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Empowering women since 1881
October, 2020
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President’s Message, Beverly
A FEW THOUGHTS FROM BEVERLY
Hello and welcome everyone to our second month of La Palma-Cerritos AAUW. We were able to get through our first Board Meeting and First General Meeting thanks to Tobi Balma and her expertise with Zoom. I have no working knowledge with Zoom except to know how to click on a link and be part of a meeting.
Thank you, Tobi, for all you do with Zoom which I know is very time consuming.
Our General Meeting for October will have the informative The League of Women Voters as our program about the 2020 California Ballot Propositions. I do hope all will attend and come prepared with paper and pen to take notes. This year’s election as all have being hearing constantly is extremely important so let me add VOTE because if you do not you have no right to complain. I will not tell you how to vote, but voting is the American way to be heard.
I am sure many of you have been home busy with different projects. I too have been busy these many months preparing for major home remodeling and landscaping. Therefore, my time is extremely limited. I have been actively moving stuff and parting with as much as I can and lots of gardening, mainly pulling weeds and cutting down plants. As a result of all this activity, not being a drinker, so I saved all those empty calories and not eating sweets I was lucky to lose over fifty-five pounds. YAY!
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, October 15
1 PM, Program
Meeting to follow
The program for October 15 is a speaker from the League of Women Voters all about the many CA propositions. The arguments for and against will be explained. Tobi Balma will manage the zoom use. You will receive an access email near the meeting date. Members who use facebook can invite the public with how to sign up for this program.
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.
A future restaurant on our list is Portillo’s in Buena Park. I have asked for November 4th.
Thank you, Esther and Thea
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 et 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 coveid 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
Please click here > PUBLIC POLICY to go directly to read all of AAUW’s positions on California propositions on the November ballot.
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.