Volume 77, Issue 3

Join us for our December Meeting:

We are looking forward to our annual holiday luncheon meeting on Saturday, December 12^th at 12:30 pm – although this year is a bit unique!! We will hold our meeting on Zoom and invite everyone to BYOL (bring your own lunch).  The usual Zoom etiquette is not to eat on-screen but we invite you to bring a holiday lunch to your desk, table or wherever you put your device for Zoom and join in the holiday spirit! 

We are delighted to officially celebrate the winners of our Elizabeth Campbell 2020 Scholarship Award, Jamileth Picavia, our 2020 Educator of the Year, Wendy Maitland and our Lunch Bunch scholarship winner, Hanufa Begum, and will be interested to hear their presentations on how virtual learning is working for them, Jamileth as a college freshman, and Wendy as a teacher at Wakefield.  We will also be recognizing our newest Honorary Life Members, Dottie Clarke and Mary Margaret Whipple while we are together. 

Please plan on joining us!  An invitation to register for this Zoom meeting will be sent to all AAUW Arlington members, and the meeting is open to the public. For a link to register, contact presarlvaaauw@gmail.com.

January Meeting – Racial Equity and Equality in Arlington

We have altered our plans for our January meeting and are delighted to share that Krysta Jones, producer and host of Making Democracy Work and leadership and civic engagement advocate, has agreed to facilitate a discussion on racial equity and equality in Arlington for our chapter on January 23^rd at 10:30 am.  Please save the date and plan to join us for this important discussion!!!

Our 2020-21 Program Calendar 

Just a reminder that we will not have a meeting in February (remember we had set it aside as a “snow date” in case January was snowed out – back when we had in -person meetings!!!) and our March annual meeting date will be Saturday, March 20^th at 10:30 am, featuring a presentation by Ann Summerson, financial planner, on women’s financial security.

• • Saturday, December 12 – Virtual Holiday Luncheon celebrating 2020 scholarship awardees, 2020 Educator of the Year winner and our new honorary life members.
  • Saturday, January 23 10:30 am Racial Equity and Equality in Arlington, Krysta Jones, producer and host of Making Democracy Work
  • Saturday, March 20 10:30 am – Annual Meeting, Women’s Financial Security, Ann Summerson, Financial Advisor.
  • Monday, April 12 7:00 pm – Girls and Stem, Dr. Argie Kavvada, NASA, and female winners of Northern Va. Regional Science Fair.
  • Monday, May 17 7:00 pm – Celebration of 2021 Scholarship Winners and Educator of Year Winner.

Meg Tuccillo, Co-VP Programs

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In Remembrance

We are saddened to learn of the death of treasured member of the Arlington branch Denise Decker on Tuesday, November 4th. She was serving as our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion point of contact on our Board. Read her obituary and get more information about services.

Denise and a colleague with the American Council of the Blind were interviewed by National  Public Radio in regard to audio description and inclusion of people who are blind or vision-impaired at movies and theater.  The interview aired on All Things Considered August 16.  Read the transcript or listen to the audio.

Let’s Talk About Books

The December meeting for Let’s Talk About Books is Tuesday, December 22, 2 pm at your regular Zoom location.  Our book selection is Orphan Train by Christina B. Kline.

Our January meeting will be Tuesday, January 26, 2 pm.  Our book selection is The Night Watchman by Louise Erdich.

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 2020-21 with a brief description of each on the Let’s Talk About Books page.

Barbara Gallagher, Chair

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AAUW November Meeting Summary – Post Election Forum

On Tuesday, November 10^th, AAUW Arlington Branch joined with other women’s groups for an interesting Post-Election Conversation with Women Leaders via Zoom.  The panelists included Stacey Stewart, President and CEO, March of Dimes, Theresa Peterson, Senior Director of Government Affairs, GE Research and Mary Margaret Whipple, former Va. Senator.

The panelists discussed the status of women in the work world today and hopes for the future.  The event began with a stirring speech by a Wakefield senior, Valeria Flores, who has plans to do great things in her future!  If you missed the meeting, here is a recording of the meeting.

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Now is the Time to Give

Many, many of us make personal donations to AAUW Funds, but this year it is even more important.  With branches having to cancel their traditional fundraisers, AAUW is more dependent than ever on individual contributions.  This year, for example, contributions from Virginia branches and members are $39,583.04 through October 31, which is a long way from the 2019 total of $86,455.81.  

Consider all the programs and activities that are supported by our contributions that affect women and girls:  NCCWSL (Nat’l Conference for College Women Leaders), WorkSmart/StartSmart (salary and benefits awareness and training for women entering or in the workforce), economic security actions aimed at women’s lifelong security, involvement and collaboration with like-minded organizations, Title IX support, action directed at girls’ and women’s equal educational opportunities—the list goes on and on.  Our contributions enable all of that to happen.

So please contribute generously this year—and be sure to indicate your branch so it gets credit.  Checks should be made out to AAUW Funds (and preferably to AAUW Greatest Needs Fund).  To meet the December 31 receipt deadline, it’s best to mal it by Dec. 17.  Or use your credit card by going to aauw.org any time up to December 31.  Your contribution is 100% tax deductible—and just think how it is helping women and girls.

Thanks so much,

Caroline Pickens, State AAUW Funds 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 2020-21

• • President: Carol Dabbs (2019-21) presarlvaaauw@gmail.com
  • Co-First VPs for Programs: Meg Tuccillo and Chioma Eni (2019-21)
  • Co-Second VPs for Membership:  Michelle Milden (2019-21) and Gail McGinn (2020-22)
  • Third VP for Communications: Teri Doxsee (2019-21) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
  • Secretary: Marie Schryver (2020-22)
  • Treasurer: Gloria Rothman (2020-22)
  • Public Policy: Sara Anderson