Volume 92 #5, Summer 2024
President, Tracy Lantz  |  Editor, Susan Wierman  |  email:  aauw-md@aauw.org

Click here to download the PDF version of this issue.

Table of Contents:

1. 2024 AAUW Maryland Summer Conference
2. President’s Message
3. Thank you and congratulations to AAUW Maryland Leaders
4. AAUW Maryland continued support of NCCWSL
5. Women of Distinction donor thank you
6. Equal Rights Amendment Task Force Update
7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Update
8. Gaithersburg Branch Activities
9. Garrett County Branch Activities
10. Howard County Branch Activities
11. 2024 Calendar

2024 AAUW MARYLAND SUMMER CONFERENCE

How the Maryland Attorney General’s Office Is Improving Women’s’ Lives; and
How to Get the Most out of the AAUW.ORG Website!

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Grace United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
407 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210

Please note that the location has changed from the previous announcement. The conference will be at Grace United Methodist Church. Register online at Eventbrite for the conference here or mail the registration form included on the next page by July 5. Directions follow.

Speakers:

Carisa Hatfield, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Equity, Policy, and Engagement, Office of the Maryland Attorney General (OAG);  Co-chair of the OAG’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has developed several initiatives, including efforts to defend federal rules to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.  Learn more about work to combat systemic inequities and protect the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of all Marylanders.

Jeanne Blades, AAUW MD Membership Vice President & Harford County Branch member; Adjunct instructor at Goucher College

An educator with an MS in education and over 40 years of experience as a reading specialist and special educator, Jeanne will help us stay active, connected, and informed as we learn about resources available to members on the AAUW website.

 

Welcome to Baltimore for the Summer Conference!

From Dorothy Fraquelli and Yvonne Higgins, Incoming Baltimore Branch Co-Presidents

On behalf of the Baltimore Branch, we welcome you to the AAUW Maryland 2024 Summer Conference on Saturday, July 20^th!

Light refreshments will be available at 9 a.m., the program will begin at 9:30, and lunch will be included. The AAUW Board will meet following lunch, concluding by 3:30.

Thanks to Heather Reichardt and Carolyn Fisher for arranging an informative and interesting program, And thanks to Janice Zimmerman, outgoing Branch Co-President, and branch members Eileen Menton, Christine Schmitz, Jean Smith, Susan Wierman, Eunice Young for helping organize this conference.

As we say in Baltimore, we look forward to seeing you, hon!

AAUW MD Summer 2024 Conference Registration

Registration cost includes a light breakfast and lunch on July 20, the day’s program, and the business meeting.  You are encouraged to bring guests/prospective members and “new” officers.

Refreshments will be available at 9 AM.  The program starts at 9:30 AM and runs until 1:30 PM.  The Board meeting follows lunch and concludes at 3:30 PM.

Register online at Eventbrite for the conference!

Directions to the Summer Conference

Saturday, July 20, 2024
Grace United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall
5407 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210

Grace United Methodist Church (GUMC) is located at the southeast corner of North Charles Street and Northern Parkway.  Parking is available in the lot on the south side of the church.  The lot is accessible from both Charles Street and Northen Parkway.

For those wishing for simple directions, take 695 to 83 south toward Baltimore.  Use the Northern Parkway exit to go east, up the hill past Roland Avenue to the light at Charles Street, where you will see your destination: the white church on the southeast corner.  Otherwise, you are welcome to follow your GPS.

To enter the parking lot from Northern Parkway, proceed across Charles Street just past the church and take the first right turn. It is a driveway, not a street. Proceed to the parking lot behind the church.

Those driving north on Charles Street can turn right just before reaching the church and proceed to the parking lot behind the church.

Enter through the glass door that faces the parking lot under a white portico. There should be AAUW signs on or near the entrance. You’ll find the conference in Fellowship Hall on the second floor of the church hall, not in the church itself. You may use the elevator or the stairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Tracy Lantz, President, AAUW Maryland

Thank You and One More Ask…

It’s time for my final message to you as your State President. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you! I so enjoyed this honor while participating in many special events; the ERA March on Washington, ERA Rally in Annapolis, the Artist4ERA events throughout the state, the ERA Centennial Celebration in Seneca Falls, as well introducing our honoree at the 2024 NCCWSL conference, just to name a few!

I’m so very excited to welcome your new president, Heather Reichardt. We’ve already been working together to establish a smooth transition.

Congratulations also to others who were elected to new terms at the 2024 AAUW Maryland Convention.  The full results of the elections of state officers are posted in this issue of the Marylander.  We are still looking to replace Heather and Jackie Gray with a new Programs Vice President.  Please volunteer or encourage someone to step up to this important office.

The 2024 AAUW Maryland Convention, beautifully hosted by the Kensington-Rockville Branch, also included a great presentation on ranked choice voting, remarks by AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell, and updates on the ERA and state legislation.  Congratulations to all who made this event so successful.

And a huge thank you to you for participating in AAUW Maryland! Whether you attended a state meeting via zoom, served on the state board, enjoyed the speakers at one of our in-person state meetings hosted by local branches, joined us for a march, rally, lobby day, local book sale, branch meeting or luncheon, we’re glad you’re here and may you continue to join us this summer and fall!

Thanks to the Baltimore Branch for hosting the July 20 summer conference, and to Heather Reichardt, outgoing Co-VP for Programs, and Carolyn Fisher, Chair of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, for finding outstanding speakers.  Please remember to mail your registration by July 5 to get the best rate.  I look forward to seeing you soon at Grace United Methodist in Baltimore!

We’ll be replacing our usual statewide fall meeting with the Atlantic Regional Conference to be held in Glen Allen, Virginia, just north of Richmond! Maryland has been on the planning team with 11 other regional states for more than a year. The event begins on Friday afternoon and continues until mid-day Sunday (Sept. 27^th-29^th).

We’ll have speakers, some AAUW leaders and others from outside organizations, on topics including Generative AI, Ending Period Poverty, Ranked Choice Voting, Reproductive Rights, The Attack on our Public Schools, Strengthening our Advocacy, Voting Rights and Challenges, the Status of the Equal Rights Amendment and AAUW’s role in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, also referred to as the international bill of rights for women. There will be opportunities to learn from members in neighboring states and to share your ideas to help our organization thrive!

It will be an exciting conference and I am looking forward to seeing each of you there! Find a couple of friends and carpool to Richmond! Check out the information on our website and register today! https://www.aauwatlanticregionalconference.com/

Tracy Lantz
President
AAUW Maryland

 

Thank you & congratulations to AAUW Maryland leaders!

New & Returning AAUW MD Officers (Executive Board)

Heather Reichardt, President (2024-2026)
Tracy Lantz, Past President (2024-2025)
____________(TBD), Vice President for Programs (2024-2026)

The Nominating Committee is seeking a nominee to be Programs Vice President.  This vacancy is to be filled by the Board at a regular Board meeting or by electronic vote. 

• Jeri Rhodes, Vice President for AAUW Funds (2022-2024)
• Lydia Alcock and Susana Hernández Martín (2024-2026) and Susan Wierman (2022-2025), Co-Vice Presidents for Communications
• Roxann King and Judy Carbone, Co-Vice Presidents for Public Policy (‘21-’25 & ’23- ‘25)Christine Schmitz, Treasurer (2023-2025)
• Diane Roca, Secretary (2023-2025)
• Jeanne Blades Vice President for Membership (2023-2025)

AAUW MD Committee Chairs (Appointed Members of the Board)

• Carolyn Fisher, Chair of Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (2022-2024)
• Terry Saylor, Archivist (2022-2024)
• Diane Roca, Chair of the Bylaws Committee
• ERA Taskforce Chair, Judy Carbone
• Regional Event Planning Committee:  Dian Belanger, Carol Mueller, and Tracy Lantz
• 2025 Nominations Committee:  Anita Rosen (Kensington-Rockville), Bev Fallik (Howard County), and Edie Allison (Gaithersburg).  Susan Wierman (Baltimore) (past chair) will serve ex officio.
  *Each Branch President is also a member of the Board of Directors

AAUW Database Access Rights — Update Officers by June 30!

If your branch/state title is president/administrator, membership vice president or finance officer, you have the access rights to update officers for FY25 by June 30. Even if an officer is returning, make sure to update your records if their next term starts July 1, 2024. Login to the AAUW Community Hub, then go to MY AFFILIATIONS and click the button next to your branch name. Choose BRANCH COMMITTEE to update officers by following the step-by-step screen instructions.

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AAUW Maryland continued support of NCCWSL

On May 30-June 1 this year, over 600 college students participated in AAUW’s National Conference for College Women Student Leaders at the University of Maryland College Park.  AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell greeted each of the AAUW MD representatives at the May 31 Women of Distinction event, and we were given special front row seats.  Gloria’s opening remarks stressed the importance of AAUW Maryland’s long-term support for the Conference and AAUW’s gratitude for that support.  Tracy Lantz introduced Dian Belanger, AAUW Maryland’s Woman of Distinction.

One of several students supported by AAUW MD branches was Alayna Savage, a rising sophomore at Garrett College who is also the President of the AAUW Garrett College Student Chapter.  Alayna received a unique scholarship from AAUW-Garrett Branch, covering registration, room and board, and transportation.  The conference’s overall theme was “Dare To Be…”  Alayna attended keynote presentations and break-out sessions on topics that challenged attendees to embrace their power and dare to be the fearless, bold leaders needed to shape a more equitable future for all.

Said Alayna about the conference program, “I attended presentations on a wide range of subjects such as transforming my life through compassion, learning about the latest changes to Title IX, and information on creating institutional change when it comes to menstruation. There were so many more panels to pick from, and I wish I had been able to attend them all. The speakers were all so informative and open to questions about their topics and I know I learned so much from them all.”

Garrett Branch president and AAUW MD Co-VP for Public Policy, Judy Carbone and Ting Ting Cheng of the Columbia Law School presented a session at NCCWSL on the Equal Rights Amendment. (See details in Judy’s ERA Taskforce Update.)

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Thank you, THANK YOU, AAUW Maryland

. . .  for your generous sponsorship once again of the Women of Distinction awards ceremony of the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders. That you named me NCCWSL’s Maryland Woman of Distinction was an over-the-top honor, a heady climax to a half-century-plus of participation in our historic organization of and for women. Thank you, Tracy Lantz, for your warm and thoughtful introduction.

I didn’t have much opportunity to interact with AAUW’s national Women of Distinction, or to chat with you whose presence meant so much to me, because so many students, inspired and grateful, kept me surrounded.

–Dian Belanger

Heartfelt thanks to all the donors listed below for contributing to the Maryland Women of Distinction Fund between October 18, 2023, and April 4, 2024

[insert chart list]

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Equal Rights Amendment Task Force Update

By: Judy Carbone, AAUW MD Co-Vice President Public Policy and ERA Task Force Chair

Judy Carbone continues to work with the Maryland Equal Rights Action Network (MERAN) as part of its leadership team.  Maryland SJ01, the Resolution Reaffirming Maryland’s support for the Equal Rights Amendment was approved April 6^th in a contentious floor discussion in the House.  Along with other MERAN leaders, Judy attended Governor Wes Moore’s bill signing ceremony for SJ01.  A copy of the reaffirming resolution was forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services and to President Joseph R. Biden; Vice President Kamala Harris; Colleen Joy Shogan (Archivist of the United States); the Maryland Congressional Delegation.  Copies were also sent to all other state legislative presiding officers, with the request to circulate it among leadership of the state’s legislative branch.  Judy says that her experience in this action and its results remind her that any of us can initiate a bill in our state legislature and see it through to the end.

As ERA Taskforce Chair for AAUW-Maryland, Judy co-presented a session on the ERA at NCCWSL on May 31^st.  The program was entitled “The Equal Rights Amendment: More Important Than Ever…And Closer Than Ever, Too!”  Co-presenter Ting Ting Cheng is the Director of the ERA Project at the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School in New York.  The session was only an hour, but after Judy gave an overview of the ERA and its status, Ting Ting spent the remaining 45 minutes answering questions from a very engaged and interested student audience.  Meghan Kissell, AAUW Public Policy Director, also attended the session and was very complimentary to both presenters about their session.

In March, as President of AAUW-Garrett Branch, Judy gave a presentation on the ERA to a Psychology of Women class at Garrett College.  None of the students in the class knew about the Equal Rights Amendment, and, like many Americans, they thought that gender equality was already guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.  Judy also talked about NCCWSL in the class in hopes a student might be interested in attending.  (See the Garrett Branch report for more details.)

Please contact Judy with any questions at judy@corgi-cottage.com or at 301-616-5036.  And if you haven’t already done so, please sign the petition at www.sign4era.org and get everyone you know across the country to do the same!!    Thank you!

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Update

By Gloria Salazar, MSW, Representing Garrett Branch

During the 2023–2024, Garrett County’s Diversity & Inclusion (DI) Advisory Committee concluded its community experience survey and listening tours. These activities explored ways to enhance or improve the lives of those living in the County. The AAUW Garrett Branch DEI Committee Chair participated on this committee. (Notably, only two counties in the state of Maryland have formal DEI Committees, Garrett and Washington. During this last year, there was an attempt to disband the Washington County DEI Committee, but with sufficient public pressure, the Committee remains active.) The Garrett County DI Advisory Committee will formally submit its final summary report to the Board of County Commissioners on July 3, 2024, and then it will be available to the public in electronic format.  AAUW-Garrett Branch members plan to attend this meeting.

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) is conducting listening tours throughout the state. Several members of the Garrett County DEI Committee and AAUW Garrett Branch members were present at one session to share their findings and experiences. Please visit the MCCR website to look for a listening tour in your area.

AAUW Garrett Branch will join the Garrett County NAACP (GCNAACP) in the first ever Pride celebration in Garrett County on Saturday, June 15, 2024.  AAUW-Garrett Branch will be tabling at this event. GCNAACP, with AAUW Garrett Branch member participation, hosted several events in 2023, including the Kwanza celebration, presentations by well-known civil rights leaders, monthly PRIDE events, and an MLK Day Celebration

Pact, an adoption alliance, will be conducting a week-long camp for 150 adopted children of color and their families in Garrett County, and GCNAACP will be assisting participants. AAUW-Garrett Branch will help with this event in any way we can.

GCNAACP/AAUW members spoke publicly at a school board meeting where high school students were requesting that a PRIDE flag be taken down by one of their teachers. The teacher in question is an AAUW-Garrett Branch member and our branch was represented at the school board meeting to support her and advocate for equity.  Support for the teacher and her desire to have an inclusive classroom was overwhelming, and the flag remained. One month later, the teacher resigned from teaching because she no longer could withstand the bullying and pressure from students and their parents as well as the lack of support from the school board.  Our branch will continue to advocate for equity with the school board.

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BRANCH ACTIVITIES

Gaithersburg Branch Annual Used-Book Sale & Celebrating Mary Wykes

By Edie Allison

The Gaithersburg branch celebrated Honorary Life Member Mary Wykes’ 99^th birthday at a potluck lunch June 1. Mary has held branch officer positions multiple times and continues to be active in branch meetings and special interest groups including Great Decisions and HerStory. Her success at living a long and fruitful life may be enhanced by her continuing involvement with family, church, AAUW, and continuing work as a real-estate agent.

Gaithersburg branch used book sale, April 2024, was a wonderful success. The book dealers and shoppers came by the dozens with happy faces and left with bags or boxes of their chosen reading materials. Asbury Methodist Village hosted the sale, and its residents were particularly appreciative of the return of the book sale after five years, as many are not able to go out to other bookstores. We raised thousands of dollars for scholarships at Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove. The final amount will be determined after all our expenses are tallied. Several families unable to afford books for their children were given bags of books for their families to enjoy. After the sale was completed, four local non-profit organizations took about 70 boxes of unsold books to use with their programs.

After the sale, over a hundred volunteers helped with set-up, sorting, customer service, and clean-up. These included about 75 students, as well as Asbury residents and members of Gaithersburg and other AAUW Branches. We owe them our deep appreciation as our branch has fewer members and many are unable to assist in moving heavy boxes.

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Garrett County Branch Activities and Plans

By Judy A. Carbone, Branch President

Thirteen members and possible members attended the AAUW-Garrett Branch Annual General Membership Meeting on May 22nd at the Green Turtle in McHenry, MD.  It was a good meeting to plan for the upcoming year, elect officers, and celebrate all that we have accomplished in the past year.  Judy Carbone and Linda Carr were re-elected for their 8th term as President and Vice President, respectively.  Kathy Zimmer was elected in as Vice President of Membership; Elaine Formsby was elected in as Treasurer; and Linda Herdering was elected in as Secretary.  Committee Chairs to continue include Christine Campe-Price as Scholarship Chair and Gloria Salazar as Diversity Chair.  Judi Merriman will continue as lead for Legislative Issues, especially in terms of notifying members and supporters of activist opportunities issued by MLAW.

The End of the Line Bookstore opened for the 2024 summer season on May 18th with Linda Carr serving her final year as Bookstore Manager.  Members Gloria Salazar and Maxine Shindel will be managers-in-training this summer and take over as Co-Managers at the end of the year. On June 8th, a one-day sale helped move some of the remaining books. The bookstore has raised several thousand dollars each summer by selling donated books for no more than $1 each.  AAUW-Garrett Branch manages the bookstore, with our branch and a local Girl Scout Troop providing volunteers throughout the summer.  Funds are distributed based on the amount of time spent volunteering.

Christine Came-Price has done an amazing job in her second year as Chair of the Scholarship Committee.  The committee has awarded 10 scholarships to date to women continuing their post-secondary education for a total of almost $9,000.  One additional scholarship will be awarded later this summer.  Our scholarships are awarded to selected County high school graduates, Garrett College transfer students to Allegany College for Allied Health degrees or transferring to a 4-year institution to complete their bachelor’s degrees, and non-traditional aged women attending Garrett College for the first time in either certificate or degree programs.  We also award scholarships from a General Scholarship line item to women seeking funds for other educational purposes.

After Judy made a presentation to a Garrett college class in March, one student requested sponsorship to attend NCCWSL (The deadline to apply for NCCWSL scholarships had passed).  The Scholarship Committee decided to award a scholarship to Alayna Savage for this purpose.  Alayna has worked to keep the AAUW-Garrett College Student Chapter open, even though she hasn’t been able to recruit many student members.  Our branch will most definitely work with her on this.

For the past 4 years, AAUW-Garrett Branch has been the lead sponsor and organizer of the Women’s Equality Day (WED) Celebration in Garrett County, a collaboration of several local women’s organizations.  WED2024 will be held on Monday, August 26th at the Career and Technical Training Center of Garrett College.  The topic this year will be Title IX and its role in women’s equality, and Meghan Kissell from AAUW will be our keynote speaker.  We will invite Equity Officers from Garrett College and the Garrett County Public Schools to discuss their programs and activities.

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Howard County Branch Ongoing Activities

By Beth Hayden, Branch President

At our May 14^th meeting, our speaker was a fraud prevention expert from AARP, Ted Meyerson, who presented information on Identity Theft–how it happens and how to protect ourselves from the criminals in our current environment.

Planned activities over the summer include monthly meetings of our Special Interest Groups— Great Decisions,” AAUW Readers, Adventures in Dinning, Lunch Bunch, and helping at the Howard County Food Bank.

Howard County Branch officers recognized for their work. In front, Susan Hailman.  Back row from the left:  Beth Hayden, Bobbi Brooks, Jeanne Parr, Cindy Graham, Barb Carter (holding plant), Carol Phelps, Diane Roca, Bea Dane, Suzanne Soules.

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2024 Calendar

• June 22^nd: Transition Board Meeting at Christine Schmitz’ home
• July 20^th: AAUW MD Summer Conference in Baltimore at Grace United Methodist Church
• September 27^th-29^th: AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference in Glen Allen, Virginia
• November 23^rd: MLAW (Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women} Fall Agenda Conference at The Meeting House, Columbia, MD (Registration available in August

Donate to the AAUW Maryland Women of Distinction Fund. You will be helping Maryland honor it’s Woman of Distinction as the Platinum sponsor of the AAUW Women of Distinction Ceremony at the 2019 National Conference for Collegiate Women Students.

Right now, lawmakers in Annapolis are considering S.B. 738/H.B. 634. This important bill would prohibit employers from relying on a job applicant’s salary history to determine pay, a practice that perpetuates the pay gaps women and people of color face in their careers. But this legislation may not move forward unless lawmakers hear from you now.

Click here to contact your state legislators and urge them to pass S.B. 738/H.B. 634 today!

Salary history is not a neutral factor by which to set pay, and it doesn’t determine an applicant’s qualifications for a position. Relying on salary history in the hiring process can:

• Force some workers, particularly women and people of color who are generally paid less than white, non-Hispanic men, to carry lower earnings and pay discrimination from job to job.
• Penalize those who reduced their work hours in prior jobs to care for children or other family members.
• Depress wages for individuals who have previously worked in nonprofits or the public sector and are moving into higher paying fields.

This bill also requires employers to provide a job applicant the salary range for a position upon request, an additional way to increase transparency and narrow the gender pay gap.

Banning the use of salary history in the hiring process and sharing salary ranges can make meaningful change in closing the pay gap. Urge your legislators to pass S.B. 738/H.B. 634!

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination in education. It covers women and men, girls and boys, and staff and students in any educational institution or program that receives federal funds. This includes local school districts, colleges and universities, for-profit schools, career and technical education agencies, libraries, and museums. Music classes or choirs, sex education classes, and sports involving bodily contact are exempt from Title IX, as are religious institutions if the law would violate their religious tenets. Admissions policies at private undergraduate institutions are also exempt.

The Department of Education has announced a plan to make sweeping changes to Title IX’s regulations, which would have significant implications for students’ civil rights. Specifically, the proposed rule would weaken Title IX’s protections by narrowing the definition of sexual harassment to allow schools to exclude much of the abuse students experience, limiting when schools will respond, and putting in place processes that make it harder for students to come forward when they experience sexual harassment or assault. Simply put, these changes will make schools less safe for students.

Erin Prangley, VP for Public Policy submitted comments to the proposed rules on behalf of AAUW Maryland.   The letter states in part:

“Sexual harassment pervades the lives of students. According to research by AAUW, sexual harassment can have damaging effects on academic outcomes, careers, families and even the health of those affected. Student activism on college campuses has brought to light a culture in which sexual harassment is still pervasive, and its harm too often ignored. AAUW research has found that women on college campuses and girls in junior high and high school frequently experience sexual harassment, sexual abuse or assault, and other crimes or behavior that constitute sex discrimination under Title IX. These experiences hurt their ability to focus on their academic goals and can diminish their equal access to educational opportunities.

In Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School, AAUW found nearly half of students in grades 7-12 experienced harassment in the 2010–11 school year (56 percent of girls and 40 percent of boys.  Of that number, 87 percent said it had a negative effect on them. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of college students experience sexual harassment at some point during college, including nearly one-third of first-year students, according to AAUW’s Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus.

We believe Maryland’s educational ecosystem has a problem identifying and handling sexual harassment, including assault at all levels of education. Even though several peer reviewed studies find sexual harassment to be rampant, 68.6 percent of higher education campuses in Maryland reported zero incidents of sexual assault, including rape and fondling, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking — a shocking statistic given how frequently these incidents occur on campuses.  In addition, 85.9 percent of the public schools with students in grades 7 through 12 in Maryland disclosed zero reported allegations of harassment or bullying on the basis of sex.  These numbers do not square with what research shows students experience. Despite schools’ legal obligation to address these issues, improvement in both welcoming students’ reports of sexual harassment and violence — and accurately disclosing those incidents in annual reporting—has been slow at all levels of education. These findings further demonstrate our need for full enforcement of strong Title IX and the Clery Act provisions, not a rollback of critical protections for students who experience incidents that are already frequently under- and inaccurately reported.”

She then describes the specific ways in which the proposed regulations roll back critical protections.  Read the full letter.

The public comment period for the proposed changes to Title IX regulations ended on January 30. Over 100,000 comments were submitted.   The Department of Education will now consider the submitted comments and finalize regulations in the coming months.

 

On July 21 members of AAUW Maryland convened at Harford Community College and enjoyed the theme AAUW-MD in Paradise.  Nora Putt and Tracy Lantz, AAUW MD’s Program Vice Presidents, organized an agenda packed with Hawaiian culture and sprinkled with leadership training.  Since we couldn’t all go to Hawaii—they brought Hawaii to us.  As they walked through the door, each attendee was personally greeted in typical Hawaiian E Komo Mai (Welcome) with a presentation of a Hawaiian Lei.

Tracy began by leading a discussion of two TED talks:  Suzanne Simard on “How Trees Talk to Each Other”  and Richard Preston on “The Mysterious Lives of Giant Trees.” .    These inspiring presentations encourage getting out in the world and learning from what we can observe, recognizing opportunities for new growth, saving the “mother trees”—those who nurture others—and regenerating with diversity.

Past-President of AAUW Maryland and member of AAUW’s national Board of Directors, Eileen Menton briefly reviewed the new strategic plan for AAUW.  Four areas of focus in the plan include Education & Training, Economic Security, Leadership, and AAUW Governance & Sustainability.  Eileen encouraged branch leaders to discuss how their branch can contribute to the goals included in the overall plan.

Kate Campbell Stevenson and Susan Wierman, Co-Presidents of AAUW MD, then led the group in a discussion of what we value in AAUW, the challenges faced by Maryland branches, and how leaders with a variety of skills can contribute to meeting the challenges—there is no one right way, and branches can take different paths.  Branches were encouraged to reach out to State officers and other branches for assistance with branch challenges.  Sharing events with other branches or partnering on specific programs are encouraged.  Your state officers are there to help you—please do not hesitate to contact them.

The day included breakout sessions Defining our Ohana-Maryland Women, Present and Future-designed to help new and seasoned branch leaders share and learn from each other.   Topics included membership, communication, branch presidents, and action planning.

Finally, the AAUW MD Board of Directors met to approve continued support for legislative priorities that didn’t get approved in 2018’s General Assembly session, set a goal to raise funds for a Maryland Woman of Distinction to be recognized at the 2019 National Conference for Collegiate Women Student Leaders, and discuss plans for the 2019 AAUW MD Convention.

By:  Cleopatra Campbell

My first confession is that although I have been a member of AAUW for over fifty years, I knew nothing about the AAUW National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL, pronounced Nic Whistle).  I had no memory of the Women of Distinction program, or that, in fact, NCCWSL had been in existence for thirty-four years. The Women of Distinction program has been in existence for thirty-two years, and AAUW Maryland had been the platinum sponsor for seven years.

My introduction to NCCWSL was in a telephone call telling me that I was the Maryland Woman of Distinction for 2017.  Later I learned that the purpose of the conference is to bring women college student leaders together to hear about opportunities to develop leadership skills.  Approximately 1000 women students attended the 2017 conference, coming from all parts of the United States.  The students stayed in dormitories on the University of Maryland campus.  For many of the students, their costs of attendance were paid by donations from individual AAUW branches across the country.

On June 1, 2017, at the student union of the University of Maryland, I was the Maryland woman honored as a woman of distinction, introduced humorously by Margery Sullivan.   AAUW had nominated four other women of distinction.  As the platinum sponsor, AAUW Maryland names its own woman of distinction.  Women previously named as Maryland Women of Distinction include: Jenny Forehand, Janet Crampton, Barbara Fetterhoff, and Dr. Nancy Grace Roman.   Generous donations from AAUW Maryland members provide the platinum sponsorship cost of $20,000.

Along with the national nominees, I gave a short speech.  My message was “invest in yourself.” After the program, over 100 students lined up to meet me and to have their pictures taken.  Their message to me was “thank you for what you have done for women.”

How you can contribute to the 2018 Women of Distinction Ceremony.

Intersectional feminism is to acknowledge multiple overlapping social identities and related systems of oppression. So, while we may want to work under the umbrella term “women,” there is not one global women’s experience. Here are three ways to make sure that your feminism is intersectional. Read more.

Attend the AAUW Maryland Leadership Conference on Saturday, July 29 in Frederick.  The theme is Actions to Bold Effective Leadership.  Schedule and Registration 

AAUW Maryland was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony at the National Conference for Collegiate Women Student Leaders on June 1, 2017.  Cleopatra Campbell was recognized as Maryland’s Woman of Distinction at the ceremony.  She was recognized with thunderous applause by the 1,000 students in attendance and, following the ceremony, was greeted by more than a hundred students who stood in line for over an hour to talk to her and take their selfies.

A Little About Cleopatra Campbell

Cleopatra Campbell has been a practicing attorney in  Frederick County Maryland  since the mid-1960s. Back then, it was rolling family farms. The men were the land owners and civic leaders. Women wore hats and gloves and served tea. So, when she joined the bar association it was a big deal. Later she was twice elected president of the Frederick Bar Association. Cleopatra was the first woman State Prosecutor in Frederick County. When women were first admitted to the police academy, she advocated for women’s uniforms; not men’s retro fitted, she insisted on women’s bathrooms and changing rooms. She wanted these women to be treated with equal respect. She questioned judges who demanded that she always wear skirts in court.   In 2009, Cleopatra decided she had not been appointed to a county judgeship so what did she do…. she hit the campaign trail and was elected to the probate court, serving as Chief Judge. She went on to be reelected to a second term; the only attorney on the court.

Cleopatra practiced law in a local firm, her clients were the farmers, the local business men and all community members.  At a recent party in her honor, Cleopatra joked that she was still waiting for clients who said “I’ll pay you on Friday.” She served generations of Fredrick County families, It was important to her that everyone was well represented.

As an AAUW member she is active within her branch opening her home for events and has been on the AAUW Maryland board as Legal Advocacy Fund chair and state bylaws chair. She continually mentors women to raise their aspirations to become paralegals, to be elected to county office, and be appointed to judgeships.  In addition to being a long serving attorney in this rural community, Cleopatra has traveled the world either alone or with friends or family.  She keeps going and going…. France, Kilimanjaro, China, Alaska, a camel ride in Egypt.

 

 

This year, we celebrate AAUW Maryland’s 75th Anniversary. To mark this important anniversary, Markonette Richardson, Kate Campbell Stevenson, Mettah Kollman, Linda Tebs, Angela Mickalide, and Dian Belanger are planning an exciting and very special State Convention in the Easton area for the weekend of April 7-8.

Patricia Fae Ho, the AAUW Board Chair, will be our special guest on Friday evening, when we honor our state’s past presidents .On Saturday, she will provide AAUW Updates and answer general questions about AAUW. Major General Linda L. Singh, the 29th Adjutant General of Maryland, will be our keynote speaker on Saturday. General Singh is an inspiring speaker with a powerful personal story. At the dinner on Friday, we will honor our past presidents. At lunch on Saturday, we will celebrate the branches with table-top displays at lunch and short presentations as we Share and Shine.

Details are in the AAUW Marylander.  Be sure to sign up by March 15; spaces are limited.   The Registration Form