PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

  STANDING TOGETHER FOR EQUITY AND ACTION has been the theme of our Greater Whittier Area AAUW Branch for this year.  I want to thank so many of our Branch members for their faithful service.  Our Board has been so reliable in doing their jobs, and attending our monthly Board meetings on Zoom at 7 PM, each first Tuesday.  Many members attended each of our second Saturday Branch meetings at First Friends Church.  Some of our members are no longer able to be as active in the Branch as they once were, but they continue to support us by paying their dues, which bolsters much of the work done by the entire AAUW organization.  We definitely did stand together in so many ways this year, and for that, I thank you.

A special thank you goes to Claire Koehler and Pat Dudley for the program they presented at our May 10 Branch meeting.  We had excellent discussions at our tables concerning program ideas, DEI ideas, and “Bright Ideas” for our Branch in the future.  Honoring Pat Dudley as a Named Gift Honoree was great fun.  Pat is so worthy of the acclaim.  Carol Duff was unable to attend the meeting, but she will also be a Named Gift Honoree.  See the article about them in this newsletter.

I attended on Zoom the AAUW California Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 26.  I learned that our GWA AAUW Branch had the highest in California per capita giving to the AAUW Fund, thanks to the $100,000 gifted by Gwen Woirhaye in her will.  The meeting had excellent speakers, small group discussions, and question & answer sessions.  One phrase I took away from a session on Volunteerism is as follows: “One Intrinsic Motivation all people share is the desire to Make a Difference.”  I truly thank each and every volunteer in our Branch, and please know that you do make a difference.  It has been a good year serving as your president.

Our June 14 Branch meeting at the First Friends Church will include the installation of officers for next year, and we will hear from our scholarship winners.  Please make a reservation with Paula Ocampo and join us at 9:30 AM for a time to socialize, and 10:00 AM for the meeting.  I hope to see you there.

Sharon Heck, Branch President

AAUW MISSION STATEMENT – To advance equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.