Women’s History

High School Presentations

TBD, 6:30pm

Human Trafficking in Southern Minnesota

Guest Speaker: Lia Culbert

Location: TBD

March 14, 6:30 pm

Small Group Potlucks

Individual Member’s Homes

February 14, 6:30 pm

Photo credit: Vietnam Women’s Memorial by Cliff (cliff1066), via Wikimedia Commons

Washington D.C remains a hub for cultural enrichment and many sites recognize the hardships and achievements of women throughout history. As you plan to attend the AAUW National Convention in D.C. in in June 2017, consider allotting time to visit and be inspired by the extraordinary efforts of the women immortalized in these sites.

Read More : http://convention.aauw.org/2016/09/22/get-inspired-by-womens-history/

In recognition of November as Native American Heritage Month, there will be a discussion on a series of essays written by Sarah Deer, an advocate for cultural and legal reforms. She has worked to protect Native women from endemic sexual violence and abuse and played a crucial role in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013.

When : December 1, 2016, 7:30 p.m. ET

Where : Online (You just need to register.)

Cost: Free

Earlier this year, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed a bipartisan pay equity bill, which prohibits employers from requiring salary history information before receiving a formal job offer.

Other states have followed suit in diminishing this harmful practice. Governor of California, Jerry Brown (D), signed into law a bill saying that salary history can’t be the only reason to point to if a wage discrepancy exists. Legislators in Maryland, Delaware, Utah, and Nebraska also passed equal pay bills in 2016. Red, blue, and purple states are realizing that the pay gap is real and are taking steps to close it.

The Science Fair Mentoring Project (SFMP) is beginning its third year.  To date, we have helped 118 different students participate in the STEAM Expo, 19 of those students participated for 2 years.  We also supported 21 students from Neveln in participating in the Regional Science Fair in Mankato in April.

This year, the program is expanding.  We are mentoring at Neveln as well as Banfield.  The SFMP is also partnering with the Austin Public Library and Riverland Community College with the help of a grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to provide support to Austin elementary and intermediate school students who want to participate in the STEAM Expo (science fair).  A summary of events that will be hosted as a result of this partnership is provided below:

• Provide kick-off activity at each school with demonstrations lead by Mad Science of Minnesota. These events are designed to expose students to the scientific method and get them excited about science.
• Purchase additional chrome books and Wi-Fi hotspots students can check out through the Austin Public Library for use in completing their science fair projects.
• Offer Saturday Science School at the Austin Public Library to teach students about the scientific method and provide guidance in selecting and completing a science fair project.
• Develop a one-stop website with information about the STEAM expo and resources for completing a science fair project.
• Offer evening workshops to assist parents in understanding how to complete a science fair project so they can better assist their children.

Dates for these events will be communicated to you soon.  We need volunteers to help with these activities.  Mentor orientations are scheduled for October 25 and November 2 at 6:30 at the Austin Public Library.  If you wish to mentor, you only need to attend one of these dates.

If you have any questions about this partnership or the activities and resources listed above, or would like to volunteer please contact Catherine Haslag at ScienceFairMentorMN@gmail.com.  You can also check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sciencefairmentormn/.

September

Evening book group will be at the home of Carolyn Bogott on September 20th at 7:00 p.m. We will discuss Good Night Mr. Wodehouse by Faith Sullivan.  Please RSVP to Carolyn at csbogott@charter.net.  In October, we will discuss Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.

October

The evening book group will be at Dorothy Krob’s home on Tuesday, October 18th.  We will discuss Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck. Please email sdkrob@charter.net if you will be attending.  In November, we will discuss Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic by Nora Gallagher.

September

Morning Book Group is currently meeting at Perkins at 9:00 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month.  In August we were honored to have our author, Peggy Keener, discuss her book Wonderful Mammaries.  We are reading “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline for our September 15 meeting with Gerry Rustad leading the discussion.  Our October book will be Bettyville by George Hodgman with Lois McConnell leading.  New members are welcome.

October

Morning Book Group is reading Bettyville by George Hodgman and will meet on October 20th.  Lois McConnell will lead discussion, and we meet at 9:00 a.m. at Perkins.  Our November selection is Lab Girl by Hope Jahren.  Visitors are welcome – we can make room for you.

September 26, 2 pm

Riverland: Room TBD

Our topic will be ‘The Koreas’.  At the end of World War II, Korea was divided into two.  The norther half of the Korean peninsula was occupied by the Soviet Union, the southern by the United States.  Today, North and South Korea couldn’t be further apart.  The North is underdeveloped, impoverished and ruled by a corrupt, authoritarian government, while the South advanced rapidly to become one of the most developed countries in the world.  With such a wide gap, some are asking if unification is possible even desirable, anyone?

October 24, 1 pm

Riverland, Room C124

On the eve of the international organizations 70^th birthday, the United Nations stand at a crossroads.  This year marks a halfway point in the organization’s global effort to eradicate poverty, hunger, and discrimination, as well as ensure justice and dignity for all peoples.  But as the UN’s 193 member states look back at the success of the millennium development goals, they also must assess their needs for its sustainable development goals – a new series of benchmarks, which are set to expire in 2030.  With the appointment of the ninth Secretary-General in the near future as well, the next U.S. President is bound to have quite a lot on his or her plate going into office.