The AAUW Mission Statement: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

President’s Pen

It’s hard to believe that we are staring down another end of the year as a branch; I offer my sincere thanks to all of the members who have made our branch vibrant and forward-looking during this time. Certainly, a special shout out is due to your elected officers, Janine Greenwood (VP), Ruth Ruttenberg (Treasurer), Sharon Gilman (Secretary), Judy Skirbunt (VP-Program) and Ilene Banker (VP-Membership), as well as all of the Committee Chairs who make up our Board of Directors and our newsletter editor, Roberta Sherman, as well as all of the members who have volunteered in other capacities and donated their time and donation dollars to our cause. Although this is our last newsletter for this Fiscal Year 2017-18, we still are looking forward to great our Annual Meeting and Dinner on June 14, a final (for the year) Great Decisions on June 20 and the June Book Groups on the 27th and 28th, which will continue over the summer. The Executive Committee will prepare our Annual Report over the next few weeks which will contain our accomplishments, the treasurer’s EOY Finance Report, Committee annual reports and the progress on our Branch Goals. Look for this document on our website at http://restonherndon-va.aauw.net toward the end of July.

I wish you all a safe, happy and restful summer and look forward to seeing everyone again at our first 2018-19 branch membership meeting in September.

Best Wishes,

Dianne

From our Vice President - Janine Greenwood:

START SMART/ WORK SMART INITIATIVE

June 1- was the 55th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act but AAUW research studies (The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap and Graduating to the Pay Gap https://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/public-policy/aauw-issues/gender-pay-gap/) show women are still earning less that women across the board. Even now women earn about 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. AAUW Lobby Corps is lobbying for updates to the Act to close loopholes in the original.

Because the gap continues, AAUW is working to bring salary negotiation skills to women nearing graduation and women already in the work force. These programs are called Start Smart and Work Smart. The New York Times recently featured the success of the Work Smart program in Boston where it is offered to women city wide. Our branch is working with other local branches to bring the Start Smart program to women approaching graduation at NOVA, GMU and Marymount. You can read more about both programs at https://salary.aauw.org/ . This page of the AAUW website even features a five minute on line class to help women build their salary negotiation skills. We encourage you to forward it to the women in your life who are in the workforce or are about to graduate.

Public Policy - Judi Polizzotti and Mary Zane, Chairs:

Your Lobby Corp Members were hard at work on 6/7. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was signed 55 years ago on June 10th by JFK.On Thursday we walked the halls of the House to convince Republican Members to add their vote to the bi-partisan "Paycheck Fairness Act" (HR 1869).

In "elevator speech” mode we delivered AAUW’s endorsement for HR 1869:

This bill strengthens and updates The Equal Pay Act of 1963.

It provides new tools to battle the pervasive pay gap and challenge discrimination.

It would prohibit retaliation against employees who inquire about wages -Remember Lilly Ledbetter the person who informed her anonymously still cannot reveal his/her identity for fear of being fired.

It would prohibit reliance or disclosure on prior salaries - As women age the $$ gap grows alarmingly wider - less dollars in 401 K and retirement plans as a starter.

It would ensure Job-Relatedness Wage Equity. Why not pay everyone qualified for the job the same salary?

As we all know, political tribalism has slowed the wheels of progress, but we have quiet friends out there. Your Lobby Corp participants always represent AAUW interests and members with professionalism. If you haven’t already signed on to the “One Minute Activist” please do. Your participation is just as important as boots on the ground.

Public Policy Year Wrap-Up:

2017/2018 has been an incredible year for Public Policy. We kicked off with a presentation of Kim Churches’s, AAUW Chief Executive Officer priority issues.

In addition to having seven members participating in Lobby Corps, the branch worked with Leslie Tourigny, State Public Policy VP tracking legislation on Redistricting, (Gerrymandering) to inform our members and ask them to contact their representative and vote for the bill.

We also sponsored a panel discussion “Workforce Paths: Apprenticeships and other opportunities in Northern VA. Representatives Melanie Stover Director Business Engagement from NOVA Community College, Megan Healey Chief Workforce Development Advisor, Governor Northam’s executive office and Cetrel Coleman, from Virginia’s Department of Labor and Industry participated in an informative discussion. It was an effort to inform our members and the public of apprenticeship opportunities in the local area.

Membership News - Ilene Banker, Membership Vice President:

Many thanks to the over 75 members who have renewed their membership for 2018-19. Reston -Herndon Branch is leading all other Virginia Branches in membership renewals.

An additional attachment to the email is an application for all existing members to use when encouraging a friend, family member or colleague to join our Branch. Dues are $89.00 and can be sent to Ruth Ruttenberg, 1767 Wainright Drive, Reston, Virginia 20190.

If you bring a member to any activity staring in September, and they join, the dues are reduced to $59.50. Please indicate on the application that your referral attended an activity, program or event with you when applying for membership.

Lifetime membership in AAUW (national) is a one-time, fully tax-deductible gift of $980. Click here: Become a life member or gift a life membership today!

As a member of AAUW, you can take pride in the work you’ve made possible:

• AAUW Work Smart is expanding to reach millions of women from

Massachusetts to California to help them negotiate for fair salaries.

• 270,000 messages went out to lawmakers last year from AAUW members

and supporters calling for stronger, safer laws for women and girls.

• The gender pay gap will never be ignored again thanks to AAUW’s

groundbreaking report The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap.

• You’re standing with survivors in the critical #MeToo movement by

making sure AAUW is poised to defend women of all backgrounds from sexual

harassment and assault through legal advocacy and public policy progress.

• As a member, you’re inspiring thousands of up-and-coming women

leaders on campus.

Whether your heart lies in being a voice for women facing discrimination and harassment,

fostering women’s leadership careers, challenging harmful policies on Capitol Hill, or

helping girls pursue their dreams in math and science, know that your membership in

AAUW matters. We take your support seriously, and that’s why we plan to invest in even

more women through our programs, funding, and advocacy in the year ahead.

We are proud of the prestige and progress that 136 years in the women’s empowerment

field has earned us. We’re even prouder of the energetic and determined community we’ve become thanks to committed individuals like you.

Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration - Marion Stillson and Judi Ornoff, Chairs:

We have nailed down the prospective date of the Branch Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration. After considering religious holidays and likely dates for the AAUW state conference in 2019, we have chosen April 28 with April 14 as a back-up if necessary. Please keep both dates on your schedule for the brunch-style event.

We welcome your suggestions for venues, because our next action will be research on facilities and costs.

Since the last report, more excellent archival materials from members have surfaced. Judi and Marion took these to Gail Osberg, a past president, who is in charge of this aspect of planning. Gail has examined everything and is concerned that the records are in multiple formats.We hope that several branch members would be willing to help Gail with the technical aspects of coordinating the material. This would be a one-event contribution to the Branch and would be greatly appreciated. If you are willing to assist, or know someone who would, please contact Gail at ghosberg@yahoo.com

Book Group News:

The AAUW Reston-Herndon Afternoon Book Group meets at the Herndon Senior Center on the fourth Wednesday of each month. For a number of years, the Senior Center has welcomed our group at no cost to the branch or members, so when the “All Ages Read Together” (AART) program, which has a site at the Center, was conducting its annual Read-a-Thon fund-raiser, our Book Group members generously dug into their backpacks, purses and briefcases to make a healthy donation to purchase much needed supplies for the program. AART provides free school readiness programs for at-risk preschool aged children so that they enter kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed. Book Group Co-Chair, Alyse Goldman, and Branch President, Dianne Mero, presented the contribution to Executive Director Michelle Sullivan on behalf of the Book Group.

From Our Book Group Facilitators - Shirley Finkelstein and Alyse Goldman:

Below is a list of the books we will be reading in the next coming months:.

June: In the Language of Miracles by RajiaHassib – fiction – An upper-middle class Egyptian American family experiences a tragedy that tears their lives apart.

July: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood – classic - The lives of women are no longer their own as they become breeders for the upper class in a dystopic society. This novel was made into a recent award-winning series on Hulu.

August: Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill by Sonia Purnell – nonfiction – A deeply researched account that tells Clementine Churchill’s life story, including a surprising account of her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt.

September: The Girls by Emma Cline – fiction – In Northern California during the violent end of the 1960’s, a lonely and thoughtful teenager becomes involved with a group of girls and their charismatic cult leader.

October: The Outskirts of Hope by Jo Ivester – memoir – A physician and his family move to Mississippi to treat the poor. The author’s mother is the focus of this memoir.

December: A Column of Fire by Ken Follett – historical fiction – In Elizabethan EnglandProtestants and Catholics vie for power and royalty and commoners clash. The novel is set in Knightsbridge, the town depicted in Pillars of the Earth and its sequel.

From Our Cultural Arts Facilitators - Carol Flicker and Roberta Sherman

On May 22 nine members ventured out to the Fairfax Museum on Main Street to learn about the history of Fairfax. Susan Gray, our guide and docent at the museum, gave us a wonderful tour of the small museum. They also had an interesting exhibit of WWI Quilts. After the museum, we went to the Ratcliff Alison-Pozer House right in downtown Fairfax. We heard about the women who lived there and their role in the developing of Fairfax. After the tour, we ate in another historic house - Moore House which is now Hamrock Restaurant. What a wonderful day we had right in our own backyard. Look to emails in the future as we plan another cultural arts event.

Other Meetings/Activities of Note:

VA State Summer Leadership Meeting (SLM):

The SLM, “Harness The Energy,” will be held on July 28, 2018,at the brand new Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center in Harrisonburg. Registration/check-in begins at 9:00 a.m., and the meeting is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. If you want to come to Harrisonburg on July 27, there are some pre-meeting activities planned as well. In a few weeks, the Spring Vision will reach you with detailed information.However, our state officers realize that many of you are already planning your summer schedules so they wanted you to have some preliminary information to make sure the SLM is part of your summer plans.

“19, The Musical “

A new musical based on the suffragette movement, entitled “19,” referring to the 19th amendment, is about Alice Paul andthe 19th Amendment. The musical will be “previewed” on June 30th at the 1st Stage Theater in McLean. Tickets may be ordered on-line through the Virginia Chamber Orchestra site, www.virginiachamberorchestra.orgAlthough the musical is focused on Alice Paul, Carrie Chapman Catt, who founded the League of Women Voters, plays a prominent role. Alice and Catt were rivals and had serious disagreements about the strategies to get women the vote. Catt makes strong arguments for her position. Alice was an incredibly dedicated and unflinching proponent of getting women the vote. She wrote the Equal Rights Amendment.Doug Bradshaw, writer and director, explains: “We don't shy away from tough topics and we are pretty dedicated to being historically accurate. The music is really good! We mix jazz, spoken-word, traditional musical fare and elements of gospel. “

The Virginia Women’s Monument Reception

You’re Invited to JoinDorothy McAuliffe, Former First Lady of Virginiaat a reception to discussThe Virginia Women’s Monument, with a presentation by the Hon. Mary Margaret Whipple, Vice-Chair, Virginia Women’s Monument Commission, at the home of Elizabeth & Jan Lodal
Tuesday, June 19th – 6:30pm to 8pm
6026 Chesterbrook Road | McLean, VA 22101
RSVP: Jonas Courey, 202.550.1009 ljonas@capitalcampaignpartners.com
Virginia Women’s Monument: “Coming to Virginia’s Capital Square, “Voices from the Garden” will acknowledge the genius and creativity of Virginia women and their contributions to the Commonwealth. The monument is a metaphor for the often-unrecognized voices that have been responsible for shaping our culture, country, and state for over 400 years. It is intended to be a thought-provoking, interactive, and educational experience. The oval garden will encompass twelve bronze statues of significant Virginia women surrounded by a glass panel etched with the names of noteworthy Virginia women. For more information visit: womensmonumentcom.virginia.gov”

McLean 2018 Annual Books Donations:

Downsizing? Tiding up? Used books are being collected by AAUW McLean Branch on June 23 and July 14 at Sun Trust Bank, 515 Maple Ave E, Vienna, for their sale in late summer.

Ashby Ponds Lecture:Cynthia Hausdorff, one of our members living in Ashby Ponds, is sponsoring the following:On Wednesday, June 20 from 1:30-3:00 and Thursday, June 21 from 2:30-4:00 Ben Gold is going to repeat the RCC/OLLI program that he gave earlier this month on how Japan treated Jews during World War II. The program will be held in our Great Oaks theater at Ashby Ponds. If you are interested in attending, call Cynthia at 703-687-4807 so that she can notify the gate that visitors will be coming in for the program.

2017-18 Reston- Herndon Area Branch Calendar

Programs

6/14	Annual Business Meeting and Dinner – 6 pm, Red’s Table, 11150 South Lakes Drive, South Lakes Village Shopping Center.

May & June Events

6/14	Annual Business Meeting and Dinner (details in Newsletter and e-blasts)

6/20	Great Decisions

6/27, 28	Book Groups

Great Decisions

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the library of the United Universalist Church of Reston (UUCR), 1625 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, on the third Wednesday of the month through June. Parking is available in the church lot. Enter the building using the left entrance. The meetings are held in the downstairs library (to the left) and there is an elevator that we may use. An ‘evite’ is generally sent to membership each month. All members are welcome to attend!

Book Groups

Afternoon - 4th Wed (2:15 p.m.) at Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace St, Herndon.

Evening- 4thThurs (7:00 p.m.) are held in various locations including Scribble it Books in Reston Town Center or the Lake Anne Used Bookstore at Lake Anne, Reston.

Lobby Corp

Every Thursday when Congress is in session; Metro to Capitol Hill (approx. 8 am – 12 pm)

Board of Directors 2017-18

President	Dianne Mero	dpmero2@gmail.com

Vice President	Janine Greenwood	janinegrnwd@hotmail.com

Treasurer	Ruth Ruttenberg	kennruth@comcast.net

VP Membership	Ilene Banker	CIBank@aol.com

VP Program	Judy Skirbunt	judy.skirbunt@gmail.com

Secretary	Sharon Gilman	sagilman@gmail.com

Adopt-a-Spot	Fran Lovaas	franlovaas@comcast.net

Cultural Arts	Roberta Sherman	shermanrs1@aol.com

Carol Flicker	carolflicker@gmail.com

Book Group	Shirley Finkelstein	shirley.finkelstein@comcast.net

Alyse Goldman	alysegoldman@icloud.com

Great Decisions	Judi Polizzotti	judipoli86@gmail.com

Judy Skirbunt	judy.skirbunt@gmail.com

Newsletter	Roberta Sherman	shermanrs1@aol.com

NOVA-Loudoun Liaison	Janine Greenwood	janinegrnwd@hotmail.com

Public Policy	Judi Polizzotti	judipoli86@gmail.com

Mary Zane	mpz_06@verizon.net

Website	Lynne Mulston	lynne.mulston@gmail.com

50 Anniversary	Judi Ornoff	judiornoff@gmail.com

Marion Stillson	mbs@point0.net

Ashby Ponds	Marilyn Silvey	marilynsilvey@comcast.com

Branch Website: http://restonherndon-va.aauw.net VA3035

AAUW VA Website: http://aauw-va.aauw.net

AAUW Website: www.AAUW.org

Branch Facebook Page: Reston-Herndon Branch of AAUW