2025-26 Message from Co-Presidents Janell Flaig and Mary Williamson
We are at a time when finding like-minded people with whom to promote and defend the AAUW mission and our expected way of life -as enumerated in the Bill of Rights – has become an advocation for many. When we gather for the Fall Kick, the Holiday Open House, and the Spring Fling, we are reminded how much we have in common; we have gotten to know and enjoy visiting with one another. We also realize there are many new members to get to know. Programs have been developed with opportunities to bring people together.
Ongoing opportunities, such as the “Good Trouble Lives On” protest sponsored by AAUW National, for civic involvement have occurred in the past months. We have been together at these various protest opportunities through planned and spontaneous efforts. Undoubtedly, there will be more.
Other ways where members can come together and get more acquainted include joining an Interest Group and/or serving on one of the Standing Committees. Interest Groups range from a monthly book club to groups formed to discuss and research general or specific topics, or for meeting other “foodies.”
Consider participating in one of the Standing Committees. These committees meet as needed and perform a lot of the work of the Branch. Members come together as needed, meet others and share in the implementation of the goals of AAUW.
We are eager to work with all of you and invite you to offer ideas of what we can do to bring people together and continue to help our Branch thrive and carry on the mission of AAUW.
2024-25 Message from Co-Presidents Cheryl Spraetz and Janell Flaig
We are living in difficult times in a very divided country. Instead of bemoaning the “terrible mess the world is in,” AAUW offers its members opportunities to strengthen social bonds and amplify our voices. AAUW programs, both social and informational, can be doors to greater understanding and bridges to more involvement if we truly commit to Seizing the Moment.
“Too many women are being offered leadership positions they decline. If 50% of leadership positions were held by women, the world would be a better place. Don’t be a bystander. Set an example. Young women learn best from mentors.” This encouragement came from AAUW Convention keynote speaker and former State Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis. She acknowledged that many women have risen to positions of power; however, she believes this progress has stalled. In some cases, the barrier to power is the women themselves.
Air Force Academy Dean Brigadier General Linell Letendre expanded on the same theme. “Don’t overlook the little opportunities; knock the little ones out of the park, and they will lead to bigger opportunities. Don’t sit on the sidelines; sit at the table. And if you are at the table, talk! We need to be the champions for those who come behind us.”
Each of our members is a repository of experience, wisdom, and intelligence that too often remains untapped. This year we hope you will commit to making at least one improvement in AAUW. Maybe your idea is for elevating girls, a change in an existing interest group or a proposal for a new one, a suggestion for a new fundraiser, or a novel approach to recruiting new members. Please speak up. We promise to listen.
2023-24 Message from Co-Presidents Linda Davies and Cheryl Spraetz
New words entering common discourse reflect our rapidly changing world. Among the words added are life-long learning, inclusive education, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), agrivoltaic, deep fakes, and a definite favorite, groomzilla. Coincidentally, many of these new words align with program themes for this year and have been explored by our interest groups in recent years.
The Biden Administration is expected to propose modifications to Title IX, and our popular All-Branch Read, will feature author Erika Krause exploring struggles with Title IX in her private investigation work. We celebrated the achievements of Serbian Nikola Jokic in taking the Nuggets to a championship this year. The speaker at our International Dinner will give us an in-depth presentation about the country of Serbia. Another program will focus on Artificial Intelligence. Did you know that AI, aka machine learning, has been in use for many years? Health agencies use AI to predict flu seasons and banks to protect us from fraudulent withdrawals. Another program will highlight firsthand experiences of a volunteer linguistics expert and local Afghan refugees. All are excellent program choices supporting this year’s theme Boundless Learning, Endless Growth.
We hope you will be encouraged to encounter, engage, and grow along with your fellow AAUW members during our upcoming year of learning.