Southern Highlights

Volume 9 Number 5 February 2011

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Column

It is not too early to begin thinking about our Minnesota state convention. It will be held in Winona this year on April 29, 30 and May 1. We hope several of our members will be able to attend at least one day. Besides inspirational speakers and information about the branches an added highlight this year will be the Minnesota Marine Art Museum on the beautiful Mississippi River. The fall edition of The Pine has more information on the convention.

If you were unable to attend the January meeting you missed a very entertaining and interesting speaker. Author Alison McGhee, a Minnesota author who currently teaches at Metropolitan University in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and has written novels and short stories of all sorts for all ages, was with us. She read from “Shadow Baby” which won a Pulitzer Prize. She writes for picture books of all ages, and read from several more of her books. Our thanks to Nel Zeller for inviting Alison to speak to our group.

If you would like to have a part in choosing officers for next year, you will want to join the nominating committee. Let Marijo or I know. Our officers play a large part in determining the direction of AAUW and the nominating committee determines the officers.

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Southern Highlights

Austin Minnesota Branch

Volume 9 Number 4 December 2010

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Column

Another Thanksgiving Day is history, and I trust on that day you each recounted the things you are thankful for. When we consider what many in other parts of the world are going through we are indeed blessed. One of the things I am thankful for is education. The fall issue of our AAUW Outlook magazine has an article “Back to School After All These Years” in which it tells of the struggles of two women to earn their degree. Whether you were among those fortunate enough to be able to go directly through college from high school or found a way later, you will no doubt agree it was worth the effort. AAUW has established itself as a trailblazer for women’s education, which is one reason we so heartily support AAUW.

We earned $895 from our Younkers Community Day fundraiser! Thanks you to everyone who bought and/or sold coupons, and to Marijo Alexander and Joyce Goetz who put in extra time selling at Younkers (one of the requirements). If you still have money out please turn it in to Mary Kay Wilson.

Our Holiday Party will take place on Tuesday, December 14, at The Coffee House on Main. If you know someone who might be interested in AAUW this is an excellent time to invite them. Please bring an unwrapped gift or a gift card which will be taken to the Salvation Army to help brighten Christmas for a needy child.

There will not be another newsletter until the end of January, so we will take this opportunity to say MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR from your co-presidents!

Liz Richardson

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Southern Highlights

Austin Minnesota Branch

Volume 9 Number 3 November 2010

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Column

I hope you were all able to be out enjoying the beautiful fall weather and brilliant colors that we’ve been able to enjoy right here in Austin this year, before the windstorm of this past week hit. Nature reminds us how quickly change can happen.

Our program committee brought us an excellent October program which many of you attended. Lisa Bickler, Athletic Director of Austin Public Schools, and Liz Erickson, a pastor and former star high school athlete, told about changes and opportunities Title IX has brought. Our daughters and granddaughters have benefited from these changes.

November 2nd is coming up very soon which we all know is ELECTION DAY! One of our members, Jeanne Poppe, is running for another term as state representative; and another member, Marian Clennon, is vying for the position of mayor of Austin. Remember to vote!

We are proposing a slight change during our meetings. We’d like to dispense with any business at 6:45 so that the program speaker can have the entire time after 7:00 p.m. This will cut down on visiting time before the program, but you may extend that time as long as you wish after the program.

As the Younkers Community Day fund raiser is coming to a close we remind you that all coupons, if not sold, must be returned for the final count. This is required if we are to participate in profits from sales on November 13. If you took a packet to give to another member please be sure those coupons or money for those sold come back to us.

Liz Richardson

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