This July the new 2024-2025 program year for AAUW-Ukiah branch was launched. The new season was ushered in with the annual dinner at the Rivino Winery. The program at Rivino began with a memorial to honor recently deceased member, Sharon Marshall, AAU…
This July the new 2024-2025 program year for AAUW-Ukiah branch was launched. The new season was ushered in with the annual dinner at the Rivino Winery.
The program at Rivino began with a memorial to honor recently deceased member, Sharon Marshall, AAUW-Ukiah secretary. Sue Mason followed by reviewing the current by-laws, and the membership voted approval. Central to the program was the election of a new slate of officers. After serving as president for five years, Sulin Bell stepped down from her successful service, and Kyle Mayers assumed the lead as president. Other newly elected officers were Nanette Gauthier-Kilker, treasurer and Michelle Hutchins, secretary.
Kristana Arp, Chair of the Tech Trek program and Sulin Bell, outgoing AAUW-Ukiah President, 2023 - 2024
A review of the AAUW-Ukiah accomplishments of the 2023 - 2024 year included: Sending five eighth grade girls to a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) summer camp at Sonoma State University through the AAUW Tech Trek program; honoring five high school young women for their academic achievements by receiving AAUW Accolades of Excellence Certificates and cash awards; awarding three financial scholarships to returning adult women to Mendocino College; and co-hosting Candidate Forums and the annual Women's History Gala. Public Policy Chair, Val Muchowski, reported on the local, state, and national legislation to empower women and girls. VP Outreach, Norma Marks, described the evolving on-campus AAUW-Ukiah Student Club at Mendoicno College.
AAUW originally began in 1881, when a small group of female college graduates banded together to open the doors for women's career advancement and to encourage more women to pursue higher education. In the beginning, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was an organization for women graduates of four-year colleges and universities. In 2005, the members voted for membership to be open to anyone with an associate degree or higher or equivalent. Today, membership is open to people who hold an associate degree (AA, AS) or higher and also to students working toward a degree.
Sulin Bell, outgoing AAUW-Ukiah President, 2023 - 2024 and Kyle Mayers, AAUW-Ukiah 2024 - 2025 President
AAUW is a national and states organization with local branches throughout the country. The mission of AAUW is to promote equity, economic self-sufficiency, and education for women and girls. At the national level, AAUW conducts groundbreaking research on issues related to gender equity in education and the workplace. Lobbying efforts have been influencing the national discussion on topics like the gender pay gap, sexual harassment, and the lack of women in STEM fields. AAUW-Ukiah is one of over 1,000 branches throughout the United States.
This past spring AAUW members were asked to consider a proposed national by-laws amendment to eliminate the degree requirement for AAUW membership. The intent was to align AAUW practices with the mission for equity.
The AAUW California Board of Directors voted unanimously to support a Yes vote on the amendment. Stating that people do not need a degree to believe in or advocate for the AAUW mission, they believed that this change could be a direction toward a more inclusive and forward-thinking organization. AAUW-Ukiah felt that it was unfortunate that this proposed amendment did not receive the needed two-thirds majority of the nation-wide members to pass. Consequently, AAUW-Ukiah has made a "club" category to include non-degreed people who want to support the mission and work of the AAUW-Ukiah branch.
AAUW-Ukiah is wide-open to include any interest groups that members may desire. There is currently an active book discussion group. Past interest groups have included: Bridge, Dining, Walking, Writers, and more. Anyone is invited to get involved in AAUW-Ukiah and to propose a new interest group.
No comments:
Post a Comment