Photo credit: UNAMID Albert Gonzalez Farran
Slowly but surely we’re building out the website pages. This first one is the International Group page with information about the women who are UN Peacekeepers.
What and how should the Empire Branch address international issues?
If you are interested in working with the branch on international issues, note your interest in the comments at the bottom of the international page.
Let’s ensure that Social Security survives for at least 77 more years.
You may have heard we can’t afford Social Security. But the facts may surprise you.
This video from the National Academy of Social Insurance (www.nasi.org) explains the basics about Social Security, its purpose, who pays for it, who gets it, and what it means to seniors, working families, and children now and in the future. To learn more, visit the “Learn” section of NASI’s website a thttp://www.nasi.org/learn/social-security/just-the-facts.
Wish Social Security a happy birthday and share why you are grateful for the Social Security program.
Maria Ellis, President
It is with great excitement that I announce the creation of AAUW NYS Empire State Virtual Branch! Our 1st founders’ meeting was held at Cazenovia College on July 19, 2012 during our AAUW NYS Summer Leadership Conference in beautiful town of Cazenovia in upstate New York. We elected our officers, board of directors and welcomed all of our 25 founding members!
Our 1st founders’ members’ meeting was very special because Mary Lou Davis, AAUW NYS president and Eileen Hartmann, Nancy Mion, Diane Haney AAUW NYS past presidents as well as AAUW NYS state board members and branch presidents participated in our 1st founders’ meeting. Also, there was representation from our many branches throughout our seven districts including the North Shore Branch, the Islip Area Branch, Westchester Branch, Staten Island Branch, Rockland County Branch, Kingston Branch, Poughkeepsie Branch, Amsterdam, Gloversville & Johnstown Branch (AGJ) , Oswego Branch, Jefferson County Branch, St. Lawrence Branch, Fairport Area Branch, Greater Rochester Branch, Buffalo Branch.
There are many AAUW friends that I would like to especially thank for their support in the creation of the AUW NYS Empire State Virtual Branch including Ruth Wahtera, Donna Seymour, Phoebe Forbes, Joan Monk, Ruth King, Melissa Guardaro, Roli Wendorf, Jean Havens, Doris McLallen, Dayra Bernal-Lederer, Dr. C.S. Rani, Lorrin Johnson and countless others.
Special thanks to the president of the Greater Rochester Branch, my friend Marilyn Tedeschi, who reminded us that “July 19th is a Special Day for AAUW Empire State Virtual Branch and a Special Day for Women’s Rights!”
This Convention issued the first Declaration of Independence for Women, declaring that “all men and women are created equal.” While this may not seem radical now, in 1848 the new “women’s right movement” was very radical and the woman who started it met with much abuse. The Convention, which was organized in just a few weeks, took place in the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York, and proves that “a small group of dedicated people have the power to change the world.” And, indeed, they did.
We, the women and men of AAUW now walk in these brave women’s shoes!
The 17 women who founded AAUW in 1881 were college graduates with great potential in a world that seemed reluctant to let them succeed. They were determined to make their own pathways and refused to wait for someone to do it for them. Thus, they founded the Association of Collegiate Alumnae in Boston. Forty years later, the organization would merge with the Southern Association of College Women to become the American Association of University Women. Currently, AAUW is composed of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 600 college/university institutional partners. From the beginning, our mission has always been to provide education and opportunities for women and AAUW’s fellowship and grant recipients exceeds 11,000 women.
As your Empire Virtual Branch president, I welcome you and invite you to embrace our AAUW mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Our Vision is to continue to grow and to 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. As an active member of AAUW NYS Empire State Virtual Branch, you belong to a community that breaks educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance. In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership including men and women. 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.
If you are reading these welcoming remarks and you are not yet a member, I encourage you to join us by clicking on the membership tab and becoming part of AAUW’s powerful voice!
Gratefully yours,
Maria Ellis, President
Empire Virtual Branch
Why join Empire? Here are some reasons.
http://youtu.be/qcQqGNXz8P8
Baby Empire, July 2012
Like all new parents, we want to tell the world about our new babe, virtual branch Empire. Beautiful, isn’t she?
We have lots of hopes and dreams for what baby Empire will become. She could do anything. And we’d like you to be part of the AAUW village that will raise her.
Become a founding member and help raise her by joining before August 6, 2012. (Of course, you can join any time.)
Empire’s Gift Registry!
Empire will grow quickly this first year. She needs people to support her growth and shape her future. What would you like to do to welcome her to the world? What gift can you give so she’ll have a healthy start?
Here’s some of what Empire needs from the people who care about her:
So, first join by following the steps here. You can be a Founding Member by joining (which means Phoebe receives your check) by August 6, 2010.
Then sign up to get emails about Empire updates by clicking the envelop in the upper right corner. Or add this site to your RSS reader.
Share your ideas for Empire’s first year to the comments below. And, let us know what you’d like to volunteer to do in the comments or send a note to Maria Ellis, Empire’s founder and temporary administrator. (Dare we say mother?)
Since 1881 AAUW has been a catalyst for change. AAUW believes that together we can transform society for the better. AAUW’s vision is to bring people together united behind the common goal of breaking through educational and economic barriers for women and girls.
Virtual branches are a great way for college women and busy professionals to be active in AAUW if they have limited time for meetings.
You can become part of AAUW’s powerful voice by becoming a charter member of the New York State Empire State Virtual Branch.
We invite you to become involved in making change to critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls by joining the NYS virtual branch.
Mary Lou Davis, NYS President