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FACETS MARCH 2014
The Rockland County Branch of the
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American Association of University Women, Inc.
Rockland County Branch AAUW
P. O. Box 962 Monsey, NY 10952-0962
OUR WEB SITE: http://rocklandcounty-ny.aauw.net/
Mission: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.
CO-Presidents: Barbara Williams Editor: Sylvia Miller (845) 358-1680
Joyce Brown
DATES TO REMEMBER
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Tuesday, March 4 AAUW BOARD MEETING 7:00 p.m. at Dorothie Flieger’s
Please let Dorothie know if you will or will not attend.
Thursday, March 6 AAUW ‘Rockland Readers Book Club’ 1:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble NANUET
` And the Mountain Echoed by Khaled Hosselni
Saturday, March 8 CEJJES celebrates International Women’s Day and
Dr. Susan Gordon’s 90th birthday. See details within.
Wednesday, March 19 AAUW Book Group New City Library 4:00 p.m.
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Wednesday, March 19 STEM FAMILY MATH NIGHT at Summit Park Elementary School 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
*Sunday, March 23 AAUW ROCKLAND BRANCH MEETING Nanuet Library Community Room, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
See Details within Celebrating Women’s History Month
Panel Discussion on “Women in Medicine"
with six Rockland women doctors participating.
Tuesday, April 1 AAUW BOARD MEETING 7:00 p.m. at Patricia Lopez’s
Please let Patricia know if you will or will not attend.
Thursday, April 3 AAUW ‘Rockland Readers Book Club’ 1:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble NANUET
` Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Saturday, April 5 “What’s Really Cool” Conference 12:00 noon Finkelstein Library
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VISION STATEMENT: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT: In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
AAUW VALUE PROMISE: By joining AAUW, we belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.
The 15th annual Diversity Brunch was held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at St. Charles AME Zion Church in Sparkill. The topic was “360 Degrees: To Liberia and Back,” the story of American slaves who were sent to Liberia in the 1800’s and the return of their ancestors some of whom were our speakers, Mr. and Mrs. William Tubman and Mrs. Harriet Cummings, natives from Liberia who now live in Rockland County. Much of the information they shared was new to the audience. Mr. Tubman’s father was President of Liberia from 1944 to 1971. Mrs. Tubman’s father succeeded her husband’s father as president but was assassinated while in office. The Tubmans, who live here in Rockland County for part of the year, continue to return to Liberia supporting education and the church.
Our thanks to Bijal Jani, Holly Brown, Joyce Brown, and Ros Maxwell for another outstanding event.
And thanks also to Mrs. Green and the church kitchen staff for a delicious meal.
BRANCH NOTES
Reminder: Marion Leavitt is now living at Sunrise Senior Living, 233 North Main Street, #114, New City. She would love to have some company any time. Her phone number is 845 323-4913.
The Annual May Woman of Achievement Dinner.
Our annual May dinner will be on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at the Nyack Seaport Restaurant. We will be honoring Dr. Renee Brilliant as this year’s Woman of Achievement. Kindly note the date in your calendar. More information will follow.
Get well wishes are extended to Anita Nessin and Rosemary Waltzer.
Our sincere sympathy is expressed to former member Jan Davies upon the death of her husband, Niles Davies, Jr.
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CONGRATULATIONS to AAUW member Karen Martin, a guidance counselor at the South Orangetown Middle School, who was honored by the South Orangetown Central School District PTA with their Founder’s Day Award for her outstanding contributions benefiting the youth of the South Orangetown Central School District. Karen has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between school, home and the community. Well done Karen!!!
Nominating Committee presents our proposed slate of officers to be elected at the branch meeting Tuesday, April 22.
The following individuals are nominated:
Co-President… Elaine Caubere
Membership Vice President …Sandy Masiello
Treasurer …. pending
All positions are open for additional candidates. Nominations can be made from the floor at the April meeting provided the person being nominated has agreed to do so prior to that meeting.
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Thank you to Jean Cademartori who has agreed to continue as Corresponding Secretary and Ellie Grossman as Recording Secretary. Your continued participation is greatly appreciated.
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND by Patricia Lopez, EOF V.P.
Educational Funding and Awards: AAUW originally designed Career Development grants in 1972 to offer “encouragement” funding to AAUW members seeking to resume or renew academic work for credit toward career or employment advancement. Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or enter the work force. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in non-traditional fields. You can find additional information on this grant at www.aauw.org
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STEM
The Rockland Read In, originally scheduled for Friday, February 14, was re-scheduled for Friday, February 28 due to a two-day snow storm. Many were not able to participate on the changed date but there were lots of readers and 500 very happy children. Dorothy Patterson and Patricia Koch Thaler, co-author, along with her late brother, former mayor Ed Koch, of “Eddie Shapes Up,” read to 4 classes. Copies of her book were not delivered until Wednesday, March 5, 2014 but she promised to return for the distribution.
STEM at Summit Park is seeking the following volunteers:
March 10 Volunteers sought to assemble Family Math Night bags 10:00AM-2:00PM
Summit Park ES, Report to Room 120
March 14 Volunteers sought to assemble Family Math Night Raffle Baskets 10:00AM-12:00PM
March 19 Volunteers sought for registration, set-up, general assistance, raffles
Any day 12:30-1:30PM Crochet and knitting volunteer to teach a class and the teacher how to knit and crochet. The students have already started but the teacher is a novice and is seeking help.
If you are interested, please contact Rosalind Maxwell (845) 371-4110.
LEGAL ADVOCACY FUND (LAF)
On February 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit heard arguments in Klay v. Panetta, a Legal Advocacy Fund-supported lawsuit brought by survivors of military sexual assault and litigated by attorney Susan Burke. The case was originally filed March 6, 2012, and AAUW Executive Director D. Hallman spoke at the accompanying National Press Club event. In early 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case stating their injuries were “incident to their military service” and the court was prevented by legal precedent from ruling on a military matter. Burke then appealed to the D.C. Circuit. Stay tuned for the appeals court’s ruling.
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AAUW BRANCH MEETING SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Nanuet Library Community Room
In celebration of Women’s History Month, AAUW Rockland is sponsoring a panel discussion on “Women in Medicine.” Six Rockland women doctors will participate in the discussion:
Dr. Aimet Beniaminowitz – cardiologist
Dr. Renee Brilliant – pediatric oncologist
Dr. Wendy Epstein – dermatologist
Dr. Lissa Francois – obstetrician/gynecologist
Dr. Svetlana Korenfeld – gastroenterologist
Dr. Soo Mee Pak – ophthalmologist
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. For information call: (845) 358-8240
12th Annual “What’s Really Cool?” Conference
to empower young women to make positive
decisions that will bring success.
Open to all young women grades 7 – 12 (ONLY)
ONLY 100 GIRLS admitted (no young siblings)
EACH GETS A GOODY BAG
(DOORS OPEN AT 11:30 – DOORS CLOSE AT 12:30)
Saturday, April 5th, 2014
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Can You Have It All?
Sponsored by
Rockland Success Team / MHA
American Association of University Women (RC Branch) &
POW’R Against Tobacco
Finkelstein Memorial Library Fielding Room
24 Chestnut St. Spring Valley, NY 10977
(845) 352-5700
Refreshments served, Community Service Credit
Call (845) 267-2172 ext. 324 with questions
REQUEST FROM PATRICIA LOPEZ The “What’s Really Cool?” Conference will take place April 5 in the Fielding Room at Finkelstein Library in Spring Valley from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Four AAUW members will be gratefully welcomed if they can come at 11:30 a.m. to assist with the distribution of doughnuts, facilitate group discussions, and help in a number of other ways.
Prospective volunteers: Please e-mail me at Thank you. Patricia Lopez
PUBLIC POLICY -
Pay equity legislation is pending in the federal and state legislatures. In Congress there is the Paycheck Fairness Act (S 84, HR 366) which has had no movement since introduction. In NYS there are several bills in the Assembly and none in the Senate. In past years the Assembly passed Pay Equity legislation on Equal Pay Day in April (this year April 8, 2014). The bill moved to the NYS Senate where there was no action the remainder of the legislative session. Letters and phone calls to the NYS Senate and US House and Senate would be great support for pay equity that you can undertake. Public education on bills is great and legal; lobbying is not approved for our class of non-profits.
NYS CONVENTION
You’re invited to Share the FUN! as the 72nd Annual New York State Convention of AAUW convenes April 25-27, 2014 at Honor’s Haven Resort and Spa in Ellenville, NY.
Our AAUW national president, Patricia Ho, is just one of the distinguished speakers and workshop presenters scheduled throughout the weekend. The convention includes time for branch members to share best practices when it comes to programming and leadership development, as well as opportunities to support our Legal Advocacy and Educational Opportunity Funds and the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) through activities such as swimming pool lengths and dancing the night away.
Come join us. Convention forms are available now: Go to AAUW-NYS.org.
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE FOOD PANTRY Over 35,000 Rockland residents are food insecure with one in five children in our county at the poverty level. Please help by taking canned goods, juices, cereal, soups, peanut butter, etc. to PTP as often as you can. For more information go to their web site: www.peopletopeopleinc.org
Hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at 121 West Nyack Road, Nanuet, NY.
Questions? Call 845-623-4900 THANK YOU
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HAPPENINGS
Saturday, March 8 – CEJJES Institute celebrates International Women’s Day and the 90th birthday of our founder, Dr. Susan Gordon. At the CEJJES Institute 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. WORTH (Women On The Rise Telling HerStory) & WILPF (Women International League for Peace & Freedom). Parking at 1003 Route 45, Pomona, NY.
RSVP: 845-354-5809 or . Donations welcomed.
Wednesday, March 12 – Rivertown Film presents “Fully Awake: Black Mountain College,” 8:00 p.m. Nyack Center, Nyack.
Thursday, March 13 – Ellen Jaffee Business Assistance Program for Minority/Women Business Entities- Session III, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Finkelstein Library, 24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley. Register at (845) 624-4601 or
Wednesday, March 19 – AARP Rockland Meeting, 12:30 p.m. at JCC Rockland, 450 West Nyack Rd., West Nyack
Topic: “Political Humor” Speaker: Professor Joseph Dorinson, Professor of History, LIU.
Wednesday, March 19 – STEM Family Math Night at Summit Park Elementary School, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26 – Rivertown Film presents “In A World,” 8:00 p.m. Nyack Center, Nyack.
Sunday, March 30 – VCS film “If These Walls Could Talk 2,” 2:30 p.m., Nyack Library. Free & open to all.
RTC (Rockland Teachers’ Center) EVENTS Open to everyone! View all programs online at www.rockteach.org.
Note new e-mail address for Bilha Berkowitz
Additional trips and gallery tours are now online.
Thursday, March 27 - first meeting of the year. Speaker: Chris Jensen of the Rockland County Office of Fire and Emergency Planning
Friday, April 4 – Canasta (10 sessions) 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (not so new but spots are available)
Reminder: For a special discount on Air Brook Limousine Service, call 1 800-800-1990 and mention code CC6059.
5% discount on luxury sedan and van service PLUS a 5% donation in your name to the Rockland Teachers’ Center.
SAVE THE DATE
March 6 – AAUW Rockland Readers, Barnes & Noble, Nanuet, 1:00 p.m.
March 19 – AAUW Book Group, New City Library, 4:00 p.m.
March 19 – STEM Family Math Night at Summit Park Elementary School 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
March 23 – AAUW Branch Meeting – Women in Medicine, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 1 – AAUW Board Meeting – at Patricia Lopez’s, 7:00 p.m.
April 3 – AAUW Rockland Readers, Barnes & Noble, Nanuet, 1:00 p.m.
April 5 – “What’s Really Cool Conference” Finkelstein Library 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
April 16 – AAUW Book Group, New City Library, 4:00 p.m.
April 22 – AAUW Branch Meeting – election of officers, Pay Equity program
April 25-27 – AAUW NYS Convention, Honors Haven Resort & Spa, Ellenville, NY
May 1 – AAUW Rockland Readers, Barnes & Noble, Nanuet, 1:00 p.m.
May 3 – AAUW New Member Orientation Meeting, New City Library
May 6 – AAUW Board Meeting – Ellie Grossman’s, 7:00 p.m.
May 15 – AAUW Woman of Achievement Dinner, Nyack Seaport Restaurant, 6:00 p.m.
May 21 – AAUW Book Group, New City Library, 4:00 p.m.
June 3 – AAUW Board Meeting – Joyce Brown’s, 7:00 p.m.
June 5 – AAUW Rockland Readers, Barnes & Noble, Nanuet, 1:00 p.m.
June 18 – AAUW Book Group, New City Library, 4:00 p.m.