AAUW San Jose Branch programs provide information that empowers women to make knowledge-based decisions about their daily lives and informs members about issues and initiatives affecting women and their families.
Current and most recent events and programs are listed on our home page.
Some past programs include:
Coffee and Conversation
Saturday, April 20th
10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
Come to a casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! We will have coffee (and tea) and some early morning goodies. Learn about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. Ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members you haven’t seen in a while and meet new friends. Prospective members are especially welcome!
AAUW San Jose Presentation at the Women Leading Change Conference: Work Smart Salary Negotiation and New Laws in Your Favor
We presented at the annual Women’s Leadership and Policy Summit on March 23 at San Jose State University. The all day conference sponsored by Santa Clara County, Amazon and the Valley Health Foundation was attended by 1000 women, was free and presented impactful workshops. AAUW San Jose Past President Peg Carlson-Bowen presented with
-Julie Ramirez (Program Manager, County of Santa ClaraDivision of Equity and Social Justice),
-Linda Li (Lead Outreach & Education Coordinator, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)), and
-Ruth Silver Taube (Adjunct Professor, Workers’ Rights, Santa Clara University School of Law and Supervising Attorney, OLSE Legal Advice Line)
on “Salary Negotiation, Equal Pay and New Laws in Your Favor”,) empowering women with techniques to increase their pay, resources to address discrimination and encouragement learning that so many others are supporting them in practical ways. To access the presentation and resources, point your Smartphone camera at the QR code, then click on the link that appears:
or click on this link: Salary Negotiation and New Laws in Your Favor
To access the free, self-paced Work Smart Salary Negotiation online training, click here.
Sip & Savor on St. Patrick’s Day!
Thursday, March 14
5:30 to 7 pm
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
We had a fun, casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! It was an evening get together with a St. Patrick’s Day theme! We learned about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. We got to ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members we hadn’t seen in a while and met new friends. Prospective members are always especially welcome at our monthly get togethers!
History San José’s
Portraits of the Past
March 16, 1 to 2 pm
Are you interested in history, fashion, or comedy? History San Jose’s “Portraits of the Past” presented a show that was visually stunning, educational, historically accurate, and amusing. The friendly, fun loving, and talented volunteers make these programs an entertaining and educational view of days gone by in Santa Clara Valley. Museum volunteers assume the roles of locally significant citizens, and, after careful biographical research to ensure historical accuracy, portray these characters in interesting and often amusing sketches dealing with notable events in Valley history. The volunteers conduct intensive research to ensure that the costumes are both appropriate to the era and authentically constructed.
The event was at the Willow Glen Methodist Church across from Headquarters. There was parking and easy access for this fun event in honor of Women’s History Month.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Parking Lot Drive
Saturday, March 9, 10am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95124
We will be collecting feminine hygiene products/women’s adult diapers for Sacred Heart and new/gently used towels for Front Door Communities. Bins will be in the entry hall of Headquarters in case you can’t make it on this Saturday–drop your donations when you attend an Interest Group meeting or Community Action Project get-together!
February Program Event
Bestselling Author &
Historian Eleanor Herman
Saturday, February 17, 12 pm to 2 pm
ONLINE ONLY
To join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88037842305?pwd=xOZawsCDG0jnitH9aamDZdGebdffEd.1
Meeting ID: 880 3784 2305
Passcode: 282798
Eleanor Herman’s latest book is “Off with Her Head,” exploring the history of misogyny against women with power from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris. She is a New York Times bestselling author of several non-fiction works on the lives of European royals through the centuries, including the “Mistress of the Vatican,” the biography of a woman who ran the Catholic Church in the 17th Century. She has appeared on the National Geographic Channel, the History Channel, and the American Heroes Channel. Herman offers a rare combination of skills for a historian – her research is intensely scholarly, yet she writes in an engaging, witty manner. “Sometimes people ask me if I plan to write novels. And I say, with all the things that really happened, who needs to make stuff up?” Join us for this zoom only event.
Coffee and Conversation
Saturday, February 24
10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
Come to a casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! We will have coffee (and tea) and some early morning goodies. Learn about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. Ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members you haven’t seen in a while and meet new friends. Prospective members are especially welcome!
Coffee and Conversation Returns!
Saturday, January 27, 10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
Time to relax after the busy holidays. Come to a casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! We will have coffee (and tea) and some early morning goodies. Learn about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. Ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members you haven’t seen in a while and meet new friends. Prospective members are especially welcome!
January Program Event
The League of Women Voters
Saturday, January 20, 2024,
1:30 to 3 pm
Willow Glen United Methodist Church – Wesley Room
1420 Newport Ave, San Jose
The LWV, led by Martha Beattie, will be joining us to introduce and explain what to expect on the March 2024 ballot, propositions, and measures, including Voters Edge, a very helpful tool, that will make us absolutely more informed about the elections. Mark your calendar and prepare your questions. (Image by rawpixel.com)
For those who couldn’t attend, here is a summary of the League of Women Voter’s material:
December Program Event – Holiday Social
Saturday, December 16, 11 am to 1:30 pm
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125 (Headquarters)
Join us for fun, refreshements, food, music , learning, entertainment and prize drawings from our Local Scholarship Online Fundraising campaign. Come enjoy a flutist trio, and hear SongStruck, an a cappella group helping us with holiday sing-along songs. It should be FUNtastic! to help us plan our party, please let us know if you will attend this event by clicking on this invitation.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365: Ways to Support
AAUW SJ Community Action Projects
Saturday, November 18, 2023
10 am-12 pm Wesley Rm.
United Methodist Church
1420 Newport Ave., San Jose 95125
Dr. Tynka Dees will help us understand how giving to others changes our brains–for the better!
Three AAUW members will speak to ways they choose to give.
Interbranch Special Projects Foundation Treasurer Virginia Turner, Aaron Correll, Fidelity Investments and Eva Levine, AAUW San Jose member and Financial Planner will present three financial vehicles you may not have considered. And most important–We’ll hear from AAUW San Jose Community Action Project participants who will show us how our CAPs change lives.
SJSU Student Pantry Drive-Thru Food Drive
Saturday, October 28, 10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
“No student should have to face food insecurity” – Spartan Food Pantry
As part of the SJSU Cares Program, the Spartan Food Pantry is a walk-in food assistance program for eligible students. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is supporting this pantry by sponsoring a parking lot drive at Headquarters from 10 am to noon on Saturday, October 28, by collecting peanut butter, cereal, canned soups and granola/breakfast bars.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365
Saturday, November 18 – 10 am to noon
United Methodist Church
1420 Newport Ave, SJ
Please join us for an informative and inspiring program sponsored by the Local Scholarship Project “Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365: Multiple Ways to Support Our Community Action Prpojects” in the Wesley Room at Willow Glen United Methodist Church (Minnesota Avenue and Newport Street in San Jose). There will be refreshments, “thank you” party favors for all, donor and recipient speakers, and entertainment. Get that holiday spirit started early and keep it going all year long!
MINDFULNESS AS A KEY TO STRESS MANAGEMENT
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 1:30pm -3pm on ZOOM
Kelly Weisberg, Certified Mindfulness Instructor
Stress is everywhere in our modern lives. We are overwhelmed by work, family, relationships, and even the television news! Stress leads us to feel anxious and depressed. It contributes to sleeplessness and loss of appetite or overeating. While we can’t control what happens around us, we can control how we respond to stress. Mindfulness teaches us techniques for stress management. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on moment-to-moment experience without self-criticism and with acceptance. For further information, contact Kelly Weisberg at kelly_weisberg@yahoo.com or programs@aauwsanjose.org.
2023-2024 Fall Gathering
September 30, 2023 10 am to noon
Willow Glen United Methodist Church
1420 Newport (Newport & Minnesota Ave)
Please join us for this year’s Fall Gathering and invite those who may be interested in joining AAUW San Jose. It will be great to gather in person again this year. As always, we will have Interest Group, Community Action Project and Public Policy representatives available to discuss what their group does and how you might want to participate. Local Scholarship Scholars will speak on how the scholarship supports them and their field of interest—we just had our AAUW San Jose Scholars Reunion on 7/29, and believe me, these are incredible women! Our keynote topic is: ‘We Are AAUW: Past, Present and Future,” exploring the gifts we all bring to AAUW San Jose, the challenges we continue face, the contributions we make to our community and the legacy we are building. We will have coffee and morning munchies.
AAUW California President Sandi Gabe
Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 pm
We had a great kickoff to our Wednesday, 8/16 at 5:30 pm for the events and programs for this fiscal year with AAUW California President, Sandi Gabe, who joined us in person to let us know of exciting happenings at the state level. We held a hybrid event (online and in person) at our Headquarters at 1155 Minnesota, SJ (next to the Willow Glen Library).
AAUW San Jose 2023 Scholars Celebration
Saturday, July 29, 2023
10 am to noon
AAUW San Jose Headquarters
1165 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
This year we awarded over $120,000 in scholarships to 22 deserving women finishing the last two years of a four degree. each recipient has an amazing story of perseverance pursuing their education, come meet them and other members of our branch at this special Coffee and Conversation event!
AAUW San Jose Headquarters is located next to the Willow Glen Library–look for the blue house with the redwood trees. We can meet on our back porch and in the parking lot (weather permitting). Shade will be provided if needed and we are outside.
Sip & Savor on St. Patrick’s Day!
Thursday, March 14
5:30 to 7 pm
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
We had a fun, casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! It was an evening get together with a St. Patrick’s Day theme! We learned about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. We got to ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members we hadn’t seen in a while and met new friends. Prospective members are always especially welcome at our monthly get togethers!
History San José’s
Portraits of the Past
March 16, 1 to 2 pm
Are you interested in history, fashion, or comedy? History San Jose’s “Portraits of the Past” presented a show that was visually stunning, educational, historically accurate, and amusing. The friendly, fun loving, and talented volunteers make these programs an entertaining and educational view of days gone by in Santa Clara Valley. Museum volunteers assume the roles of locally significant citizens, and, after careful biographical research to ensure historical accuracy, portray these characters in interesting and often amusing sketches dealing with notable events in Valley history. The volunteers conduct intensive research to ensure that the costumes are both appropriate to the era and authentically constructed.
The event was at the Willow Glen Methodist Church across from Headquarters. There was parking and easy access for this fun event in honor of Women’s History Month.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Parking Lot Drive
Saturday, March 9, 10am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95124
We will be collecting feminine hygiene products/women’s adult diapers for Sacred Heart and new/gently used towels for Front Door Communities. Bins will be in the entry hall of Headquarters in case you can’t make it on this Saturday–drop your donations when you attend an Interest Group meeting or Community Action Project get-together!
February Program Event
Bestselling Author &
Historian Eleanor Herman
Saturday, February 17, 12 pm to 2 pm
ONLINE ONLY
To join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88037842305?pwd=xOZawsCDG0jnitH9aamDZdGebdffEd.1
Meeting ID: 880 3784 2305
Passcode: 282798
Eleanor Herman’s latest book is “Off with Her Head,” exploring the history of misogyny against women with power from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris. She is a New York Times bestselling author of several non-fiction works on the lives of European royals through the centuries, including the “Mistress of the Vatican,” the biography of a woman who ran the Catholic Church in the 17th Century. She has appeared on the National Geographic Channel, the History Channel, and the American Heroes Channel. Herman offers a rare combination of skills for a historian – her research is intensely scholarly, yet she writes in an engaging, witty manner. “Sometimes people ask me if I plan to write novels. And I say, with all the things that really happened, who needs to make stuff up?” Join us for this zoom only event.
Coffee and Conversation
Saturday, February 24
10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
Come to a casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! We will have coffee (and tea) and some early morning goodies. Learn about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. Ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members you haven’t seen in a while and meet new friends. Prospective members are especially welcome!
Coffee and Conversation Returns!
Saturday, January 27, 10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
(next to the Willow Glen Library)
Time to relax after the busy holidays. Come to a casual get-together for members and those interested in our programs and interest groups! We will have coffee (and tea) and some early morning goodies. Learn about our 501(c)3 Community Action Projects, fun and informative events, actions to advocate for women’s education and pay equity. Ask questions of longtime members, reconnect with members you haven’t seen in a while and meet new friends. Prospective members are especially welcome!
January Program Event
The League of Women Voters
Saturday, January 20, 2024,
1:30 to 3 pm
Willow Glen United Methodist Church – Wesley Room
1420 Newport Ave, San Jose
The LWV, led by Martha Beattie, will be joining us to introduce and explain what to expect on the March 2024 ballot, propositions, and measures, including Voters Edge, a very helpful tool, that will make us absolutely more informed about the elections. Mark your calendar and prepare your questions. (Image by rawpixel.com)
For those who couldn’t attend, here is a summary of the League of Women Voter’s material:
December Program Event – Holiday Social
Saturday, December 16, 11 am to 1:30 pm
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125 (Headquarters)
Join us for fun, refreshements, food, music , learning, entertainment and prize drawings from our Local Scholarship Online Fundraising campaign. Come enjoy a flutist trio, and hear SongStruck, an a cappella group helping us with holiday sing-along songs. It should be FUNtastic! to help us plan our party, please let us know if you will attend this event by clicking on this invitation.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365: Ways to Support
AAUW SJ Community Action Projects
Saturday, November 18, 2023
10 am-12 pm Wesley Rm.
United Methodist Church
1420 Newport Ave., San Jose 95125
Dr. Tynka Dees will help us understand how giving to others changes our brains–for the better!
Three AAUW members will speak to ways they choose to give.
Interbranch Special Projects Foundation Treasurer Virginia Turner, Aaron Correll, Fidelity Investments and Eva Levine, AAUW San Jose member and Financial Planner will present three financial vehicles you may not have considered. And most important–We’ll hear from AAUW San Jose Community Action Project participants who will show us how our CAPs change lives.
SJSU Student Pantry Drive-Thru Food Drive
Saturday, October 28, 10 am to noon
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ, 95125
“No student should have to face food insecurity” – Spartan Food Pantry
As part of the SJSU Cares Program, the Spartan Food Pantry is a walk-in food assistance program for eligible students. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is supporting this pantry by sponsoring a parking lot drive at Headquarters from 10 am to noon on Saturday, October 28, by collecting peanut butter, cereal, canned soups and granola/breakfast bars.
Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365
Saturday, November 18 – 10 am to noon
United Methodist Church
1420 Newport Ave, SJ
Please join us for an informative and inspiring program sponsored by the Local Scholarship Project “Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive 365: Multiple Ways to Support Our Community Action Prpojects” in the Wesley Room at Willow Glen United Methodist Church (Minnesota Avenue and Newport Street in San Jose). There will be refreshments, “thank you” party favors for all, donor and recipient speakers, and entertainment. Get that holiday spirit started early and keep it going all year long!
MINDFULNESS AS A KEY TO STRESS MANAGEMENT
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 1:30pm -3pm on ZOOM
Kelly Weisberg, Certified Mindfulness Instructor
Stress is everywhere in our modern lives. We are overwhelmed by work, family, relationships, and even the television news! Stress leads us to feel anxious and depressed. It contributes to sleeplessness and loss of appetite or overeating. While we can’t control what happens around us, we can control how we respond to stress. Mindfulness teaches us techniques for stress management. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on moment-to-moment experience without self-criticism and with acceptance. For further information, contact Kelly Weisberg at kelly_weisberg@yahoo.com or programs@aauwsanjose.org.
2023-2024 Fall Gathering
September 30, 2023 10 am to noon
Willow Glen United Methodist Church
1420 Newport (Newport & Minnesota Ave)
Please join us for this year’s Fall Gathering and invite those who may be interested in joining AAUW San Jose. It will be great to gather in person again this year. As always, we will have Interest Group, Community Action Project and Public Policy representatives available to discuss what their group does and how you might want to participate. Local Scholarship Scholars will speak on how the scholarship supports them and their field of interest—we just had our AAUW San Jose Scholars Reunion on 7/29, and believe me, these are incredible women! Our keynote topic is: ‘We Are AAUW: Past, Present and Future,” exploring the gifts we all bring to AAUW San Jose, the challenges we continue face, the contributions we make to our community and the legacy we are building. We will have coffee and morning munchies.
AAUW California President Sandi Gabe
Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 pm
We had a great kickoff to our Wednesday, 8/16 at 5:30 pm for the events and programs for this fiscal year with AAUW California President, Sandi Gabe, who joined us in person to let us know of exciting happenings at the state level. We held a hybrid event (online and in person) at our Headquarters at 1155 Minnesota, SJ (next to the Willow Glen Library).
AAUW San Jose 2023 Scholars Celebration
Saturday, July 29, 2023
10 am to noon
AAUW San Jose Headquarters
1165 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
This year we awarded over $120,000 in scholarships to 22 deserving women finishing the last two years of a four degree. each recipient has an amazing story of perseverance pursuing their education, come meet them and other members of our branch at this special Coffee and Conversation event!
AAUW San Jose Headquarters is located next to the Willow Glen Library–look for the blue house with the redwood trees. We can meet on our back porch and in the parking lot (weather permitting). Shade will be provided if needed and we are outside.
Community Awareness of Financial Fraud
March 15, 2-3:30 pm
1165 Minnesota Ave., SJ (next to Willow Glen Library)
If you have access to a computer, smartphone, or landline, you can learn how to protect your personal information if you become a victim. A representative from the FBI will present for 45 minutes with 15 minutes for questions and answers. Topics include:
- a review of red flags
- common scams
- fraud/elder fraud
- If a victim, what you can do
- Financial crimes (internet/pandemic)
- Complaints
We have scheduled this presentation as an in-person event. Masks are welcome but not required.
A Window to the World: Liberia
Monday, Feb 20th, 9:30 am
Zoom or Hybrid at HQ
This year, the Exploring World Literature interest group is reading books about and by famous women. January’s subject is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and the first female president of Liberia, just after a civil war. Also joining us will be member Diane Trombetta, who lived in Liberia as a teenager, and whose essay is included in a new book called, “Never the Same Again: Life, Service and Friendship in Liberia.” We invite members who don’t belong to this interest group to join us on Monday January 16th at 9:30 am either on Zoom or at AAUW HQ.
Annual Fall Gathering, Saturday, October 29, 10 am – noon
Willow Glen United Methodist Church Hall
Corner of Minnesota and Newport (across from AAUW San Jose)
Each Fall, AAUW San Jose kicks off its year of activities with a Fall Gathering, showcasing our various interest groups, highlighting accomplishments of our Community Action Projects and presenting a topic of current interest.
Ever struggle to understand the implications of a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ vote on California’s ballot propositions? This year, our Public Policy Committee presented their ‘Proposition Exposition’–a non-partisan short-and-sweet review of the seven propositions on the November 8 ballot, who’s supporting each side, and where the money behind them was coming from. many friends came to this ever-popular event! Masks were optional, but welcome. Refreshments were outside, the event was inside.
Getting Ready to Vote!
The Public Policy Committee provided a presentation via Zoom to assist in understanding often-confusing California ballot propositions on Thursday, October 1, 2020, and to learn about the propositions and enable the participants to be better prepared for voting. The Public Policy Committee did the time-consuming work of researching California ballot propositions ahead of the November election. For each of the dozen State propositions on the 2020 ballot, participants learned a brief summary of:
* The arguments for and against
* Where the money for each was coming from
* Were any of the propositions endorsed by AAUW California?
At the 2022 Fall Gathering, the Public Policy Committee will again present on the November ballot propositions.
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
The San Jose chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is leading White Privilege Workshops for organizations within our community. SURJ is a national network of chapters, affiliates, and individuals working to undermine white supremacy, and moving people and systems toward racial justice.
Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. These sessions are designed to introduce attendees to the concept of white privilege and how it impacts our nation, community, and our own lives. The workshop engaged us in guiding reflection and discussion to explore the role of white privilege and white supremacy in our own lives.
How Humane Society Silicon Valley Helps You Plan for Your Future
As women who have successfully planned your lives, do you have a plan for your pets? Do you know how your passion for helping animals can be satisfied for decades to come? Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is redefining today’s animal shelter, especially now that more and more women are pursuing animal medicine as a career.
Through the HSSV Pet Guardianship Program, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you have a plan (or a Plan B) for your pet’s future. And through their new legacy Endowment Program, you can plan a gift in the future that enables you to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for animals in your community long past your lifetime.
USElessPLASTIC: Rethinking Recycling
Did you know we are dumping a garbage truck’s worth of plastic waste into our oceans every single minute? Added to that, our feeble recycling systems have finally broken, leading US states to pile up, landfill, or burn plastic “recyclables.” But it doesn’t have to be that way! USElessPLASTIC examines the scope and reach of the single-use plastics crisis and examines what we can learn from the past, from other cultures, and from the zero waste movement, and learn how to make easy changes to phase out single-use plastic in your world.
This inspirational program was presented by Rachelle Grabowski, a neighbor who is a plastics educator and zero waste advocate. For additional background, the 2016 documentary “Plastic China” by filmmaker Jiu-liang Wang was presented, which illustrates the lives of those who scrape by, sorting plastic waste.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Training
Ever wonder what LGBTQQI means? Or what is intersex? Why is gender identity important? Ellyn Bloomfeld provided training to review the various terminology we hear every day. A Q&A session followed the training.
Red Flags and Legislation – Be Informed to Disrupt Human Trafficking
Eight students from the Mitty Advocacy Project (MAP) introduced their group activities and presented information about human trafficking including definitions, facts and pending state and federal legislation. They encouraged phone calls and visits to legislators and took questions from audience. National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711); Text 233733
Sexual Harassment of Low Wage Workers
After watching the PBS documentary “Rape on the Night Shift”, Maria Gonzalez, a janitorial worker spoke movingly with translation by Rebeca Armendariz of YaBasta! Coalition, of her experience as a sexual assault survivor motivated to become an advocate. Rebeca described work by the SEIU-WW union. Ruth Silver-Taube, attorney and professor at Santa Clara University, explained shocking issues in restaurant, agricultural and janitorial fields and reviewed pending legislation. Attendees completed postcards supporting pending legislation.
Health Check-Up For Earth/Climate Change – How It Effects Women and Girls … and You!
Member Elizabeth Guimarin, who has an MS in Soil Science, helped us join the celebration of Earth Day. Her passion is for how healthy soils can combat climate change and her message is energizing and encouraging. She shared specifics on how women & girls are negatively impacted, and illustrated how climate balance is the key to taking care of the earth through adoption of climate smart (regenerative) agriculture, so that earth can take care of us.
Historic Bay Area Visionaries
Author Robin Chapman gave an engaging summary of her book, illustrated by slides, which tells the story of our state through the eyes of Lope Inigo, an indigenous man; Juana Briones, a compassionate businesswoman; Robert Louis Stevenson, the poet and writer; Sarah Winchester, the heiress to the rifle fortune; Thomas Foon Chew, a Chinese immigrant; and Charlie Chaplin, who came to Niles in 1914 and became a movie star. Each one faced roadblocks and trials as California transformed itself from the almost-inaccessible land of its ancient people to a colony of Spain, a territory of Mexico, a Gold Rush outpost, and finally to the 31st state of the United States of America.
Robin was the recipient of an AAUW scholarship from the Los Altos/Mountain View Branch.
Barriers to Education: Why Girls Drop Out
Attendees learned how sexual harassment can interrupt a student’s education. Maha Ibrahim of Equal Rights Advocates presented research showing how harassment can get girls off track. A panel of local experts shared their experience with the impact of harassment at middle school, high school and college levels. A safe learning environment is a core part of Title IX protections. The importance of increasing awareness in the community-at-large was emphasized, including to parents, guardians, and neighbors. We each have a role to ensure that Title IX is upheld to advances equity in education for all. Hosted by AAUW San Jose, the event was held on February 10, 2019 on the San Jose City College campus.