volume 88, #1 fall 2013 aauw louisiana student advisory ... · loise wandeto – grambling state...
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AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 1 of 6
VOLUME 88, #1
FALL 2013
Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research
AAUW Louisiana Student Advisory Council Submitted by Anne Taylor, College/University Relations
An enthusiastic group of 21 students, representing seven
colleges/universities from around the state, met with AAUW-
LA on September 22 at the new LSU Women’s Center. The
day started with lunch and getting acquainted. State President,
Debbie Freda, and Past State President, Anne Taylor,
presented “AAUW 101”, so the students could get to know
AAUW and all it has to offer. Next, they divided into small
groups to discuss future initiatives, and then reported back to
the main group. The topics discussed were: Student
workshop in north Louisiana, student involvement at the State
Convention, AAUW Student Organizations, and use of social
media.
Special thanks to Summer Steib, Executive Director, LSU’s Women Center, and Kris Satterlee, Graduate
Assistant, for their help and use of the new facilities!
Introducing Melodia Gutierrez – Our New State Organizer!
Melodía was raised by community organizers, and her earliest memories are
working with her mom to empower minority communities, through art,
education, and music. She has managed and consulted on several statewide
and citywide campaigns, as well as worked with State and County Parties. In
addition, she has worked with nonprofit and political organizations to
advance minority issues through advocacy, lobbying efforts, rallies, and
events.
Most recently, her work includes increasing civic and political engagement
among Latino communities in Utah and advocating for immigration reform.
She has a Political Science B.S. with an Honors Certificate from the
University of Utah and continues to take courses to increase her knowledge
surrounding strategic communications and graphic design.
While growing up in a political family in Texas, Melodía took a break to work and travel as a flight attendant. As a
result, she has lived in TX, CA, GA, and UT, and now is back home in the Lone Star State after finishing her
degree in UT. When she’s not consulting for campaigns, volunteering for nonprofits, and supporting local political
efforts, you can find Melodía either reading, dancing hip-hop, zumba, or kickboxing.
AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 2 of 6
President’s Message
State President - Debbie Freda
Hello To All!
This year was an exciting and productive one for AAUW of Louisiana!
The AAUW National Convention was held in New Orleans in June, and was a great success! Thanks to all who
attended! Also in June, the Louisiana Equal Pay for Women Act (SB 153) was signed into law! Many thanks to
the local AAUW members who lobbied and testified, plus the passionate women at the National Convention who
phoned the Governor, demanding passage of this law!
Camille Moran and I currently serve on the Louisiana Fair Pay Task Force, making recommendations for 2014
policy change and legislation to prevent and eliminate wage disparities impacting the women of Louisiana. We
will need your help lobbying, phoning and emailing when the 2014 legislative session begins. Get ready!
Welcome to our new State Organizer, Melodia Gutierrez! Melodia is one of 6 state organizers throughout the
country in an AAUW test pilot program. She serves the states of Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma and will work
closely with Camille Moran, our AAUW-LA Public Policy Chair. Look for future public policy initiatives around
the state -- involving your branch -- coordinated by Melodia!
2014 STATE CONVENTION
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Baton Rouge
Save the Date! Plan to Attend!
2014 Important Dates:
March 10 – Louisiana Legislative Session begins
April 5 – State Convention
April 8 – Equal Pay Day / Lobby Day
June 5-7 – National Conference for College Women Student
Leaders (NCCWSL)
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
2013-14 STATE OFFICERS / COMMITTEE CHAIRS
President: Deborah Freda [email protected] Membership VP: Jody Cagle [email protected] Finance/Treasurer: Joan Houghton-Bonds [email protected] College/Univ. Relations: Anne Taylor [email protected] Secretary: Cynthia Hattier not published Public Policy: Camille Moran [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Jan Koellen [email protected] Webmaster: Pam Baldwin [email protected] Bylaws Chair: Joan Houghton-Bonds [email protected]
AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 3 of 6
“Stand Up For Louisiana Women” Campaign 2014
Coordinated by Melodia Gutierrez, State Organizer
Proposed Time Window: APRIL 1 - 11, 2014 (More details to follow. Check with your Branch President for updates.)
April 1 -- COVINGTON-MANDEVILLE: "Cocktails & Convos" and Issue Forum (TBD) April 2 & 3 -- GREATER NEW ORLEANS: "Cocktails & Convos". Issue Forum and Info Table at area Colleges/Universities. April 4 -- BATON ROUGE training meeting. State Convention welcome reception/dinner. April 5 -- STATE CONVENTION, Baton Rouge. April 7 -- Prepare for Equal Pay Day/ Lobby Day. April 8 -- Equal Pay Day / Lobby Day at State Capitol. April 9 -- ALEXANDRIA-PINEVILLE: Social media training. Issue Forum and Info Table combined, on LSU-Alexandria campus April 10 & 11 -- NORTH LOUISIANA: "Cocktails & Convos", Issue Forum and Info Table at area Colleges/Universities
Louisiana Fair Pay Task Force House Concurrent Resolution No. 145 was signed into Louisiana law during the regular
legislative session earlier this year. It created a Louisiana Fair Pay Task Force to study the
wage disparities between men and women and make recommendations for policy change
and legislation to prevent and eliminate these disparities.
The Task Force consists of the following members:
The executive director of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus or her designee
The executive director of the office on women’s policy, Dept. of Children and Family Services
The Louisiana state coordinator of United for Equality or her designee (Camille Moran, AAUW-LA
Public Policy Chair. Designee: Debbie Freda, AAUW-LA State President)
One member appointed by the executive director of the LA Commission on Human Rights
One member appointed by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
One member appointed by the Louisiana AFL-CIO
One member appointed by the director of the Louisiana State Civil Service
AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 4 of 6
AAUW Fellowships and Grants 2014-15
One of the world’s largest sources of funding for graduate women, AAUW is providing more than $3.7 million in
funding for more than 245 fellowships and grants to outstanding women and nonprofit organizations each
academic year. Due to the longstanding, generous contributions of AAUW members, a broader community of
women continues to gain access to educational and economic opportunities — breaking through barriers so that all
women have a fair chance.
Fellowship and grant recipients perform research in a wide range of disciplines and work to improve their schools
and communities. Their intellect, dedication, imagination, and effort promise to forge new paths in scholarship,
improve the quality of life for all, and tackle the educational and social barriers facing women worldwide. The
application process is now through January 15, 2014.
To apply or learn more, click on this link: http://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards
AAUW Fellowships and Grants come under the Educational Opportunities Fund (#4336)
Click here to donate: http://www.aauw.org/gift/?treatment=DEFAULT4336
Louisiana Fellowship and Grant Recipients from Years 2004 to 2013
Cara Jones – LSU, 2012-13
Carolyn Lewis – LSU, 2012-13
Sonya Hidalgo – McNeese State University, 2010-11
Wendi Wilkerson – University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 2009-10
Marcelle Boudreaux – LSU, 2009-10
Susan Indest – Our Lady of the Lake College, 2008-09
Loise Wandeto – Grambling State University, 2008-09
Erica Abrams Locklear – LSU, 2007-08
Lydia Cutrer – University of Pennsylvania, 2004-05 (now lives in New Orleans)
Diana Obanda – LSU, 2004-05
Welcome to our Newest AAUW College/University Institution Partner Members!
* Dillard University, New Orleans *
* Louisiana Tech University, Ruston *
* South Louisiana Community College, Lafayette *
Other Valued College/University Institution Partner Members: * Delgado Community College, New Orleans *
* Grambling State University, Grambling *
* Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge *
* Louisiana State University-Alexandria, Alexandria *
* Loyola University, New Orleans *
* Newcomb College Institute of Tulane University, New Orleans *
* Our Lady of the Lake College, Baton Rouge *
* University of Louisiana, Lafayette *
AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 5 of 6
Leading Across Generations: A Reflection Dee Shedrick, University of New Orleans
The theme at the 2013 American Association of University
Women (AAUW) convention that was held in June, in my
hometown of New Orleans, was "Leading Across Generations."
That theme was very appropriate for me to borrow as I reflect on
my personal experience at the convention, which was very different
from the National Conference for College Women Student
Leaders (NCCWSL) that I attended the previous summer.
(From left to right: College/University panelists at AAUW Banquet: Melanie
Deffendall, Delgado Community College; Raymonda Dennis, Delgado C.C.; Dee
Shedrick, University of New Orleans)
Although there were some very powerful and amazing speakers present like Olympia Snowe and Lilly Ledbetter, I
was more impressed with meeting and talking to everyday members of AAUW from other parts of the country. All
of these women were educated, fashionable, and had a twinkle in their eye; it was so refreshing to be surrounded
by such energy and spunk.
This year the AAUW convention was a different experience because I had to volunteer in exchange for a one-day
pass to attend. I actually had fun working in ShopAAUW, selling AAUW memorabilia and promo items. My
background is customer service; therefore, interacting with people and providing courteous professional service to
them is right up my alley. In addition to volunteering, I also was able to practice my public speaking skills by
sitting on a panel with two other women to share our academic journeys, personal backgrounds and AAUW
experiences in "A View of Our Future: Stories from Young Women Leaders." I was surprisingly very comfortable
and felt like I received validation that I am on the right track and never need to apologize again for speaking up for
whatever I believe in, and for being myself.
Lastly, I walked away from the workshop "A Brand New You: Developing, Communicating and Leading with a
Well-Defined Professional Brand" with a sense of pride after learning how I was perceived from other women in
attendance. Just by my walking into the room, they saw a confident, strong, smart young lady. I never realized how
the work I have been doing on myself had actually materialized. I didn't know that other people could see who I
want to be -- a person who is confident, affable and a citizen of the world.
Even though I am still a work in progress to find my ultimate passion, purpose and where I fit into this wonderful
organization…it seems that being a part of AAUW is a good place to be in order to figure that out!
AAUW Student Organization and Branch Hold Joint Meeting A collaborative meeting of the AAUW Student Organization at LSU-
Alexandria and the AAUW Alexandria-Pineville Branch was held on
October 28. Members of LSU-A faculty and staff also attended, including
Dr. Paul Coreil, Interim Chancellor at LSU-A. Anne Taylor was there
representing AAUW Louisiana. The ladies from the Alexandria-Pineville
branch brought lunch for the students and guests. Several topics were
discussed, including the AAUW Student Organization’s accomplishments
and future plans for service and advocacy projects.
AAUW Louisiana Newsletter Fall 2013 Page 6 of 6
Join the Movement! Be Involved in “Hour of Code” Project!
Help us make history December 9 – 15, 2013!
With every organization on board, the “Hour of Code” will be a record-breaking
event and a springboard for lasting change in education!
Start planning now at http://csedweek.org
What is the Hour of Code?
A self-guided activity that everybody, in any classroom or club, can do. A variety of
hour-long tutorials will be available for students to try out basics of computer science.
Why the Hour of Code project?
Code.org is launching the Hour of Code as part of the annual Computer Science
Education Week, a celebration geared to encourage interest in the field and show that anyone can learn the basics.
Many students have their own tablets and phones—and yet, few are learning how computers actually work.
Simple computer science activities can help nurture creativity and problem solving skills. By getting a feel for
computational thinking early, students will have a foundation for success in future career paths.
Bring It to Your Community
• Calling ALL educators! We need help from all organizers - especially in areas with no computer science courses.
• No experience needed -- We will provide activities for all students, from ages 6 and up.
• Minimal prep time -- Our self-guided online tutorials make it easy for any adult to host an Hour of Code with
minimal preparation. Computers are optional -- Students can learn basic programming concepts on a computer,
tablet, smartphone -- or no device at all.