Volume 81, Issue   5

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

At age 96 Vivian Kallen rocks-what an example for all of us!  At our annual March meeting, longtime branch member and  retired Associate Professor of Political Science at NOVA-Annandale, Vivian Kallen vividly presented a program entitled “Profile in Courage: Kathryn Stone vs the Byrd Machine and the Massive Resistance Movement against School Integration in the 1950s”.  Vivian herself was part of the group fighting against the Byrd Machine and was able to share her inside information on those who worked tirelessly to oppose the Byrd Machine.

Vivian’s presentation shed new light on some forgotten yet very important moments in recent Virginia history. Kathryn Stone (1906-1995) was a co-founder and first president of the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City. She was also the first woman to serve in the Virginia General Assembly’s House of Delegates from Northern Virginia. In fact, while she served, she was the only woman!  During her time in the House of Delegates, she worked to improve funding levels for education and social services, the establishment of a minimum wage, and the integration of schools.  She also served on President John Kennedy’s Commission on the Status of Women. Kathryn Stone was truly a Person of Vision, which she was posthumously named by the Commission on the Status of Women. Then in a joint resolution in the General Assembly in 2001, she was recognized for all her achievements. Why isn’t she in more history books?

At our Annual March meeting, we had 18 members attending and 4 who sent in absentee ballots, well over the 10% needed for a quorum to elect our new slate of officers: President – Candace Lilyquist, Co VPs for Programs Jeanine Brundage and Terry Bratt, VP for Communications –Rebecca Moscoso, and VP for Membership –Susan Senn.  Teri Doxsee continues in her role as Treasurer and Francesca Reilly McDonnell as secretary. We send many thanks to these members for stepping up and volunteering to keep our branch running.

In early June, the Board will plan our calendar of events for next year and would love to have ideas from the membership. Do you have a topic you would like to more about or know an author who would like to be a speaker? Just let us know by sending me an email! Also check your email for alerts from National about your dues. I got mine last week. If you have trouble navigating the payment on-line, you can just send a check to Treasurer Teri Doxsee.

I hope to see you at our meetings in April and May so you can meet our scholarship recipients.  Happy spring to everyone!

Terry Bratt
Arlington AAUW Branch President.

Arlington AAUW Branch meetings  in  2025

Here is some information about programs for the months of April and May 2025:

• Monday, April 7, at 7 pm, Lubber Run Community Center. Dr. Heather Spence, Marine Biologist, will be our guest speaker. An exiting event this year — Arlington Science Fair AAUW scholarship winners will present summaries of their amazing projects in person! See below for further details on the winners.
• Monday, May  19, 7 pm, Lubber Run Community Center – The winner of our $2,000 Lunch Bunch scholarship will be introduced and will tell us a little about her goals and plans.

Barbara Smith, Program Chair

Stem – AAUW Science Fair Awards

At our April 7 Monthly Branch meeting, the girls whose science projects won awards from our AAUW branch will present a summary of their projects to the attending membership. In the past, we have held this meeting on Zoom. This year, depending on the responses of the girls to our request for them to present in person, we hope for an exciting set of live performances. The meeting will be held at Lubber Run, beginning at 7:00 pm. I am sure we all will be just blown away by the depth of their research and their skill at presentation. We also will have Dr. Heather Spence, Marine Biologist, as our guest speaker. The hope is all of you will attend to hear these presentations. This is our premier STEM event for our branch.

The girls presenting were chosen at the Northern Virginia Regional Science Fair held on March 1, 2025 at Wakefield High School. Susan Senn, Rebecca Moscoso and Sara Anderson collaborated in advance by reading ~150 abstracts written by Arlington Public Schools Middle and High School girls in order to select a list ~30 projects to visit on the day of the fair.

Following is list of the award, their names, and the titles of each of their projects:

Outstanding High School Project – $1,000 Scholarship

• Nadia Lach-Hab, W&L – 11^th Grade –“Mathematical Interpretations and Diagnoses of Pediatric EEG Seizure Data

2^nd Place – High School – $25 Gift Card from One More Page Books

• Charlotte Waggy – Arlington Tech – 9^th Grade – “The Effect of Natural Repellants on Isopod Presence”
• Tesla Pfautz – W&L – 10^th Grade – The Effect of Chemical Treatments on Blue-Green Algae”
• Margaret Saperstein – W&L – 9^th Grade – “The Effect of Colloidal Silica Concentration in a Biodegradable Gel on Flame Retardation”
•  Cassidy Wells – Yorktown – 9^th Grade – “The Effect of Different Colored Wavelengths on the Power Output of Different Solar Cells”
• Sabrina Yimer – W&L – 12^th Grade – “Utilizing a Random Forest Model for Glaucoma Diagnosis Through Gene Expression Modeling”
• Anna Brodsky – Yorktown – 12^th Grade – “The Impact of Climate Change on Educational Outcomes: A Global Analysis”

Outstanding Middle School Project – $100 award

• Kayla Sibley – Kenmore – 8^th Grade – “The Effect of Different Machine Learning Models on the Ability to Predict Market Success of a Book Using Cover Art”

2^nd Place – Middle School – $25 Gift Card from One More Page Books

•  McKenzie Kelly, Alessandra D’Amico – Swanson – 8^th Grade – “Purifying Salt Water Using Thermal Desalination”
• Evaleen McClinch – Williamsburg – 7^th Grade – “The Effect of Thickness of Body Protector on Force of Impact”
• Maedot Ayalew – Kenmore – 8^th Grade – “The Effect of Solar Magnetic Flux and Spatiotemporal Interplanetary Magnetic Field Variations on Space Weather Prediction Accuracy”
• Rebecca Zee – Kenmore – 8^th Grade – “The Effect of Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dot Diameter on Photocatalytic Water Purification Efficiency”

Susan Senn, AAUW STEM Coordinator

Officer Elections at the March 22 Annual Meeting

The following slate of officers was elected by the members at the March 22 annual meeting. Thank you for stepping forward to support our branch in important activities and initiatives!

• President – Candace Lilyquist
• Co VP for Programs – Jeanine Brundage and Terry Bratt
• VP for Communications – Rebecca Moscoso
• VP for Membership – Susan Senn

Terry Bratt, AAUW Branch President

Arlington AAUW Executive Committee 2025-26

Term begins July 1, 2025

• President: Candace L. Lilyquist (2025-2027) presarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Co-First VP for Programs: Jeanine Brundage and Terry Bratt (2025-2027)
• Second VPs for Membership:  Susan Senn (2025-2027) Memberarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Third VP for Communications: Rebecca Moscoso (2025-2027) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Secretary: Francesca McDonald (2024-2026)
• Treasurer: Teri Doxsee (2024-2026) Treasurer4AAUW@gmail.com
• Public Policy:
• Book Group: Barbara Gallagher
• Lunch Bunch: Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tuccillo
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Let’s Talk About Books

Our April meeting is on Tuesday, April 22, 2pm at the home of Barbara Gallagher, bgallag2@gmail.com. Our book selection is Horse by Geraldine Brooks.   Look forward to seeing you then.

In May we will be meeting at 2 PM on May 27.  Our book selection is The New Dominion by John Milliken and Mark Rosell The meeting will take place at the home of Terry Bratt, theresabratt@gmail.com.

Please let the hostess know if you will be attending the session at her home.

Even if you haven’t finished the book, come join the fun!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

STATE CONFERENCE MARCH 29, 2025

AAUW-VA Celebrates 100 Years!
On March 28 and 29, AAUW-VA celebrated its 100th birthday in style with many members coming from all over the state to Alexandria to recognize AAUW’s many achievements in the past century and to look ahead at the challenges facing us in both the long term and the short term. The conference whose theme was Changing the Conversation was subscribed to capacity and packed with great women and lots of ideas to share.

Members Barbara Smith, Meg Tuccillo and Terry Bratt with the centennial conference logo

After a Friday evening social where conference attendees got acquainted and chatted, the next morning the Alexandria Town Crier rang the bell and called everyone in to the Conference Room to hear a welcome from AAUW-VA State President Lane Stone. She, in turn, introduced City of Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins who welcomed us all to Alexandria and told us how much she appreciated the work that our organization has done over the years for women and girls. President Stone next introduced Representative Jennifer McClellan of Virginia’s 4th Congressional District who gave the Keynote Address. She included Virginia history milestones and highlights from her family’s history in the United States before identifying the challenges including voter suppression that lie in the decade ahead. Following her address, VA House of Delegate Elizabeth Parker- Bennett read a proclamation from the General Assembly honoring AAUW Virginia. President Lane also read a resolution that Representative Gerry Connolly read in the US House of Representatives recognizing AAUW-VA’s achievements. The accolades continued when later on in the conference, City of Alexandria Poet Laureate Zeina Azzam read her poem commemorating AAUW-VA’s centennial, Lessons from the Moon.

Other presentations included hearing about community projects funded by AAUW-VA mini grants in McLean, Hampton and the Smith Mountain branches, a panel discussion with experts on Title IX — Emma Grasso Levine from Advocates for Youth and Shiwali Patel from National Women’s Law Center –on how we can continue to advocate for opportunities and safety in education at all levels for women and girls. And that was all before lunch!

After lunch we heard from Rose Dawson, Alexandria City Library Executive Director about the 1939 Alexandria City Library Sit-In and its impact on libraries today. Lisa Varga, Executive Director of the Virginia Library Association spoke about the continuing threats of censorship in schools and public libraries. The last presentation was from Ashley Giordano from the National Inventors Hall of Fame located in Alexandria who spoke about women who innovate and invent.

Every presentation was very informative and interesting and ended with a Q and A where conference attendees had an opportunity to ask for information and advice. I have no doubt that every participant walked away with a wealth of information to share with their branches and friends.

Our basket was won by a member of the Smith Mountain branch

As an added bonus, several local women owned businesses set up mini shops for browsing during the breaks. The conference ended with a birthday cake celebration with the basket raffle that raised approximately $2000 for the Greatest Needs Funds. There were 23 first time attendees at the conference and 5 books were raffled off. VP for Programs Barbara Smith was one of the lucky five to win a book!

Mark your calendars for next year – the tentative date for the conference in the Richmond area is April 17-18, 2026!

This is our ad for the state conference program.

Rewards and Renewal in Membership

We belong! Spring is here with a sense of renewed hope about many things. We can continue to affect the affairs of our nation and the world by working with other members of AAUW. This is why we continue our commitment each year to the mission.

Let’s take a minute to recognize the impact of AAUW. There are significant advances to gender equity; including the passage of the Equal Pay Act, Title IX, and the Family Medical Leave Act. We have awarded over $135 million in fellowships and grants. AAUW is the largest scholarship program for women in the world.

The work accomplished at the national level, mirrors the work of AAUW_Arlington Branch. We have scholarships and STEM activities for students. Plus, we regularly honor the work of educators in our community.

Please remember to renew your membership in the month you last joined. There has been a slight dues increase for the national level membership of $2.00. This is $.16 a month. The new dues rate starts on April 1, 2025.

Please let us know how we can help you with any questions you might have about your membership.

Candace Lilyquist, VP Membership

Lunch Bunch

Our Lunch Bunch young women had a wonderful opportunity on March 20th to hear from our own Arlington AAUW author, Emma Violand Sanchez! Emma shared her personal memoir, Dreams and Shadows, An Immigrant’s Journey. The students were enthralled by her story and engaged in personal dialogue with her. AAUW was able to purchase a copy for each of our young women, and Emma personally signed each book. It was truly a memorable experience.

Another piece of good news regarding our Lunch Bunch is that our board was able to increase our scholarship amount from $1000 to $2000 using some of our contingency funding to better support our students paying college tuition. Since NOVA tuition, for example, is about $6,000 per year, this increase will enable our scholarship winner to better manager her college finances. We will be selecting our scholarship winner in April and celebrating with her at our May 19th meeting.

Mary Beth Pelosky, Meg Tuccillo and Terry Bratt

Volume 81, Issue   3

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

The holiday season is upon us! At least I think it is because the weather has been a bit unseasonably warm after a cool October. I hope everyone has Saturday, December 7 on your calendars. We are gathering at the Cote d’Or for our festive holiday luncheon celebration. For more information, check out the Program section below.

This picture, taken at our branch’s 80th birthday celebration, shows that we are well on our way to collecting those 100 books to donate.

This year National AAUW is celebrating its 100th Birthday, and AAUW Virginia has asked branches to make donations of 100 something to a community group. Our board has decided to donate 100 books to the Arlington Women’s Detention Center. I bet that you have books around your home looking for a new home, so we hope that members can bring new or gently used books to our holiday luncheon to meet our goal.

We send many thanks to our panelists who shared their memories of earlier days in our branch as we celebrated our 80th birthday at our November 16th meeting. Gloria Blackwell, CEO of the National AAUW, sent our branch a Certificate of Honor, recognizing our 80th anniversary and expressing “sincere appreciation” for our branch’s “exceptional service and demonstrated commitment to advancing equity for women and girls.”

We want to remain a vibrant branch that continues to support women and girls in our community, so bringing in new members is an important goal for us this year. Please invite your friends to join you in any of our branch activities. Everyone is welcome to come to our branch meetings, book club, lunch bunch, and field trips.

It’s also time for us to fund our scholarship program for high school girls going on to a two- or four- year college. I’ll be sending you a letter asking for donations like I did last year. The girls we gave scholarships to last year are going to MIT, NOVA and VCU. I’m looking forward to meeting this year’s scholarship winners in the spring and I hope you are, too.

And…
Remembering Lilly Ledbetter
Activist Lilly Ledbetter passed away on October 12, 2024 at age 86. Lilly championed equal pay for women. When she was close to retirement, she discovered that men in comparable administrative positions were paid several thousand dollars more monthly than she was at Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Company. Although she initially won her sex discrimination case against Goodyear, she later lost her Supreme Court case in a 5-4 decision. Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the dissenting opinion. Lilly continued the fight for equal pay and was with President Obama in the Oval Office when he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009. AAUW continues the fight for equal pay and we can all thank and remember Lilly Ledbetter for persevering in this cause of importance to all women and girls.

Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season!
Happy 2025!

Terry Bratt
Arlington AAUW Branch President

Arlington AAUW Branch meetings  in  2024

Sat., Nov. 16, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Our program was a  celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Arlington Branch of AAUW, with coffee and a very special cake. We heard a brief history of the Arlington Branch since its founding in 1944. Barbara Smith did some research at the Charlie Clark Center for Local History at the Arlington Public Library. The Center has copies of the minutes of every meeting held by the Arlington Branch of AAUW from its founding in 1944 until the early 2000s. Barbara summarized some “pretty interesting stuff” she found in the minutes.

We heard from several of our longer-serving members, Vivien Kallen and Marjorie Hobart, about their experiences with the Arlington Branch. They provided color commentary to the summary of the minutes. We also were updated on current activities of AAUW-Arlington: the Lunch Bunch (Meg Tuccillo), the International Coffee Group (Priscilla Becker), the Book Club (Barbara Gallagher), the Science Fair judging (Susan Senn), and Public Policy (Sara Anderson).

Finally, everyone present had an opportunity to share stories and recollections about our experiences with AAUW-Arlington. The day was a relaxed and enjoyable celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the Arlington Branch of AAUW in which we reflected on what this branch has done in the past, what it is doing in the present, and what it could do in the future.

Sat., Dec. 7, noon – Our holiday luncheon will be held again at Côte d’Or. There will be a choice of appetizer, main course, and dessert. The room for the luncheon seats only 30; contact Barbara Smith and reserve early.

Here is some early information about programs for the months of January, February, and March 2025:

• Sat., Jan. 25, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Charles Meng, CEO of the Arlington Food Assistance Center, will speak about the programs and activities of AFAC.
• Sat., Feb. 22, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – CDR Sandra Lawrence, USN Ret., will speak about “Women in the Military: A Long and Honored Tradition”.
• Sat., Mar. 22, 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Program about the Arlington women who protested “Massive Resistance”, the political campaign in Virginia in the 1950s to prevent the integration of schools.

Barbara Smith, Program Chair

Let’s Talk About Books

The December meeting is on Tuesday, December 10, 2 pm at the home of Terry Bratt. Our book selection is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. We look forward to seeing you then.

In January we will meet at 2 pm on January 28 a the home of Barbara Gallagher. Our book selection is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Even if you have not finished reading the book, come join the fun!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

Public Policy

• • Post-Election Conversation

  • Rep. Gerry Connolly is having a post-election conversation sponsored by AAUW branches of Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, Mt. Vernon, Reston-Herndon and Vienna on Monday, December 2 at 5 pm.  Here is the advanced registration zoom link!

AAUW of Virginia Lobby Days in Richmond

•  January 15, 2025 – Evening Reception and Talk
  

  

Hampton Inn and Suites, Richmond – Room reservation link at Hampton Inn & Suites $157

• January 16, 2025 – Lobby Day

Make our Voices Heard in Richmond and Connect with our Lawmakers

Diane Schrier wants you to let her know if you can attend.

Rewards and Renewal in Membership

Each member of AAUW-Arlington Branch came to the organization on a different path of life’s journey. In membership, we find the rewards of connection, belonging, and growth. ‘Tis the season of giving thanks; we must take time to celebrate how our pathways converged to bring us together. This month we did just that with the recognition of 80 years of service on November 16.

AAUW-Arlington Branch is a place for everyone. You belong to the nation’s largest source of scholarships for women who wish to advance their studies. Through grants and fellowships we grow the skills and knowledge of girls and women. This allows participants in AAUW-Arlington Branch to work for greater equity and opportunity for all. We have come together to accomplish a lot.

We find renewal in one another. With many hands we promote and enhance scholarship, learning, equity, and the betterment of our whole community. This is AAUW-Arlington Branch — 80 years strong!

Candace Lilyquist, VP Membership

Lunch Bunch

The Arlington Community High School leadership team is thrilled to have our continued collaboration on behalf of young women looking toward their future. Efforts over the past few years have focused on student career interests as well as goal setting, career awareness, mental health, and self care. Past themes have been centered around the APS socio-emotional Standards of Learning goals, as well as the Virginia 4 C’s, Profile of a VA Graduate.

This year we have started with about a dozen young women from countries around the world. At our first get-to-know- each-other meeting, we all shared stories about the origin of our names. One girl’s name means hope in her language. Another is named for her grandmother and others had similar interesting stories. In November, we had Karen Vallejos, executive director of The Dream Project, share her life journey as a Dreamer.

We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 12:30 (with pizza) and invite you to volunteer with us. We meet at the ACHS -It is located at 4420 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.

Mary Beth Pelosky, Meg Tuccillo and Terry Bratt

Volume 81, Issue  2

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

Autumn has certainly gotten off to a very wet start. As I write Hurricane Helene has devastated several states, and Hurricane Milton promises to bring even more destruction. Our hearts go out to the suffering people are experiencing in those hard-hit areas.

Our September branch meeting speaker was Donna Parsell. Her presentation on the life and adventures of early 20th century journalist Eliza Scidmore was a wonderful way for members to start our fall meetings. Her biography, Eliza Scidmore: From Early White House Reporter to Washington’s Cherry Trees is well researched and written, and is of interest to all.

Members have lots of activities to join in the next few months. In October we will have the opportunity to learn more about DEI initiatives in Arlington, and in November we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of our branch with a panel discussion. Our October book discussion will be on The Art Thief. More information about these branch activities can be found further down in this newsletter. I am also looking forward to joining other branch members in seeing the Sondheim Tribute Review on October 20 at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church.

This summer our branch committed to sending out 200 Get out the Vote postcards, and branch members stepped up to fulfill our promise. Our postcards, sent out on October 1, were mailed to women voters in
Seminole County, Florida. I want to thank the branch members who volunteered to write the postcards. We joined branches throughout Virginia in sending out approximately 5000 postcards. Early voting has started here in Virginia, so be sure to vote now or on Election Day at the latest. Every vote counts! Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Terry Bratt
Arlington AAUW Branch President

Arlington AAUW Branch meetings  in  2024

• Mon., Oct.21, at 7:00 pm, Lubber Run Community Center – “Empowering Voices: A Student-Led DEI Professional Development Workshop,” with Monica Lozano Caldera, MA, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator, Arlington Career Center, Arlington Public Schools; and Marlene Reyes, Senior, Arlington Tech/Arlington Career Center, DEI Student Leader — The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recipient 2024.
• Sat., Nov. 16, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – A celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Arlington Branch of AAUW with coffee and a very special cake. Bring your memories to share as we hear about the early history of the Arlington Branch and the activities of the Lunch Bunch (Meg), the International Coffee group (Priscilla), the Book Club (Barbara G.), the Science Fair judges (Susan Senn), and the Public Policy group (Sara Anderson). Marjorie Hobart and Vivian Kallen, as long-time members of AAUW-Arlington, will discuss their experiences and changes they have seen.
• Sat., Dec. 7, noon, Holiday luncheon at Côte d’Or. There will be a choice of appetizer, main course, and dessert. The room for the luncheon seats only 30; reserve early. Information on reservations will be sent out in early November.

Barbara Smith, Program Chair

Let’s Talk About Books

The October meeting is on Tuesday, October 22, 2pm. Our book selection is The Art Thief by Michael Finkel. The meeting will be at your regular Zoom location. Shortly before the 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.

There is no November book group meeting.

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

AAUW Membership is in Season

Traditionally members of AAUW had to be invited to join the organization. In effect, this is still true today. People do not often join organizations; they join people. When you feel that sense of connection with a community member and want to spend more time with them, or even take an action, make sure to invite them. Invitation is our link to growth. It often takes a few negative responses to get to an affirmative response. So, ask early and often as you venture through your day.

Think about the medical providers you connect with in Arlington or our surrounding area. Invite them to join. Do you have children in your life who attend school? It does not matter where. Ask the children’s teacher to become a member in the community where they are living.

The latest tool to support your invitation is a QR code. A quick response (QR) code is an array of black and white squares that can be read by a machine’s camera. The QR code usually takes the user to a URL connecting them to information on a website. AAUW Arlington Branch will be looking into securing a QR code for our membership materials, after board approval. Your membership ensures a powerful voice is amplified on critical issues affecting women of all ages and girls. Each year we renew our commitment to focus on economic security, education and Title IX, and civil rights. Until next time, invite anyone who you think might be a wonderful addition to our group.

There is still time to renew! Continuing members can log on to renew or send a $103 check to Teri Doxsee for the full dues amount. Lifetime members pay $31 for state and local dues. This can be paid via the website or by sending a check to Teri Doxsee. Individuals who have trouble logging on may need to change their passwords.

Candace Lilyquist, VP Membership

Lunch Bunch

Lunch bunch meetings will be starting soon.

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo, Lunch Bunch

Public Policy

Lane Stone, President AAUW-Virginia sent all state branches a list of this year’s Equal Pay Days to share with all members. As you will see, there is still a lot of work to be done in leveling the playing field for women and girls.

• 2024
  • July 2024
    • 27 Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
  • August 2024
    • 7  Mom’s Equal Pay Day
    • 26 Women’s Equality Day
    • 26  104th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
    • 28 Native HI/Pacific Islander Equal Pay Day
  • September
  • October
    • 3  Latina’s Equal Pay Day
  • November
    • 21 Native Women’s Equal Pay Day
• 2025
  • March
    • 5  Equal Pay Day
    • 8 International Women’s Day
  • May
    • 3  AAPI Equal Pay Day

Terry Bratt, Branch President

Volume 81, Issue  1

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

I hope everyone is enjoying these last weeks of summer despite some pretty hot days and looking forward to our fall activities. We have lots on the agenda! Our branch has committed to send out 200 Get out the Vote postcards. I will send out an email soon asking for volunteers. You will be provided with the text, the addresses of potential voters, and stamps. Our window for sending them out is the first week of October, so we have plenty of time to write them.

This year we are celebrating our 80th birthday as a branch. We were founded in 1944 by a group of women who lived in Fairlington during World War II. We are looking for volunteers who remember what they learned about our early history and how they became members to help with our November Program. I, for example, was recruited by longtime member Martha Ann Miller along with other young women in the 1980’s. She called us the young Careerists and got us involved in a lot of branch activities. What do you remember about how and why you decided to be a branch member?  We will be all ears!

I am thrilled that we will host Diana Parsell, author of Eliza Scidmore: From Early White House Reporting to Washington’s Cherry Trees at our September 16 meeting. Please be sure to find out more about this program and other upcoming programs further on in this newsletter. Be sure to get all the dates down on your calendar now so you don’t miss out.

Enjoy what’s left of summer. I really enjoyed going to a minor league baseball game in Fredericksburg in July and as I write I am on my way to New York City where we will see the musical Suffs and visit the Brooklyn Museum of Art to see Paul McCartney’s photo exhibit of the early days of the Beatles. I am
looking forward to seeing you at our author talk on September 16. Bring some friends –everyone is welcome!

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

Arlington AAUW Branch meetings  in  2024

• Mon., Sept. 16, at 7:00 pm, Lubber Run Community Center – Book talk with Diana P. Parsell, author of “Eliza Scidmore: From Early White House Reporting to Washington’s Cherry Trees”.
• Mon., Oct. 21, at 7:00 pm, Lubber Run Community Center – Program on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). DEI Coordinator and student from the Arlington Career Center invited to speak. Not yet confirmed.
• Sat., Nov. 16, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Special program in honor of the 80^th anniversary of the Arlington Branch of AAUW.
• Sat., Dec. 7, noon, Holiday luncheon at Côte d’Or.

Let’s Talk About Books

The September meeting for Let’s Talk About Books will be on Tuesday, September 24, 2pm at the home of Terry Bratt.  Our book selection is The Covenant of Water by Abraham Varghese.

Please see our book list for the coming year and the meeting dates below.  All meetings except September and July 2025 have hosting opportunities.  If you would like to host one of the meetings, please let me know and I’ll get word out to all members.

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

Remembering Mary Ann Ullrich

Longtime Arlington AAUW branch member, Mary Ann Ullrich passed away on July 9, 2024. Mary Ann was 82 and is survived by her son, David and siblings Bonnie, Don, Marge, and Larry. Her family is planning a remembrance mass at the church where Mary Ann grew up and her ashes will be spread on the family farm in Illinois.

Mary Ann was a teacher and administrator for the Arlington Public Schools.  She started her career in APS as a secondary ESOL/HILT teacher and later became the Foreign Language Supervisor for APS. Mary Ann was also an active member of our branch before moving away to live nearer to her son.  She served on our branch board while being an active member of the International Coffees and being a dedicated leader of our high school Lunch Bunch.

Mary Ann will be remembered by all her friends and colleagues for her outgoing, friendly nature, kindness, exquisite fashion sense, and her joie de vivre. We send our condolences to her son, David and his family and her many friends.

AAUW Membership is in Season

Your membership ensures a powerful voice is amplified on critical issues affecting women of all ages and girls. Each year we renew our commitment to focus on economic security, education and Title IX, and civil rights.

Speaking of renewal, June is the typical month to renew dues. You should have received a little prompt from AAUW reminding you your dues were coming due. Please check online or contact Candace Lilyquist or Teri Doxsee for help.

Continuing members can log on to renew or send a $103 check to Teri Doxsee for the full dues amount. Lifetime members pay $31 for state and local dues. This should be paid via the website or by sending a check to Teri Doxsee. Individuals who have trouble logging on may need to change their passwords.

AAUW now runs a 12 month membership. This means, if you joined in August. Your membership renews in the same month you joined (August of the following year). Again, please reach out to the membership chair or the treasurer if you have questions or need any assistance.

Thank you for your activism and dedication to making the opportunities for women and girls better than they ever have been. This really is the season for change.

Candace Lilyquist, VP Membership

Lunch Bunch

We look forward to meeting a new group of students at Arlington Community High School. We will start meeting in October with our student group over lunch beginning on October 17. We meet on the third Thursday monthly from October to May to discuss topics of interest to our students. Please think about joining the group. More information will be posted in September about the first meeting.

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo, Lunch Bunch

Public Policy

Mark your calendar for these two important events! The Fall 2024 Northern District meeting will take place on September 14, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library. Meg Tuccillo, Co-Vice President for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) will present a program on “Micro-Aggression”. This topic was a 10 minute toolkit at the 2024 state conference and was very well received. Watch for a follow up email with more details.

This year the northern Virginia branches are hosting the 2025 AAUW-VA state conference. It will be held on March 29, 2025 in Alexandria. This is an extra special conference as we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of AAUW-VA. More information will be coming throughout the year, but we will need everyone’s help to make this a super success.

Terry Bratt, Branch President

Volume 80, Issue 5

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

As I write this note, spring is truly upon us – the daffodils and tulips are blooming, the days are getting longer, and the cherry blossoms are at their peak. I hope everyone is enjoying all the wonderful spring colors as we leave the grays and whites of winter behind us.

At our March 16 Annual Meeting, we elected our new 2024-26 officers: VP for Membership Candace Lilyquist, Treasurer Teri Doxsee, and Secretary Francesca Reilly-McDonnell after a very informative panel discussion on current legislative issues. Our panel presenters included former Virginia State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, Karen Darner, former Virginia House Delegate, Arlington Commission on the Status of Women member Susan Strauss, and Pam Berg, Co-President of the Arlington-Alexandria League of Women Voters. We send many thanks to Co-VP for Programs Barbara Smith for organizing this great program. Virginia AAUW lobbied for many bills related to family/medical leave, reproductive care, education, and equal pay. The governor is in the process of reviewing passed legislation and we will have to wait to see what he approves or vetoes.

We are currently in the midst of selecting our scholarship winners and teacher awardee and they will be announced at our May 20 meeting. Our science fair winners have been named and we will have the opportunity to meet them and learn about their research at our April 15 meeting on Zoom. I hope that
as many of you as possible will attend these meetings so we can show these students how much we applaud their endeavors.

More information about our branch meetings, Lunch Bunch, and Let’s Talk about Books activities are further down in this newsletter. I hope to see you at least one of them this spring!

Sincerely,

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

Branch meetings

AAUW Special Program for Women’s History Month, March 16

 Mary Margaret Whipple, a former Virginia State Senator, was the featured speaker. In addition to describing her experiences and observations as one of the few women in the General Assembly, she noted the increase in women’s participation in that body over time. In 1924, the first two women were elected to the House of Delegates; in 2024, 34 women were serving as Delegates. The first woman to serve in the State Senate was elected in 1974; in 2024, 14 women were serving as State Senators. She also mentioned the Virginia Women’s Monument: Voices from the Garden, the first monument of its kind in the nation  (https://womensmonumentcom.virginia.gov/thetwelve.html.

Karen Darner, a former member of the House of Delegates, suggested ways to combine research and data with personal stories to create compelling support for legislation being debated in the General Assembly. Pamela Berg, Co-President of the League of Women Voters Arlington and Alexandria City, discussed the goals of the League and the League’s thorough process for creating positions on issues of interest (https://my.lwv.org/virginia/arlington-and-alexandria-city).

Susan Strauss, a member of the Arlington Commission on the Status of Women, discussed the Commission’s objectives and activities, emphasizing the importance of reaching out in ways that encouraged engagement.

Monday, April 15, 7 pm, via Zoom

Presentations by the high school and middle school young women whose projects at the Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Fair in March 2024 received awards for excellence by judges from the Arlington Branch of AAUW.  Also speaking will be Jennifer Swann, Director of Information Security at Bloomsburg Industry Group, who presented the program on AI/ChatGPT at our September meeting.  Information on accessing the ZOOM meeting will be sent to AAUW-Arlington members prior to the event..

Barbara Gallagher and Barbara Smith, Co VPs Program

Let’s Talk About Books

The April meeting for Let’s Talk About Books will be Tuesday, April  16 , 2 pm at the home of Barbara Gallagher.  Our book selection is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  Please RSVP to Barbara Gallagher (bgallag2@gmail.com, 703-243-1043) to let her know you are coming.

Our May Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21 at 2pm.  Unless someone volunteers to host this meeting it will be conducted via Zoom.  Our May book selection is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

So read the books and come join the fun. Happy reading!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

Arlington AAUW Scholarship Update

We are excited to share that the 2024 Arlington AAUW Arts Scholarship, the Lunch Bunch Scholarship and the Educator of the Year Award applications have all gone out and the deadline for submission is April 2nd. We expect to announce the winners by April 15th so they will have time to put our May 20th Awards celebration at 7 pm at the Lubber Run Rec center on their calendars!!!!! Each year we have been impressed by the quality work of the applicants and this year is proving that excellent candidates continue to be nominated by school staff. Stay tuned for our announcement of the winners in mid-April and put our May 20th event on your calendars – it will be a joyful event!!!!

Lunch Bunch

In March the Lunch Bunch students at Arlington Community High School participated in an engaging presentation on the importance of financial planning for the future. Presenter Steven Galko of Licentia, stressed the importance of having savings and answered the students’ questions about spending and credit with great suggestions. In fact, Arlington Community High School Principal Lori Wiggins was already making plans to invite the Arlington Credit Union to the high school so the students could open savings accounts by the end of the session!

The last meeting of the school year on April 18 will focus on the students reflecting on what they’ve learned this year at the Lunch Bunch sessions and what their next steps will be in the coming year. We have been meeting with a great group of young women monthly at the new site of the Arlington Community High School on Fairfax Drive in Ballston since September. These young women each have their own journey that led them to this alternative high school program. We continue to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that they take the time each month to hear from various role models and to consider their own next steps in creating their future selves.

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo, Lunch Bunch

Girls in STEM

Dear AAUW Members,

Barbara Smith, Sara Anderson and I spent a Saturday morning judging the
Northern Virginia Regional Science Fair (as well as many hours the week before
pouring over 100 abstracts written by that many girls in grades 6-12, selecting the best from them, ones we would be able to interview during the judging period on Saturday).

We have made our selection for TWO first place high school girls and TWO middle
school girls Most Outstanding Projects. We three decided among us that this event and recognition is one of our most important efforts to support the AAUW emphasis on STEM and girls’ learning. And, in both categories, it was literally impossible to choose between two projects in both categories that we all deemed as outstanding. Also, three projects were chosen at the high school level for 2nd place and five were chosen at the middle school level for 2nd place (again, impossible to pare those choices down to just three).

What that means for all of us is that we must step up to cover the additional
$1150 to cover those extended choices. If you can help, please contact Terri Doxee at Treasurer4AAUW@gmail.com. Believe me, when you hear them describe their project on Zoom at our April 15 monthly meeting, you will understand why we made the choices that we did.

Also, we are working to set up a Saturday morning event on April 20 for five girls of
our choosing (with APS science teacher input) to participate in a Zoom presentation using a STEMLingo kit to assemble a robot. The recording will be broadcast from National AAUW. They will bring their own computers and each will be given their own STEMLingo kit to use and keep. Currently we are looking for a venue (possibly Lubber Run) and for a technical assistant to be onsite at the time of the Zoom recording presentation, someone to help the girls if they need it while doing the assembly. If you know of someone who might be willing to do this, please contact me at sennsu@gmail.com or 703-244-0175, talk or text.

Susan Senn, Stem Coordinator

AAUW Annual Spring Conference

AAUW Virginia invites you to attend our annual conference in Lynchburg on Saturday, April 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Our Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, the first woman president of the University of Lynchburg. Plan to enjoy a little shopping because vendor tables will be available. Pre-Conference activities include sightseeing tours to be scheduled on Friday, April 12th, starting at 2:00 P.M. to give you a chance to enjoy Lynchburg. For more information, check out the conference website at https://aauw-va.aauw.net/files/2024/01/Conference-2024-Brochure-FINAL.pdf

Public Policy

A public policy update will be coming soon via email.

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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Arlington AAUW Executive Committee 2023-25

Term begins July 1, 2023

• Presidents: Terry Bratt (2023-2025) presarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Co-First VP for Programs: Barbara Smith and Barbara Gallagher (2023-2025)
• Second VPs for Membership:  Candace L. Lilyquist (2022-2024) Memberarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Third VP for Communications: Rebecca Moscoso (2023-2025) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Secretary: Francesca McDonald (2023-2025)
• Treasurer: Teri Doxsee (2022-2024) Treasurer4AAUW@gmail.com
• Public Policy: Susan Senn (2023-2025)

Volume 80, Issue 4

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

Happy 2024! I hope that the new year has gotten off to a great start for everyone. Your branch
officers have been very busy preparing a series of winter activities that you are sure to enjoy.
Besides our book discussions on Striptease in January, Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and Reconciliation in February, and Founding Mothers in March, we will have a program on genealogy in February. In March, at our annual meeting, we are planning to have a panel of Arlington leaders discuss issues with us in addition to our annual election of officers. You can find more information on these programs further down in this newsletter.

The VA-AAUW policy section has organized a Lobby Day in Richmond on January 31 and is encouraging local branches to have a virtual lobby day with our local delegation on February 28. Crossover Day is scheduled for February 13. VA-AAUW is focusing on issues related to reproductive rights, economic security and equity, affordable childcare, full funding for public schools, and protecting voting rights. Members are encouraged to contact your local delegations with your thoughts on these issues.

Our annual meeting where we elect our new officers is scheduled for March 16. Open officer positions include Secretary, VP for Communications, and VP for Membership. The Nominating Committee has met, and a slate of candidates for these positions will be sent out to the membership in early February. Kudos to those members for their willingness to take on these leadership roles in our branch!

At our January Board meeting, Treasurer Teri Doxsee reported the wonderful news that we have received $4255 to date in donations to our Scholarship, STEM, and Teacher awards fund. I am very appreciative of all who have made donations. If you forgot, don’t worry! It’s never too late to send in your contribution.

Best wishes for a not too cold February and March — spring will be here before we know it!!

Sincerely,

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

Hope to see you at these upcoming Branch meetings

• Sat., Feb. 24, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Eileen Bogdanoff, an experienced genealogist and an expert on using Ancestry.com, will share information and tools for learning about your family’s roots. She gives monthly talks on genealogy as part of Arlington’s 55+ Program.
• Sat., March 16, at 10:30 am, Lubber Run Community Center – Special Program for Women’s History Month.  Mary Margaret Whipple, a former Virginia State Senator, will be the featured speaker. She will discuss the current social, political, and economic issues of interest to women in the Commonwealth and how these issues are being addressed by our elected representatives in Richmond. Additionally, representatives from the League of Women Voters and the Arlington Commission on the Status of Women will talk about their respective organizations and activities.
• Monday, April 15, 7 pm, via Zoom, Presentations by the high school and middle school young women whose projects at the Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Fair in March 2024 received awards for excellence by judges from the Arlington Branch of AAUW.  Also speaking will be Jennifer Swann, Director of Information Security at Bloomsburg Industry Group, who presented the program on AI/ChatGPT at our September meeting.

Barbara Gallagher and Barbara Smith, Co VPs Program

Let’s Talk About Books

The February meeting of Let’s Talk About Books will be
Tuesday, February 27, 2 pm, at your regular Zoom
location.  Terry Bratt will send an invitation with the
Zoom information. So, watch your email and come join
the fun! Our book selection is Ancestor Troubles: A
Reckoning and a Reconciliation by Maude Newton.

Our March meeting is Tuesday, March 19, 2 pm, at the
home of Terry Bratt. Please let Terry know f you will be
attending.  Our book selection is Founding Mothers:
The Women Who Raised our Nation by Cokie Roberts.

Opportunities for hosting are still available on 2/27,
4/16, 5/21, and 6/25. Please let me know if you are
interested.

Happy reading!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

Northern District Meeting

Saturday, March 9, 2024
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria

Just in time for Cherry Blossom Season in Washington, DC.!

Diana Parsell, author and member of the AAUW McLean Area Branch, will introduce us to Eliza Scidmore, the Early AAUW Member Behind Washington’s Cherry Blossoms. As Diana’s book reveals, Scidmore was an extraordinary journalist and travel writer who got her start as a newspaper correspondent in Gilded Age Washington in the 1870s. She wrote authoritative books on Alaska, Japan, Java, China and India; was an activist in the burgeoning U.S. conservation movement, in association with major figures like John Muir; and was the most influential female at the early National Geographic, as the first woman elected to the board (in 1892) and to publish photographs in the magazine. In 1920, Scidmore became an AAUW member. Copies of the book will be available for sale.

A business meeting will follow.

Lunch Bunch

We have been meeting with a great group of young women monthly at the new site of the Arlington
Community High School on Fairfax Drive in Ballston since September. These young women each have their own journey that led them to this alternative high school program. We continue to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that they take the time each month to hear from various role models and to consider their own next steps in creating their future selves.

Our Lunch Bunch program has a strong focus on self-care, mental health and overall well-being.   This month’s speaker will be a part two for Ms. Jennifer Gross of APS.
Earlier this school year, she shared her very own compelling journey as an EL learner dealing w/ cross cultural issues. As coordinator for Social Emotional Learning for APS, Ms. Gross will focus on “Calming Strategies for Stressful Times” and The Healthy Mind Platter for self care.

Our students found our December speaker, chef Daniela Hurtado of Kitchen of Purpose, highly relatable. Amongst sharing stories of her personal journey as an EL student, she spoke about opportunities for bilingual culinary training and courses on how to launch a small food business.

The 15 -20 young women each month are focused, eager and forward-looking!  Come join us on the third Thursday of the month to meet some of our wonderful lunch bunchers!

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo,, Lunch Bunch

AAUW-VA Public Policy Update

The VA-AAUW policy section has organized a Lobby Day in Richmond on January 31 and is encouraging local branches to have a virtual lobby day with our local delegation on February 28. Susan Senn will work with Denise Murden on this project. Crossover Day is scheduled for February 13. VA-AAUW is focusing on issues related to reproductive rights, economic security and equity, affordable childcare, full funding for public schools, and protecting voting rights. Members are encouraged to contact their local delegations with thoughts on these issues. Use this link to read Denise Murden’s speech at a hearing where the ordinance for creating Grayson County, Virginia, as a “sanctuary for the unborn” was defeated. LINK

Active planning has begun for the AAUW Women Legislators Reception on January 30, 2024, and our Lobby Day on January 31, 2024.  AAUW VA has reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn in Richmond for the night of January 30.  You can make reservations here:   https://group.hamptoninn.com/xfvxmr. You can find advocacy information you need in our AAUW-VA Public Policy drive, which will be frequently updated throughout the General Assembly session:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1t0LQU80E0C5y_eroidKw_SZxicPYziPR?usp=sharing

Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium Seeking Volunteers

The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium announce multiple vacancies on its all-volunteer Board of Directors beginning in January 2024.

The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium (FOAP) is a 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to supporting the public-school system planetarium in Arlington, VA, and promoting science
education for the general public. The group raises funds to sponsor a college scholarship and grants for teacher professional development. It also helps purchase program licenses and supports the creation of original programming for the planetarium. As part of its ongoing public education mission, FOAP hosts a variety of science-themed public events, shows and full dome videos at the planetarium.

FOAP’s all-volunteer Board of Directors does much of the planning and guidance work of the organization. The Board holds monthly meetings (conducted on Zoom) and there are occasional other online meetings and email correspondence. The Friends are looking for individuals who can commit a few hours per month to assist in the planning and execution of fundraising, event planning, public outreach, and other administrative and logistical tasks required to maintain a vital and sustainable organization. Enthusiasm and a willingness to be actively involved on various projects are the primary requirements of the position. No prior experience or special science knowledge is required, though interest in both science and education are desired. Board members serve a three-year term.

To learn more about the Friends and this volunteer opportunity, please contact
elections@friendsoftheplanetarium.org. Visit the website – friendsoftheplanetarium.org – for the latest on events and astronomy news!

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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Arlington AAUW Executive Committee 2023-24

Term begins July 1, 2023

• Presidents: Terry Bratt (2023-2025) presarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Co-First VP for Programs: Barbara Smith and Barbara Gallagher (2023-2025)
• Second VPs for Membership:  Candace L. Lilyquist (2022-2024) Memberarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Third VP for Communications: Rebecca Moscoso (2023-2025) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Secretary: Vacancy
• Treasurer: Teri Doxsee (2022-2024) Treasurer4AAUW@gmail.com
• Public Policy: Susan Senn