PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the new year for our Greater Whittier Area AAUW Branch. I am honored to begin my presidency during our GWA-AAUW 100th Anniversary Year. Our branch charter was approved on September 25, 1925, and we will be celebrating our history and our AAUW mission during the coming 2025-2026 year. Our theme for FY26 is:
Theme: Moving Forward Together: Advancing in Equity and Inclusion
During the summer, on August 7, the GWA-AAUW Board members attended a Board Retreat to plan for the year ahead. The retreat, our annual in-person meeting, is our opportunity to review branch performance and strategic direction, including governance, programs, fundraising, and finances. The FY26 Budget was reviewed for recommendation to the membership for approval at our September 13 branch meeting.
The board agreed on some areas of focus to guide our programs and activities in FY26.
- 100th Anniversary Committee, chaired by Marian Locke, with Pauline Rogers, Barbara Gile, Claire Koehler, Ann Topjon, and Jill Smith. Rebecca Ramirez will act as a resource.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) – Support a feeling of belonging and purpose for all members. (see Pat Dudley’s article on page 9)
- AAW Five-Star Program – designed to help branches align with AAUW’s strategic priorities and advance our mission of achieving gender equity for women and girls. GWA-AAW received 3 stars in FY24; we await results for FY25, and we may have earned more this past year.
- Community Outreach – participate and co-sponsor community events, such as Whittier Founders Day, Whittier Library, and Whittier College
Our meetings will again be held at First Friends Church Whittier, which proved to be a welcoming venue last year. In addition to a more affordable menu, feedback from the membership was positive. Join us on Saturday, September 13, to kick off our 100th Year, participate in table-talks, and learn about our interest group Sections. It will be an opportunity to interact and get to know each other. Be sure to say hello to our newest members and a big shout-out to Andrea Bellamy, Membership VP, who added 29 new members last year.
Check out the Program and Hospitality sections for details on the branch meeting.
A big Thank You to Susan Halliday for creating our Yearbook for 2025-2026. The book contains a roster with contact information of all members, as well as other helpful information.
Copies will be available at our September 13 meeting, and Susan will be announcing plans for “porch pickup”. You can request a mailed copy for $2.00, or request a digital copy from Susan, at sbathalliday@yahoo.com. Thank you again, Susan and your proofreaders, Dolores Seidman, Kaye Kidwell, and Kay Clark.
With all of our efforts and activities, 2025-2026 will be a wonderful year for our GWA-AAUW Branch! Paula Ocampo, Branch President
AAUW MISSION STATEMENT – To advance equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.