AAUW (National) is the oldest women’s organization in the USA. The AAUW mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The Somerset Hills AAUW branch has general meetings and various interest groups. Our major fundraiser is our annual used book sale.
All members, even new ones, are encouraged to participate as board members, group chairs, convention attendees, and book sale workers in order to get the most out of the AAUW experience.
BRANCH PROGRAM: Tue Dec 8, 6:30 PM – Zoom – Cupcake Decorating –
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqcuCqpz4pGdX8IX6AR_rT6CSGn8TMD9L5
Candyland Crafts will be presenting our program in December. The program will be a demonstration of how to decorate holiday cupcakes. This would be a great experience to share with friends or family, especially grandkids; be sure to have them save the date and you can send them the Zoom information when it is available. If you wish to watch the presentation only or have your own cake decorating tools, no need to buy anything. Decorating kits from Candyland Crafts in Raritan are available for $25 (call at least a day ahead to order 908-685-0410) kit includes: 4 cupcakes (frozen), buttercream, tips needed to create the designs, and disposable pastry bags. Questions regarding kits and the program can be emailed to Susan Frantz susanfrantz@optonline.net.
HOLIDAY CHARITY: During this season of love and giving, the Somerset Hills Branch AAUW Board thought it would be timely to show our Military Sisters how much we appreciate their service and to give them a hand up to re-start their lives. To do this we need your help. Please make out a check to “Somerset Hills Branch AAUW” on or before December 18th. Bonnie Gould will collect all the checks then write one check to be given to the Community of Hope for the 5 women in the Hope for Veterans – Transitional Housing Program (HVP).
AAUW NJ “Unconference” – Wed Dec 9, 7:00 – Wear your best ugly sweater to vie for a prize. Unlike traditional conferences, an unconference is a participant-oriented meeting where the attendees decide on the agenda, discussion topics, etc. The informal and flexible program allows participants to suggest topics of their own interest and choose sessions accordingly. To register, go to the AAUW NJ website: https://aauw-nj.aauw.net/
BRANCH NEWS: We are in the process of planning our 75th Anniversary celebration in the Spring that will include a historical presentation, hopefully with many photos. As such, please search your cameras, and hard copies of photos pertaining to our Branch over the past 75 years and send them to Teri Passarello, so we can start putting the program together.
FOR A MORE EQUAL SOCIETY: This interest group will continue meeting every Friday, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. New members are welcome. Please email Becky Hughes, beckyh@enter.net, if you are interested in joining the group.
GREAT DECISIONS: Chair Brigid Coakley, annisbear32158@aol.com – Great Decisions books have been ordered and our dates will be announced in December.
Great Decisions has a second study, based on the Foreign Policy Association book America in the World 2020. We will be meeting via Zoom to discuss the 28 essays in the book. Our schedule is:
Saturday, November 7 – 3:00-4:30/5:00 Part I essays 1-6
Saturday, November 21 – 3:00-4:30/5:00 Part I essays 7-12
Saturday, December 5 – 3:00-4:30/5:00 Part II all essays
Saturday, December 19 – 3:00-4:30/5:00 Part III all essays
Those in the group will be mailed the link the week before the meeting. Many thanks to Teri for setting up our Zoom meetings!!
DAYTIME BOOK GROUP: Chair Ginny Pasternak ginp@verizon.net – Books:
Nov. 16 Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover reviewer: Laura Palmer
Dec. 14 The Pioneers by David McCullough reviewer: Bonnie Gould
Jan. 18 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides reviewer: Ginny Pasternak
Feb. 15 The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates reviewer: Arlene Inglis
Mar. 15 The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd reviewer: Joyce Clark
Apr. 19 A Well Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Fowler reviewer: Karen Brown
May 17 Book Selection for 2021-2022
June 21 The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson reviewer: Nancy Boney
EVENING BOOK GROUP: Chair Ginny Pasternak ginp@verizon.net – Books:
Nov. 9 The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan reviewer: Elaine Kerimidas
Dec. 7 When Life Gives You Pears by Jeannie Gaffigan reviewer: Mary Lee Waldron
Jan. 4 The Accidental Empress By Allison Pataki reviewer: Ginny Pasternak
Feb. 1 Dear George, Dear Mary by Mary Calvi reviewer: Mary Jane Weiss
March 1 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens reviewer: Ginny Lyttle
Apr. 5 Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas reviewer: Pat Emanuele
May 3 Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister by Jung Chang reviewer: Mary Lee Waldron
June 7 Book selection for 2021-2022
AAUW NJ NEWS: Watch for the new, monthly newsletters from AAUW of New Jersey for information about upcoming programs, and more. (Sent via Constant Contact, from “AAUW of New Jersey”, so check your “Promotions” or “Spam” folders if you haven’t seen it.) For more information and to register for programs go to AAUW NJ website: https://aauw-nj.aauw.net
BRANCH PROGRAM:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqcuCqpz4pGdX8IX6AR_rT6CSGn8TMD9L5
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Discussions Groups:
FOR A MORE EQUAL SOCIETY: This interest group is meeting every Friday, 9 AM – 10 AM. Over the first 8 – 10 weeks we are reading and discussing How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, as well as other articles and topics raised by group members. Please email Becky Hughes, beckyh@enter.net, if you are interested in joining the group.
GREAT DECISIONS: Great Decisions and the special Foreign Policy Association discussions on “America right now” are both moving forward. Watch for information from the chair Brigid Coakley, annisbear32158@aol.com
********************************************************************************
AAUW NJ NEWS: Watch for the new, monthly newsletters from AAUW of New Jersey for information about upcoming programs, and more. (Sent via Constant Contact, from “AAUW of New Jersey”, so check your “Promotions” or “Spam” folders if you haven’t seen it.) For more information and to register for programs go to AAUW NJ website: https://aauw-nj.aauw.net