July 14, Saratoga for the NYC Ballet AAUW Trip

Sorry you missed it! We've got other great trips scheduled, though. Subscribe to our mailing list for trip updates. (Right sidebar)

Longing to see Masters at Work? Join us for the next AAUW bus trip to Saratoga to see dance by Balanchine and Robbins. And take advantage of an optional visit to Skidmore College's famous Tang Museum. There are still seats available for the ballet. Cost: $64 includes bus, driver tip and the ballet. The Tang is extra, Seniors - $2; Adults - $5. We leave at 9 a.m. sharp and return between 6:30 and 7 p.m from the Ames-less parking lot. Send your checks made out to AAUW to me. My address is in your directory. Or email me through this blog. Coridally, Garnette, co-president and Trip Coordinator

Anne Gordon, Emerging Leader 2007

Congratulations to Anne Gordon on her selection as our chapter's Emerging Leader 2007.

As first vice president for program, 2006-2007, Anne guaranteed that each program would be thought-provoking and engaging. Some of the programs she brought us included the Marbletown Tax Reform Group, Habitat for Humanity, and Sojourner Truth.

• Chair, Educational Foundation, 2008-09
• Chair, Fall Bridge Luncheon Fundraiser, 2008
• Vice President for Programs, 2006-07, 2007-08
• NY State Emerging Leader, 2007

Chapter Awards - 2007

Congratulations, Everyone

Our chapter collected a wheelbarrow full of awards at the NY State AAUW convention in May.

• PLATINUM: for Leadership Development
• GOLD: The chapter's Girls Making Good Choices program received gold awards for both Community/Campus Outreach and Outreach to Diverse or Under-Represented People or Groups.
• One of the top five branches in both membership increase by both percent (25.6%) and number (23). Congratulations to Bette Nitzky who knows almost everyone in Ulster County and looks forward to meeting those she hasn't met yet.
• Star status for raising $5/member or more for the Legal Advocacy Fund this year. Thank you to Joan Davis and everyone who volunteered gift wrapping during the last holiday season.
• Kingston AAUW Focus received recognition as a noteworthy newsletter. Thank you, editor Jane Riley
  

Summer 2007: Reading Recommendations

From Garnette Arledge:

What did you do while nature showed her scorching face this week? My great solace in times when it's too hot, too cold, too stormy to go out is to read, read, read. Of course I do read in tranquil times too, I confess. This past week when it was 97 degrees in Kingston's Target parking lot, as soon as I came home, I pulled off the 'best loved books' shelf, Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver.

Of course I read it from the library in 2000 when it first came out. Then I bought a hard copy. I'm glad I did for the front-papers are drawings of the butterflies and moths described ecstatically in the book.

I think I've read everything by

"author Barbara Kingsolver, a writer praised for her 'extravagantly gifted narrative voice'" -- NY Times Book Review.

But this time, I read the book and listened to Kingsolver reading it aloud on audio tapes as well which I ordered through the Mid-Hudson Library System on-line.

Summer's such a glorious story, teeming with characters like those we know, each couple an opposite drawn masterfully together like magnets. You know, opposites attract.

Then there's the theme of the fruitfulness of the Earth in the clutch of Global Warming, or should I say Global storming? The plight of the local farmers wed to cash crops like tobacco, and the sister with cancer, the young widow, the abandoned wife, the fun-loving coyotes. When Kingsolver posited why the top predators of their species food chains, bears, wolves, coyotes, humans, don't meet for summit conferences, I suddenly thought of our bear-coyote-cat issues differently. Predators keep prey under control. No comfort to my friend whose soybean container was sheared to the dirt by local deer.

I so highly recommend this book. It could be read every summer; it's so rich I don't tire of it.

Let's start a blog-dialogue on summer reading. I'm open to suggestions – especially if the book is a masterpiece of writing like Prodigal Summer.

Your recommendations?

Photo by niznoz

About Kingston AAUW

What began with a meeting in 1881 of 17 like-minded women who defied society’s standards by earning college degrees has grown into a powerful network of more than 100,000 women who have influenced—and at times even shaped—the debate over fundamental issues of the day—educational, social, economic, and political.

The Kingston Branch of American Association of University Women is one of 1300 branches across the country. We gather together to study and learn, to have a voice in government on critical women's and civil rights issues, to make friends and network, and to enjoy the company of people who share our concerns.

The monthly membership meeting usually includes a speaker, a panel, a film -- always on a topic that is relevant and engaging.

Smaller special interest groups meet throughout the month. Those groups include a literary discussion, day and evening bridge groups (all levels; subs often needed), film discussions with covered dish supper, and public policy discussions.

In addition, our branch sponsors frequent trips, by bus, to museums and cultural events throughout the region.

See our calendar for currently planned events.

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

Vision: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.

Members can participate in regional, state, and national AAUW activities.

The AAUW Educational Foundation — the world's largest source of funding exclusively for graduate women — supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.

The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for individuals seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination. It is the nation's largest legal fund focused solely on sex discrimination in higher education.

The national theme for 2007 (PDF)

We welcome you at any of our events and would be delighted to have you become a member.

Garnette Arledge, President, 2007-2008

Garnette Arledge, M.Div., keeps many balls in the air. Not only is she branch president for the second year, but she's a published author, volunteer, and passionate advocate. You will be able to watch her on Woodstock cable and internet TV in our branch program slated to start in September, AAUW Conversations. The initial series will focus on Why Vote?.

Garnette authored Wise Secrets of Aloha and On Angel's Eve, two books on savoring the joy of living with the Aloha Spirit. (links below).

She's especially interested in literacy and has taken the initiative to involve the branch in Lisa Libraries.

She retired as a hospice chaplain and volunteers for Woodstock Meals-on-Wheels and the Seva Foundation. She loves roses and Hawaii.

Three things Garnette would like us to know about her:

• Writing since age nine
• Native of Western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains
• Love dearly to read

Garnette joined AAUW in 2003. Branch leadership activities:

• President, 2008-09; 2007-08
• Vice President for Program
• Newsletter Editor

Visit Garnette's website or Contact her

To learn more about her books:













The Secrets of Aloha and On Angel's Eve

Garnette also invites you to visit one of her favorite websites -- Gratefulness.Org

Take Action - Support the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Lily Ledbetter sued Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and won. She proved to a jury that the company discriminated against her based on her sex by paying her less than her male colleagues. On May 29th the Supreme Court ruled against her. Why?

They said that since she did not raise a claim within 180 days of her last discriminatory raise, rather than – as the EEOC had previously been interpreting the law – from the day she received her last discriminatory paycheck, she was unable to challenge any discrimination against her, even thought the discrimination continued unabated for years.

This presents a problem. Employees generally don't know enough about what their co-workers earn or how pay decisions are made to file a complaint within six-months of when a discriminatory pay decision is made. The only recourse now is legislation.

Read about the pending legislation and send a 'Two Minute Activist' message to your elected representatives.

Happy 35th Anniversary, Title IX

Yes, it’s been 35 years since Congress passed Title IX to fight sex discrimination in federally-funded schools and educational programs in the United States. Title IX has led to a 400 percent increase in the rate of female participation in college sports and a more than 800 percent increase in participation at the high school level.

A significant drawback to the law's enforcement, however, involves the lack of data reporting at the high school level. The U.S. Department of Education has not required high schools to report athletic opportunity, participation, and funding statistics to any higher authority.

As a result, many feel that high school girls are likely being deprived of the critical opportunity to play sports. Colleges report this data; it's time our high schools are too. We encourage you to read AAUW's position paper on equity in school athletics.

Both the House and the Senate have bills pending that will require reporting. AAUW strongly supports both these bills. It's time we know the status of Title IX in America's high schools.

Photo by Jeremiah Sjoberg

Take Action!
In honor of Title IX's anniversary, please urge your Representatives to support the High School Athletics Accountability Act and the High School Sports Information Collection Act. Become a “Two-Minute Activist” by clicking here to send a message requesting their support.

Who's Responsible?

It takes a lot of people, in addition to our officers, to make this branch hum. Here are some of those people and what they do (2007-08).

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Special Programs: Stan Nitzky

Educational Foundation: Agatha (Suki) Kerr

Historian: Bernie Carpino

Legal Advocacy Fund: Joan Davis

Bus Trips: ViVi Hlavsa and Garnette Arledge

Trip Treasurer: Jeanne Townsend

Diversity: Arlene Bruck

Telephone Tree: Virginia Kohli

Hospitality: Denise Springer

Publicity: Doris Goldberg

Directory: Claire Knickmeyer

Newsletter & Blog: Ruth Wahtera

INTEREST GROUPS

Evening Bridge: Willie Haruk

Morning Bridge: Joan Reis

Literary Group: Marjorie Regan

Donate Your Used Computer Equipment

If you've been fortunate enough to purchase a new computer. printer, or scanner, donate your old one. PLEASE!

John Foundas refurbishes used equipment and distributes it to area students in need. He presented his program to our membership in June, 2006. Since then, our members report he's a pleasure to work with. He'll work out the details for pick-up, guide you in erasing your information, and make sure that your files have been permanently deleted before passing the equipment on.

Your contribution will help eliminate the 'digital divide' and provide a young student with the necessary, but often prohibitively expensive tools successful students require today.

You can reach John at 845-246-5007.

Poster from phauly

Profiles of Our Members

We invite our members to introduce themselves here. Tell us about yourself, your family, why you belong to AAUW, your business, your politics, your passions. Include a picture. Don't forget links to your website, your blog, or your book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

This is your opportunity to strut your stuff. Network a bit. Make friends.

Here's how to add your profile --
Email your profile with picture attached to your blog editor (Ruth Wahtera)

Pretty simple, eh?

Here's how to read the profiles others have added --
If you want to read about our members, click on 'member profiles' under Labels in the sidebar on the right.

Photo by ribena_wrath

2007-08 Branch Officers

Congratulations to our new branch officers:

Andrea Winston and Garnette Arledge, Co-Presidents

Anne Gordon, Vice President for Branch Programs

Polly Langer and Elaine Hammond, Membership Vice Presidents

Louise Flood, Recording Secretary

Kathy Paulker, Corresponding Secretary

Liz Rosen, Treasurer

Many thanks to our out-going officers -- ViVi Hlavsa, Bette Nitzky, and Anne LaBarge