November, 2020
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President’s Message, Beverly
A FEW THOUGHTS FROM BEVERLY
Hello and welcome everyone to La Palma-Cerritos AAUW and the month of November – ELECTIONS. By the time we read this the results of this contentious election may not be completed but be sure they will be available eventually. I do hope everyone has their share of happiness in some form and life will go on.
Thank you to the women of our branch who participated on Saturday, October 10th, the exact date in 1911, when CALIFORNIA WOMEN WON THE RIGHT TO VOTE. These members became silent sentinels to get out the vote. Be sure to see their pictures on our Public Policy page.
An incredibly special THANK YOU to Marilyn Forsstrom for her hard work in putting together our Branch Directory and then personally delivering many of them to our front doors.
I have been watching a timely program and want to share it with everyone. “Not Done: Women Remaking America” a look at justice for women, equality in the workplace and violence against women. You may find it on PBS Tuesdays 8:00-9:00PM and again Wednesdays 1:00-2:00AM or on KCET Wednesdays 12:00-1:00PM.
I am still going through many boxes of papers I have collected and saved over these many years and found a copy of AAUW Outlook Summer 1993 with the following: This is what I want. I want every girl to be what she wants to be. I want her to have confidence, pride and success. Share the vision. Ask a friend to join AAUW.
I found the following in the May 1993 Santa Monica Bay Area AAUW Branch Making Waves newsletter from Jewel Plummer Cobb, American Biologist and President of California State University who wrote in 1924 “I hope we can pay teachers the salaries that they deserve. It is absolutely fantastic that we have given such a poor status level to the most important shapers of human character and development we have in this country.”
May you all be well and healthy, stay home and be safe.
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Please welcome and support your new officers. Remember that their job is to lead and encourage other members. Please offer to help them when they ask.
Reminder to members: As is written in your directory, the AAUW mail/email list is to be used for AAUW business only. If you wish to share something personal with selected members, please verify with the members first, if they want to be included. Members who find themselves receiving email they do not want should feel free to ask to be removed. We’re all friends here.
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Meeting & Program, Karen, Nancy & Mary Ann
Zoom meeting,
Thursday, November 19
6:30 PM, Social
Meeting to follow
Membership, Joan F., Diane M.
Tech Trek – Celia & Edna
As I assume you know from a previous branch newsletter, AAUW California had to cancel the Tech Trek Camps for 2020. One of the things the girls would have received at camp is a t-shirt. AAUW CA decided to provide the shirts for the girls who had been chosen to attend. I recently received them for our four girls. All four of our girls were given the teal T-shirts by Edna and Celia with a list of all the camps. The year specific writing on the back of the shirts said, “Not even a pandemic can stop our love for STEM!” At least they will have something to mark their selection to attend Tech Trek. As also has been noted in a previous newsletter, if and when our branch can meet again in person in the 20-21 year, we will arrange to have the girls and their families attend the meeting so we can formally recognize and congratulate them.
California AAUW recently received the following directive from AAUW National regarding Tech Trek for 2021 and sent it on to branches: “…in the 2021 season, Tech Trek camps in all states must be delivered on a virtual platform.” National also advised that student recruitment should be delayed until further into 2021. While California AAUW Tech Trek Program leaders state that they are fully prepared to continue the program by providing selected campers with a “stimulating, fun and rewarding STEM virtual experience,” our Branch Board decided at its recent October Board meeting to put our participation in Tech Trek on hiatus for 2021 and until the program is returned to its traditional, on site at colleges and universities, experience.
AAUW Fund, Esther, Thea
The AAUW fund fundraising will be done differently this year due to the Coronavirus. Our big event will be a non-event. Esther will let you know the information in the near future.
We are trying to do small fundraising events. In the past we went to restaurants to dinner on a specific day and times. Due the virus we will not be going to restaurants. So we will focus on take out or drive-up at restaurants.
Thank you all for participating in the AAUW Fund Fundraiser for Chipolte.
We made $222.04 for that day. It was a great success.
Look for an announcement followed with a letter, about our main fundraiser, SHARE YOUR COVID SAVINGS.
Remembering that this year has been difficult for us all with many of us staying close to the house. As far as I am concerned, I go for walks, read, do my physical therapy exercises, zoom and infrequently spend time with my grandkids. (They are in school with others and Brian, Jono and Steph are also with others.) They say that that I am being protected.
Hope that you all are staying safe too.
Thank you for supporting AAUW Fund, Esther and Thea
This is our second fundraiser for AAUW Fund. We have to go Portillo’s at the drive thru window on Wednesday November 4th from 3 pm to 9 pm. Please copy some flyers and give them to your friends, family and neighbors or forward them the email flier.
A word from Marilyn about Portillo’s:
Don’t miss this fundraiser! If you are from Chicago, like me, you know all this, but if not familiar, read on. Portillo’s is a Chicago-land staple, founded from a hotdog stand nearly 60 years ago. About 12 years ago they opened the extension place all the way in Buena Park and our locals with roots to Chicago celebrated. It was common to hear people in their line who had driven quite a distance, discovering old friends and exchanging stories. They wanted “The Beef”. While the restaurant has a number of other good sandwiches and interesting meal salads, it’s the Italian Beef sandwich that people come for. Theirs is consistently rated among the best in the Chicago area, where the sandwich has its roots and a serious following. My personal recommendation is to get it “dipped”. It’s a gooey, sloppy mess of deliciousness. Peppers &/or cheese are optional, but they will cover up the more subtle seasonings of their in-house roasted beef. Your standards for other beef sandwiches will be raised. Enjoy!
Click Portillo’s to print the flier. Black and white copy is OK.
Your Funds Chairs are challenging ALL members to step up and contribute to the FUND. There are many options to consider – see the website for more information. We would love to see a 100% of our members contribute this year to the AAUW FUND. In fact, $20 in 20 is our slogan. This is the last year of this decade so, let’s each give at least $20 in 2020.
The La Palma-Cerritos branch of AAUW created our own memorial fund in July 2017, called the Alberta Brose Memorial Fund, to go to women who return to school just as she did. We currently have completed our goal. This was a short time, two year fund with a goal of $5000 for completion by June 30, 2019. The branch got CA State and National recognition for completion. Final donation has gone to AAUW Fund for Career Development Grants for graduate students returning to school after 5+ year absence.
Elsie Carbajal is the recipient of our own Alberta Brose Memorial Fund. We are proud!
Career Development Grants
Name: Elsie Carbajal
Award Year: 2018-19
Award: Career Development Grant
Institution: Brandman University
Location: Irvine, California
Discipline: Education
Degree and Specialization: M.A., Education leadership
Elsie Carbajal is a seasoned special education teacher who is passionate about meeting the diverse needs of public school students with special needs. Her goal is to strategically reform outdated practices that limit the growth and progress of the unique population she services. She plans to obtain her master’s in education leadership to collaborate with stakeholders and make informed decisions to enhance student outcomes in and out of school.
Sponsors:
4431 – Alberta Brose Memorial Fund
1262 – Laguna Beach (CA) Branch/Laguna Hills (CA) Branch
1285 – San Diego County (CA) Branch/Marilyn George Poluzzi
1298 – Los Angeles (CA) Branch/Dallas Shenk
1484 – San Clemente-Capistrano Bay (CA) Branch
4105 – Redlands (CA) Branch/Bernice Black Johndrew
1491 – Somerset Hills (NJ) Branch—Science and Technology
Academic Achievement Awards, Carol
I was able to contact the Foundation at Cerritos College and talked to the woman who is now handling the applications for the students. I told her we had $2,500.00 and would like to split it into two scholarships of $1,250.00 each. One would go to a regular student that was completing the first two years of school and would be transferring to a four year college. The second one would go to a woman that had been out of school for 4 or more years and was returning to finish her education. I asked for no more than 15 applications. By a show of hands the members at the October zoom meeting approved this.
Applications will be coming in the first of the year and should close in February. Copies of their applications will be mailed to us to distribute to our committee. At this point in time I have not chosen them. We should be able to evaluate them in March and make a decision. The school usually notifies the students in May. Since we have no idea how long the covid lockdown will continue, we will have to see if it is even possible to hold a brunch. We will have to play it by ear. The school may even have to give the awards to the girls. We do have lots of time to make that decision.
If you have any questions or further input please feel free to call or email me.
Public Policy, Sondra & Norma
What’s AAUW Public Policy All About?
Since AAUW’s founding in 1881, our advocates have taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – educational, social, economic, and political. Our positions emanate from our Mission, Vision and Values:
- Mission: To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy
- Vision: Equity for all
- Values: Nonpartisan. Fact based. Integrity. Inclusion. Intersectionality.
Our positions are rooted in our member-approved Public Policy Priorities at both the national and state levels. The AAUW California Public Policy Priorities for 2019-2021 were approved by our members this spring, and can be found on the website www.aauw-ca.org . The AAUW CA Public Policy Committee meets early in each legislative session to review bills and determine those on which to take action. In Washington, AAUW staff and volunteer advocates communicate with both Congress and the administration. In California, we employ a part-time lobbyist to represent AAUW CA in the California Legislature.
Economic Security is a critical issue for women of all ages, a foundational aspect of everyday life, and is particularly important to women’s ability to support themselves and their families. Many continue to struggle with economic insecurity, wage discrimination, and employment benefits. Legislated solutions could benefit many women.
Real change in federal and state policy, however, will only come about when our elected officials hear from voters, like us! It is so important that branch members be up to date on AAUW positions on federal and state legislation consistent with AAUW’s mission, and contact elected officials to share our positions. Also, we must hold those we have elected accountable as they vote on issues affecting women and girls.
Become involved with your branch’s Public Policy Committee. If your branch doesn’t have one, start one! You can download and print a copy of the Public Policy Priorities from aauw-ca/category/publicpolicy. Become an activist, by signing up on the national website aauw.org/resource/two-minute-activist .This will connect you with both state and national calls to action.
Start now! It’s not too soon to begin educating yourself about the issues in the important 2020 elections!
International Issues, Jackie Shahzadi
Women Graduates-USA
…through its global focus and reach, empowers all women and girls to create a secure and just world built on education, advocacy, friendship and mutual respect.
WG-USA is an online organization based in the United States focusing on global issues *Support and Advocacy for Refugee and Migrant Women and Girls
*Safe Access to Education
*Human Trafficking Advocacy and Action
*Women, Peace and Security
Join WG-USA at www.wg-usa.org
In 2019, Graduate Women International celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Centennial Celebration in Geneva, July 25-28. GWI was founded in 1919, by representatives of AAUW, and other international women’s groups. It used to be known as the IFUW, international Federation of University Women. Currently, Women Graduates-USA is the organization representing American women at GWI.