Click here for a great video: What AAUW does Be proud!
The gender pay gap won’t close until 2119 at the current rate of change.
AAUW is doing something about it. Take action now!
Empowering women since 1881
September, 2020
** * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * **
President’s Message, Beverly
Welcome everyone as we start our new year 2020-2021 with our fabulous new board who are ready to go forward with full force.
This is a very unusual time for all of us as we are experiencing a new normal in this world of pandemic. I don’t expect us to meet in person for a considerable time, but do look forward to our Zoom meetings where we may casually join from the comfort of our homes sans the makeup, fancy dress and not having to start our vehicle engines.
I do want to encourage all to participate on Sunday, September 13 when LACIC meeting from 2:00-4:00PM will present League of Women Voters discussing California Ballot Propositions. If you can’t attend that meeting our branch will have the same meeting on Thursday, October 15 at 1:00PM. We are having an afternoon meeting because the Presidential debates will be televised that evening.
I invite everyone to join our journey as we stay home, stay safe and be well until we can resume our familiar old normal. I want to conclude with two famous quotes from “All About Eve” the 1950 Bette Davis film which I feel are appropriate at this time: “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night” and “One career we all have in common, whether we like it or not, being a woman.”
Beverly Zwick
** * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * **
**********************************************
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
All branch members are are part of LACIC (Los Angeles County Interbranch Council) and are invited to any of their informative meetings.
JOIN US FOR THE SEPTEMBER LACIC MEETING – 9/13/2020
CALIFORNIA BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
Your vote counts now more than ever….and what better way to pay homage to our suffragist sisters who fought for our right to vote than to be an informed voter when you mail in, drop off, or visit a voting center this fall.
For certain our national election for the Presidency and the Congress will be one for the history books, but we, in CA, also have some very important legislative propositions and initiatives to consider.
As of this writing, there are twelve ballot measures that have qualified via the CA Secretary of State’s office for the November 3rd ballot. The subject matter ranges from continued funding for stem cell research, another attempt to decouple the original Prop 13, reinstating affirmative action in higher education, lowering the voting age in primary elections, property tax relief for senior citizens and severely disabled, expanding local governments’ ability to enact rent control, and the Uber/Lyft independent contractor measure among others.
To make sense of all these propositions and more, we will have Nancy Mahr, a League of Women Voters member as well as an active AAUW member from the Palos Verdes Peninsula branch. Nancy is past chair of AAUW CA’s Public Policy Committee on which she currently serves and a veteran of many LWV ballot presentations.
In keeping with current AAUW policy, the meeting will be on ZOOM. We will start at 2PM on Sunday, 9-13-20 and plan to end by 4PM. ZOOM ID is 894 8312 2800
and the passcode is 623533. Alternately, the link to the meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89483122800?pwd=cHRHNjlhR01XSDBhY3QvY0I2b2p0UT09. A reminder notice with this information will be sent out the week prior to the meeting.
If you are not familiar with how to participate in a ZOOM meeting, please ask one of the Leadership Team members for assistance prior to the date of the meeting.
In general, you just need to download the ZOOM application from zoom.us. When you want to join the meeting, click on the application and follow the prompts to join a meeting. Your computer MUST have a camera. You can also use a Smart Phone. If you have neither, it is possible to join by voice only teleconference. Let a member of the Leadership team know that you need instructions on how to do that.
Meeting & Program, Karen, Nancy & Mary Ann
September 17: Interest Group chairs will describe their activities so that people can opt which groups to join.
Breakout “rooms” will be arranged on Zoom so people can share how they have been dealing with the pandemic. Also, people will be encouraged to help get out the vote this November!
Membership, Joan F., Diane M.
Membership is still active during this pandemic. Our focus is on retention and communication. To that end we are planning a ZOOM meeting hosted by Tobi at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 9, purely for socialization. We will meet as one large group, and Tobi, with her phenomenal technical skills, will divide us into small groups of about 4 people each so we can have some personal interaction.
Download our brochure
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.
As of now, we have no idea if Tech Trek camps will be able to be held next summer. The donations from our branch for Tech Trek will be held in the account to send girls to the Whittier location until, if and when, our branch decides to designate those funds to be used in a different way for Tech Trek.
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.
I am 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.
On Wednesday October 21st we will be supporting AAUW Funds by getting food at Chipotle at 12560 Artesia Blvd (corner of Artesia and Bloomfield Ave) in Cerritos. Our hours are 4pm to 8pm. You most bring your flyer and show it to the cashier. When you order online you must use promo code 33T36J3. Our total bill needs to be at least $150 for us to get a percentage of the bill. Otherwise we will not get any money. Flyer was emailed to you, if you did not get it or lost it, just click the picture below and print it.
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
Public Policy, Sondra Cohen
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.