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 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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Lunch Bunch

Lunch bunch meetings will be starting soon.

 

 

 

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo, Lunch Bunch

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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 6

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

Back in war time 1944 a group of women met in Fairlington to establish an Arlington branch of the American Association of University Women, now known as AAUW.  2024 marks the 80^th anniversary of the founding of our branch, and we plan to celebrate our anniversary this fall and learn more about how our branch came to be.  If you are interested in working on our history project, let me know. On June 12, our Board will meet to plan our activities for the upcoming year, so if you have any ideas and suggestions, be sure to let Barbara Smith know beforehand.

At our May branch meeting we had the pleasure of meeting our scholarship recipients, science fair winners, and outstanding teacher.  The students all came with not only their parents, but aunts, uncles, and grandparents as well. Our teachers came with the Kenmore principal and colleagues and sorority sisters.  It was a very festive affair with cake and punch.  Meg Tuccillo presented the Elizabeth Campbell arts scholarship and the outstanding teacher award.  Susan Senn presented the STEM scholarship and science fair awards and Mary Beth Pelosky presented the Arlington Community High School Lunch Bunch scholarship.  It was a very moving evening for all.

Please join me in recognizing all the work done by branch volunteers. We thank Meg for chairing the scholarship and awards committee again this year.  Kudos to Susan for doing an excellent job of preparing our students for their Zoom science fair presentations in April and for organizing a robotics coding workshop for Arlington high school students in May.  We also appreciate Mary Beth and Meg for all their work in bringing great activities to the monthly lunch bunch students at Arlington Community High School.  We also applaud the other branch members who keep our branch running smoothly – Treasurer Teri Doxsee has done a great job of keeping our books in order, VPs for Programs, Barbara Smith and Barbara Gallagher organized a series of interesting and varied monthly programs, VP for Membership Candace Lilyquist has been working on increasing membership, VP for Communications Rebecca Moscoso has gotten out our bimonthly newsletter and kept our web page updated, Barbara G has organized our monthly book discussions, and Carol Dabbs updated our bylaws.

Everyone should have received their dues renewal email from National AAUW.  The national, state, and local dues are the same as last year-$103. If you have difficulty doing the renewal on line, you can send your check to Teri Doxsee and she will complete it for you.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and restful summer.  I hope it is not too hot for us.  Fall is sure to bring lots of interesting activities for us to enjoy together.   See you then!

Sincerely,

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

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Arlington AAUW Branch meetings – Program Suggestions for next year

Please send in your suggestions for programs for next year’s monthly meetings. We are looking for program ideas for six months next year: September, October, November, January, February, and March. We will be voting on these suggestions at the June meeting of the AAUW-Arlington Board.

 Here are some ideas that have been proposed:

• Book talk on “Eliza Scidmore: From Early White House Reporting to Washington’s Cherry Trees”. Scidmore is the woman responsible for bringing the cherry trees to Washington.
• Program on the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), its role in the Arlington Community and the people that it helps.
• Follow-up program on the new Title IX regulations.
• Program on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
• Program on the women in Arlington who stood up to the Massive Resistance Movement in the 1950s that opposed desegregating public schools.
• Program on the AAUW-Arlington Branch’s 80^th anniversary.
• Program on Optimal Aging by Dr. Heyn, Marymount Center on Optimal Aging.
• Updates on artificial intelligence and ChatGPT
• Program on what comes next after Columbia Pike renovation

 Send your suggestions to Barbara Smith and Barbara Gallagher.

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Let’s Talk About Books

Our June meeting is Tuesday, June 25, 2 pm.  Our book selection is Under the Sky We Make by Kimberly Nicholas. 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.

Our July meeting is scheduled for July 23, at 2 pm at the home of Barbara Gallagher.  Our book selection is How It All Began by Penelope Lively.

At our July meeting we will have the opportunity to lobby for our suggestions for next year, but the vote of the group will determine if it makes the list.  We need 11 titles since we do not meet in August.  When considering your suggestions (a maximum of three) we ask that it be readily available at the library or in paperback.  If you send me your suggestions with a short blurb about the book, I will compile the list and send to all before the meeting so you can be contemplating your choices.

Here is a link to the Master Book List so you can see what we have already read.

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

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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

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Arlington AAUW Awards Evening, May 24

Our annual Arlington AAUW awards event took place on Monday, May 20th, at the Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N Park Drive, Arlington 2203, at 7 pm. We honored our STEM scholarship winners, Olivia Bartrum from Wakefield High School and Nicola Beaumont from HB Woodlawn Secondary School, along with two middle school Science Fair Award winners, Cassi Wells from Williamsburg Middle School and Amelia Pearson from Swanson Middle School.  We also recognized our AAUW Elizabeth Campbell Arts Scholarship winner, Niyah Wertz from Wakefield, and our Lunch Bunch awardee, Nicole Sotelo from Arlington Community High School.  In addition, we awarded the AAUW Educator of the Year Award to Eurith Bowen, Functional Life Skills Teacher at Kenmore Middle School. It was inspiring to hear from our awardees and we enjoyed meeting their families and friends and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Barbara Gallagher and Barbara Smith, Co VPs Program

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Lunch Bunch

Those if you who were able to join in our scholarship presentation shared in the joy of seeing our Lunch Bunch Scholar, Nicole Sotelo, receive her reward and see  her four-year old daughter’s excitement! Nicole is one great example of the young women we met at our monthly Lunch Bunch gatherings. This year we have been able to provide presentations from other women who are strong examples of resilience and determination and who shared their stories to give our young women hope for their own futures. Each month we have seen growth in these students, and we get to join in their discussions about their hopes and dreams!!

Why not consider joining us next year? We will share some specific plans in September, so stay tuned!!

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo, Lunch Bunch

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Girls in STEM – A STEMtastic Season

Arlington AAUW has had a very active, exciting, STEM season, from  December, 2024-May, 2024. First, judging took place at three Arlington high school Science Fairs in December, January and February. This gave our team a chance to pre-look and identify some outstanding projects at the school level. Many of those projects then were deemed worthy enough to be sent on to the Regional Fair which took place on March 2 at Wakefield High School. Prior to that fair, Barbara Smith and I read through about 160 abstracts authored by Arlington Public School middle and high school girls in order to boil down a list to about 30 projects that we could judge on the day of the Regional Fair. Paring down those abstracts meant reading them all about three times to create a fair and thorough list.

On the day of the fair, we each judged all 30 projects independently using a rubric developed specifically for the Science Fair. At the days’ end, we identified two first place high school and two middle school winners, as well as eight 2^nd place winners at both levels. Our first place winners were awarded $1,000 scholarships which will be sent to their choice of colleges or universities. Our middle school winners each received a $100 check. The 2^nd place winners each received a $25 gift card to One More Page Books, which we support. One of our high school winners, Olivia Batrum, was selected as one of the two top Regional Fair winners and went on to compete in the ISEF International Science Fair in Los Angeles. She was the first place winner there. And, as an aside, our first place winner from last year, Anna Mohanty, won a 2^nd place also at the ISEF International Fair this year. If any of you have a subscription to the Arlington Magazine, our first place winner from two years ago, Julia Brodsky, graced the cover of the March/April edition. She went  to MIT with her $1,000 scholarship from us at AAUW.

Then, we had a great 2^nd STEM event. National AAUW had 75 STEM Lingo kits to give to several AAUW branches all over the state. We agreed to take the kits in order to plan a workshop using the kits. They were designed to assemble and code for building a computer-based back-up sensor for a car. The roll-out for the event was quite difficult in the planning. National was dealing with programs all over the state with different ideas about how (especially how) and when the event was to take place, how we would recruit the girls to participate, and where we could get the technical help to do this. This was all happening too, right around Spring Break and the end of the 3^rd quarter. I cannot count the hours spent on this project.

I chose to apply for a room at Lubber Run, asked the girls who were the 2^nd place winners of the Science Fair and recruited one student from HB-Woodlawn. Luckily, I have an Airbnb guest, a post-doc working in a Chemistry/Physics lab at GWU who knew everything about the kit. He was our onsite technician. STEM Lingo, over Zoom, walked us through the kit on Saturday, May 18, 9-12. Before the workshop ended, all four girls had lit, beeped, and created a variable distance. Two parents joined us and spoke up afterwards, asking if we were organizing any other similar projects. Hmmmmm.

All in all it was a very busy and worthwhile STEM season and great recognition for our AAUW branch. Many, many thanks to Barbara Smith for her help with the Science Fair.

Susan Senn, Stem Coordinator

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Public Policy

 

The Virginia General Assembly passed a compromise two-year spending plan that boosts funding for education and other priorities without increasing taxes. Votes in both the Senate and House of Delegates were nearly unanimous. The budget includes 3 percent raises in each of the next two years for teachers and state employees, as well as big increases in funding for K-12 schools, higher education and mental health services.

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Virginia AAUW State Conference

For the past two years, I have served as Virginia AAUW co-VP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At our state conference in April.  Erica Brown-Meredith and I shared some tips to help us all when we encounter incidents of microaggression at meetings — and in our everyday lives. Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal and environmental slights, snubs and insults, whether intentional or not, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to target persons based solely on their marginalized group membership. One example to avoid microaggressions is to use the RAVEN Approach. As we close out the year, please keep the RAVEN approach, explained below, in mind when you consider your response to a given microaggression:

R – Redirect (intervene, correct, pull aside)

A – Ask probing questions for clarity (I think I heard you say/what did you mean to say?)

V – Values clarification (in AAUW, we try to provide safe and welcoming environments)

E – Emphasize your own thoughts and feelings (that makes me feel…)

N – Next steps (reflect on how you will handle future situations)

As we all look ahead to planning our programs and events for next year, let’s be attentive to the environment that we provide so all our members feel comfortable and included!

Meg Tucillo

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

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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

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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

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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!!!!

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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

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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

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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

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Public Policy

A public policy update will be coming soon via email.

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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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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!

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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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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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

Volume 80, Issue 3

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

The winter chill is certainly upon us now but I hope that snow is far off and we can enjoy fall weather for a few more weeks. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Perhaps because we are slowly leaving the constraints of the pandemic behind I thought more about all that we had to be thankful for
with family and friends and appreciative of being able to get out and about to travel, visit places like museums, and see our family and friends in person with fewer worries.

We have some exciting programs coming up this winter on African-American history in Arlington and ancestry research, so we can continue to learn. I am glad that our September meeting, for example, was about AI and CHATGPT since it’s been so much in the news of late. I now have a much better idea of what CHATGPT is and its related issues. Our October meeting gave us a glimpse into the challenges faced by immigrant women in Arlington and our November meeting told us so much about the unsung women who actually figured out how to program the first modern computers. I hope to see you at these upcoming programs – you’ll find more information below.

It definitely takes a team to keep our branch running smoothly. I am happy to report that Susan Senn is going to be our public policy rep as Sara Anderson cannot continue due to illness. Candace Lilyquist, our VP for membership is going to keep our google group updated, and Rebecca Moscoso is going to give the newsletter a try. (We still need a volunteer to keep the website updated-let me know if you can assume this task. Teri Doxsee will show you how.) I am very appreciative of these colleagues pitching in to keep our communications flowing.

There is a lot of information in the AAUW-VA policy update below but mark your calendars for February 28-this is AAUW-VA Virtual Lobby Day. I am hoping for us to set up a virtual meeting with our local representatives where we can all join in via Zoom.

I hope to see you at our holiday luncheon on December 2 at Cote d’Or followed by our trip across the street to visit One More Page bookstore for some holiday shopping. I want to thank everyone again for their generosity last year in making donations to our scholarship and awards fund last year. Your donations enabled us to award academic scholarships, a teacher’s award, and gift cards to science fair winners. Don’t forget that you can bring your scholarship donation with you to the luncheon.

Best wishes for a joyful holiday season and a great 2024!

Sincerely,

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

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Hope to see you Saturday at our Holiday Luncheon

Date and time:  Saturday, December 2, at twelve noon

Place: La Côte d’Or Café, 6876 Langston Blvd., Arlington, VA 22213
We have reserved a room just for us.  We will each pay individually. Below are the options we will have for our $28 3-course Holiday Luncheon menu.  Be ready to provide your selections at the luncheon.

Appetizer

• Soup of the day
• Caesar salad
• Panisse fries, lemon, basil aioli

Main course

• Linguini pasta, basil pistou, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, French green beans
• “Steak hachée” chopped steak, black peppercorn cream sauce, French fries
• Chicken Blanquette, cream velouté, mushroom, pear onions, pilaf rice

Dessert

• Cream caramel
• Bread pudding, walnut, peach, cinnamon, vanilla sauce
• Sorbet/ice cream

The room we have reserved can hold only 30 people. Contact Barbara Smith if you would like to attend and you have not already RSVPed.

After the Holiday Luncheon, you will have the opportunity to browse the books, wines, and chocolates at One More Page Books, located at 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, just across the street from La Côte d’Or Café.

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at the Côte d’Or Café.

Here is the information about the programs for the January and February meetings:

• Sat., January 20, at 10:30 am – Jessica Kaplan of the Arlington Historical Society will talk about the “Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington” project, which has recovered the history of 1,400 enslaved people who lived in Arlington.
• Sat., Feb. 24, at 10:30 am – 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 as part of Arlington’s 55+ Program.

Barbara Gallagher and Barbara Smith, Co VPs Program

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Let’s Talk About Books

The December meeting of Let’s Talk About Books will be
Tuesday, December 12, 2 pm at the home of Barbara Gallagher. Please let Barbara know if you will be attending.  Our book
selection is Dinners with Ruth by Nina Totenberg.

Our January meeting is Tuesday, January 23, 2 pm at
your regular Zoom location, unless someone would like
to host it.  If you would like to host, please let me know
and I’ll get word out to all members.  Our book selection is Striptease by Carl Hiassen.  Terry Bratt will send an invitation with the Zoom information. So,
watch your email and come join the fun!

Opportunities for hosting are still available on 2/27,
3/19, 4/16, 5/21, and 6/25. Please let me know if you
are interested.

See our book list for the coming year and the meeting dates. All meetings except October and July 2024 have hosting opportunities.

Happy reading!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

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Lunch Bunch

The Lunch Bunch is off to a great start! 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 and the fact that they take the time each month to hear from various role models and to consider their own possibilities, is impressive. Some are mothers, many have jobs and other responsibilities, and all are focused on their future!

The girls are enthusiastic about this year’s theme: Self Care and Goal Setting and are keeping journals as the year progresses. The girls were surveyed in September about their interests, so the upcoming December 14 meeting is focusing on bilingual culinary training with Daniela Hurtado, director of Kitchen of Purpose, an Arlington non-profit. The girls will also take courses on how to launch a small food business using the power of FOOD to create SOCIOECONOMIC CHANGE in low-income communities.

The January 11 meeting will focus on scholarship opportunities, another lunch bunch interest. Branch members are invited to join in. The meetings are on the 4 th floor at 12:30 pm at the high school, which is located at 4420 Fairfax Drive. 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

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AAUW-VA Public Policy Update

AAUW-VA Co-VPs for Public Policy Denise Murden and Janine Greenwood are excited to report that legislation introduced in Congress by Virginia Representative Bobby Scott, the America’s College Promise Act of 2023, would create a joint state-federal partnership to provide free community college tuition. Janine along with AAUW-VA President Lane Stone and Administrator Sarita Gregory sent Representative Scott a letter of support, which is printed in full below and was also printed in the Virginia Pilot.

Now that the election is over, Denise and Janine are encouraging branches to reach out to their newly elected Delegates and Senators.  Remember, they work for us! At our January 10 Arlington branch board meeting, we will be talking about setting up a Zoom on February 28 for our Branch members with them to discuss AAUW, our branch, and our policy agenda.  We will keep you posted! Most of the candidate websites include contact information.  AAUW website has great resources to help you to engage with elected officials : https://www.aauw.org/resources/policy/advocacy-toolkit/meeting-elected-officials/

These are the notes from the last Public Policy meeting:
The League of Women Voters will have its Zoom Legislative Pre-session on December 6.  It is a chance to
hear from Virginia advocacy groups about their priorities. AAUW-VA will be participating.

Our next scheduled Virginia Public Policy meeting is January 4, 2024, at 6PM on Zoom.  We will discuss Legislative Priorities and Lobby Day.  Active planning has begun for the AAUW Women Legislators Reception on January 30, 2024, and our Lobby Day on January 31, 2024.  We have 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.  In December, we will be asking those of you who plan to attend our Lobby Day to let us know and to tell us the number of both your Virginia House and Senate districts.  If we have that information, we can do our best to assign you to visit your own lawmakers. And there will be a second virtual lobby day on February 28.

On the AAUW National front, November 30 is Native Women’s Equal Pay Day.  National has provided resources for a social media blitz so watch for these and use them on your branch social media. https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/native-women-and-the-pay-gap/
The pay gap tends to be larger for women of color and in some cases the gap appears to be widening. Compared to white, non-Hispanic men:  Native women make 59 cents on the dollar. The Equal Pay Day Calendar now encompasses a broader cross-section of women, including those who work part time or seasonally, to represent a more accurate picture of how the gender pay gap impacts diverse communities. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed many women, especially women of color, into part-time or seasonal work, or out of the workforce all together. Because of this, past methods of calculating the wage gap fell short of accurately capturing the full picture. With the new inclusive methodology, we can advocate on behalf of all women in the eworkforce. https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/equal-pay-day-calendar/.

Thank you all for your advocacy in promoting our Public Policy agenda.

Janine Greenwood & Denise M. Murden
Co-VP Public Policy

AAUW of Virginia
Become an AAUW Two-Minute Activist:
https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/
The Honorable Bobby Scott
2328 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Scott:

On behalf of AAUW of Virginia and its members, many of whom are your constituents, we would like to thank you for introducing The America’s College Promise Act of 2023. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded to provide access to higher education for women we are always heartened by proposed legislation that increases college access and reduces cost.

The proposed legislation would particularly benefit women, who face a disproportionate burden from the rising cost of education. The price tag of a college education has more than doubled over the past generation while household incomes have barely budged. Women hold almost 2/3 of the country’s $1.54-trillion student debt: $929 billion. Women earning a bachelor’s degree graduate owing an average of $2,700 more than their male peers. Student debt is the second highest source of household debt after housing.

Women take about two years longer than men to repay student loans. From the moment women graduate from college, most face a gender pay gap — which compounds as they age. This makes it even harder to pay off their larger share of student debt. As a result, women often put off saving for retirement, buying a home or starting a business.

For the first time in five years, tuition at Virginia’s 23 community colleges was raised this fall, which will add to these burdens for students in the Commonwealth and could deny access for many. The 3% increase in tuition for the 2023-24 academic year translates into an extra $4.61 per credit hour. Incoming students will pay $2,379 for a typical 15 credit-hour semester. The College Promise Act’s proposals for a state-federal partnership to waive tuition and fees for community college students would be an extraordinary step towards economic equity for all.

Thank you, again, for focusing on this important issue.

Sincerely, AAUW of Virginia Lane Stone, President Sarita Gregory, Administrator Janine Greenwood, Co-
VP Public Policy

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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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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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: Denise M. Hassanein (2022-2024)
• Treasurer: Teri Doxsee (2022-2024) Treasurer4AAUW@gmail.com
• Public Policy: Sara Anderson

Volume 80, Issue 2

President’s Message

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

The weather has started to turn just a bit cooler and the leaves are starting to change color and fall. It’s a time for brisk walks outside and catching up with friends back from their summer travels. We had a wonderful presentation on AI and Chat GPT at our September meeting and I hope you have put Monday evening, October 16 on your calendars. Our very own fellow member Emma Violand Sanchez will be presenting on the challenges that face immigrant women in our community.  On Saturday morning, November 18 our program will be a discussion on the book, Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the First Modern Computer by Kathy Kleiman.  More information on these programs is provided later on in this newsletter.

We have had some leadership changes this summer.  Teri Doxsee has graciously agreed to assume the Treasurer responsibilities for the rest of Mary Spatz’s term.  I know that you all join me in thanking Mary for her years of serving us as Treasurer and keeping our records in great order.  Unexpectedly, our new Vice-President for Communications, Joy Gatewood, has had to resign to handle some family commitments.  We are looking for a volunteer to assume her responsibilities until we can hold our annual elections this spring.  The responsibilities include pulling together our bi-monthly on-line newsletter, updating the web page with our upcoming events, and keeping our goggle group list-serv updated. Please note that the newsletter editor does not write the articles; the editor compiles the submissions into Word Press.  If you can volunteer or if two members want to volunteer together, please let me know as soon as possible.  Teri is doing the October/November newsletter but as she is assuming our Treasurer responsibilities, we need volunteers to step up as soon as possible.

As you know, 2023 is an election year in Virginia.  Our branch is co-sponsoring two candidate forums in October with the Arlington and Alexandria City League of Women Voters, so please mark these dates on your calendar.  Both events will take place from 2:30-5:00pm at the Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 S. 16^th Street. The first one on Sunday, October 8 is for Arlington County Board, Arlington County School Board, and Arlington County offices.  The second forum on Sunday, October 22 is for General Assembly races in Senate and House districts spanning Arlington and Alexandria – Senate 38, Senate 40, and House Districts 1-5. These forums are a great opportunity to meet the candidates and get your questions answered.

Do You Have Information You Want Other Members to Know?

Rather than sending me e-mails to forward on to other members, why not just send the message directly using our goggle list-serv. The address is aauw-arlington@gogglegroups.com.  Not only would this save time, it would prevent my forgetting to forward on the information.

Enjoy our fall weather and I look forward to seeing you at our next membership meeting on October 16.

Sincerely,

Terry Bratt, Arlington Branch President

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Join us October 16th for our Program Meeting

Information on upcoming programs:

In November, we will have a book talk with Kathy Kleiman, author of “Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World’s First Modern Computer.

Our December meeting will be our holiday luncheon on Saturday, December 2.

Barbara Gallagher and Barbara Smith, Co VPs Program

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Let’s Talk About Books

The October meeting for Let’s Talk About Books will be Tuesday, October 24 , 2 pm at the home of Terry Bratt.  Our book selection is The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Please RSVP to Terry Bratt to let her know you are coming.

See our book list for the coming year and the meeting dates. All meetings except October and July 2024 have hosting opportunities.

Happy reading!

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

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AAUW-VA Public Policy Update

Sara Anderson has been our Public Policy representative for AAUW-VA but is unable to continue serving in this role.  Sara has done a wonderful job of keeping us posted on the issues, so join me in thanking her for a job well done! If you are looking for a great volunteer job, this is it.  Just about every meeting is on Zoom and you just need to relay the information on to members via a newsletter article or forwarding an information e-mail from AAUW-VA Public Policy.  I have been attending these meetings in Sara’s stead and have found them pretty interesting.

AAUW-VA reports that thousands of Get-Out-the-Vote post cards have been sent to voters across the state.  Voter Information Guides have also been prepared for those running for office that reflect either their voting records if currently in office or pre-election statements if running for office for the first time. The guides look at votes/stances on women’s health issues, the ERA, economic equity, voting rights, and full funding for quality K-12 public education.  To access these guides, go to aauw-va.aauw.net and on the menu, click on Public Policy, The link is in the text on the Public Policy page.

AAUW-VA is also planning two lobby days – one in person in Richmond on January 31 and the other virtual on February 28.  More information on both will be coming later on this fall.

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Lunch Bunch

Please consider joining AAUW members Meg Tucillo and Mary Beth Pelosky in their monthly Lunch Bunch group with dynamic young women from Arlington Community Hugh School!  This group of motivated learners have re-dedicated themselves to their education, and their individual and collective stories are stories of resilience and perseverance.

The theme this year is based off of Maria Shriver’s, “I’ve Been Thinking” column. Our question of “What Are You Running Toward?” frames our efforts to help these young women set goals for their education, for healthy self -care, for being a part of Arlington and for generating hope for their future. Meg and Mary Beth strive to select inspirational speakers who can share their journeys, tips for self advocacy, strategies for overcoming disappointment and healthy ways for self-care.

• Thursday, October 19th
• Thursday,  November 16th
• Thursday,  December 14th (21st is winter break for students and teachers.)

Mary Beth Pelosky and Meg Tucillo,, Lunch Bunch

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Now more than ever AAUW Membership matters

Events and news items reflect our ever changing environment. AAUW is the voice of women who are engaged. We are aware of the ramifications of changes in leadership, law, and the symbiotic connections of the landscape.

We come together to support one another to amplify our voices. 2023-2024 will be filled with action, learning, and growth. Please take time to renew your membership today.

AAUW-Arlington Branch is continuing our outreach to new potential members. Please let us know if you would like to promote membership and need some support. Or you may want to sponsor a new AAUW member for the year?

Let us know if you have questions.

Candace Lilyquist, VP Membership

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Mark Your Calendars for 2023-24!

Using feedback from members, board members took a slightly different approach to our calendar planning this year.  Dates selected for our branch meeting and Let’s Talk about Books discussions now avoid weeks with holidays.

Branch meetings on Monday evenings are September 18, October 16, April 15, and May 20.

Branch meetings on Saturday mornings are November 18, January 20, February 24, and March 16.

Our holiday luncheon will take place on Saturday, December 2.

Let’s Talk about Books meet on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm on September 26, October 24, December 12, January 23, February 27, March 19, April 16, May 21, and June 25

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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 newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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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)
• Third VP for Communications: vacant (2023-2025) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Secretary: Denise M. Hassanein (2022-2024)
• Treasurer: Mary Spatz (2022-2024)
• Public Policy: Sara Anderson

Volume 79, Issue 6

July Presidents’ Messages

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

These past two years have been full of amazing discoveries about possible offerings to each of us as members of AAUW. We see newsletters from our sister branches with special times for speakers and book sales. We read fascinating tips on lobbying for the challenges to ERA, Title IX, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, and many more. And we offer our own contributions to bring us together as members. I am so grateful to have served as a Co-President during this time. Thank you! And I’m immensely appreciative of our Board’s hard workers. Bon Chance to the new Board led proudly by President Terry Bratt! You all are so prepared and enthusiastic!

Thank you All!

Karen Darner, retiring co-President

Dear Arlington AAUW members,

We hope summer has gotten off to a good start for everyone despite the poor air quality due to the forest fires in Canada.  Our Board met in June to plan our programs for the coming year after soliciting ideas from our membership. Topics include AI, Genealogy, Ageism, and Finance for monthly membership meetings and field trips to museums like Planet Word. 

If you haven’t already, it is time for you to renew your AAUW membership. 

Why renew your membership in AAUW?

For more than 100 years, AAUW has been fighting for equal rights for women.  National AAUW and its member branches have been instrumental in the fight to give women equal access to education and gender equity.  National AAUW works closely with Virginia AAUW and member Branches like Arlington AAUW to future our goals for gender equity.  How?

• More than 320 recipients received $6 million in AAUW fellowships and grants for the 2022–23 academic year—the highest amount in our history! The funding advances educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe.
• This past year AAUW continued to grow its online programs, hosting more than 58 webinars.
• AAUW’s Start Smart and Work Smart salary negotiation trainings continued to be AAUW’s most sought after programs, reaching more than 4,000 participants in 2022, and over 190,000 to date
• AAUW continued our work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions (MSIs), thanks to a generous grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. A total of 17 minority-serving colleges, including 8 HBCUs, 7 women’s colleges and 2 MSIs, now offer AAUW’s Start Smart training, bringing the number of colleges and universities currently hosting the program to 77.
• Our powerful annual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) engage over 500 students from more than 300 college campuses nationwide through workshops, panels and an inspiring keynote from Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The 1619 Project.
• In its second year, AAUW’s STEMEd for Girls program gave over 200 participants and their caregivers the opportunity to explore STEM subjects and careers.
• AAUW’s Two-Minute Activists sent 19,539 letters to elected officials calling for action on AAUW priorities such as pregnant worker fairness, voting rights, confirming Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and more.

Arlington AAUW monthly programs and activities are planned by our members on topics of interest for our membership and include 

• a monthly membership meeting which might be a guest speaker, a field trip, or community event 
• providing scholarships to Arlington high school seniors and an Arlington educator award
• monthly book group
• a bi-monthly newsletter
• a monthly high school lunch bunch
• theater matinees, holiday luncheons, and other social events suggested by members

In addition, as members of Virginia AAUW, our benefits include 

• • State Newsletter (Vision) 3 times a year
  • State Conference with great speakers & fellowship
  • State Lobby Days in Richmond
  • Public Policy Leadership (a voice in Richmond)
  • Branch Mini-Grants for programs
  • Liaisons to National
  • A community of friends around the state.

Look for our newsletter in mid-August for our 2023-24 calendar of programs and activities, Let’s Talk about Books selections, and other upcoming events.  Have a wonderful summer!

Sincerely,

Karen Darner, retiring co-President, Terry Bratt, President

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New Treasurer Needed!

We need a volunteer(s) to be our branch treasurer as Mary Spatz, our current branch treasurer is unable to complete her second term. Treasurer duties include the following:

• Participate in bi-monthly board meetings
• Help develop yearly budget
• Keep track of expenses and bank account reports
• Deposit donation checks and dues checks from members 
• Reimburse member expenses via check, send scholarship checks to colleges, and submit insurance payment vis check.

Please let Terry Bratt know as soon as possible if you can volunteer for this one-year position.

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Let’s Talk About Books

 

Our July meeting is scheduled for July 25, at 2 pm at the home of Barbara Gallagher.  Our book selection is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

At our July meeting we will have refreshments and the opportunity to lobby for our suggestions for next year, but the vote of the group will determine if it makes the list.  We need 11 titles since we do not meet in August.  When considering your suggestions (a maximum of three) we ask that it be readily available at the library or in paperback.  If you send me your suggestions with a short blurb about the book, I will compile the list and send to all before the meeting so you can be contemplating your choices.

Here are links to the Master Book List so you can see what we have already read.   Let me know if you have any problems with the files.

List of books by author

Barbara Gallagher, Let’s Talk About Books Chair

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It’s time to Renew!

How can you join?

June is the month to join or renew your membership AAUW Arlington (VA) Branch. It is important to scroll down to the middle of the membership landing page. Click on this link to join as a Branch Member.  Please reach out to Candace Lilyquist if you would like support joining online. Branch dues are $16, VA State dues are 15, and National dues are $72.

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Photos from the May 15 Awards Meeting

  

 

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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 Joy at newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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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)
• Third VP for Communications: Joy Gatewood (2023-2025) newsarlvaaauw@gmail.com
• Secretary: Denise M. Hassanein (2022-2024)
• Treasurer: Mary Spatz (2022-2024)
• Public Policy: Sara Anderson