January, 2026
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ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
From Celia:
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026. Be sure to attend what should be a very informative meeting on January 15, our usual third Thursday (separate article for details).
During the business part of the meeting, following the program, I will be asking for three volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee to recruit members for the three branch officer positions for the 2026-27 year. The big challenge will be to encourage one member, or even a few to work together, in the Branch Administrator position. Unfortunately, if no one steps forward to lead our branch, it will cease to exist as of June 30.
Of the 33 women who have led our branch since its founding in 1972, 12 of our current members have already done so, most for two or three years. It is time for others to step forward to keep our branch alive. The position of Administrator is far less time consuming than in the past. The only requirement is to be the recipient of emails from National and State AAUW. If you are interested, you also can contact me.
Happy January birthday to Tobi.
💐🪻🌷
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MEETING & PROGRAM
Thursday, January 15
Social – 6:30 pm
Meeting – 7:00 pm
Cabrillo Lane Adult School
Facilitated by: Celia
Learn about the steps the ABCUSD is taking to ensure that its students know how to safely use AI both at school and at home. Find out what is being done to educate all who come into contact with the students (teachers, administrators, site office and support staff, and parents) as well as community members who want to learn how to recognize and avoid the bad aspects of AI. This should be a very informative and eye-opening program. It will be presented by Mike Lawrence, ABC’s Director of Information and Technology, and Chad Laines, program specialist in Instructional Technology.
Parts of their presentation will be interactive. One part will give you the opportunity to decide whether or not certain classroom scenarios are acceptable. Another will test your AI detection skills in identifying what is AI- versus human-generated.
Place: Cabrillo Lane Adult School Auditorium
20122 Cabrillo Lane, Cerritos
Select HERE for map
AAUW Fund
Thank you to those members who participated in the fundraiser day at California Fish Grill. We earned over $100 Just for having fun dining with our friends!
More restaurant fundraisers will be scheduled this year. They are an easy and fun way to share good food with friends and make some money for AAUW Fund.
Please try to participate in our restaurant fundraisers. You will have a tasty lunch or dinner out with friends and while you pay the normal price, we get 20-25% back for AAUW Fund . What could be easier?!
Public Policy, Sondra
Check HERE for the latest Public Policy News
Check out our Public Policy Page on the AAUW California Website. You can read our current 2023-2025 Public Policy Priorities which can be viewed here: 2023 – 2025 Public Policy Priorities (PPP) – AAUW California. Find information on the Legislative Agenda, Lobby Days, Legislative Calendar and Coalitions with other organizations. You can also learn the latest about the School Board Project!
Academic Achievement Awards, Joan P
ACADEMIC ACHEIVEMENT AWARD
AS WE BEGIN OUR 54th year as the La Palma – Cerritos Branch 0f AAUW, I will continue to Chair the Academic Achievement Award Committee. Through this committee, the Branch selects two (2) women students to receive this award. They are attending Cerritos College and have applied for scholarships through the Cerritos College Foundation. They will be transferring to a college or university to complete their bachelor’s degree. The Branch has been awarding this scholarship for over 30 years. Current awardee, Lisamarie Lara, has verified her enrollment and received her award.
The scholarship funding is provided by you, the Branch membership. After awarding payments to the 2025 recipients, the fund will have only $1280 in it. Unfortunately, one of our recipients had to postpone her admission to next year. We have approved that her award will be held. We need your support to continue to support these outstanding women on their educational journey. Without your donation to the scholarship fund, this outreach project will no longer exist. I’m asking each one of you to donate a minimum of $50 to AAA fund. Payable in increments of $10 per month, October – March (no payment in December.) If ALL 32 members pledge $50 that gives the fund $1600. Your donation is tax deductible!
Please consider volunteering for the AAA selection committee. It is a short-term commitment starting in February 2026. Your role is reading the applications, scoring them, and meeting with the other committee members to make the award selections. As part of the AAA committee, you will contact local political office holders for recognition scrolls to be given out at the reveal meeting in May.
Welcome back to an interesting and productive 2025-2026.
Joan Pylman, Chair
Academic Achievement Award
Women Supporting Women. It is a beautiful thing.
Cerritos College is a College/University Partner Member of AAUW. As the AAUW College University (C/U) Liaison for Cerritos College, Tobi Balma keeps in touch with the AAUW Cerritos College C/U Representatives.
Falcon’s Nest, Joan Pylman
Cerritos College Falcon Nest Donations
The La Palma-Cerritos Branch of AAUW collected feminine hygiene products for the Falcon Nest. Members brought their donations to the Holiday Party on December 20. Joan Pylman gathered up all the items, sorted them into like items and re-packaged them.
They were delivered to the College on December 23.
Thank you to ALL the members who participated in this project. Falcon Nest was delighted to receive these items.
We will continue to collect donations of gently used business attire for the “Nest”. Women’s or men’s clothing. Sweaters, blouses, shirts, jackets, dresses, shoes, etc. NO t-shirts, shorts, or halter tops. Bring your donations to the January meeting.
Thank you in advance.
Our local support is now directed to the Cerritos College Falcon’s Nest, with donations of personal items and sundries, large and small for students in need. Find out more about it HERE.