Schenectady Branch
New York State AAUW
The American Association of University Women
advances equity for women and girls through
advocacy, education, and research.
For more than a century, AAUW has been a catalyst for change. Today, with more than 100,000 members and 1300 branches committed to education and equity, AAUW members across the country contribute to a more promising future and provide a powerful voice for women and girls—a voice that cannot and will not be ignored.
Through its public policy program AAUW has influenced legislative debate on critical issues such as education, Social Security, sex discrimination, civil rights, reproductive choice, affirmative action, Title IX, welfare reform, vocational education, pay equity, family and medical leave, and health care reform.
The Schenectady Branch was founded in 1902 as the
Schenectady College Women’s Club and organized in 1923 as a branch of AAUW.
Union College
History of Schenectady
Mohawk River
Feel free to contact us about upcoming meetings or becoming a member of our group.
Leadership Team 2008-2009
· Co-President: Pam Haller Contact: 518/399-8580 or Haller915@aol.com
· Co-President: Gerri Pinkerton Contact 518/ 346-4560 or gpinkerton@nycap.rr.com
· Membership Vice President: Bobbi Richardson
· Program Vice President: Barbara Aldi and Jean Wildgrube
· Study and Interest Group VP: Sondra Grady
· Educational Foundation: Andrea Versaci
· Legal Advocacy VP: Gerri Pinkerton and Pam Haller
· Secretary: Pat Buczkowski
· Treasurer: Analine Hicks
· Newsletter Editor (Visions): Robin Eddy
· Public Policy Chair: Mary Pritchard
· Nominating Committee Chair: Maxine Borom
· Educational Equity: Arlene Maranville
· Women’s Issues: Betsy Forkas
· Visibility: Karen Huggins
· Children’s Plays: Toni Walsh & Helen MacDonald
· Receiver of Dues: Dottie Potochnik
· By-Laws: Julie Burgess
· Directory: Donna Northrup
· Business Managers (Visions): Joan Welch and Nancy Phillips
· Nominating Committee: Pat Terry, and Ellie Rowland
Branch Meetings
General membership meetings/programs, usually open to the public, are selected to inform and encourage study of community and world issues affecting women and girls and to promote advocacy because equity is still an issue. Officers and members usually meet to discuss and plan the program during the summer for the coming year. Every effort is made to include timely and relevant topics.
Branch Programs 2008-2009
Wednesday, September 17 7 p.m. Union Presbyterian Church
"Are You Financially Prepared?"
Panel symposium on women’s financial literacy:
Financial Planner: Mark Bryant, Estate attorney: Michele Wildgrube, and CPA: Mary Ann Racicot
Business Meeting
Wednesday, October TBA 7 p.m. Unitarian Society
“Meet the Candidates” Night
Community forum co-sponsored with the League of Women Voters
Wednesday, November 19 7 p.m. Union Presbyterian Church
Brenda Rosenbaum: "Mayan Women and their Struggle to Break Out of Poverty”
Crafts will be available for purchase
Saturday, December 6 10 a.m. Breakfast at Glen Sanders Mansion
Holiday musical program
Business Meeting
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 7 p.m. Union Presbyterian Church
Sue Johnson: “Seeds of Peace to Bosnia---Changing the World One Garden at a Time”
Wednesday, March 18 12:00 Lunch at Glen Sanders Mansion
School Administrators discuss educational equity from AAUW’s “Where the Girls Are” report on the impact of race and economic status on learning
Eric Ely, Superintendent of Schools in Schenectady, Dr. Kathryn Gerbino, Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie
BOCES, Asst. District Superintendent for Instructional Services and Curriculum
Dr. Susan Schwartz, Superintendent of Scotia-Glenville Schools
Wednesday, April 15 7 p.m. Union Presbyterian Church
Joan and Harry Thornhill: "Teaching and Helping to Build a Library in Ghana “
Business Meeting & Election of Officers
Wednesday, May 20 6 p.m. Dinner at Mohawk Golf Club
Showcase of members’ artwork and crafts
Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers
Study and Interest Groups
For descriptive information about the groups and the meeting locations, contact Vice President for Study and Interest Groups Sondra Grady, Briggstype@yahoo.com
- Book Exchange I - No regular meetings
- Books – Your Choice - 1st Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
- Couples Gourmet - 2nd Friday, 7 p.m.
- Daytime Arts and Crafts - 2nd Monday, 9:30 a.m.
- Diversity in Schenectady - 3rd Monday, 7 p.m.
- International Relations - 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m.
- Modern Literature VII - 2nd Monday, 7:30 p.m.
- Music for Performers - 4th Monday, 7:30 p.m.
- Quilting - 4th Tuesday, 7 p.m.
- Science Topics - 1st Monday, 7:30 p.m.
- Varied Interests (Scotia-Glenville-Burnt Hills) - 2nd Thursday, 12:30 p.m.
- World Travel - 2nd Friday, 1 p.m.
- Muddy Cup- Wednesday or Friday evenings
Children’s Plays
For over 40 years the Schenectady Branch has arranged to fund a program of children’s plays in the Schenectady area. In recent years the plays have come from Theater Works and have been presented at the Schenectady High School for hundreds of elementary school students from the city schools, including parochial schools and schools in the surrounding suburbs. Junie B Jones was presented in 2007 and Nate the Great was staged in 2008.
Other Activities
In addition, the branch participates in Niska-Day, a community-wide festival held in May at the high school. At that time, money is raised by selling paperback books and perennials. It also conducts a two-day community garage sale. The Branch ‘s new project this year is to sell its very own cookbook made up of recipes donated by its members. Proceeds from these events go to EF, LAF, and designated community projects.
Among the most recent collaborative fund-raising activities was “Operation Back-to-School “ in which our branch partnered with the Junior League of Schenectady to supply backpacks and school supplies to children of need in the Schenectady elementary schools. The Branch also works in concert with the League of Women Voters to foster voter education and participation and in conjunction with Schenectady Embraces Diversity to combat racism.
AAUW Educational Foundation
Mission: The AAUW Educational Foundation provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.
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 Foundation funds groundbreaking research, fellowships and grants, community action projects, special awards and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.
Legal Advocacy Fund
Mission : The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination.
Founded in 1981, the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) is the nation’s largest legal fund working to eliminate sex discrimination in higher education. LAF has helped students, faculty, staff, and administrators in higher education challenge discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, denial of tenure or promotion, pay inequity, and inequality in women's athletics programs. LAF believes that raising awareness of inequities and illegal behavior is the first step in promoting fair, healthy campuses for women and men.
Membership Information
Founded in 1881, AAUW is open to all graduates, men and women, who hold an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In principle or 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.
We invite you to join us. Share in the opportunities for networking with people coming from diverse backgrounds and professions but with shared interests and a commitment to work to promote equity.
2008-2009 Membership Dues
AAUW National $49
AAUW NYS $10
Total $75
If you would like more information about branch activities and membership, please request a membership packet by contacting Vice President for Membership Bobbi Richardson, 518/346-6697 or Roberta_Richardson@hotmail.com
