Our branch is proud to present a wide array of topics at our meetings. Our speakers and guests have included state legislators, authors, educators, and advocates. In addition to branch programs there are opportunities to attend other branch, Northern District, and state (VA) programs.

Visit our “Recent Activities” page on this website for photos and information regarding speakers and recent branch events and activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROGRAMS INFORMATION:  All of our “in-person” meeting locations are accessible for people with mobility and other special challenges. Please see our listing of frequently used venues under “About Our Branch” for information and how to contact the venue directly for details regarding parking and accessibility. “Zoom remote meetings” are available to all members via the use of personal computers, tablets, or cell phones equipped with a microphone (a camera will allow access to video as well as audio).

RESTON-HERNDON BRANCH PROGRAMS
2023 – 24

DATE; Feb 1, 2024
Branch Meeting
TIME: 4 p.m.
VIA: Zoom
Topic: Jeremy Nusbaum from Reset180 became aware of the problem of Human Trafficking in Northern Virginia after having previously worked to combat human trafficking in Thailand.   He discussed  the problems, and how Reset180 works through awareness, education, prayer and prevention efforts.  They work to prevent and disrupt human trafficking and restore the survivor through trauma-informed wrap-around case management.  Jeremy shared with us what we can do to help combat this terrible problem.

September 21, 2023    
Branch Meeting 2 – 4:00 p.m.
Topic: Informal get-together of old and new friends and branch members, in support of South Lakes HS students’ needs. See Weekly Highlights for details of suggested donations to SLHS Food Pantry. 

September 23, 2023
Fall Northern District Meeting
Time: 10:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Charles E. Beatly Jr. Central Library
Topic: Public policy and advocacy.
Speakers: Meghan Kissell, AAUW Senior Director, Policy & Member Advocacy, and Janine Greenwood, AAUW-VA Co-VP for Public Policy
Donations for “Generation Hope” and “Women Giving Back”

October 11, 2023
Special Public Policy Program
Time: 4 p.m.
This Reston-Herndon Branch special Public Policy meeting featured

Senator Janet Howell

and Delegate Ken Plum.
Attendees enjoyed hearing the latest from two of our retiring legislators.
It was an excellent (Zoom) Meeting and skillfullly facilitated by Reston-Herndon  Branch Member & AAUW – VA Co-VP for Public Policy, Janine Greenwood. Thank you, Janine!

November 18, 2023
Friendsgiving Luncheon and Main Fundraiser at Mon Ami Gabi, Reston Town Center,
11:30 a.m.  – 2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Dixiane Hallaj, author and publisher
Coordinated by Judy Helmich, Branch Program VP

December  2023                 
        ~ Winter Break – No program meeting ~

2024 Branch Program Plans 

January 30-31, 2024            
Activity: Women Legislators’ Reception in Richmond
When: Jan 30, 2024, from 5 – 8 pm           
Activity: AAUW Lobby Day in Richmond
When: Jan 31, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

February 28, 2024               
AAUW Lobby Day (Virtual) More Info TBA

March 2024 (date TBD)                          
DEI Workshop, Led by Stephanie Abbott and Patty Hagan
Time, date, and details TBA

April 12 – 13, 2024   
2024 AAUW-VA State Conference – Lynchburg

May 4, 2024 – Details TBA
AAUW-VA Annual Business Meeting (Virtual) 

June 2024 Date and Details TBD
End-of-year Luncheon and Annual Business Meeting

 

2022 – 23 RESTON-HERNDON BRANCH PROGRAMS

JUNE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
2022-23 Reston-Herndon Annual Meeting and Luncheon
June 8, 2023, Noon
Meeting Planner and Host: Janine Greenwood, Branch Program Chair
Meeting Leader: Cyndi Shanahan and Judy Helmich, Branch Administrators
Guest Speaker: Lane Stone, AAUW-VA President
Location: Café Montmartre, Lake Anne, Reston

MAY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Lisa, Geraci Rigoni
Owner: The Organizing Mentors
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 4 PM
Program: A group form the Reston-Herndon Branch and several other AAUW branches heard from Lisa Geraci Rigoni, owner of The Organizing Mentors and author of 17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg, which is about how to reclaim your space mentally and physically.  Lisa told us about her LITL system and spoke about how she and her team compassionately help people reclaim, downsize and organize their space.We all enjoyed each other’s company, had light refreshments and listened to some of Lisa’s amazing tales!  Her stories made us laugh, cry and generally understand compassionately why we hold on to things we do.  Our meeting was held at President Cyndi Shanahan’s home.

APRIL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS
NextStop Theatre
April 2, 2023, 2 p.m. (In-person)
Play: “The Cake”
Members attended another great play at Next Stop Theater called “The Cake.”  This play deals with a local baker who refuses to bake a cake for a lesbian couple. The theater is located in the Herndon Industrial Park.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 4:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
“Library Integration  in Virginia”
Program: County librarians Chris Barbuschak and Suzanne S. LaPierre will discuss their new book “Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries.” Many believe that Fairfax libraries were open to everyone since their founding in 1939, but the authors’ research found a hodgepodge of local rules that effectively barred Black users, not only in Fairfax but also in Loudoun and other counties. It took citizen protests and threats to cut public funds before the libraries were desegregated in the late 1950’s and 1960s.
You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Desegregation-Northern-Virginia-Libraries-American-ebook/dp/B0BSXRY6HR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Finding Our Voice – The Vote
Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 7 p.m. (via Zoom)
A panel explored the American women’s journey to the right to vote, the struggles for suffrage after 1920, and the continued importance of the vote to women’s voices today.

Mindful Movement with QiGong: Nourish Soul, Mind and Body|
March 16, 2023. 5:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
Margie Fripp, Healing Arts Practitioner and Certified QiGong Teacher, discussed and demonstrated this ancient practice.

FEBRUARY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS
Northern District Meeting
Saturday, February 25, 2023, 10:30 a.m. (via Zoom)
Northern Dist Reps: Susan Burk and Leslie Tourigny

Tea & Conversation with R-H members
(In person)
Lovely afternoon get together of members for tea and refreshments at Roberta Sherman’s home. 

JANUARY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS 
Virginia Senators Jennifer Boysko and Chap Peterson,
“The Upcoming General Assembly Session.”
Wednesday, January 4, 2023, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
A joint “Zoom” program held jointly with the Vienna Branch in partnership with the Patrick Henry Library. To register, please go to: https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/9965758

AAUW-Virginia Lobby Day
Thursday, January 19, 2023  at 9 a.m. (In-person)
Members will gather in the Pocahontas Building in Richmond to lobby for AAUW of Virginia Public Policy Priorities. This is your chance to Make our Voices Heard in Richmond and Connect with our Lawmakers. Let VA Public Policy chairs know if you are coming at aauwvapublicpolicy@gmail.com

DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM 
Del. Ken Plum, “The State of the Commonwealth of Virginia”
Thursday, December 8, 2022, 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Del. Plum is in his 42nd year of service representing the 36th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He is a retired teacher and school administrator, having been employed by the Fairfax County Public Schools for nearly 30 years.  His many years as a delegate and as a member of the community always provide very valuable insights as we move into the new legislative year in January.  Many of you will remember these presentations which were an annual part of our Branch calendar in the “before time” and we are happy to be able to continue this tradition by Zoom. See weekly highlights for registration info.
Janine Greenwood, Program VP

SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
“Unconscious Bias”
Thursday Sept 29, 2022, at 7:00 PM – Zoom
On September 29, 2022, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee offered a 90 minute session on “Unconscious Bias” led by facilitator Patty Hagan. Patty is an HR professional with years of experience conducting Equity Training with the Geological Survey.Twenty – three members participated in an interactive session focusing on exploring and understanding biases, which may or may not be conscious when relating to people of different races and ethnicities. Viewing video vignettes, discussing our reactions and then having an opportunity to be in smaller break out rooms where we further discussed sensitive questions, made for an engaging opportunity to learn more about our own behavior as we relate to others.Members surveyed after the session were very pleased with the session and look forward to continuing our branch focus on DEI.
DEI Committee: Stephanie Abbott, Ilene Banker, Carol Ann Bradley and Lynne Chernin

AUGUST MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Herndon History – Hybrid Program/ Live and Zoom
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022, at 2:00 PM
This program is the first “hybrid” offering from the Reston-Herndon branch and was offered Live from the North County Government Center and on Zoom!