Volume 78, Issue 2

Focusing

Greetings Arlington AAUW Members,

I’m an on again/off again fan of Facebook, and I find words of wisdom I wish I had written. But instead, I copy them and share with others. This week, I found this and it spoke to me and many others.

DON’T GIVE UP ON THIS YEAR!
Keep showing up.
Keep loving.
Keep fighting for the good.
Keep giving back.
Keep being kind.
Keep being brave.
Keep caring.
Keep trying new things.
Keep showing grace.
Keep on.
This world needs you
To believe in the good.

I believe it says what AAUW believes and why it’s part of our lives, and even why it should be.  In fact, it should be a part of our lives daily. We forget, sometimes, what we are supposed to be doing. And we may even forget to whom we should be speaking or listening, or with whom we should be sharing. We get busy and forget these concerns listed, and they’re the bright spots, and actually what may have brought brought each of us to HERE.

Julia Brown, our AAUW Board Chair recently made an official statement that Gloria L Blackwell is the new CEO of AAUW effective Monday, October 18. She serves currently as the Executive Vice-President and Chief Program Officer. Her involvement has been from within AAUW.
Gloria has extensive experience with our fund programs, including scholarships & grants  amounting to over $700m to women, scholars, and programs in the US and abroad. We are proud to say Gloria has a lifelong commitment to AAUW ‘s vision of achieving equity for all. We congratulate our new, enthusiastic leader of AAUW.

We now have a new section on our website highlighting news from our community partner, the Arlington League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City. Click the link to see their October Partner newsletter about the upcoming election.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!

Karen Darner and Terry Bratt , Co-Presidents

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Arlington AAUW Program Updates

We had an interesting evening on September 20^th hearing about the Rosie Riveters Program for girls ages 4 to 14 right here in Arlington and Northern Virginia.  They are bringing STEM opportunities to young girls through after-school programs as well as Saturday and summer programs – check out their website at https://www.rosieriveters.com/. 

October’s program shared important information about Internet access equity in Arlington with a presentation from the group ArlFiber thanks to Charlie Head -check out more on their website – https://arlfiber.org/.

November Meeting

We are excited to have AAUW member Liz Estabrooks from the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans, share a presentation on opportunities, services and equitable treatment for over three million women veterans.  Liz will do her presentation via zoom on Monday, Nov 15^th  (right after Veterans Day!) at 7 pm.  Watch for the zoom link closer to the date.

December Meeting

In December, we will have our annual Holiday Luncheon (undetermined whether via zoom or in person yet – watch for updates!!) on Saturday, December 4^th at noon with a presentation from our own Norma Kacen about the One Journey Festival she and her colleagues have created showcasing refugee talent.  Stay tuned for updated info as we get closer to the date.  

Check out our full program of meetings on the Meetings page on our website.

Meg Tuccillo, VP Programs

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Let’s Talk About Books

The November for Let’s Talk About Books  meeting is Tuesday, November 23, 2 pm at your regular Zoom location.  Our book selection is Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville.

Our December meeting will be Tuesday, December 28, 2 pm.  Our book selection is The Seine: The River That Made Paris by Elaine Sciolino.

Shortly before each meeting Terry Bratt will send an invitation with the Zoom information. So, watch your email and come join the fun!  Look forward to seeing you then.

See all our books for 2021-22 with a brief description of each on the Let’s Talk About Books page.

Barbara Gallagher, Chair

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Lunch Bunch for 2021-22

Plans are underway for our first three sessions this fall that will be held in person. The dates are Thursdays: 10/21, 11/18 and 12/14. The lunch time runs from 12:40-1:20. Volunteers should be there by 12:20 or 12:25 pm. Due  to Covid guidelines, lunch/ snacks are quite limited. Mary Beth understands that some people may not feel comfortable attending in person.

Covid-19 vaccinations are now required for all volunteers in APS schools.  For those who were already approved to volunteer, you should have received a notice via email to renew your application and provide verification of your vaccination status.  All volunteers need to complete a volunteer form. You can fill out the application online and find additional information regarding volunteering on the APS website.

This year our theme will be, “The 5 C’s: Profile of a Va Graduate.”  This is designed to reinforce the core competencies desired by the business community as designated by the VDOE.  For our October meeting, the young women will complete an interest inventory for future speakers and complete Bio-poems to encourage self- reflection. Our November meeting guest speakers are a registered nurse and school health aide who is an immigrant w/
an inspiring life story.

Mary Beth Pelosky, Chair

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Fall Plans for THIS/AAUW International Coffee Conversation Group:

The THIS/AAUW International Coffee group will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 9,  11 a,m. to 1 p.m for a Thanksgiving Luncheon at the McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean VA.

The Christmas Luncheon will be held at the home of Karen Russo at 2111 Elliott Ave., McLean VAon Wednesday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members of the AAUW Arlington Branch are welcome to join the group.  For more information please contact Priscilla Becker. (See Branch Directory for her phone and email.)

Priscilla Becker, lead

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Public Policy

This message was sent to AAUW-VA Board members, AAUW-VA Branch Presidents and Public Policy Chairs as well as members who have expressed interest in these communications.

Once again, thanks for the great response to our request for postcard writers for our participation in the “Reclaim Our Vote” campaign. We distributed all 1,500 postcards and addresses to our members and many of you have reported that your cards are done and in the mail! If you are still writing cards.

If you want to continue in the effort to Get Out the Vote, go to the Volunteer Dashboard. You can participate in phone banking and texting. If you do decide to participate, please let us know so we can continue to measure and report our efforts.

We also want to ask you to be aware of key Virginia voting dates and help educate other Virginia voters and those eligible.

• Last date to apply for an absentee ballot is October 22.
• The deadline for voting absentee in person is October 30.
• Mail-in ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 2.

Use and share our attached election calendar with hyperlinks for more information about any and all key dates and times.

Have a plan to vote. “When women vote, they change the conversation.”

Sara Anderson, Branch Public Policy chair

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AAUW Calendar

Our AAUW Calendar has moved to google which means you can check it online from the website or subscribe and see it directly on your phone or laptop! Additional information about the events is available by clicking the item.  Contact Teri at newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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Arlington AAUW Executive Committee 2021-22

Term begins July 1, 2021

• • President: Terry Bratt (2021-2023) and Karen Darner (2021-2023) presarlvaaauw@gmail.com
  • Co-First VP for Programs: Meg Tuccillo (2021-2023)
  • Co-Second VPs for Membership:  Michelle Milden (2021-2022) and Gail McGinn (2020-22)
  • Third VP for Communications: Teri Doxsee (2021-2023) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
  • Co-Secretaries: Candace Lilyquist (2021-2022) and Susan Senn (2021-2022)
  • Treasurer: Mary Spatz (2021-22)
  • Public Policy: Sara Anderson