Rose City Reporter. Mark Your Calendars For These Two Events. AAUW Funds Holiday Luncheon and Fundraiser. Raffle. Silent Auction. Wine Pull.

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1 Rose City Reporter Volume 14, Issue 3 November 2013 Mark Your Calendars For These Two Events Update on Public Policy Issues No Host Lunch Monday, November 18, 11:30am 1pm Village Inn, 1621 NE 10 th Ave, Portland Guest Speaker: Alice Bartelt Come and learn how recent legislation affects AAUW s issues. The regular Oregon legislative session ended in July, and a special session occurred recently. Oregon AAUW was given a grant by the Association to work on Pay Equity and Paid Family Leave. Work is being done on those issues, even though the Legislature is not currently in session. Alice will give you an update. She will also provide an overview of the Association s public policy priorities and present ways in which you can support local, state and national efforts. RSVP by Monday, November 11 th to Joyce Kligman (joyceslk@comcast.net, ) or Diane Winn (dgwinn@uci.edu, ) -- Raffle AAUW Funds Holiday Luncheon and Fundraiser Silent Auction Book Sale Wine Pull Surprises Saturday, December 7, :00 am - 1:00 pm $28 per ticket Multnomah Athletic Club 1849 SW Salmon Street Portland See page 6 for registration form

2 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Portland Branch Board of Directors Co-Presidents Peggy Hickman Barbara Spencer Membership VP Kathe Hart Program VP Diane Winn Joyce Kligman Study Group VP Donna Pregill Treasurer Ilga Ross Recording Secretary Sue Thomas Director at Large Sherry Bjaastad Past Presidents Judy Holt Maxine McComas Bylaws Chair Sue Trotter AAUW Funds Chair Judy Holt Historian Available InterBranch Council Maxine McComas Newsletter Editor Linda Stern Phone Tree Donna Pregill Public Policy Available Publicity Available Scholarship Barbara Gaines Website Nancy Cheverton Photographer Julie Donaldson A Message from Our Co-Presidents Dear Members, Please take time to relax before the beginning of the winter holiday season. Before Thanksgiving, on November 18, we will have a branch meeting about legislative issues. Since plans are completed about it, the information is in this newsletter. It will be a very informative and educational meeting. Do plan to attend and please RSVP. In addition, you will read more information about our annual Holiday Luncheon on Saturday, December 7. Plans are progressing for that very nice event and in addition, it is a major fund raiser. If you are not involved in any study or interest group in the branch, do check to see what ones interest you. Contact any of the chairs or leaders of the groups for more information. Most groups have plans for their activities for the year which include day of the month, time of the day, hostess and location. There are always opportunities to create more groups. Read about the group which is featured in this newsletter. Whether you are a long time member or a recent member of the Portland Branch AAUW, your life experiences, your interests and your expertise are needed for communications, fundraising and other endeavors. Let the Board of Directors or any member know about you. They will connect you with other members. Who knows, one or more of those other members could live near you. Your involvement will likely connect you with other very interesting women. A major communication of the branch is the newsletter, ROSE CITY RE- PORTER. The next issue will be for December 2013 and January For two months, the December/January newsletter will include information of study/interest groups, committees and branch meetings for both months. Due to the holidays, notice some dates, times, hostesses and locations of monthly scheduled meetings may be different than you planned. We look forward to seeing you soon. Peggy Hickman and Barbara Spencer, co-presidents 2

3 Introducing Ann Copeland, a new member of the Branch I m sooo happy to find a new home branch in Portland so quickly. Your branch is active, interesting and friendly. What s not to like? I have been a member of the Tacoma WA branch since 1989 and was a member for a short time in Wichita, KS, where I taught Chemistry. We moved back to Tacoma and changed occupations. I was a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for about 20 years, and retired at the end of 2012 after finding a wonderful successor, who is also an AAUW member in Tacoma. My plan was to move to Portland, so I found a small condo in the Eliot Tower in 2009 after my husband died. I have been going back and forth for several years to see how I liked the new place. My house in Tacoma sold pretty fast this summer, so I moved down here in early Sept. and have been trying to squeeze into a smaller condo for several weeks. UGH! I like to hike and bike and stay active, although I had a knee replacement in June which has truly slowed me down. Eleanor Roosevelt Fund The Holiday Funds Event is only a month away. This event is the major fund-raising event for National AAUW Programs. Our support continues the work of AAUW. There are five areas of focus, each with a fund, as well as a general fund (AAUW FUNDS) that supports those five. One of those funds is the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund (#9170), which supports research. AAUW conducts groundbreaking research on issues related to gender equity in education and the workplace. Our work influences the national discussion on topics like the pay gap between women and men, sexual harassment in schools and on college campuses, and the underrepresentation of women in science and engineering. The most recent AAUW Research publications include: Women in Community Colleges: Access to Success, Graduation to a Pay Gap: The Earnings of Women and Men One Year after College Graduation, and The Simplest Truth about the Gender Pay Gap. Donations to AAUW Funds are fully tax deductible and can be restricted to any specific fund or program. AAUW secured the highest possible scores from several charity-rating groups for its financial stability, transparency, accountability, and impact. 3

4 Study and Interest Groups November Except for the few groups that are at capacity, all interest groups are open to all members. Call the contact person for more information and to rsvp. And to start a new group, just contact Donna Pregill, or dmp503@gmail.com. Art Enjoyment Second Wednesdays Date: November 6 Meet at 12:15 in the gift shop area of the Portland Art Museum Contact: Julie Skinner, or jaswans@ centurylink..net to rsvp and/or be added to the e- mail reminder list Breakfast in Bridgetown Second Thursdays, 9:00 am, unless otherwise stated Date: November 14 Muddy s, 3560 N. Mississippi Contact: Judi Wandres, Classics: Past, Present and Future Second Thursdays, 7:30 pm No November meeting Contact: Kathy Phillips, Curtain Call Usually second Thursdays, featuring the performing arts Date: November 17 matinee The Other Place, Portland Playhouse Contact: Diane Winn, First Tuesday Reader s Theatre Coffee 10 am; Performance 10:30 am Date: November 5 A Cowboy s Song by Sarah Ruhl Old Church-1422 SW 11 th & Clay; $8 Contact: Julie Donaldson, Gourmet Lite Food for Thought Date and location: TBA (at capacity) Contact: Julie Donaldson, AAUW Happy Hour A time to relax, chat, and nibble No November event Contact: Barbara Alberty, Literary Comments & Criticism III Second Tuesdays, 9:30 am (at capacity) Date: November 12 Those Who Save Us, by Jenna Blum Hostess: Mary Shaw Movie Mavens (informal movie group) No set dates or times If interested, call Kathe Hart, Non-fiction Book Group I Third Wednesdays, 9:30 am (at capacity) Date: November 20 Moby Duck, by Donovan Hohn Hostess: Sue Thomas Non-fiction Book Group II Third Fridays, 7:30 pm at the home of Joyce Lew Date: November 15 Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin Hostess: Joyce Lew Contact: Kathe Hart, Sleuth Sisters (mystery book club) Fourth Wednesdays, 1 pm lunch & discussion Date: November 27 at Ernesto s Murder on Asta Place, by Victoria Thompson Contact: Jane Lancaster, Wimpy Walkers First Friday or Saturday Date: November 2, 10:30am Walk 3.5 mile portion of the Mt. Scott Ramble; lunch to follow Meet at Joyce s Richmond Court, Happy Valley Contact: Joyce Kligman, Literary Comments & Criticism by Day I Fourth Thursdays, 11:30 am (at capacity) Date: No November meeting Literary Comments & Criticism II Third Tuesdays, 12 noon (at capacity) Date: November 19 The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce Hostess: TBD Discussion Leader: Maxine Mc Comas 4

5 News from the STEM Committee At the Portland Branch, we have formed a STEM Committee to support not only the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics but to reinforce positive self-image and awareness issues, so important for young girls in the middle school grades. We also applaud the use of art as a way to teach STEM and reinforce cognitive concepts. This year the ten members of the STEM Committee will be meeting to determine annual goals and priorities. We are setting an aggressive fundraising goal for the Branch to continue our STEM work. If you would like to know more or want to be take an active role in the planning process, contact Barbara Spencer at baspen013@earthlink.net. Our September Girls Inc. program reinforced the importance of our work and our commitment to STEM programming for girls. AAUW Public Policy Program The Public Policy Program underscores AAUW s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research and speaks to women s needs, aspirations, and concerns across the life span. The public policy program guides the work of the AAUW and establishes the federal action priorities on which AAUW members across the nation focus their advocacy efforts. States and branches use the public policy program to inform their advocacy efforts on state and local issues. The adoption of AAUW s biennial public policy program happens at each national convention and is the culmination of a process involving many AAUW members. Specifically it: *Supports a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity; *Promotes economic self-sufficiency for all women; and *Guarantees equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society AAUW public policy areas of concern include: Title IX; STEM education; education funding; higher education affordability; pay equity and fairness; anti-discrimination at the workplace; sick leave benefits; access to healthcare; voting rights; reproductive rights; and international human rights. To learn more about these priorities and to see how you can support the AAUW Public Policy Program, be sure to attend the Portland Branch program on November 11. 5

6 State AAUW Award to Portland Branch At the State AAUW convention last April, the Portland Branch was given an award for the branch with the largest percentage increase in membership. Special thanks for this honor goes to Kathe Hart, Membership Vice President, and the members of the Welcoming Committee. Way to go! AAUW Holiday Luncheon and Fundraiser Registration Name Number attending Check here to request a vegetarian meal (The entrée will be chicken.) I am unable to attend, but wish to make a contribution. Please make check to AAUW Funds. Total amount enclosed ($28 per person) If you are paying for the luncheon and also want to make a contribution to AAUW Funds, please write separate checks. This helps us track the contributions. Luncheon ~ make checks payable to AAUW Portland Branch. Contributions to AAUW Funds~ make checks payable to AAUW Funds. Please send this form and your check by Saturday, November 30 to: Barbara Spencer, 3277 NE Skidmore St., Portland, OR Questions? Call or baspen013@earthlink.net baspen013@earthlink.net 6

7 Wimpy Walkers/Eager Eaters Interest Group In 2000, word went out that a new interest group was forming, Wimpy Walkers/ Eager Eaters. Wimpy Walkers/Eager Eaters gather on the first Friday or Saturday of the month as decided by the volunteer leader. The leader plans a walk of approximately 3 miles and picks a spot for breakfast prior to the walk or lunch following the walk. The leader also provides information about the area of the walk. There is a walk for as many months as there are volunteer leaders. In October, Wimpy Walkers/Eager Eaters spent a beautiful fall morning at the Hoyt Arboretum, enjoying the fall colors. As during many of our walks, we happened upon a special treat the Local 14 Art Show at the World Forestry Center. Besides the beautiful art, we also had a yummy lunch at the Show. Look for the next and future Wimpy Walks in the Interest Group section of the newsletter. 7

8 September Brunch and General Meeting Almost 40 members of the Branch attended the brunch and general meeting at Mirabella on September 28th. At the meeting, Elizabeth Nye, Executive Director of Girls Inc. NW and four middle school female participants explained why it is important that young girls be strong, smart and bold. Everyone in attendance appreciated the girls words, as their personal stories underscored the need for more commitment to girls programming. This past summer, the Portland Branch provided financial support for two groups of girls from Girls Inc. to experience science at OMSI during a special summer program. Elizabeth Nye, Executive Director of Girls Inc. NW with four young women from Girls Inc. who spoke at the meeting. 8

9 Because of the many comments during the annual meeting about the dish brought by Jan Dilg, she was asked if we could have the recipe to include in the newsletter. Here it is. Sweet Potato Bread Pudding Makes about 5 cups; Total time: 1 hour + chilling overnight To allow the milk mixture to soak into the bread, make the base for this pudding the night before you plan to bake it. For the pudding--- Whisk together: 1 cup sour cream 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup whiskey, optional 3 eggs, beaten 1 T. baking powder 2 t. vanilla extract 1 t. ground ginger 1/2 t. kosher salt 1 cup dried cranberries (or dried sour cherries) Zest of 1 orange, minced Add: 4 cups French bread, cubed Whisk pudding ingredients together in a large bowl. Add bread cubes and stir gently to coat; cover and chill overnight. 1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped into 1" chunks Cook sweet potatoes the next day in boiling water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, transfer to a food processor, puree until smooth. Fold sweet potatoes into chilled bread mixture. For the streusel--- 1 cup chopped pecans 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 unsalted butter, melted Combine pecans, brown sugar, and flour for streusel in a separate bowl; stir in melted butter. Preheat oven to 400 degrees; coat a 1 qt. casserole dish with non-stick spray. Transfer bread pudding mixture to the dish and sprinkle with streusel. Bake for 30 minutes, or until knife tip inserted in the center comes out clean. 9

10 GOINGS ON This section of the newsletter is dedicated to sharing the goings on of our branch members special birthdays, travels, recognitions, etc. Send your information to Linda Stern and don t be shy. We all could use a pat on the back or a wow! You did that? once in awhile. This fall, Eleanor Krause, with children and grandchildren, will be celebrating husband Kurt s 80th birthday in Monterey, California. Happy birthday, Kurt! Julie Donaldson and husband Robert are away for two weeks, traveling to Spain, France, Italy and Monaco. Linda Stern and Anna Helm are off for a quick (5-day) trip to Iceland the beginning of November. Gail Post and her husband will be traveling in November to Cyprus and Crete, Turkey, Athens, a few Greek Islands, and, finally, to Israel (Jerusalem and Haifa). Julie Skinner and husband Marty visited family in Toronto and Albany, NY, in August. In September, they were in Montana, stopping at Missoula Flood sites along the way. The end of October, Julie will be going back to Montana to take a printmaking workshop. Welcome to Our New Member Word of the Month mephitic Meaning:: adj. 1) of, relating to, or resembling an offensive smell; stench. 2) a poisonous or foul-smelling gas emitted from the earth Copeland, Ann SW 10th Ave. PhD UC Davis Portland, OR copelandann@comcast.net Chemist & CFP Mbr# Origin: Latin, mefitis, stench; first used circa 1623 For your convenience, information on our new member can be cut from the newsletter and pasted into your branch directory. 10

11 AAUW Program Schedule November Nov 18 - Program meeting on current legislative issues December Dec 7 - Holiday luncheon January Jan 29 - Program meeting, with Susan Stoner, historical mystery writer, union attorney and community activist April April Oregon/Washington joint State Convention (in Portland) Visit us on the web: National: Oregon: Portland: www:aauwpdx.org NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME The Rose City Reporter is a publication of the Portland Branch of AAUW, a non-profit organization, published eight times a year (Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec./Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May/June) as a membership service. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. 11