MEETINGS

BRANCH MEETING – MAY 10, 2025

9:30 AM – FIRST FRIENDS CHURCH WHITTIER

Program

Is it the end of April already?  Is Shakespeare’s birthday really just around the corner, and then Cinco de Mayo, and then Mother’s Day?  If so, it is time to look back on the past eight months and think about what we have learned from our speakers, special events, and awareness segments that Pat Dudley so expertly brought to the fore.  To do this, Claire Koehler will provide a prompt asking two key questions as one of the main components of our May meeting:

  • What is one thing you remember from any of our meetings in 2024/2025? It may be something said by one of our speakers, or the feeling of working together in a hands-on learning activity that challenged ideas about ageism, culture, gender, or traditions, or maybe it was something that made you feel uncomfortable or confused.
  • How can we work together to change one small (or big) thing regarding our preconceived ideas of others or even ourselves? To properly allow for maximum consideration of this, it will be helpful to refresh our memories of this year’s speakers who graced us with their presence.
  • Tech Trek Girls talked about their experiences at camp.
  • Margo Reeg informed us of propositions that were on the November ballot.
  • Ninochka McTaggart, as a sociologist, focused on her research of race, gender, and other forms of inequality in society.
  • Diane Britton gave us an overview of the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter and her role in starting the first 5K Walk fund-raiser called “Stepping Out Against Domestic Violence” for the WCCS.
  • Mary Ann Pacheco, City Council Member, spoke about Financial Literacy.
  • Emily Teipe, Professor Emeritus, spoke about the 1911 Triangle Fire where women burned to death in their locked workplace.
  • Lisa Ruiz shined the light on Ida O’Keeffe’s life as an artist at the Whittier Art Gallery.

This writing prompt is to allow us to reflect on what we have learned or gained through osmosis, so we might keep growing. We hope to see you at our May meeting to gain insights as well as to enjoy the camaraderie of this very special organization!

Claire Koehler,

AAUW VP Program Director

Ann Topjon, Program Associate