Many thanks to Kathy Cunningham, Anne Milton, Jackie DeFazio, Martha Huyler, Georgi Proulx and everyone who worked to make the Forum a tremendous success! This was a true service to our entire community. Preparing for our Forum, I realized there seemed to be little understanding in our community at large about the mission of AAUW and the service we provide to our local students in terms of scholarships, Tech Trek and events such as the Candidate Forum. At our state Presidents’ Meeting, I learned this is a common dilemma. Other branch presidents had great suggestions to help educate our communities. We are engaged in some of the ideas and others we could consider.

Thank you also, to Lael Williams, Joyce Leak, Rose Olson, and their team for all they did to make the New Member Gathering a fun event which welcomed our new members in style!

Feedback from the AAUW-WA October 19 event, “Telling Our Stories”, was very moving! Although only three of our regions’ presidents attended, they felt it was an amazing event and provided timely information about the struggles of women in education and in the workforce. A compelling question from the event was, “When did you first realize your gender and ethnicity?” The premises are, we define ourselves, our abilities, and our futures by the perceptions of others. I knew instantly when I learned my ethnicity and must admit it was the foundation for my ambition, understanding, and defining my limitations. The presenters for the event are working to distribute their documentary via PBS or at least on You Tube. Hopefully, we can all watch it and learn from it!

We are still working to fill crucial board positions of President-elect and VP Finance-elect. At the Presidents’ meeting, other branch leaders offered some intriguing suggestions which I will be discussing with the board. If you have suggestions, please let me know; your input is important to me.