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January 2026 Petaluma Perspective

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January 2026 -- Volume 74, No. 5

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

(See articles below for more information)

AAUW Petaluma Events

Jan. 18 - January Program: Breaking Barriers of Healthy Aging, Lucchesi

Community Center, 2:00 - 3:30

Feb. 6 - Deadline for donating used books for Bi-Branch Brunch centerpieces

Feb. 21 - Bi-Branch Brunch, Key Room, Novato, 10:00 - 12:00

Other Community Events

Jan. 8 - Mentor training for Petaluma Wetlands Alliance starts (Contact Anne Taylor if interested.)

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

January Program

Breaking Barriers for Healthy Aging

January 18, 2026, 2:00 - 4:00

Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd

We are in the midst of a longevity revolution. And that is particularly true for women:

Women can expect to live five years longer than men.
Women comprise 80% of centenarians, the fastest growing segment of the world’s population.

But despite these incredible statistics, women are not living well.

Join our January meeting for a panel discussion addressing topics that include exercise, community services, and mental health.

All welcome! All ages!

Program VPs Charlene Nugent and Patsy Knight

Books Needed for Bi-Branch Brunch Centerpieces

We are collecting used books for centerpieces at the Bi-Branch Brunch on Feb. 21. In order to prepare the centerpieces, we need your books by Feb. 6.

Please contact Charlene Nugent or Kris U’Ren with your donations.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Happy New Year!

"Cheers to a new year and another chance to to get it right."

-- Oprah Winfrey

As we look ahead together in 2026, this quote captures the spirit of AAUW Petaluma’s work to “get it right”: building a future where equity, opportunity, and empowerment are our goals. Each initiative we take—whether advocating for civic engagement, supporting education, or strengthening our community—brings us closer to “getting it right”

The beginning of a new year often motivates us to set new goals for the future. AAUW continues to support gender equity. They support legislation, provide fellowships and grants, and conduct research on topics to bring equity for all. You can learn more about these opportunities by joining one of the many webinars presented by AAUW CA. You can also find out more about what happens at the national level here. There are many resources available to help you support our mission.

January will be another busy month for our branch. We need to elect a nominating committee so, we can begin our search for members to serve on the 2026–2027 Board. Please contact me or Marlene if you would like to serve on this committee or nominate another member. If you are nominated for a position on the board, I hope you will say yes. It is a great opportunity to make new friends and be involved in the community.

Please see the above article on our January 18 Program: Breaking Barriers of Healthy Aging. We will learn more about local organizations supporting this cause in our community.

Co-President Joanne Rooney

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Petaluma Coffee & Tea Co.

212 2nd Street, Petaluma CA 94952
707-763-2727
petalumacoffee.com

Sheila Bride, Founder and CFO
[email protected]

December Holiday Luncheon

Our annual AAUW holiday gathering was festive, joyous and vibrant. Follow this link (click HERE) to see our 2025 holiday photo album.

Before lunch, members had an opportunity to visit with longtime friends and to meet many new members

A delicious meal was prepared by Preferred Sonoma Caterers.

Afterwards, local high school students helped return tables and chairs to the back room.

During lunch, members had the opportunity to hear lovely singing by the Petaluma Women's Chorus. .

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Phone: (707) 763-1515
Fax: (707) 765-0256
Email: [email protected]

PUBLIC POLICY

Watch Party

January 22, 12:30 - 2pm

Home of Jean Reed

Step Out for Pro Choice

Let’s get together to watch and discuss this.

“No Rights, No Law – A Discussion About the Supreme Court & Attacks on Reproductive RIghts & Justice” will feature keynote speaker Leah Litman, a leader for women’s issues and well-known podcaster. The presentation is hosted by AAUW Silicon Valley every year on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Bring a bag lunch if you like.

RSVP so Jean can set up chairs!

For more details click here.

Has your Gold Book information changed?

If your contact information in the Gold Book has changed, please contact Co-VP of Membership Sheila Garvey (click HERE) so that our membership database can be updated..

Would you like your updated contact information to be published in the newsletter?
If so, contact co-editors Barbara Guggemos (click HERE) and/or Anne Taylor (click HERE).

TWO REMINDERS:

The Gold Book, our membership directory, is for use only by the membership and may not be used for recruiting or solicitation.
Don't just throw away your old Gold Book. Please shred it.

FINANCE REPORT

As of December 30, our account balances at RCU Branch were:

Savings: $5,823.26

Checking: $3, 588.30

Funds: $3,515.92

Finance VP, Adrienne Kulasingham

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

NEW MEMBERS MEETINGS - EVERYONE WELCOME

Happy Hour is on the third Wednesday, January 21st, at Crooked Goat Brewing Co., from 4:00 to 5:30.

Coffee at Riverfront Cafe is on the fourth Thursday, January 29, from 10 to 11:30.

Jan Everidge

Facebook / Instagram Reminder

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

MEMBER CONCERNS

Gerry Groves 1926 - 2025

With sadness, we learned of the passing on December 12, 2025 of one of our "founding mothers," Gerry Groves. She remained an active member of the Petaluma branch after helping to create it 71 years ago! Gerry was born in Petaluma, graduated from Petaluma HS, UC Berkeley and SSU.

Her obituary (Click Here ) notes that Gerry volunteered in several organizations after she retired from teaching. She was also an avid reader and a regular at her monthly book club. Her love for books was matched by her enthusiasm for the outdoors; she walked the entire coast of California through her participation in numerous Coastwalk-organized adventures. She enjoyed playing competitive bridge, folk dancing, bird watching, and being with her dogs. Gerry was also a world traveler who enriched her home with an eclectic collection of artifacts from her travels.

The world is a better place because of Geraldine Groves, and she will be missed.

AAUW Petaluma will make a donation to the Petaluma library in Gerry's honor.

Kathy Schmidt

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

PETALUMA ARTS CENTER

230 Lakeville St.

Petaluma, CA

707-762-5600
[email protected]

Section Spotlight

Art & History visits Grace Cathedral in San Francisco

10 members (plus some guests) enjoyed a festive outing to San Francisco for our December event. The attendees began with a docent-led tour of Grace Cathedral, followed by a trip across the street to admire the Fairmont Hotel’s 22' high Gingerbread House. Here are a few photos from this fun day.

Our group with docent (left)

Impressive entrance to the Gothic-style cathedral, built in the 1930s

Gingerbread house in Fairmont Hotel lobby

JANUARY OUTING

It’s time to RSVP for our January outing which takes us closer to home - Santa Rosa - to The Hattery. The Hattery is a full service hat shop with a wide retail selection, as well as hat repair, cleaning, restoration and more!

When: 10:30am on Friday, January 16, 2026

Cost: $25 per person

RSVP to Jean Reed.

Want to help? PPSC always needs volunteers!

Consider:

Meals on Wheels
Petaluma Bounty
Mentor Me
iRIDE Driver
Administrative Support
Disaster Volunteer

LINKS FOR ZOOM MEETINGS

For security reasons, Zoom links are not included in the Perspective. Here's how links are handled in our branch:

PROGRAMS – The ZOOM link will be sent to all members in an email the day before the event
SECTIONS – Sections chairs will send the link directly to section members. Be sure to RSVP so that you get the ZOOM link.
NEW MEETINGS – Contact Zoom Coordinator Mary Spragens (click HERE) to set up a new ZOOM meeting.
ZOOM BY PHONE – For audio only, call 669-900-9128, enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

In honor of Mrs. Helen M. Loorya

SECTIONS

Call Patty Shribbs at (707) 769-8961 with general questions or ideas for new sections.
[email protected]

Please note: We have volunteers to help with mentoring if anyone wishes to start a new section!

BRIDGE SECTIONS

Wednesday Bridge Group (Beginners welcome, must have some knowledge of bridge)
Meets 1st Wednesday

Date: 01..03.26
Place: TBD
Chair: Norma Walsh, [email protected]

(707) 766-6014

Thursday Bridge Group
Meets 3rd Thursday at 1 or 7 p.m.
Date: 01.15.26
Place: TBD
Chair: Jane Jernigan, [email protected].

(707) 778-0543

Friday Bridge Group
Meets 2nd Friday
Date: 01.09.26
Chair: Claire Pass, [email protected],
(707) 763-9075

DINING SECTIONS

Eclectic Gourmet
Please contact Pat Hansen if interested.
Chair: Pat Hansen, [email protected]

(707) 338-4616

Out to Lunch Bunch

(Please remember to bring cash)

Wednesday only this month

Date: 01.14.26

Time: 11:30 am (note earlier time)

Place: Belfare, 1410 S. McDowell Blvd, Suite D

RSVP: to Jan

Jan Everidge [email protected] and Laverne Stout [email protected].

LITERATURE SECTIONS

Evening Modern Literature Group

Meets: 4^th Monday (except Nov.)

Date: 01.26.26

Time: 7 pm

Place: Home of Shelly Ford
Nicki Lundberg presenter

Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Co-Chairs: Patricia Souza,

[email protected] and

Rory Keller, [email protected]

RSVP with Shelley Ford, [email protected].

Morning Modern Literature Group
Meets 2nd Tuesdays

Date: 01.13.26
Time: 10 am

Place: Home of Noellene Sommer

Host: Noellene

Book: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

RSVP with Noellene, [email protected].
Chair: Dorothy Suarez, [email protected]

WALKING SECTION

Friday Afternoon Walking Group
Meets most Fridays
Time: 4 p.m.
Chair: Rory Keller, [email protected] or

(707) 763-2072

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER SECTIONS

EcoEd

Members concerned with climate change/environment

Meetings are scheduled by the host..

Date: No meeting in January

Chair: Dorothy Patch-Kennedy, [email protected]

Art and History

Meets 3rd Fridays (except this month)

Tour of the Hattery in Santa rosa (wear your favorite hat!)

Place: The Hattery, 1240 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa

Host: Jean Reed [email protected]

Date: 01.16.26

Carpool: TBD

Time: 10:30 am (about 1 hr tour)

Cost: $25 per person (cost is $20 if 20 or more shign up)

Confirmation date is Jan 10 (no refunds after this date)

RSVP to Jean [email protected]

Co-Chairs: Rev. Melanie Donahoe [email protected] and Kathy Fanning [email protected]

Garden Section

No activity this month

Chair: Patricia Souza, [email protected]

All AAUW members welcome. Please contact Patricia with ideas for activities during the year.

MAKE IT Crafts Group

No meeting in January

Chair: Kris U'Ren, [email protected]

New Members Section

Meets 4th Thursday

We encourage all branch members to join and welcome our new members!

Date: 01.29.26

Time: 10:00 -11:30

Place: River Front Cafe, 224 B St. Petaluma

Chair: Jan Everidge [email protected]

New Members Happy Hour

Meets 3^rd Wed

Date: 01.21.26

Time: 4:00 -5:30

Place: Crooked Goat Brewing Co. (108 Howard St.)

Chair: Jan Everidge, [email protected]

GROUPS AT CAPACITY with waiting lists or sub lists available

Travel Section

Meets every other month on first Monday via ZOOM (waiting list available)
Topic: TBD
Time:11 a.m.
Co-Chairs: Wendy Porter, (707) 795-9354, [email protected], Cathy Burton,
(707) 763-9082, [email protected]
RSVP with Wendy

Saturday Night Drama

Temporarily at capacity (sub list available)
Meets second Saturday

Date: 01.10.26

Play: TBD

Place: ZOOM
Chair: Kay Hardy, [email protected] or

(707) 981-7171

Craft Section: Cardworthy

Substitute list available (Please let Corey know if you want to be on the list.)

Meets first Wednesday

Date: No meeting in January

Chair: Corey Benjamin

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ELECTED OFFICERS
Co-Presidents: Joanne Rooney and Marlene Abel
Co-VPs, Programs: Charlene Nugent and Patsy Knight
Co-VPs, Membership: Sheila Garvey and Stefanie Capps
Co-VPs, Funds: Rory Keller and Camille Sauvé
Vice President, Finance: Adrienne Kulasingam
Secretary: Patricia Souza

APPOINTED OFFICERS, GENERAL
DEI Coordinator: Alexandria Torres

Hospitality: Michele Meyer and Noellene Sommer
Parliamentarian: Barbara Guggemos
Public Policy: Pam Granger and Jean Reed

Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs
SRJC Liaison: Kathy Schmidt
SSU Liaison: Kris U'Ren
Tech Trek Coordinators: Dorothy Suarez, Jean Reed, Hilary Blyth

APPOINTED OFFICERS, MEMBERSHIP
Database: Rory Keller
Member Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
New Members: Jan Everidge

APPOINTED OFFICERS, COMMUNICATION
Social Media: Kris U'Ren
Gold Book Editors: MaryAnn Kendall and Patti Pritchard
Perspective Editors: Barbara Guggemos and Anne Taylor
Publications Sponsors: OPEN
Publicity: OPEN
Webmaster: Ray Hendess
Zoom Coordinator: Mary Spragens

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