Money Matters

By Taffy Geith

Here is a quote from today’s LA Times: “The Bank of England swallowed its pride and overcame its perceived prejudice Wednesday by designating Jane Austen as the new face of the 10-pound note, bowing to public outrage over the possibility that only male historical figures would be represented on British currency.” “Austen will be only the third such woman to grace a bank note, following Elizabeth Fry and Florence Nightingale. Her image will replace Charles Darwin (in 2017).” This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Perhaps the US will put a woman on a “bank note” here.

Equal Pay — It Can Happen

By Roxanne Roberts and Amy Argetsinge – The Washington Post.

Venus Williams Until 2007, just six years ago, the men received more prize money at Wimbleton than the women champions. How that changed is the subject of DuVernay’s new documentary “Venus Vs.” The film tells the little-known story of how Venus Williams took on the All England Club and basically shamed the old boys into awarding the female tennis players the same payouts as their male counterpoints. The sports network (ESPN) approached DuVernay, to make a film about any topic in women’s sports. She choose Williams’ fight for equal pay at Wimbledon — a big story in Britain, but not widely known in the United States. “It was like a dream come true,” she told us. “Most filmmakers don’t get that question very often — especially independent filmmakers like myself.” Like Williams, DuVernay is from Compton and “always had an affection and affinity for her.” She was drawn to the idea of a champion — off the court and on, the growth of the girl to a women, an outsider to the ultimate insider of a sport — and the quest of an African-American woman for equal pay. “Those are all the things as a storyteller that galvanized my attention.” On the eve of her 2005 victory, Williams made a personal appeal to the governing body. It didn’t work. The following year, she published a much buzzed-about op-ed in London’s Times and the question was raised in Parliament. This time the club finally caved: When she won her fourth Wimbledon championship in 2007, Williams became the first woman to earn exactly the same as Roger Federer: $1.4 million. “I think you have to speak truth to power,” said the filmmaker. “If truth is not being spoken, then power doesn’t shift.”

SEIBC Leadership Day Conference

By Taffy Geith

The South East Inter-Branch Council (SEIBC) Leadership Conference for California AAUW met on Saturday, June 29, at Pomona College in Claremont, California from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. This conference provides Branch representatives the opportunity to exchange and share information and ideas that support the growth and strength of the mission of AAUW CA.

After registration and some refreshing snacks, Chair, Gloria Romero, welcomed all who came and thanked them for traveling despite the hot weather. She made note of the day’s program – four individual presentations, interrupted by a break for a buffet lunch, with the last hour of the conference giving attendees the option to select between two special workshops, and finally, a brief business meeting.

Donna Mertens, Victorville, began by asking each Branch to share a particular success that they had had this year. Answers varied – gains in memberships, more girls to Tech Trek, a special speaker, were some of the answers. Donna continued with asking how AAUW currently fits into the world? She provided statistics that show AAUW CA leading in many areas — donations, number of branches, percentage of the US population, and many more, — yet we are declining in membership. She offered suggestions for growth – social media posts on such as Facebook, increasing student leaders, mission based programs, (she included many others) and leadership development such as that of today.

Anne Henke, Ontario, reminded us of the members of the On-Line Branch. There are 47 members who find it successful because it allows for a greater diversity of contacts. Example: The recent viewing of the documentary film, “The Invisible War”. This brought a great exchange on-line of different ideas and analysis – undoubtedly a social and intellectual exercise of value to these members. They have a Book of the Month Club, and the same pleasures are derived from that. Dues are only $10.00 per year if you are also a member of National, State, and a local branch.

Donna Lilly, Del Mar-Leucadia, has long been an advocate of colleges and universities as partner members of AAUW. We have 600 E-student affiliates in California – they pay no fees if their college is a partner of AAUW. She cited Start Smart – the AAUW organization that teaches students how to negotiate salaries and benefits. Also, Elect Her where students learn how to campaign and win an election. She commended the student organization at San Jacinto Community College – 15 years now as an affiliate of Temecula. Donna said that we must celebrate our local scholars and recruit diverse members.

It was at this time that we took a break for our very tasty buffet lunch and had time to catch up with friends and also, to make new acquaintances.

Carolann Ford, Ontario, is very familiar with AAUW Funds and the fact that their sources are often member donations. She presented each attendee with a chart which gave a visual display of the specific programs these funds support. She also gave each Branch a packet titled “Bill of Rights for Donors” with a list on page two of fund raising ideas. Tech Trek is a special program for many Branches and, since it is expensive, some Branches raise funds by getting donations or grants from local businesses, local civic groups, politicians and even military groups. Carolann emphasized that Branches be transparent about what is tax deductible — silent auctions and raffles can be difficult to decipher. $46.00 of National dues are tax deductible but state and local dues are not.

At this time attendees selected one of two workshops.

Jo Turner, Riverside, has a passion for AAUW and for gaining new members for her Branch. She believes that mission based programs held in a public place are essential. Well designed flyers that promote the program with the featured speaker can be e-mailed to members, and to SEIBC members, city officials, presidents of local organizations, and all the important people of the community. These flyers are excellent advertisements and members often hand them out to friends and/or ask to display them in public places. At the meetings the membership chairperson must meet and greet members and guests, and have guests look and take brochures and membership forms (that have a skills and talent survey on the back.) Lastly, as her “piece de resistance”, (which Jo calls her elevator speech), Jo holds up her Shape the Future paper that tells first time guests that they can join that very day at a reduced price – which is a real bargain. Of course, new members must be made welcome at meetings, introduced to the web-sites and invited to Board Meetings.

Donna Lilly, former president of AAUW CA, concentrated her topic on “Thinking Outside the Box by using Programs in the Box.” She used the Q and A approach that focused on programs that engage current members and attract diverse populations on campus and in the community. She cited certain programs such as: Legal Advocacy Fund Campus Outreach that help campuses combat sex discrimination, and Campus Sexual Assault that collaborates with Students Active for Ending Rape. Other suggestions for programs are — holding a Public Policy Brunch, offering Grassroots Leadership Training and campaigning Woman to Woman Voter Turnout. All of these create opportunities for AAUW to be visible on campus and in the community. These are but a few of the suggestions Donna offered – many covered in “Programs in a Box”.

Chair, Gloria Romero, called a brief business meeting: The Treasurer, Bobbie Jessup, presented her report for audit; Carolann Ford was selected as the new SEIBC Chair for next year, and Carrie Childress and Taffy Geith were asked to be secretaries for next year

This Conference, 38 attendees representing 10 Branches, demonstrated the positive effectiveness of the SEIBC. The presenters clearly articulated their knowledge of their specific topics that both promote growth and meet the challenges that face AAUW CA going forward. Everyone had a renewed awareness of the power in the name, American Association of University Women, and the fact that this organization has a need to fit in our world. Our SEIBC mission remains unchanged and our resolve is firm and optimistic.

After the Texas Vote —–

HPV Vaccine Can Prevent Some Cancers

Did you know that Researchers estimate that 75–80 percent of men and women will have the Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) at some point during their lifetimes? Although the majority of infected people do not develop any symptoms, they can still transmit the disease to others. Many with HPV develop genital warts, cervical cancer, and a variety of other cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that because HPV is so common and since we cannot tell who will develop the most serious health conditions from the virus, it is best to vaccinate all kids. The vaccine is recommended for girls ages 11–26 and boys ages 11–21. The best age to receive the vaccine for either boys or girls is 11 or 12. Ensuring that all children receive the HPV vaccination means eliminating a generation of cervical and other cancers, saving thousands of lives. The CDC estimates that there are 12,000 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 4,000 deaths, in the United States every year. Most of these cases can be prevented by vaccination.

Given the health risk of HPV exposure, it is surprising that only 30 percent of American girls are currently vaccinated with a full three-dose course. In contrast, Denmark, Britain, and Rwanda vaccinate at least 80 percent of their girls and boys. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act with no co-pay, cost is no longer a factor for not getting the vaccine. It behooves us to educate and urge parents and the community to vaccinate all our children.