Huntingdon honors charter member

Summer 2011 Vol. 78, No. 4

New officers are installed

AAUW-PA Officers elected and installed for the 2011-12 year are (from left): Susan Norris, Secretary; Linda Tozier, Membership Vice President and Leslie Wachob, Finance Officer.

H untingdon Branch's sole remaining charter member,

Ruth Vuille Stewart, turned 106 on April 16. She has been a member and then honorary life member of AAUW-Huntingdon Branch since Oct. 1926, when the branch was formed. She still supports the branch, buying pecans every year to support AAUW Funds, and has made generous donations to help support her branch members in attending state conventions. She is shown with former state co-president Deb Roney.

Recipes sought for scholarships

F avorite recipes from our school days are being sought by the

Pittsburgh Branch.

Continued on Page 6

Branches share year’s highlights A number of branches were honored for their achieve-ments during the 2010-11 program year:

Allentown: Recognized for interesting meetings, study

groups and special projects including the used book sale, Lets

Read Math, annual Equity Award and publicity efforts.

Beaver Valley: This branch strives to be a powerful advo-

cate and visible leader through Shape the Future events such as the Kitchen Tour, Girls Recognition Night, Beaver County Women’s Conference and an activity night at the Friendship Ridge Nursing Home. In addition to awarding high school schol-arships, they award the Effie Soloman Law Scholarship and do-nate to the Women’s Center and Shut Ins.

Doylestown: A May book sale fundraiser involves every

member; mission-based activities include contributing to local high school and community college scholarships, AAUW

Continued on P. 5

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President’s Message

WOW – What a State Annual Meeting!!

With a theme of ―Nurturing the You in AAUW‖, atten-dance and feedback show the meeting in State College met its objectives. First, we had a wonderful turnout – 112 attendees, many first timers. The majority of the feedback was that everything was ―very good‖. The events kept to their timetable… even the business meeting with its less formal seating arrangements, and ―new business‖ of the vote to encourage branches to learn about Marcellus Shale. Branch members learned from each other, met new AAUW friends, renewed contact with others, and built on ideas to create new and better possibilities. Since you are necessary for AAUW PA to function, I’d like to thank each participant, and encourage you to stay active in ways that fit your time and passions. Hope to see you at the October District Meetings!

Statewide book discussion group to be launched

Stems from virtual collaboration workshop

One of the most popular speed learning workshops at the Annual Meeting was on virtual collaborations. There was great interest expressed in establishing statewide telephonic book, movie, TV show, and current events discussion groups. A telephonic discussion group uses free conference call technology and is free except for long dis-tance phone charges (which may or may not apply to you de-pending on who your phone provider is. ) We are proceeding with the book discussion group first since most branches already have book groups. Toni Hoffman (tsh44@ptd.net) has agreed to coordinate the group, and six state members are signed up. If you are interested in joining, please contact Toni. Branch presidents and/or newsletter editors will be con-tacted soon with more details on how the group will function. Toni will also be asking for volunteers who are willing to fur-ther explore the original branch book discussion. If you’d like to coordinate one of the movie, TV show or current events discussion groups, please contact mcgrathaauwpa@gmail.com

AAUW-PA

President

Margaret McGrath president@aauwpa.org

Executive Committee

Linda Tozier

Membership Vice Presi-dent

membership@aauwpa.org

Program Vice President

Needed. Contact Margaret McGrath

president@aauwpa.org

Susan Norris Secretary

secretary@aauwpa.org

Leslie Wachob Finance Officer

finance@aauwpa.org

Nancy Weinreb

Administrative Director admindir@aauwpa.org

District Coordinators

Barbara Wheatall,

District Coordinator (West) bawheatall@zoominternet.net

Susan McNamara,

District Coordinator (East) smc8066@yahoo.com

Stacie Chandler District Coordinator

(Central) sta-

cie.chandler@gmail.com

Claudia Mosso KEYSTONER Editor

keystoner@aauwpa.org

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AAUW Funds monies return

If you were at the Annual Meeting on April 30th you learned that 2010 donations to AAUW Funds were $76,162, up significantly from 2009. At the meeting’s luncheon $714 was collected in the AAUW Funds donation envelopes that were on all of the tables. Thank you so much for your generosity. Let’s continue to grow AAUW Funds in 2011. Even though many AAUW branches have developed projects inspired by findings from AAUW research reports, some AAUW members question the value of sending their hard-earned dollars away from their local communities. At the April meeting, Linda Tozier gave us the exciting news that a significant amount of AAUW Funds are returning to Pennsylvania. Ten grants and fellowships have been funded for the 2011-2012 program year. These winners are spread across Pennsylvania – there should be at least one winner near your branch. Most notably:

· The Johnstown Branch has been awarded a Community Action Grant of $5,000 for their new Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM ) program.

· Susan K. Nenstiel, former AAUW-PA President, has been awarded a Career Develop-ment Grant to continue her education at Moravian College.

Remember that these award winners make great speakers for your branch. It is easy to search for past winners at https://svc.aauw.org/fga/fellows_directory/ Please keep AAUW Funds in mind as you plan your next program year.

Butler Branch celebrates STEM Butler Branch AAUW collaborated with four other organizations to celebrate the potential, interest, and talents exhibited in Science, Technology, and/or Mathematics by female students in the sixth and seventh grades at Knoch Middle School. Under the direction of Colleen Smith, a member of Butler Branch and chair of the Female Alliance for STEM Excellence (FASE), Butler Branch collaborated with the South Butler County School District, the Penn State Electro-Optics Center, and the Butler County Community College to encourage 43 young women to continue to take challenging courses in the STEM fields in high school and beyond. A scholarship was also awarded to Shannon Evanchec, a graduating Knoch High Senior planning to study environmental engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The young women and their proud parents had the opportunity to hear the stories of five women who have experience in fields ranging from industrial engineering to computer science and ecology. Participants had an opportunity to submit their names for a lottery to attend the FASE Discovery Camp that will be held during the summer.

Three AAUW branches, other organizations collaborate to make ‘Philadelphia Area Girls Enjoying Science’ a success

Philadelphia Areas Girls Enjoying Science™ (PAGES™) was started by the American Chemical Society – Philadelphia Section almost 20 years ago. A dozen years ago, the North-east Montgomery County (NEMCO) AAUW Branch became involved, which allowed the program to be offered twice a year. The Makefield Area Branch got involved about six years ago. Each fall and spring, about 130 sixth grade girls and over 50 volunteers enjoy a day of science fun at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. It is inspiring to see so many women giving up their Saturday to be chaperones and perform experiments with the girls. There are always new volunteers to meet and program veterans to catch up with. On Nov. 6, 2010, the Levittown-Lower Bucks Branch teamed up the other two branches. And on April 9, the Johnstown Branch joined in the fun. The Johnstown Branch was just awarded an AAUW Community Action Grant to start a new STEM program.

4

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A look at the Every Member Meeting

State votes to study shale wells The following resolution, which urges local branches to study the impact of oil and gas well drilling around the state, was passed at the recent Every Member Meeting in State College. The resolution was recommended by Barbara Rooney of the York Branch, and branches interested in the topic may contact York for more information. The resolution reads: ―Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has (one of) the largest Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits in the United States of America; therefore, Be it resolved, that AAUW of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourage branches to educate their members about economic and environmental issues evolving from the drilling of this natural gas which could affect the health and welfare of our mem-bers and all residents of Pennsylvania.

Awards given to branches and Outstanding Women

Branch recognition awards were presented to the Allentown, Beaver Valley, Doylestown, Erie, Fayette, Fox Chapel Area, Johnstown, Lansdale, Nemco and York branches.

Named Outstanding Women at the meeting were: Allentown, Karen Peiffer; Bea-ver Valley: Nancy Mahosky; Bethlehem, Frances Bentkowski; Bradford, Marlene Walb; Butler, Lynne Mercer; California, Delores Stimmel; Carlisle, Ruth Miller; Doylestown, Marilyn Cook; Eastern Delaware County, Greta D. Kenny; Easton Area, Beverly Hernan-dez; Erie, Barbara Fox Cole; Fox Chapel Area, Lois Folino; Harrisburg, Kathryn T. Bard; Johnstown, Barbara Zaborowski; Lansdale, Kristine Sholly; Makefield Area, Amy Lowen-stein; NEMCO, Shirley S. Osborne; North Hills-McKnight, Cheryl Redmond; Philadelphia, Catherine Collins; State College, Connie Schroeder; Valley Forge, Nancy Loane; Wash-ington, Betty Cogar Bull; York, Sandra Cooley and Anne McFeely.

At right, Suzanne Kerlin of State College Branch demonstrates using Skype. Basic Skype is free and allows users to see each other while they talk.

5

Branches’ successes are recognized

Continued from page 1

fellowships and international women’s education and grants. The branch also networks with other community groups and publicizes their purpose and activities.

Erie: Achievements during the past year are symbolized by the new AAUW Environmental En-

richment Pavilion opening this year at the Tom Ridge Center near Presque Isle State Park. The branch will continue to partner with other local organizations and an environmental education pro-gram was conducted for girls in an English as a Second Language program. Three scholarships were awarded to non-traditional students.

Fayette: This branch’s top priority is providing scholarships to the Fayette campus of the

Pennsylvania State University. Member breakfasts where a variety of current topics are dis-cussed have become increasingly popular.

Fox Chapel Area: Engaging meetings, which included several congressional candidates

and a representative from AAUW National as speakers, were held. Members also helped screen preschoolers for vision problems, read to elementary school classes and devel-oped an on-line handbook and brochure to help parents select the appropriate school for their child. They recognized girls who excelled in science and math and awarded career-launching Continued on Page 8

A look at the Every Member Meeting

Emerging Stars are recognized

Fifteen branches named Emerg-ing Stars: Allentown, Lois Nowack; Bea-ver Valley, Nancy Cole and Patricia Rock; Bethlehem, Trisha Moller; Butler, Davlin Donn Smith; Carlisle, Joyce Levin; Doylestown, Shirley Yannich; Eastern Delaware County, Mary Anne Galloway; Erie, Judy Lawrence and Lois Smith; Fox Chapel Area, Laura A. Can-dris; Harrisburg, Kandace F. Melillo; Johnstown, Deanna Haddle ; Lansdale, Bethany Williams; Makefield Area, Mau-reen Gross; North Hills-McKnight, Julie Makuta and Roberta Smiley Betzler; State College, Stacie Chandler; Valley Forge, Sheila Ra and Marcia Pentz; York, Wendy Boyer.

A conference attendee enjoys a hand massage. The activity was one of several ―You-based‖ programs offered.

6

Around the State Continued from Page 1 Members are compiling a cookbook as a fundraiser for the branch’s scholar-ships. Favorites fitting the category Foods We Learned to Love should be submitted by July 1 to Dr. Sharon Muench at shari.muench@phoenix. edu or Patricia Byerly at pabyerly@aauwpbgh.org

No Leaders Meeting in July

T he statewide Lead-ers Meeting, held biennially, will not

take place this year. Leaders are urged to at-tend their district meeting

in October.

Need a speaker?

A s your branch plans for the 2011-2012 program

year, consider utilizing the Leader on Loan pro-gram. The application can be found at http://aauwpa.org/content/?page_id=1492 or contact Kathy Shaginaw at katt@verizon.net.

Johnstown feted

J une's Johnstown Magazine. has a great article on the

branch’s book sale and information on the Write, Read, Write Program.

New Archival Committee is seeking members Kate Sweeney has agreed to head a new archival committee for AAUW-PA, and is seeking interested mem-bers. The committee is intended to provide guidance to branches as to what types of records to retain, for how long, and possible custodians for records of historical value. AAUW-PA’s historical records, which date up to 1985, are housed at the PA Bureau of Archives and History in Har-risburg. The records recently became a permanent donation to the PA Historical and Museum Commission in exchange for the promise that the material will be cared for in perpetu-ity. Kate may be contacted at archivesaauwpa@verizon.net.

Named Gift Honorees listed Named Gift Honorees for 2011 were announced at the April 30 Every Member Meeting:

Beaver Valley Branch: Kathleen Cyphert and Cathy Shewak; Doylestown: Besse Brindle, Pam Good, Amy Lan-caster, Louise McLeod, Lois Plotnik, Louise Heath, Phyllis Weir, Jean Kraus; Easton Branch: Branch members in honor of 85th Anniversary, Claire Degnan; Erie Branch: Candy Cannizzaro Brown, Claudia Gruenwald Mosso, Nancy Monc-ton Twichell; Fox Chapel Area Branch: Lois Folino, Margaret McGrath, Janice Barrington; Harrisburg: Kathryn Bard, Kath-leen Berrigan, Carol Howard, Wilma Kennedy, Marda Kun-kle, Anita McCarthy, Carol Pennington, Barbara Warfel; Johnstown Branch: Jo Romani; Lock Haven: Jo Anne Hober-man; Makefield Area Branch: Kate Sweeney; North Hills-McKnight Branch: Linda Tozier; State College Branch: State College Book Sale Volunteers 1961-2011; York Branch: Janice Cromer, Laura Garmendia, Barbara Gold, Lois Kulp, Carol Little.

Save the Date

District meetings are planned for October

Oct. 22 – Eastern District; Oct. 8— Central District;

Oct. 29 – Western District

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College scholarship winners are named at conference

The following have been named AAUW-PA NCCWSL (National Conference of College Women Student Leaders) Scholarship winners: Basira Peerzada, a senior at Juniata College focusing on finance and communi-cation, is the winner of the Ward-Roney scholarship. Basira is from Kabul, Afghanistan, and studied in the US for four years through a scholarship from the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women. Jade Wronowski, a sophomore in health communication, also at Juniata Col-lege, is the winner of the IBC Scholarship (for a student living near or attending college in the Philadelphia area). Jade is from Barto, Pa., outside of Pottstown. The other two winners are students at Lebanon Valley College (LVC): Theodora (Teddy) Hermes and Stephanie Metal. Teddy, from Myerstown, Pa., is a junior studying English and Sociology and has earned a certificate in Leadership in Diversity and Social Justice. Stephanie is a freshman from Commack, N.Y., who has been volunteering at the LVC Women’s Services and Gender Resource Center. Another Juniata College student, first-year student Victoria Rehr, won a scholar-ship from AAUW. Tori is studying Psychology and Spanish and will be president of the Juniata College e-Student Affiliates of AAUW next year. The West Chester-Chester County branch is also providing scholarships for two students from West Chester University of PA. They are:

Angelica Rivera-Ortiz, a sophomore studying Political Science and International Re-

lations. Angelica is from Wayne, Pa. and is an active member of the West Chester Uni-

versity Women's Center. She volunteered for the entire day at the joint AAUW-WCU

Women's Center Bake Sale on Pay Equity Day and has also taken part in a panel dis-

cussion during our AAUW February meeting.

Kristina Brown is a senior at WCU majoring in Sociology and Women's and Gender

Studies. Kristina is also a member of the Women's Center at WCU. This means we had SEVEN representatives from Pennsylvania!! Many thanks to the members of the selection committee: Susan McNamara, Deb Roney, Kathy Shaginaw and Cathy Wieland, Chair, NCCWSL Scholarship Selec-tion Committee We had many candidates and are pleased to be able to aid such qualified young women in attending this life-changing event.

Outgoing state board members Jean Macaluso, Cathy Wieland and Kate Sweeney were honored for their service.

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PAID Erie, PA

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AAUW-PA Keystoner editor P.O. Box 22 North East, PA 16428

Branches’ successes are recognized

Continued from Page 5

grants to three female college seniors graduating in STEM careers. Further recognition was given to middle school educators to implement an innovative teaching idea.

Johnstown: The branch provides volunteer opportunities and financial support to educa-

tional/community programs through its book sale. These include scholarships for local high school and college students, the Cambria County Literacy Council, Highland Community Library, One Book One Community, Pa. Humanities Council and the Johnstown Tribune Democrat News-papers in School program. The branch will launch its first STEM initiative this fall.

Lansdale: Focusing heavily on public policy, the branch focuses on STEM careers, pay eq-

uity, Title IX compliance and more. A high school voter registration project was initiated. Pro-ceeds from ―A Curtain Time for Kids‖ funded scholarships and reached 550 people via a hands-on day of science and math, encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers and Girls Opportunity for Leadership Development (GOLD.).

NEMCO: Members work in a variety of community projects such as a domestic violence shel-

ter and the Lets Read Math program.

York: The branch has formed a membership committee and produced a DVD highlighting

branch activities, as well as a new website. The Spring Market Faire raises funds for two scholar-ships.