CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
(see articles below or newsletter for more information)
Past newsletters are here
(see articles below or newsletter for more information)
Past newsletters are here
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
(See articles below for more information)
AAUW Petaluma Events
May 18 - Installation of officers for 2025-26 and Named Gift Honoree award, Lucchesi Community Center, 2:00 - 4:00 (note time change)
June 15 - June program: All Members Picnic, noon - 2:00
Other AAUW Events
May 13- Deadline for voting in national AAUW election
Community Events
May 3 - AAUW Petaluma Girls Softball game, Leghorns Park, 690 Sonoma Mtn. Parkway, 11:30
May 4 - Future Fest, Petaluma Community Center (Lucchesi), 12- 4:00
(See articles below for more information)
AAUW Petaluma Events
May 18 - Installation of officers for 2025-26 and Named Gift Honoree award, Lucchesi Community Center, 2:00 - 4:00 (note time change)
June 15 - June program: All Members Picnic, noon - 2:00
Other AAUW Events
May 13- Deadline for voting in national AAUW election
Community Events
May 3 - AAUW Petaluma Girls Softball game, Leghorns Park, 690 Sonoma Mtn. Parkway, 11:30
May 4 - Future Fest, Petaluma Community Center (Lucchesi), 12- 4:00
AAUW Safe Meeting Guidelines
Follow all state and local guidance. It is expected that anyone who is not fully vaccinated will wear a mask and maintain physical distance at all times. Stay home if you are feeling sick. Bring a mask, so you are prepared if masking is requested.
Follow all state and local guidance. It is expected that anyone who is not fully vaccinated will wear a mask and maintain physical distance at all times. Stay home if you are feeling sick. Bring a mask, so you are prepared if masking is requested.

May Program
Come and Celebrate!
Board Installation, Named Gift Honoree Announcement and More!
When: Sunday, May 18, 2 - 4 p.m.
Where: Lucchesi Community Center,
320 N. McDowell Boulevard
Come and Celebrate!
Board Installation, Named Gift Honoree Announcement and More!
When: Sunday, May 18, 2 - 4 p.m.
Where: Lucchesi Community Center,
320 N. McDowell Boulevard
It has been a great year for the branch, with Programs offering community events in addition to the film festival, and Sections adding field trips and exciting outings.
Join us for the Annual Branch Meeting, when we will celebrate the programs, events and people that make our branch an exciting place to be. Our impactful program on the fentanyl crisis and the third annual Film Festival reached many in our community. Let’s recognize the people who made this happen and who are committing to keeping our branch vibrant in the coming year.
Joanne Rooney and Charlene Nugent, Co-VPs, Program
Join us for the Annual Branch Meeting, when we will celebrate the programs, events and people that make our branch an exciting place to be. Our impactful program on the fentanyl crisis and the third annual Film Festival reached many in our community. Let’s recognize the people who made this happen and who are committing to keeping our branch vibrant in the coming year.
Joanne Rooney and Charlene Nugent, Co-VPs, Program
PRESIDENT"S MESSAGE
As my terms as your Co-President draw to a close, I find myself reflecting on the events, accomplishments and the camaraderie of this awesome group of women that I have worked with for the past three years. Our accomplishments are the direct results of the incredible board that oversees our branch and makes stuff happen.
Here are some highlights of our year:
Program VPs Joanne Rooney and Charlene Nugent organized a whole slate of mission-centered programs, as well as opportunities for celebrating (and sometimes commiserating!) together. Our program “Strategies to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis” brought the community together to better understand how we can support efforts to address this tragic issue.
Membership VPs Sheila Garvey and Patti Pritchard have increased our membership to 162 members! Jan Everidge has continued to organize new members monthly gatherings which have been well attended by both new and and current members.
Funds VPs Rory Keller and Marlene Abel have conducted two successful fund raisers this spring. Our Film Fest brought in $1500 while promoting our mission and enhancing our visibility in the community. Our Non-event is still receiving checks from members and has been a very successful campaign as well.
We have selected and funded 5 campers for Tech Trek thanks to our generous member support and Hilary Blyth’s fundraising efforts. We have established a Tech Trek alumnae group thanks to the efforts of Jean Reed and Dorothy Suarez.
We are sending K.D. Kaitlin McComb to NCCWSL in May and Doris Tolks and her committee arranged for the placement of a beautiful plaque at SRJC Petaluma campus drawing attention to this wonderful program.
These highlighted accomplishments and many more were made possible due to the work behind the scenes by all our board members.
I invite and encourage you to attend our May General Meeting. See article above for detailed information.
Co-President Stefanie Capps
As my terms as your Co-President draw to a close, I find myself reflecting on the events, accomplishments and the camaraderie of this awesome group of women that I have worked with for the past three years. Our accomplishments are the direct results of the incredible board that oversees our branch and makes stuff happen.
Here are some highlights of our year:
Program VPs Joanne Rooney and Charlene Nugent organized a whole slate of mission-centered programs, as well as opportunities for celebrating (and sometimes commiserating!) together. Our program “Strategies to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis” brought the community together to better understand how we can support efforts to address this tragic issue.
Membership VPs Sheila Garvey and Patti Pritchard have increased our membership to 162 members! Jan Everidge has continued to organize new members monthly gatherings which have been well attended by both new and and current members.
Funds VPs Rory Keller and Marlene Abel have conducted two successful fund raisers this spring. Our Film Fest brought in $1500 while promoting our mission and enhancing our visibility in the community. Our Non-event is still receiving checks from members and has been a very successful campaign as well.
We have selected and funded 5 campers for Tech Trek thanks to our generous member support and Hilary Blyth’s fundraising efforts. We have established a Tech Trek alumnae group thanks to the efforts of Jean Reed and Dorothy Suarez.
We are sending K.D. Kaitlin McComb to NCCWSL in May and Doris Tolks and her committee arranged for the placement of a beautiful plaque at SRJC Petaluma campus drawing attention to this wonderful program.
These highlighted accomplishments and many more were made possible due to the work behind the scenes by all our board members.
I invite and encourage you to attend our May General Meeting. See article above for detailed information.
Co-President Stefanie Capps
Elected and Appointed Officers for 2025-2026
The branch election on April 16 - 18 resulted in a unanimous decision in favor of the proposed slate for the Executive Board. Thanks to all who voted on those two days – 57 members voted. All votes in the affirmative.
There are still two open positions. We need a Publicity Coordinator, and a Zoom Coordinator Maybe it is the right time for you to join the team? Contact Stefanie Capps if you want more information.
The Board Installation will take place at the May 19 general meeting (see separate article).
Executive Board
The branch election on April 16 - 18 resulted in a unanimous decision in favor of the proposed slate for the Executive Board. Thanks to all who voted on those two days – 57 members voted. All votes in the affirmative.
There are still two open positions. We need a Publicity Coordinator, and a Zoom Coordinator Maybe it is the right time for you to join the team? Contact Stefanie Capps if you want more information.
The Board Installation will take place at the May 19 general meeting (see separate article).
Executive Board
- Co-Presidents: Joanne Rooney, Marlene Abel
- Co-VP Programs: Charlene Nugent, Patsy Knight
- Co-VP Membership: Sheila Garvey, Stefanie Capps
- Co-VP Funds: Rory Keller and Camille Sauve
- VP Finance: Adrienne Kulasingam
- Board Secretary: Patricia Souza
- DEI Coordinator: Alexandria Torres
- Hospitality: Michele Meyer, Noellene Sommer
- Parliamentarian: Barbara Guggemos
- Public Policy: Pam Granger, Jean Reed
- Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs
- SRJC Liaison: Kathy Schmidt, Doris Tolks
- SSU Liaison: Kris U’Ren
- Tech Trek Coordinators: Dorothy Suarez, Jean Reed, Hilary Blyth
- Database Manager: Rory Keller
- Membership Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
- New Members: Jan Everidge
- Facebook/Social Media: Kris U’Ren
- Gold Book Editor: Patti Pritchard, Mary Ann Kendall
- Publications Sponsors: Leslie Maze
- Perspective: Barbara Guggemos, Anne Taylor
- Publicity: vacant
- Webmaster: Ray Hendess
- Zoom Coordinator: vacant
Non-Event Fundraiser - Women We Admire, Part 1
This year as part of the non-event fundraiser we asked members of the branch to tell us about the women they admire. We received many lovely nominations ranging from women in the public-eye, to branch members, and individuals in our private lives. We will share them all with you, and even record them on our web site.
So as not to overwhelm anyone, this month we will look at the women in the public-eye. We think you will be as inspired by them all, and no doubt have other names to remember.
- Abigail Adams: The 1st Second Lady of the U.S. and the 2nd First Lady. She maintained an extensive correspondence with a variety of people both famous and ordinary. She is best known for entreating John Adams to “remember the ladies” in the new Constitution. She was asking for the right to vote in the late 1700s – long before the women’s suffrage movement. – Anne Taylor
- Christiane Amanpour: Outstanding journalist – LaVerne Stout
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Outstanding Justice of the Supreme Court, and a fighter for equality for all – Rory Keller
- Ketanji Brown Jackson: Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. – Camille Sauvé
- Heather Cox Richardson: Historian, college professor, writer – Ruth Johnson
- Madame Curie (Maria Sktodowska): Polish-born physicist & chemist who revolutionized our understanding of radioactivity, discovering radium and polonium, Nobel Prize winner – Patty Shribbs
- Kamala Harris: Willing to run for president of the US and many years of public service including VP of the US – Ettamarie Peterson
- Julia Morgan: 1st woman architect in CA, designed Hearst Castle and 700 other buildings – Kerry Vyner-Brooks
- Michelle Obama: Smart, diplomatic, a mother, a daughter, a wife – a woman like the rest of us – Karen Griffith
- Mary Oliver: Her poetry speaks to my heart! - Dorothy Suarez
- Nancy Pelosi: For her political accomplishments and dedication to women’s rights – Dee Short
- Nancy Pelosi: I admire her grit & determination, as well as her tenacity to never back down when confronting right-wing extremist policies. She was the 1st woman elected as the Speaker of the House in 2007 – Gail Rolka
- Gloria Robinson: Co-founder of Petaluma Blacks for Community Development, which brought attention to Black history. She was respected for her activism and volunteer work – Pam Granger
- Eleanor Roosevelt: A strong woman before her time – Norma Jean Walsh
Reminder Regarding Outside Organizations
Our Policies and Procedures state that no outside organization can promote its fundraising activities or sell tickets at branch meetings.
Information concerning any organization other than AAUW cannot be published in the Perspective or sent via the branch email network without Board approval.
At our recent Board meeting, the Board discussed the importance of ensuring that information regarding events from outside organizations needs to be closely aligned with our mission and values in order to gain Board support for inclusion in the Perspective.
Our Policies and Procedures state that no outside organization can promote its fundraising activities or sell tickets at branch meetings.
Information concerning any organization other than AAUW cannot be published in the Perspective or sent via the branch email network without Board approval.
At our recent Board meeting, the Board discussed the importance of ensuring that information regarding events from outside organizations needs to be closely aligned with our mission and values in order to gain Board support for inclusion in the Perspective.
Facebook / Instagram Reminder
Our January Title IX panelists suggested that our Branch should go where young people live.
We now have an Instagram Page! It is easy to start a personal Instagram account. Just download the app. You don’t have to post. Just follow other accounts, especially ours - aauw.petaluma
We need members to follow both our Instagram and Facebook page! Share the info with others.
Kris U'Ren, Social Media Chair
Our January Title IX panelists suggested that our Branch should go where young people live.
We now have an Instagram Page! It is easy to start a personal Instagram account. Just download the app. You don’t have to post. Just follow other accounts, especially ours - aauw.petaluma
We need members to follow both our Instagram and Facebook page! Share the info with others.
Kris U'Ren, Social Media Chair
AAUW on YouTube
Did you know that you can access webinars presented by AAUW CA on YouTube?
Just go HERE and click on “Subscribe.”
You can drop in to hear 35 AAUW Fellows give quick descriptions of their post-graduate work, learn how to use Instagram, catch up on AAUW positions, and more.
Did you know that you can access webinars presented by AAUW CA on YouTube?
Just go HERE and click on “Subscribe.”
You can drop in to hear 35 AAUW Fellows give quick descriptions of their post-graduate work, learn how to use Instagram, catch up on AAUW positions, and more.
Mission Statement
AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls, through research, education, and advocacy.
Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team and board of directors.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Economic Security – Pay Equity
AAUW offers free on-line salary negotiation training. Sign up for Work Smart
Copyright © 2003
Petaluma Branch
American Association of University Women
Web Design by Ray Hendess
AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls, through research, education, and advocacy.
Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team and board of directors.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Economic Security – Pay Equity
AAUW offers free on-line salary negotiation training. Sign up for Work Smart
Copyright © 2003
Petaluma Branch
American Association of University Women
Web Design by Ray Hendess