Volume 78, Issue  4

March/April President’s Message

Good day to all of you!  And we will whisper that the COVID/Omicron is showing less impact throughout the world right now. We can only hope it continues, and we shall see if that diminution continues. Keep your fingers crossed.

Our AAUW state conference is scheduled March 26, and in-person will occur that day. Registration is open now, but we will send you the link. The Virginia General Assembly is very busy right now, and we hope you have been contacted to write supporting letters to your legislator about solitary confinement ending in prisons, or allowing paid sick leave for family emergencies, or budget amendments that could add controversial spending for private schools or delete funding for school
construction or staffing that is critically needed. Your involvement is key to action FOR VIRGINIA AND VIRGINIANS.

Become concerned, knowledgeable, and advocate to make this Commonwealth a safe place for you, your family, our resources, and our future.

Karen Darner and Terry Bratt , Co-Presidents

---

Arlington AAUW Program Updates

Many of us were privileged to attend, via zoom, the statewide  panel discussion on “How to Create Inclusive Spaces” with excellent panelists, including our own Arlington member Krysta Jones.  Krysta, along with Dr. Somya Dwivedi-Burke and Jonathan Zur helped us understand the value of inclusive environments where folks feel comfortable freely expressing their opinions and points of view.

We are planning for our upcoming Arlington AAUW meetings in March and April and want to share plans so you will be ready to join us!

Annual Meeting in March

On Saturday, March 19^th, we will hold our Annual Meeting at 10:30 am, via zoom, where we will elect our Vice-President and Assistant Vice-President for Membership, Treasurer and Secretary, along with consideration of by-law changes and other branch business.  This meeting is important as we move forward in supporting the goals of AAUW for women and girls!!

April Meeting – Arlington Girls STEM Awards Celebration

On Monday, April 18^th, at 7 pm, via zoom, we will hold our Arlington Girls STEM Awards Celebration where we will hear from, and honor, the top young women winners of the APS Science Fair competition.  This year we plan to invite younger girls who participate in the Rosie Riveters Program we learned about at our meeting last September so they can hear from some teenaged role models!! This should be fun – join us!!!

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

Meg Tuccillo, VP Programs

---

Bylaws Changes

Member Vote On Bylaws Change At March 19^th Annual Branch Meeting

After discussion at the January meeting, the Board of Directors voted to submit a change in branch dues to a vote of our membership, which will be part of the Annual Meeting on March 19th.

In our current bylaws, new members pay half-price when they join between Jan 1 – March 15. (Article IX, Section 3. b.) In recent years, this practice was ended by AAUW at both the national and state levels but it is still in our branch bylaws. During the discussion at the Board meeting, the Membership VPs noted that this provision unnecessarily complicates the dues structure, and it has not been effective in attracting members. This is especially true since this ½ price dues provision was removed from the national and state bylaws. 

Amending the bylaws requires an affirmative vote by 2/3 of the votes cast. A change in dues also requires, in the presence of a quorum, an affirmative vote by 2/3 of the votes cast.

A statement of the exact changes proposed in the bylaws to effect this change in branch dues and the rationale for the changes will be sent at least 20 days in advance of the Annual Meeting with the rest of the materials requiring a vote by the membership.

Current bylaws are on our website at:https://arlington-va.aauw.net/files/2021/04/Bylaws-Arlington-Branch-rev-May-2020.pdf.

Carol Dabbs, Bylaws Chair

---

Arlington AAUW Branch Nominations for 2022-24 Offices

Vice President, Membership

Candace L. Lilyquist joined the Arlington branch of AAUW in 2020, because of the organization’s ongoing work in equity for women and girls. She has been a member of AAUW on and off for 20 years. Candace is active in local politics; serves as an orientation chair and regional leader in her professional organization Association of Field Service Employees (AFSE); and is the secretary/treasurer for her condominium association. In addition, Candace has held numerous leadership positions (including all executive roles) in her professional organization, League of Women Voters, and in her church affiliations. Candace is an Organizational Specialist with the National Education Association. She has lived in Texas and Virginia but is originally from Minnesota. 

Treasurer

Mary Mace Spatz brings experience to the treasurer position as she was elected by the Board of Directors at the March 3, 2021, meeting to complete the term of Gloria Rothman, who resigned. Mary was given a life membership in AAUW when she finished her master’s degree in Secondary Science from GW University as a graduation gift from her mother, Lucyle Mace (who was President of the AAUW Arlington Branch 1982-84.)  Unfortunately, Mary did not have the time to enjoy the lovely gift for many years, between raising her two children, and following her husband to assignments overseas to Hawaii and England. And when she did live in the DC area, she was busy teaching anything from General Science to AP Biology and AP Chemistry in FCPS. One of her great joys was helping the girls in her Science Honor Society at Hayfield Secondary School develop a monthly after school science program for the sixth-grade girls at Hayfield Elementary School.

Secretary

Denise M. Hassanein sees inspiration in this quote from K. Gibran, “A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle,” as she believes gained knowledge must be applied and shared with others, no matter the activity.

As a business owner for many years, Denise has lived here and overseas in different incarnations. Her real estate brokerage offices here provided services to Washington’s international community. Overseas, her office dealt with USAID contractors. These opportunities have given Denise insight, not only multi-culturally, but also in honing a cross-section of abilities and skill sets.

Success in most things boil down to psychology, diplomacy, and technical competence hopefully accompanied by a healthy sense of humor and flexibility.

By way of formal education, Denise holds an MBA (2015) and Grad Certificate in Global Business (2016) from Webster University, accomplished during a few years outside Virginia caring for an elderly parent. At the opposite end of that spectrum, her heart lies with the creative arts: music, theatre, and art history.

Denise hopes this bio gives you a small window into her life and believes that she will be an asset to the board team in the position as secretary,

---

Let’s Talk About Books

The March Let’s Talk About Books  meeting is Tuesday, March 22, 2 pm at your regular Zoom location.  Our book selection is The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.

Our April meeting will be Tuesday, April 26, 2 pm.  Our book selection is The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim.

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

---

Spring Plans for THIS/AAUW International Coffee Conversation Group:

In March we will meet at the home of Juanita Cullen on Wednesday, March 9 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

We will be meeting in April on Wednesday, April 13 from 10:30 to 12:30.  Our plans for April haven’t been finalized yet. We also expect to have a meeting in May.

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