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March 2025 -- Volume 73, No. 6

Updated Newsletter

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

(See articles below for more information)

AAUW Petaluma Events
March 29 - AAUW Petaluma Women's Film Festival, 2 pm

April 5 - April program: Celebrate the Earth - Try the Train!, 10 am

Other Communuity Events

March 3 - Equal Pay Day proclamation at Petaluma City Council meeting, City Hall, 6:30 pm

March 8 - Women's March, Santa Rosa Courthouse Square, 11 am - 1 pm

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

MARCH PROGRAM

AAUW Petaluma Women's Film Festival

Coming Saturday, March 29 at 2 pm !

The past two year’s AAUW Petaluma Women’s Film Festival were fun, engaging and well received by our members and the wider community. This year’s films will feature uplifting stories celebrating diversity, courage, and joy in overcoming life’s challenges. Many of the films were written by, directed and/or produced by women.

As a special treat this year, our film festival will also include a short film and speakers telling the story of Life on Art.

You may have seen their winged hearts at the Butter and Egg Parade or other places around town. Life on Art is a Petaluma based organization that uses art as a platform for social actions and healing.

Once again we will be at the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium at the Petaluma Campus of SRJC. Parking is free.

Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for students; $20 at the door, cash only. Please order tickets online through our Petaluma AAUW website, AAUWPetaluma.com (click HERE). Tickets will be free to full-time SRJC students as space allows, at 1:50 pm.

We know you won’t want to miss this year’s FilmFest: an important community event for us to share AAUW’s mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls.

The FilmFest Planning Team

Joanne Rooney, Charlene Nugent, Rory Keller,

Marlene Abel, Jean Reed and Camille Sauve

PUBLIC POLICY

Women's March on International Women's Day

Unite & Resist in Santa Rosa

Saturday March 8, 11 am to 1 pm

Santa Rosa Courthouse Square

https://action.womensmarch.com/events/international-women-s-day-unite-resist-in-santa-rosa

Carpool or ride SMART train - Contact Jean Reed (click HERE)

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

PRESIDENT"S MESSAGE

It Takes a Committee!

,At our February Board meeting we established two new committees:

One committee, chaired by Patricia Souza, will investigate ways we can electronically store important documents such as board minutes and financial information.
We also established a committee to establish a Tech Trek Alum Group to help The Trek alumnae continue their STEM journey through high school and beyond. Jean Reed and her committee will use guidelines from AAUW CA to contact and develop a group of former Tech Trekkers to welcome our new campers later this spring.

Our Nominating Committee, led by Patsy Knight, has worked diligently to recruit and nominate a new executive board with great success, which is critical to the future success of our branch.

Our December luncheon was a great success due to the hard work of a group of committed members, which is the definition of a successful committee.

Our upcoming Film Fest led by our Funds Officers, Marlene Abel and Rory Keller, will need support from fellow members to ensure a successful event.

While it can be quite intimidating to take a leadership position, it can be a great way to feel more connected to the branch by helping on a committee or taking on a small task at a program or signing on to help on a committee.

Patsy and I invite you to say “yes” when approached to serve on a committee or help at an event!

Co-President Stefanie Capps

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

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

Sheila Bride, Founder and CFO
[email protected]

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

APRIL PROGRAM - Save the date!

Celebrate the Earth: Try the Train

Saturday, April 5, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Petaluma North Smart Station

Train ride and lunch

RSVP to Jean Reed (click HERE)

For our April branch program, our EcoEd Section invites you to explore one of the alternatives to gas vehicle transportation: Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART). Specifically, we’ll discover how relatively easy it is to get to the Sonoma County Airport aboard SMART.

Meet at the recently opened Petaluma North Station (N. McDowell and Corona Rd.) at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 5th. Parking for the day is free. We’ll start with a brief orientation and board the 10:17 am northbound train. We’ll disembark at the Sonoma County Airport Station at Airport Blvd. in Santa Rosa and then take the shuttle to the airport, where we’ll relax and have lunch before making the trip back home.

If you’d prefer to skip the orientation and leave from the Petaluma Downtown Station, the northbound train will leave there at 10:12 am. We’ll see you aboard!

Also, if you are over 65 your ride is free. Younger folk will pay a nominal fare via the Clipper App. You may want to download this App ahead of time along with the Ride Pingo App for ordering shuttle rides. However, this is not necessary as we’ll be demonstrating use of both apps and collectively setting up our shuttle ride at orientation.

Dorothy Patch-Kennedy

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

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

FUNDS ANNOUNCEMENT

Non-Event Fundraiser Begins this Month

Every year in March and April, our branch raises money for:

Local scholarships for girls and women,
The Petaluma Educational Foundation, and
National AAUW’s Greatest Need Fund.

Your invitation to donate will be arriving in the mail soon. Please take this opportunity to help fund the higher education of the next generation.

This year’s Non-Event will honor Women We Admire. If there was a special female who inspired you, we would love to hear about her impact on you.

Funds Co-VPs Marlene Abel and Rory Keller

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Current membership count:152

We hope to support a diverse and active AAUW community. Consider bringing a friend to a section or a general meeting. There are many wonderful opportunities ahead including the March 29 Film Festival.

Patti Prichard and Sheila Garvey, Membership VPs

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

REVIEW OF FEBRUARY PROGRAM

TRI-BRANCH BRUNCH

A total of 80 people from Petaluma, Marin and Novato branches attended the Tri-Branch meeting at the Key Room in Novato on February 22.

Twenty-five people attended from Petaluma. We enjoyed an informative talk from Damon Connelly, Representative of the 12th district. He spoke of local and national concerns and a Q and A followed.

Pam Granger took photos of our Petaluma participants. You can see them here.

Finance Report

Our account balances as of 1/31/2025 are $3,559.25 in checking and $5,622.03 in savings.

Treasurer Corey Benjamin

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Want to help? PPSC always needs volunteers! Consider:

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

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

PLEASE WELCOME NEW MEMBER MANOLA ROBISON

Manola and her husband Richard moved to Petaluma just five years ago from Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to their children. One daughter, her husband, and four children live in Petaluma. Their other daughter, husband and four children live in Los Angeles.

Manola has many interests including the theatre. On a recent trip to New York with a group from our local Cinnabar Theater, Manola met Laverne Stout and Jan Everidge. Their enthusiasm about AAUW encouraged Manola to join our branch.

Manola C. Robison, CMC® FIMC, was CEO of Robison Management Consulting, Inc. since 1992 in Atlanta, GA. She is a Certified Management Consultant and was honored as a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants USA in 2015. Manola specializes in strategic planning, operational improvement, HR, executive coaching, and culture.

Manola is a well-known speaker on leadership, business management, organizational behavior, communications, and small business development. She helps businesses enhance profitability and coaches senior management on leadership and effective communication. She also works with non-profits on strategic planning and board development.

We look forward to learning more from Manola.

Patti Prichard, Membership Co-VP

UPCOMING NEW MEMBER MEETINGS

ALL MEMBERS WELCOME

Happy Hour, Wednesday, March 19 at Hank's Petaluma, from 4:00-5:30

Coffee and Conversation, Thursday, March 27th at River Front Cafe, from 10:00-11:30

Jan Everidge

Has your Gold Book information changed?

If your contact information has changed since the Gold Book was printed

Contact Membership VP Sheila Garvey (click HERE)
If you would like your updated information to be published in the newsletter, contact Perspective 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!

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

For more information about

Healthy Petaluma District & Foundation, formerly

Petaluma Health Care District,

click HERE.

PUBLIC POLICY

What Do You Think? Is DEI Illegal?

Listen to the podcast Is DEI Illegal (click HERE) and
Check out the article We Didn't Start the Fire: The LA Fires are a tragedy. DEI is the solution, not the problem (click HERE) by Missy Maceyko of the CA State Public Policy Committee.

Programs and actions we take, like mentoring and speaking across differences, keep our branch healthy – whether or not they are labeled DEI.

Jean Reed

PUBLIC POLICY

March 25 is Equal Pay Day 2025

Message to our Public Policy co-chair Pam Granger from the Petaluma City Clerk:

As you know, it is a tradition for our City Council to include the proclamation Equal Pay Day on the agendas each year.

This proclamation has been scheduled for the council meeting of March 3, 2025 at 6:30 pm, and we would like to invite you to receive it in person at the City Hall.

Branch members are invited to observe the presentation in person or watch it via Zoom

Excerpts from an AAUW-CA article about Equal Pay Day

Each year, this symbolic day is used to raise awareness around and combat the impact of pay inequities.

Equal Pay Day 2025 is on March 25 and marks the current state of the gender pay gap: 83% for full-time workers and 75% for all workers (including part-time and seasonal).

This date is based on the latest U.S. Census figures showing that the average woman who works full time is paid on average just 83 percent of the typical man’s pay. Started by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996, the goal of Equal Pay Days is to raise awareness about the ongoing gender pay gap and how the pay gap varies significantly among different communities, particularly for women of color.

Because the pay gap varies significantly among different communities, particularly for women of color, other Equal Pay Days have been added to the calendar over the years to reflect that fact that many women must work far longer into the year to catch up to men.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

In honor of Mrs. Helen M. Loorya

Section Spotlight - EcoEd

EcoEd Action of the Month – Make It Count!

Simple actions in everyday life can create a big impact on the planet. From composting at home to planting a native tree, to supporting local farmers, every Californian can take climate action at home and in their neighborhoods to help build resilient communities. Celebrate yourself and your positive impact and join a collective climate movement by taking the Climate Action Counts pledge!

EcoEd Tip - Here’s a little something that we all can do. If you use dry cleaners or laundry facilities, hangers can be returned to be reused or recycled. Request that your clothes are NOT covered in plastic!

Jean Reed.

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 Kathy Schmidt (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.

SECTION SPOTLIGHT

Art & History Visits Bodega Marine Laboratory

About 20 AAUW members and spouses visited UC Davis's Bodega Marine Laboratory, located in a spectacular location near Bodega Head. Our enthusiastic guide, Dr. Ellie Fairbairn, led us around outdoor and indoor sites, explaining the different types of research and why they were important. For example, they study the ways that sea stars, sea urchins, and kelp are inter-related.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

CINNABAR THEATER is on the road!

Temporary location: Warren Theater, Ives Hall, Sonoma State

Check our website for show schedules:

www.cinnabartheater.org (click HERE)

SECTIONS

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

ACTIVE ZOOM SECTIONS

TED Talks Discussion Group
Open to everyone
Meets 3rd Tuesday (when talk is scheduled)
Host: Stefanie (currently looking for new chair)

Stefanie Capps ste[email protected]

GROUPS MEETING FACE 2 FACE

BRIDGE SECTIONS

Wednesday Bridge Group

Beginners welcome, must have some knowledge of bridge.
Meets 1st Wednesday
Date: 03.05.25
Place: TBD
Chair Norma Walsh, [email protected]
(707) 766-6014

Thursday Bridge Group
Meets 3rd Thursday at 1 or 7 p.m.
Date:03.20.25
Place: TBD
Chair: Jane Jernigan, [email protected],
(707) 778-0543

Friday Bridge Group
Meets 2nd Friday
Date: 03.14.25
Place: TBD
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

Only one date this month
Date: 03.06.25 (Thursday)
Time: 11:45 pm

Place: Alfredo's Italian

(1426 E. Washington St.)
RSVP to Laverne

Co-chairs, Jan Everidge, [email protected] and Laverne Stout, [email protected]

LITERATURE SECTIONS

Evening Modern Literature Group
Meets 4th Monday
Date: 03.24.25
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Home of Jeannette Anglin
Book: Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kemmerer
Host: Jeannette
Co-Chairs::Patricia Souza, [email protected] and Rory Keller, [email protected]
RSVP: Jeannette, [email protected]

Morning Modern Literature Group
Meets 2nd Tuesday
Date: 03.11.25

Time: 10 a.m.
Place: Home of Charlene Nugent

Book: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Host: Charlene

Chair: Anne Trujillo [email protected]t
RSVP: Charlene, [email protected]

WALKING SECTION

Friday Afternoon Walking Group

Meets most Fridays

Time: 3:30 p.m. (starting earlier)

Rory Keller, r[email protected] or
(707) 763-2072

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER SECTIONS

EcoEd

Members concerned with climate change take turns hosting. Meetings are scheduled by host and will appear in newsletter/email.

Date: 03.11.25 (Tue.)

Time: 3:00

Place: Dorothy Kennedy's home

Rotating chairs for this group
Contact Jean Reed [email protected]

if you wish to join the email group.

Art and History

Meets 3rd Friday

Date: 03.21.25
Place: Tour of the new Cinnabar theater with Cinnabar Director Diane Dragone

Tour: 11 am

Host: Esther Schau

RSVP: [email protected]

Chairs: Rev. Melanie Donahoe, [email protected], and

Cathy Netz, [email protected]

Garden Group

Date: TBD

Chair: Patricia Souza, [email protected],

(707) 921-8499

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

MAKE IT! Crafts Group

Dry Needle Felting Demo

Date: 03.27.25

Time: 11:00

Place: TBD

For more information contact Kris.

Host: Jan and Kris

RSVP: Kris

Chair: Kris U'Ren.[email protected]

Title Niners
Meets 3rd Wednesday

Date: On hiatus for now
Contact: Jean Reed, [email protected]

New Members Section

Meets 4th Thursday

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

Date: 03.27.25

Time: 10-11:30

Place: River Front Cafe, 224 B St. Petaluma

New Members Happy Hour

Meets 3rd Wednesday

Place: Hank's, 151 Pet Blvd S

Date: 03.19.25

Time: 4-5:30

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: 03.08.25
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: ZOOM
Play: TBD
Chair: Kay Hardy, [email protected] or

(707) 981-7171

Craft Section: Cardworthy

Substitute List available

Meets first Wednesday

Chair: Corey Benjamin,

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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

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

DEI Coordinator: Alexandria Torres
Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs
SRJC Liaisons: Doris Tolks and Kathy Schmidt
SSU Liaison: Kris U'Ren
Tech Trek Coordinators: Dorothy Suarez and Jean Reed

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

APPOINTED OFFICERS, COMMUNICATION
Facebook/Instagram: Kris U'Ren
Gold Book Editors: MaryAnn Kendall and Patti Pritchard
Perspective Editors: Barbara Guggemos and Anne Taylor
Publications Sponsors: Dorothy Suarez
Publicity: open
Webmaster: Ray Hendess
Zoom Coordinator: Kris U'Ren

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