tttidings board of directorsdaytona-fl.aauw.net/files/2013/06/newsletter-february-2017.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Vol. 85 No. 8 Daytona Beach (FL) Branch Newsletter February 2017
Clara Bivens: Stories of My People
AAUW Daytona will celebrate Black History month with a visit
from adult story-teller Clara Bivens
at Soul Foods on February 18th at 11 am.
“As a middle child of seven, I was an avid reader,” said Bivens in a press
release. “I read any and everything I could get my hands on. As a result, I
have a vivid imagination.”
The retired educator of 30-plus years attended Wilberforce University
and earned a M.S. in administration from Buffalo State College. She
relocated to Florida five years ago from upstate New York.
“When I read that the group, Spin-A-Story, was telling stories at a nearby
church, I went and immediately fell in love with storytelling,” she said.
She attended her first conference of the National Association of Black
Storytellers in 1997 and was introduced as a member of the Tradition
Keepers of the Black Storytellers of Western New York. Besides
TTTIDINGS Board of Directors
2016-17
President: Patricia Ross
VP Programs: Carol
Buckels & Synthia
Fletcher
VP Membership: Needed
Secretary: Pat Rae
Treasurer: Pat Race
Publicity: Betty Parker
STEM Coordinator: Mary
Ann Sines
Public Policy: Laura
Addolfi
Scholarships: Ellen
O’Shaughnessy
Newsletter Editor: Tamara
Sines Lyhne
Tech Trek Fundraising:
Laura Addolfi
Literature Group: Susan
Jano
Parliamentarian: Betty
Stem
Author’s Luncheon: Susan
Bayley & Susan Jano
Day Trippers: Pat Ross
Deadline for submitting
info for Tidings: 3rd week
in month prior Contact:
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Juneteenth and Kwanzaa, the folklorist weaves stories at the library, presenting free workshops
for children and adults, and narrating stories for other events.
Soul Foods 456 S Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Daytona, 386-281-5810
February 18th, at 11:00 am
Order from menu; Lunch specials $7.25 served with fries and a drink; other items available on
menu at regular price starting at $10.00- $1700.
RSVP: Pat [email protected] or 386-299-1727
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President’s Musings
Storytelling, the passing down of tales from generation to generation, has kept cultural heritage
alive through the ages. In celebration of Black History Month, Clara Bivens will give a
performance for us at our February meeting. She will focus on African-American History
beginning with a brief historical story of her father and herself in addition to telling a short
story. We will meet at Soul Foods and have an opportunity to sample traditional Southern
food. I hope you will be able to join us.
The AAUW Florida parliamentarian has recommended that we make a small change to our
bylaws. Because state law mandates that our appointed board be no more than 1/3 of the voting
body, she recommends that we elect the officers for Public Policy and Educational
Outreach. The Board has agreed. We will include this business in our March Annual meeting.
I hope that you will consider taking on one of the positions on the Board next year. We will
need to fill the positions of President and Membership VP as well an unexpired term for
Secretary. If you are interested in any of these positions, please give Pat Race, Nominating
Committee Chair a call. If you receive a call from a member of the Nominating Committee,
Advancing equity for women and girls
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Betty Parker, Prema Nayar or Joanne Meder, please consider taking a position. And if there is
something else you are interested in doing to help the branch, please let them know.
In a recent call to member leaders, AAUW President, Patricia Ho, stressed that we are a gender
equity advocacy organization. It seems that there may be some challenges ahead for our main
priorities, women's rights and education. Please sign up for the Two Minute Activist on the
website, attend Lobby Day in March (there will be at least one car going and a room to
share). Contact your legislators and make sure your voice is heard.
I hope to see you at the February meeting!
Patricia Ross
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AAUW HOLIDAY TEA – DECEMBER 11, 2016 The Holiday Tea on December 11. 2106 at Hotchkiss House was well attended and all enjoyed
the tour of Lilian Place as well. Funds raised support our local scholarships. Ellen
O’Shaughnessy introduced scholarship recipient Sheryl Eschenbach from Daytona State
College. Dr. Shawnrece Campbell from Stetson University also attended.
Thank you to Ellen and Susan Bayley for a lovely event.
Respectfully submitted,
Elviria LaBarre for Secretary Pat Rae
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AAUW Scholarship Chair's Report
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The AAUW Holiday Scholarship Fundraiser Tea was held at Hotchkiss House on December 11.
It was a lovely day, Hotchkiss was beautifully decorated, and many of the guests enjoyed the
tour of Lillian Place and the Heritage Preservation Trust Gift Shop. Many of our members
attended and brought guests and also brought raffle items for the event. It was indeed a pleasure
to have our 2016-2017 Scholarship recipient, Sheryl Eschenbach, attend the tea and speak to us
about her academic plans and achievements. She has maintained a 4 point GPA and is very
grateful to AAUW for our assistance and encouragement.
The Stetson University AAUW representative also attended and brought her daughter to the tea.
It was indeed a pleasure to have Professor Shawrece Campbell and her daughter with us. I am
sure that her daughter will soon be active in AAUW too.
I especially want to thank those who assisted in so many ways though out the tea. Special
thanks are due to Mary Ann Sines, Elvira Labare, Pat Race, and Susan Bayley. I also want to
thank those who were unable to attend, but make special contributions toward this Scholarship
Fundraiser Tea. Those special AAAUW scholarship supporters are Patricia McMullan, Anne
Marie Casey, Pat Ross, Jo Traywick, and Virginia Sultzman, Pat Rae, Virginia Sustzman, and
Pat Ross also contributed to the raffle items, though they were unable to attend.
Our President, Pat Ross, also printed the invitations and the descriptions of the raffle items. A
special thanks is owed to Pat for all that she does. Thank each of you who attended and
contributed to the raffle and also purchased raffle tickets. Our scholarships are making a
difference and are providing wonderful opportunities for the women and girls in our
community. AAUW of Daytona Beach does good work. You should each be proud.
Ellen O'Shaughnessy
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AAUW Policy Watch
IN A NUTSHELL
--LOBBY DAY DATES - MARCH 14-15
--EQUAL PAY DAY - APRIL 4, 2017
--SB 410 AND HB 319 HELEN GORDON DAVIS FAIR PAY ACT (Stewart, Cruz, and
Berman) Purpose: Close the gender pay gap in Florida
Impact Grant Submitted to National
AAUW-FL Policy Chair, Pat DeWitt, submitted the second year plan of the impact grant to
National. Highlights from the plan include 5 goals for AAUW-FL State and Branches:
Goal 1: state pay equity legislation. This is about to bear fruit with a press conference scheduled
for January 24. Representative Lori Berman’s office has worked with Kate Nielson to draft
several improvements on existing Florida equal pay regulations. As soon as the bill is filed we
will start to promote it using Action Alerts and the partner organizations that Berman’s office
has already contacted.
Goal 2: in-district meetings. This concept has been promoted with emails and an article in the
state newsletter, Florivision. The dates when legislators will be in district before the session are
determined and Pat DeWitt is about to send out another notice to presidents and public policy
officers of all branches. One branch has already held a meeting.
Goal 3: rally in Tallahassee and Lobby Days. The February rally we foresaw has been changed
to March 14, which is during the legislative session and the first day of our Lobby Days.
Goal 4: branches holding pay equity and GOTV events. We offered mini-grants from the
Impact Grant funds and three branches accepted them. One used their grant to enhance GOTV
on two local college campuses, and the other two are planning major pay equity events (March
28 and April 12).
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Goal 5: workshop at state Leadership Conference. The Public Policy Committee has discussed
the workshop and we will pitch it to the state board at the January 28 meeting.
Additional Information --The Public Policy Committee (PPC) met on January 7 in Ocala and
developed a preliminary plan for Lobby Days logistics and promotion. For Lobby Days, PPC is
considering hosting a moderated woman’s panel to discuss AAUW’s top issues. Focus areas
for AAUW-FL PPC include: education, civil rights, and economic security. Stipend of $50 to
participate in Lobby Days. Please contact Pat or Laura (703-850-9833).
Courtesy calls or “meet and greet” to Daytona branch State Legislators are currently being
scheduled. If branch members have personal or professional relationships, experiences, or
insights regarding State Legislators, please send to Pat Ross and Laura Adolfie
Submitted by Laura Adolfie, Public Chair
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AAUW Tech Trek News January 21, 2017
The deadline for students to send the application to the State is extended to January 30,
2017. Ten students from the Volusia County School District were recommended by
four teachers from two schools. Calls were made to the students to remind
them to complete the application; Amy Monahan, STEM teacher on Assignment for
Volusia County School District, was contacted with names of teacher and students. Seven
students completed the process as of yesterday, January 20th.
Once the state committee sends the list of girls to be interviewed, Ms Monagahan will
coordinate with the school officials and our group. We will interview one day at each of the two
schools, score the students and send the results to the state board.
A reminder: if you are interested in being on the committee to interview the students please
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give me your contact information and dates of availability during the first nineteen school
days of February .
Please consider donating to Tech Trek. It costs $1,000 to send one girl to the camp. Families are
asked to pay $50.00.
Donations for Tech Trek are greatly appreciated and may be sent to:
Tech Trek Florida
P.O. Box 2938
Juniper, FL 33458
Gabby Butler was one of the girls who attended Tech Trek in 2016. She is interested in
Marine biology and Neurology. Gabby participated in the Cyber Group at the camp. Her
group was tasked with creating a dance learning to work together was important. Another
experience Gabby enjoyed learning to extract DNA from strawberries. Dinner was when
women from STEM fields explained opportunities they had and how they got to where they are.
Ms Butler would recommend others to attend and take advantage of opportunities offered.
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AAUW Book Club
Meets Second Monday of the Month at 10:30 AM
City Island Library, Daytona Beach
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For more info call Susan Jano: 386-671-2593 or email [email protected]
February:
Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme
Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman
March:
The Book That Matters Most: A Novel by Ann Hood
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AAUW Member Benefit
Office Depot and Office Max
every branch needs office supplies! AAUW has collaborated with Office Depot and Office Max
to give members a discount savings of up to 80% online and in stores. This includes print orders
as well! Shop or print your in-store savings card now.
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AAUW National News Urge your senators today: OPPOSE Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education
The U.S. Senate has held its hearing for Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump’s nominee for
Secretary of Education. AAUW weighed in with concerns over DeVos’ lack of background as
an educator and urged senators to ask questions regarding her positions during her hearing in
order to better understand what type of Secretary of Education she would be.
We heard her answers loud and clear. If confirmed, Betsy DeVos would put the education
of women and girls at risk. Send a message to your senators today – oppose Betsy DeVos’
nomination for Secretary of Education!
Our concerns noted that DeVos has been conspicuously silent on the importance of Title IX and
other civil rights laws. In addition, she has been an outspoken advocate against public
education. Her hearing clarified that those are indeed her positions, that they are not in line
with AAUW’s policy priorities, that they would put the equal education of women and girls at
risk.
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During her hearing, DeVos:
1. Did not agree to uphold and enforce the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX
guidance.
2. Did not agree that all schools receiving federal funds should follow civil rights laws.
3. Did not commit to supporting public education and to not privatize education.
4. Failed to answer basic questions about her responsibilities as Secretary regarding school
accountability. She also did not demonstrate an understanding of the Secretary’s role to
ensure schools support students with disabilities.
Make your voice heard before the Senate holds a vote on DeVos’ confirmation. Tell your
senators to stand up for public education and civil rights by opposing Betsy DeVos for
Secretary of Education!
http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50796/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=20683&killorg
=True
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Give A Grad A Gift
Did you know you that you can share AAUW with a recent graduate for free?? AAUW
members can give recent college graduates a free, one-year AAUW membership within two
years of graduation, at no cost to you or them. With a gift of AAUW membership, you will…
Expose the grad to the power that comes from belonging to a national women-led
organization of more than 170,000 members and supporters who believe in and advance
equity and education for women and girls.
Expand their networking opportunities through career development opportunities and
community action projects.
Keep them current on the events and people that affect their life as they receive Mission &
Action, AAUW Outlook, Action Network alerts, and more.
Increase their buying power with access to member only discounts.
Look for the form at the next meeting or sign them up online.
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AAUW New Member Spotlight
This month we highlight some of our long standing members.
PATRICIA RACE: Pat Race joined AAUW in 1992, due to her interest in women’s
issues and needs, and currently equal pay and prejudice in hiring motivate her continued
involvement. Pat has a BA in Music Education from Oakland University in Michigan.
Her career included teaching public school music in Michigan, and private piano lessons
for many years. Music has been a driving force in her life: at age 5 she played piano on
the radio, at 16 she played concerto with the Louisville Symphony after winning a city-
wide contest, she won music composition prizes 3 times, sang in a chorus at age 18 on
the first TV program in Louisville and for 25 years was part of a dual piano team
performing all over Michigan. Pat and her husband followed their doctor’s
recommendation that her husband recover from a serious snowmobile accident in
Michigan by relocating to Florida 37 years ago. Pat got her pilot license in 1974 and she
and her husband sold real estate at the Spruce Creek fly-in while they were living there.
She has 2 children, a daughter in Alaska, a son in Michigan and 4 grandchildren. She
enjoys golf, bridge, mah jonng needlework, as well as writing. She is the published
author of a children’s book, “Gertrude Takes a Trip”, and collaborated with AAUW
member Betty Parker who illustrated the story by making sketches of Pat’s photographs.
We are fortunate to have her on our Board of Directors!
VIRGINA SULTZMAN: Virginia came to AAUW in 1982. She feels that AAUW offers
a high standard of encouraging education and that was her goal, as well as to learn more
about women’s issues. While a stewardess, she met her husband, a pilot for Pan-Am. She
had 2 sons, one in Jacksonville, FL and one in Palm Springs, CA. When her boys were 9
and 11, Virginia, bothered by her lack of degree, had a strong desire for further
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education. At age 38 she enrolled at Hofstra University, New York. While working to
pay for tuition and not entirely sure of her goal, she decided to take credits necessary for
teaching. She completed her BA and later went on to earn a MEd from McNees
University while living in Louisiana. Thus began a 25 year career as a teacher of English
and Language Arts, which she did in New York, Louisiana and Florida. In her early 20’s,
Virginia visited Florida from her home in St. Louis. She was very happy to retire here
after her last teaching position in Pierson and moved to Daytona Beach. Virginia’s spare
time is mostly spent doing AAUW activities. She organized and founded the Palm Coast
Branch of AAUW. As a member of our Daytona Beach Branch, she loves participating in
Literature Club and is very interested in what we are doing to promote young girls in
STEM. We are so happy she chose to be a member of our Branch!
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AAUW WANTED AD
WANTED: A Few Good Women
The branch is in need of a member who is willing to serve as VP Membership.
Please contact Pat Ross, if you might be willing to volunteer.
Please consider how you could help to make the branch stronger and volunteer you
talents and time.
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1900 North Atlantic #602 Daytona Beach FL 32118