texas Gun Sense and will share her organization's mission and strategies for Building a Safer Texas.

Laura's professional background has included work in media, education and policy organizations, including her first job at Sesame Street/Children's Television Workshop. Since then she has been committed to creating a better world in which children can safely learn and grow.

In Laura's presentation, we will learn about

this statewide gun violence prevention organization that stands up against harmful gun laws while making progress on evidence-based policy to save lives. Texas Gun Sense was founded to fight for a future free from gun violence and tragedy in our state. Please join us to hear about this critically important issue.

A memorial Service will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin at 4700 Grover Ave, on November 7 at 2:00 PM. Friends may bring finger food to share; in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Birdability, an organization promoting birding for those with disabilities.

Congratulations to our branch on achieving 2026 AAUW Five-Star Recognition!

We know we're special, but it's nice to be recognized. This honor means that we have exceeded expectations across five key areas: Advancement (member giving), Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming & Communication, and Communications & External Relations. We were able to accomplish this because of the dedication and commitment of all our members. Each of you supports our branch and advances our mission in so many ways—through giving, advocacy, volunteering, and pitching in whenever needed.

We can all be proud of this recognition and honored to have our collective efforts acknowledged. Thank you for everything you do to make our branch strong and successful.

Let’s keep up the great work and continue making a difference together!

What is the AAUW Legacy Circle and How Can you Support it?

The Legacy Circle is composed of more than 700 AAUW members across the United States who have chosen to make a charitable gift to our national organization. The gift is planned now but realized in the future after your death. To date, five Austin branch members have made this commitment: Marsha Endahl-Kramer, Shirlene Justice, Linda Welsh, Terry Whaley, and Pam Wolfe. Your planned gift is your invitation to join the Circle.

There are many types of planned gifts in various types and sizes and there is no minimum amount. This is a great way to continue to support AAUW’s mission and goals for years to come.  

AAUW's Legacy Circle team is available to provide more information and answer any questions about your planned giving options. The Legacy Circle liaison for Texas is Jackie Littleton. She can be reached at #903.530.1160 or jackiefsl62@gmail.com.

Name Badges



Dear Members, this is a quick reminder about our beloved name badges. Once you have picked yours up at a meeting, please take it home with you and remember to wear it to future AAUW meetings and events. The Membership Committee will no longer collect name badges at the end of meetings. Once all badges have been picked up, we will discontinue handing them out when you arrive.

Your badge is now yours to keep—and yours to remember!

If you prefer a permanent AAUW name tag, you can order one through the AAUW store for $15.50 each at

https://aauw.source4.com/b2c/ProductInfo.asp?Category=&Itm=131290

Thank you for helping us make this transition.

AAUW Austin Membership Committee

Paula Coopwood paulacoopwood@gmail.com

October Interest Group Activities 2026

ART TOUR

When: October 7th, First Wednesdays (Some exceptions)

Time: 10 am

Where: University of Texas architectural building tour

Host:   Shawn Dubiel

Contacts: Vicky Hines vickyhines@gmail.com 925-330-9196

BRIDGE GROUP

When: October 8th and October 22nd - Second and Fourth Thursdays (Bi-Monthly)

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: North Lamar Senior Activity Center 29^th, North Lamar

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

CENTRAL BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, October 12

Time: 10:30 am

Where: La Madeleine, 5493 Brodie Lane, Austin, Tx.

Book: “The Long Walk: True Story of a Trek to Freedom”

Facilitator: Randi

Contact: Joyce Pulich: joycepulich@sbcglobal.net

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

When: Monday, October 5th (meets on Zoom)

Time: 7 pm

Where: Zoom

Book: “All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me”

Facilitator: Carole Holahan

Contact: maryescribner@gmail.com 512.698.5539

CREATIVE STITCHERY

When: Wednesday, October 21st

Time: 10:00 am

Where: 11705 Wind Song Cove

Project: Quilted Potholders

Hostess: Ruth Cook

Beverly Locklin, bklocklin@outlook.com 512.633.2902 

CULTURE AND CUISINE

When: Thursday, October 8^th

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Theme: Italian

Hosts: Roberta Coffin and Leslie Curtin

Where: Home of Roberta Coffin

Contact: Ann Gibbs agibbs5200@gmail.com 512.250.1203

HIKING (NEW DATE)

When: Saturday, October 17

Time: 9:00 am

Where: River Ranch County Park

Leaders: Cathy Werner cathywerner3586@gmail.com 843-412-0432

IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE

When: Tuesday, October 27^th

Time: 4pm

Where: Salt Trader 101 S MoPac Expressway

Host: Joyce Pulich

Leader: Shirlene Justice shirlenejustice@gmail.com 512-507-1003

MYSTERY INTEREST GROUP

When: Tuesday, October 27th

Time: 11:00 am

Book: “Amateur Detective”

Where: BJ’s Brewhouse, The Shops at Arbor Walk, 10515 N. Mopac Expressway

Contact: Pam Wolfe: piwolfe@yahoo.com 512-925-7865

OUT TO LUNCH

When: Tuesday, October 20th

Time: 11:15 AM

Where: Westlake Grove, 6317 Bee Cave Rd, Austin

Planner: Debbie Shaeffer

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-328-3100

PAIRS

When: Saturday, October 17th

Time:  5:30 pm

Where: The Odd Duck

Contact: Milli Stecker: milli1251@gmail.com 512-468-1088 

SOUTHWEST BOOK GROUP

When: Monday, October 12th

Time: 10:30 – 12:30 am

Book: “The Witches Are Coming” Lindy West

Facilitator: Lisa Sura

Where: Pleasant Hill Library, 211 E Willliam Cannon

Contact: Brenda Hahne: bwhahne@gmail.com 832.233.4254

WELLNESS

When: Friday, October 16th

Time: 10:00am

Where: Zoom

Qigong Q&A

Leader Fai Chan deliaroma8@gmail.com 512-902-1111

WINE GROUP

When: Sunday, October 18th

Time: TBD

Where: TBD

Theme: Brunch

Hosts: Elain Penn and Cathy Werner

Contact: Elaine Penn: epenn9915@gmail.com 512-970-5051

Fundraising News

At the October branch meeting the fundraising team will again be offering items for sale, including several pieces of "re-homed" jewelry for gifting or keeping. Proceeds from this monthly project will support the Centennial Scholarship at Austin Community College.

Once again handmade greeting cards and handmade sewing projects (thanks to Terry Whaley) will also be available for purchase at the meeting. Proceeds from those sales will support AAUW National's Greatest Needs Fund.

And, our ever-popular Change for Change project will continue. Members are encouraged to donate any loose change they have around, including currency as well as coins. Those contributions will stay with our local branch.

Donations Requested for Winter Social Auction

As the funds team moves forward with planning another popular silent auction to be held during the Winter Social December 6th, we ask that you start thinking about your contribution. We welcome donations of art, wine, baked goods, books, hand crafted items, household items or whatever you choose to offer. We had a wonderful selection at last year’s social and were able to make a generous donation to the Greatest Needs Fund. Please contact Brenda Hahne bwhahne@gmail.com or Joyce Pulich joycepulich@sbcglobal.net with a description of your donated item(s). Thanks for helping with this fundraising project!

Please let us know if you'd like to join the fundraising team; all are welcome!

How to Contribute to our AAUW Branch Fellowships

The AAUW Branch Fellowship Committee has been awarding fellowships to doctoral candidates at the University of Texas at Austin since 1985. The fellowships are funded from an endowment fund established in 1934. Additionally, branch members may donate directly to the fund using this address:

           The University of Texas at Austin

           Attn: Holly Webb, Associate Director of Donor Relations

           P.O. Box 7458

           Austin, Texas 78713

Please specify that the donation is for the AAUW Fellowship Fund either as part of the endowment or for direct fellowships.

PEOPLE HAVING FUN AND LEARNING THINGS -- THE AAUW AUSTIN STORY IN PICTURES

Program Co-VP, Berta Lloyd with Dr. Bethany Albertson.

Pre-Order Printed Directory

It's time to pre-order your printed directory. If you pick up your directory at a program meeting, it costs $10.00. If you want the directory mailed to you, the cost is $15.00. The directory will be mailed to the address that is listed in the directory. If you want the directory mailed to a different address, please get in touch with Stephanie Barko at stephanie@stephaniebarko.com.

There are three ways to pay for your directory. You may pay by Zelle using the QR code below. You may also pay for your directory in person at a program meeting. Or if you are unable to attend a program meeting, you may mail a check to AAUW-Austin Branch, C/O Cynthia Roberts, 11508 Trinity Hill Drive, Austin, TX 78753.

To receive just the digital version of the directory you do not need to pre-order or pay. Every member will receive a printable PDF directory vie email at no charge. You can then download and print your own, or save it on your computer. You will receive that email very soon. 

Social Media Process

Please remember to follow, like, and share our posts on Facebook and Instagram. We are not all on social media, but we can each help share information about our branch with the public and each other.  Let’s all pitch in to increase our branch's visibility by "liking" our branch posts on Facebook and Instagram, by sharing posts with our Facebook and Instagram friends, and by sending our photos/stories about branch activities to Shirlene or Sarah. 

To follow us on Facebook and Instagram, please scan the QR codes above.

See you on October 10th