Programs s 2022-2023. Below find links to recordings on YouTube.
Program Chair Melissa Johnson
JULY 17, 2023: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): Cultivating Allyship
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Indigenous women are murdered at rates 10 times the national average in some jurisdictions. Washington state has the second-highest number of missing Indigenous people in the United States. Indigenous women and people go missing more than four times the rate for white women and people. Why do we have this crisis? What is the impact on the Indigenous communities, especially college and graduate students? How can AAUW be an ally to Indigenous people to address this crisis? What actions can we take, as individuals, to make a difference?
For Recording: Here Passcode required: l#f#%6*r
April 2023: AAUW FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. Since 1888, AAUW has been one of the largest funders of women’s graduate education, investing in women who go on to change the world. AAUW has funded award-winning authors, scientists, scholars, changemakers and community leaders. Think Marie Curie! AAUW Fellows pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects that empower women and girls and further equity in academics and the workplace.
For Recording: Here Passcode required: 6JH^9?W?
JANUARY 24, 2023: The Great Balancing Act: Exploring Global Perspectives on Working Moms. The Panel explored perspectives of working mothers across the globe, reaching across cultures, borders, and sectors, to understand how policy, family dynamics, societal expectations, and socioeconomic factors present both challenges and opportunities to achieving gender parity in the workplace.
October 2022: The effect of the Dobbs Decision in the Pacific Northwest. We invite you to learn from the experts: To find out more about the Dobbs Decision and to hear the virtual panel discussion with leaders in Reproductive Rights, Justice, and Health community.
2021-2022
SEPTEMBER PROGRAM
Thursday, September 23, 4:30-5:30 pm on Zoom
“TECH TREK 2021/TECH TREK 2022”
WA Online has a very special and vital role in Tech Trek WA by giving girls who live in areas where there are no local branches the opportunity to attend this STEM camp for rising 8th grade girls. Members will learn more about this important work and join together to provide support. On the program: a review of the 2021 Virtual Camp from our 2021 virtual campers and counselors and Plans for 2022 with Camp directors. There will be a review of the process for selecting campers for 2022. There will be time for questions and informal discussion. More information available by clicking Tech Trek link at top of page.
NOVEMBER PROGRAM: MORNING DEI BOOK DISCUSSION
Thursday, November 18, 11:30 AM on Zoom
WA Online Branch’s second program meeting of 2021-2022 will be a wide-ranging discussion exploring books that contribute to our understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Following the lead of AAUW-WA focus on DEI in the state, we present a list of 5 books; readers can read them all, or select one that appeals to them. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo; SoYou Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo; My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem; Daddy was a Number Runner by Louise Meriwether; Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
Thursday, February 17, 2022 4:00 pm on Zoom
Celebrating Title IX–50 Years of Breaking Barriers:A Review of Title IX–On Campus, in the Courts, and with AAUW LAF
PANELISTS
Holly Ashkannejhad is the Title IX Coordinator and Director of Washington State University’s Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR). She is charged with coordinating the University’s efforts to comply with responsibilities and regulations under Title IX, including investigating complaints of discrimination.
Malinda Gaul has served in a variety of AAUW positions at all levels including the Legal Advocacy Fund Advisory Committee. Currently she serves on the AAUW National Board (Vice Chair). She practices employment law in San Antonio, TX and has worked with several non-profit organizations to advance the rights of women.
Anne Levinson, is a retired judge, former deputy mayor, and has served in a variety of public service, LGBTQ civil rights, and civic leadership roles. She credits her path to her days as an undergraduate athlete in the mid-70’s, when, after funding for women’s sports was cut, she began organizing other female athletes to fight for equitable treatment, ultimately filing a Title IX complaint that led to a multi-year investigation and a successful outcome. Years later, she led the effort to launch the ABL Seattle Reign, and created an all-women ownership group to keep the WNBA Seattle Storm in Washington state.
Linda Mangel is the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Seattle office which enforces the federal civil rights laws in schools throughout a nine-state region. Linda has practiced civil rights law for over 30 years, beginning at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and later at the Northwest Women’s Law Center (Legal Voice) in Seattle.
JUNE PROGRAM: THEATER
June 12, 2022: Excursion to Seattle’s Book-it Theater for a production of The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan. Ruth wants to be a better stepmother, a better daughter, a better person. When she discovers the unheard story of her mother’s childhood, she realizes it isn’t too late to build the life she wants. Through this bittersweet and deeply moving chronicle of war and revenge, we are reminded that forgiveness is always closer than it seems.
Recap of Branch Programs 2020-2021
We’ve enjoyed a variety of events under the leadership of our Program Chair, Kelvie Comer. Since we are an online branch, meeting virtually was not a new experience; however, the expansion of zoom and other technology allowed us to extend our potential audience from members across Washington state and welcome guests from across the nation!
The program calendar included topics that reflect the what we learn as members and friends of an AAUW branch.
Theater: A branch member from North Carolina told us about The Nineteenth Amendment Project History plays by Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh. These 14 plays seen online led to a stimulating discussion October with the Artistic Director and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Theater October 1, 2020. https://burningcoal.org/the-nineteenth-amendment-project/
Book discussion. Following the lead of a member who loves Jane Austen, the branch held a discussion Jane Austen’s SENSE and SENSIBILITY, both the book and the film, on December 3, 2020.
Public policy education. With a sister branch in Tacoma, on December 19, 2020, we learned about plans for the 2021 WA virtual legislative session with House of Representatives Speaker Laurie Jinkins. This program provided an introduction to AAUW WA Lobby Day, 2021.
Sharing stories. Members wrote and shared personal stories that are meaningful to them. What a great way, on January 21, 2021, to learn about our members!
Reaching AAUW Strategic Goals. Two programs were inspired by AAUW’s goal of bringing more women, especially of diverse backgrounds, into leadership.
**Naomi Ishisaka the Assistant Managing Editor for Diversity, Inclusion and Staff Development and the Social Justice Columnist for The Seattle Times inspired a spirited discussion of leadership, diversity, inclusion and community development on February 25, 2021. Open to the AAUW members across the nation.
**Successful women leaders shared their experiences on April 22 with a panel on Intersections and Change: Leadership, Philanthropy, Diversity. This program was open to the public. Panelists were;
- Juliana Horowitz is a social science researcher with a decade of experience in domestic and international survey research. As associate director of research at the Pew Research Center, she regularly presents findings on cross national views of equity, the changing family and racial attitudes. Her work on Women and Leadershipaddresses issues about the advancement of women and is central to AAUW’s goals
- Melissa Johnsen, a leader in women’s health, gender issues and philanthropy, is Board Chair of the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Action Fund and Past Board Member of AAUW.
- Lauren Thomas has been CEO at Hopelink, a social service agency in Redmond supporting homeless families since 2013. Lauren is deeply committed to community and spent her career alleviating poverty and assuring that the resources were always available to reach those goals.
