Rebecca Bender to Speak at October Meeting

Rebecca Bender, nationally recognized advocate for survivors of sex trafficking, licensed minister, and author, will return as our guest speaker at the October 8 membership meeting. Ms. Bender was the keynote speaker at our recent Celebration of Scholars last May, and we are delighted that she will be back to share more of her inspiring story and her efforts to help victims of modern-day

slavery. Ms. Bender is herself a survivor of sex trafficking, and she founded the Rebecca Bender Initiative with the goal of eradicating modern-day sex trafficking, both domestically and internationally. She hopes to not only bring awareness of this serious problem to the forefront, but also educate the public on modern-day slavery.Her organization provides crisis intervention, assisting victims to escape, with a network of resources, including an on-line 16-week program that helps survivors worldwide with healing and development. She has also developed a training program used by government agencies, medical professionals, and community services. Ms. Bender has written “Roadmap to Redemption,” a survivor’s workbook. She was also the recipient of the “Unlikely Hero” award in 2013 and the “Female Overcomer” award in 2014.Rebecca Bender is an inspiration to many and has received numerous accolades for her speaking. Please join us at the October meeting for an informative, educational, and memorable presentation.

B R E A K I N G T H R O U G H B A R R I E R S OCTOBER 2016

The monthly newsletter of the Ashland, Oregon Branch. http://ashland-or.aauw.net

In This Issue

Board Notes 2Public Policy 2Healthcare for All Women 3AWSEM 3WIN 3Membership News 4Oregon News 4Interest Groups 5Welcome Back Meeting 6-7In our thoughts 8Photos for Next Year’s Directory 8New Directory Reminder 8

Looking Ahead

$$$ 4 Scholars Oct. 1 & 2October Meeting Oct. 8Grants Pass Kitchen Tour Oct. 15New Member Orientation Oct. 18South District Meeting   Oct. 22November Meeting Nov. 10Holiday Party and Fundraiser Dec. 9

Mission: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

June 23, 2017FRI., 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Annual Board RetreatAshland Public Library, Guanajuato Room

June 30, 2017AAUW membership renewal deadline for 2017–2018

October 1 & 2SAT., 9 a.m.–3 p.m. & SUN., 12 noon–2 p.m. $$$ 4 ScholarsBellview Grange, Ashland

October 8SAT., 9:30 a.m.–12 noonBranch Meeting: Speaker Rebecca Bender, “Sex Trafficking”Diversions Room, SOU

November 10THURS., 5–7:30 p.m. Branch Meeting: CASA and CAC, “Children’s Advocacy”Diversions Room, SOU

December 9FRI., 6:30–9:30 p.m. Holiday Party and FundraiserDiversions Room, SOU

January 14, 2017SAT., 9:30 a.m.–12 noonBranch Meeting: Public Policy—Lobby Day 2017Diversions Room, SOU

February 11, 2017 SAT., 9:30 a.m.–12 noonBranch Meeting TBADiversions Room, SOU

March 9, 2017THURS., 5–7:30 p.m. Branch Meeting: Speaker Marjorie Trueblood, SOU Director of Diversity and Inclusion, “Diversity and Inclusion”Diversions Room, SOU

April 15, 2017SAT., 9:30 a.m.–12 noonPresidents’ Meeting: Election and installation of officers, Florence Schneider Award and Named Gift Honoree Award presentation, Platinum Society Awards

May 18, 2017THURS., 6–9 p.m. Celebration of ScholarsRogue River Room, SOU

November Branch MeetingThursday, November 10, 5-7:30 p.m., we will present a program focused on children’s advocacy, featuring speakers from two local nonprofit organizations, Court Appointed Advocates of Jackson County (CASA) and Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Jackson County. CASA recruits and trains volunteers who act as independent advocates for abused and neglected children. CAC is a child abuse intervention center that works closely with CASA and other advocacy organizations. Don’t miss this informative program.

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FINANCIAL REPORTDiana Quirk presented a draft budget. The following items were discussed:1. Director & Officer Liability Insurance

– There have been several requests for a policy that would cover AAUW Ashland Board members. An ad hoc group was appointed to investigate and make their recommendation at the next meeting.

2. Mileage for attendance at AAUW functions outside of Ashland – In order to encourage more member participation, a rate of 30 cents/mile was established and will be budgeted.

3. New Brochure – Currently we have about 40 brochures remaining. Mimi Pippel reported that a new brochure is being created.

4. The budget will be presented at the October Board meeting for approval.

STRATEGIC PLANNING Sandra Coyner presented a draft of the work done by the Strategic Planning Committee. It includes five goals, indicators of success for each goal, and activities to be conducted this year.

AAUW OREGON STATE PRIORITIESSaundra Theis reported that AAUW Ashland has a good working relationship with the state President and Public Policy Chair. Three of the Branch’s focus areas are also priorities set by the state organization:1. Public Policy initiatives2. Leadership development3. University/College partnerships

HOSPITALITYWe will use SOU catering for the two largest branch meetings (Sept. and April). For the other five monthly meetings, drinks will be catered and members will be asked to provide refreshments. Elaine Hamlin will organize this activity.

PUBLIC POLICYKathy Brandon reported that the Ashland City Council voted to support CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), an International treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1979, and an AAUW-backed initiative.

MEMBERSHIPMaureen Wilson-Jarrard has taken responsibility for all-member e-mail communications.

SOUTH DISTRICT MEETINGOn Saturday, October 22nd, all members from the South District AAUW branches (Ashland, Grants Pass, Klamath, Lakeview, and Medford) are encouraged to attend a meeting at SOU. Mimi Pippel will lead a panel discussion by the students who attended NCCWSL regarding their experiences at the leadership training conference. It will also provide an opportunity to meet the new President of AAUW Oregon, Kathy Dew (Bend Branch) and members from the other Southern Oregon branches.

Board NotesAugust 22, 2016 Meeting

Public Policy

It Is My Voice, I Will Be Heard

”When women vote, they change the conversation,” is the opening phrase of an article in the recent 2016 AAUW Outlook magazine, recently delivered to your mail-box. It is an excellent resource for digging in and analyzing the 2016 political process and election. Articles cite compelling elec-tion interests for AAUW, including crucial Supreme Court appointments. Ramifi-cations of federal elections reach much farther than a term of office or Congressio-nal session. Specifically, in the choice of a President, consideration should be given to the future appointments of Supreme Court justices and their continued impact on law for decades, even generations. The AAUW Action Fund Voter Guides are intended to provide nonpartisan informa-tion about candidates’ positions on issues such as equal pay, education funding, and reproductive rights. This guide facilitates discussion and can be found at AAUW.org. In Oregon there will be some very import-ant issues on the ballot. There are 8 ballot measures, including:

Measure 69 (formerly known as IP 28) increases the corporate minimum tax when Oregon sales exceed $25 million.Measure 98 requires state funding for dropout prevention, career and college readiness programs in Oregon high schools.Measure 99 creates an outdoor school education fund to provide outdoor schools statewide.

These issues are complex and we encourage members to consider the pros and cons of each and their overall benefit for women.Locally, Ashland residents will vote on Measure 15-154 that supports the Oregon legislature’s effort for significant improve-ment in Oregon’s healthcare system. The mayoral race this year sees incumbent John Stromberg running against three candi-dates, including AAUW Ashland member Carol Voisin. AAUW is initiating a new E- Bulletin: “In the Statehouse”. This members- only communication provides updates on state policy from across the country and suggests resources for more effective advocacy. To sign up, visit AAUW.org.Please remember that your voice and sup-port for our mission of equity for all women and girls can only be heard and legislated through your vote!

—Kathy BrandonPublic Policy Chair

“We educate women because it is smart. We educate women because

it changes the world.” — Drew Faust,

President, Harvard University

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AWSEM – Ashland AAUW’s Only STEM ProjectAWSEM (Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Math) is a one-day symposium held on a Saturday in April on the SOU campus to encourage about 150 7th and 8th grade girls to investigate STEM careers. Girls are nominated to the program by their science, math, and technology teachers. Ten hands-on workshops are presented during the day with each girl choosing to attend three. Recent examples have included forensic science, veterinary science, and engineering opportunities. Presenters are professional women from the community who not only have enthusiasm for their careers but also the desire and ability to share their enthusiasm. Many participants get additional time with the presenters during lunch. In addition, female SOU students are present to share their goals and achievements with the young girls.Both Ashland and Medford AAUW have provided financial contributions to this program. If you are interested in being involved during the symposium or in the organizational stages, contact Carryl Breon who coordinates this activity for our branch. The enthusiasm and energy of the middle school girls is indeed awesome.

—Gretchen King

WIN, Women in NeedThe WIN group will be meeting during the next month. Carol Ryan, the new coordinator, will be in touch with those of you who signed up at our last meeting and with previous participants. We have reinstated the WIN Book Sale. Thank you to all who donated books, bought books, and donated cash to our bus token fund. We purchased $80 of bus tokens that have already been delivered to Dunn House for the use of residents. If you have books to donate, please contact Carol Ryan and our group will sort them before the next meeting. Of course, you are always able to bring books to the next meeting. Dunn House is so appreciative of our AAUW Branch for supporting the shelter over the years. The library, refrigerator, and door locks that we provided have made a difference to the survivors. The staff will soon be meeting to brainstorm and prioritize what is needed at Dunn House. The WIN group will meet soon and consider the staff information to determine the focus of our January fundraiser.

—Carol Ryan

Health Care for All WomenI’ve known women staying in a bad marriage because they needed health insurance. I’ve known women in a job they seriously disliked because of health insurance. What if women had independent health care financing and could choose partner and career based on their hopes and dreams? Health care financing may seem not a gender-related issue, but it affects women in particular ways. Because women still earn less on average than men—we’re now up to 80 cents on the dollar, yay!—and because continuing gender stereotypes affect women’s jobs and education, women often have a harder time getting good care.Ashland voters have a chance this November to tell the Oregon legislature we want better health care financing. Ballot measure 15-154, proposed by Health Care for All-Oregon and placed on the local ballot by the Ashland City Council, states our desire for comprehensive care, universal equitable

access, choice of provider, cost controls, and affordability for families, businesses and society. Our “yes” votes will send a message with oomph.

Why now? Last year the Oregon legislature funded a professional study it had

approved to identify an Oregon-specific system that would meet

the above criteria (and some other good ones). The results are due this December. We’ll have legislation ready to take real action in the 2017 session.

Obamacare has improved health care availability for many people, but

it needs improvement. Too many people are paying high and increasing premiums,

deductibles, and co-pays, or are underinsured or even uncovered. Drug prices are skyrocketing. Medical expense is the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy. We pay more than any other rich country and get less. One third of health care dollars don’t go to health care. We can do better. Ashland has a chance to say so.

—Sandra Coyner

 

“A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation, provide children with

the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labor exploitation and disease and give them the knowledge,

skills and confidence to reach their full potential”—Audrey Hepburn

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AAUW SOUTH DISTRICT MEETING

Saturday, October 22: Fall South District AAUW meeting, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at SOU: Stevenson Union, Senate Chambers Room 313. The day includes:

Welcome by SOU President, Dr. Linda SchottIntroduction of Kathi Dew, new President of AAUW of OregonVideo on “Barriers and Bias: The Status of Women in Leadership,” AAUW’s newest research report“Developing New Leaders” presentation + Lunch + Branch ideas and successes

RSVP by Monday, October 17 to Gayle Clason: Sew2day2013@gmail.comPay at the door: $22 (includes lunch)

AAUW GRANTS PASS KITCHEN TOUR

Saturday, October 15: The Grants Pass AAUW 12th Annual Kitchen Tour is October 15tth from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a fundraiser for local and national college scholarships. Over $110,000 has been raised during the past 11 years. Fun, food, and fabulous kitchens are featured. Tour goers purchase a $20 ticket that maps 5 homes and a cabinet design studio to visit. Tickets go on sale Sept. 19th in Grants Pass at: The Kitchen Company, 301 SE 6th St.; Oregon Books, 150 NE E St.; Newman United Methodist Church, 132 NE B St. on the day of the event (headquarters); or from a member of GP AAUW. Please join the fun! Rachelfuss.gp@gmail.com

AAUW MEDFORD MEETING

Saturday, October 1: Kids Unlimited tour, with Tom Cole, director, the tour guide. Meet at Kids Unlimited between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m.

Membership News

We had great attendance for our opening membership meeting in September, with 79 members and 9 visitors present. The fabulous new directories were available for pick-up, but a number of members have yet to receive their copy. Please contact Priscilla Arnold to arrange getting your directory, or plan to pick it up at the next meeting on Saturday, Oct 8.Kori Calvert will be coordinating a new-member orientation event on Tuesday, Oct 18, 5:30-7 p.m. at the home of Carryl Breon. The membership team will lead an introduction to the priorities and projects of our Branch, and we will enjoy getting to know each other a little better. We hope all of our recent members can join us for this casual evening together. There are several new members to welcome:Ann Bard moved to Jacksonville in July of this year from Bend. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from St Michael’s University in Vermont, and specialized in diagnosis and individualized therapy for students from elementary through graduate school level. In Bend, Ann established a native plant nursery, and has interests including environmental issues, foreign affairs, and gardening.Sandy Burd made the decision to join our Branch while attending the September meeting! We certainly join together in welcoming her to the AAUW.

Judy Lang has lived in Ashland since 1985. She holds a BS in Biology & Sociology from Willamette University and an RN degree from Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center School of Nursing in Portland. Her professional work has been in critical care and post-anesthesia care, and she currently is employed at the Surgery Center of Southern Oregon.Sarah Cottrell is returning as a member after a sabbatical of several years, and we are glad to have her actively involved once again. Correction: Marisa Stone received her BA in Geography from UC Berkeley, and then received a MSc in Journalism from San Jose State Univ.

—Priscilla Arnold, Membership Chair

Oregon AAUW News

“Like life, peace begins with women.

We are the first to forge lines

of alliance and collaboration across

conflict divides.” — Zainab Salbi

“I want every little girl who’s told she’s bossy,

to be told she has leadership skills.”

— Sheryl Sandberg

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Interest GroupsContact the Coordinator to join a group.

Miss the September Meeting?If you did not have an opportunity at the September meeting to sign up for an interest group, please contact the coordinator of the group that interests you. If you would like to start a new interest group, please contact the Chair, Kathy Gorman.

Arts and LanguageMUSICALS meets the third Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. , usually at the home of Ed Perkins. Look for a group e-mail. Coordinator: Diane NovakOPERA: Please note that our Opera meeting day has changed! We now meet at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting is October 4, at the home of Diana Quirk. We will be watching John Adams’s “Nixon in China”. Bring a hearty appetizer and wine or other beverage to share. Coordinator: Nancy Kramarenko.PLAY READING will continue to alternate between Annette Lewis’ house and Carolyn Peake’s house the fourth Friday of each month all year at 4 p.m. We will continue to discuss local theatre, especially OSF shows, sip beverages, munch appetizers, and read from an OSF non-Shakespearean play or a play suggested by a local production. Our next play reading will be “Red” by John Logan, about the life of artist Mark Rothko, at Carolyn Peake’s home on October 28. Coordinators: Annette Lewis and Carolyn PeakeSHAKESPEARE AT OSF meets twice monthly, the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month beginning in September and continuing until all the OSF plays of the upcoming year have been read and a DVD has been viewed. We meet at 12:30 p.m. at Annette Lewis’ home, have tea and snacks, and by l p.m. we are reading. By 2:15 p.m. we are watching a DVD of the part of the play we have read. We finish by 3 p.m. The plays will be read in order of their opening so for the 2017

season: “Julius Caesar,” “Henry IV, pt. 1,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “Henry IV, pt. 2.” In October we will be reading “Julius Caesar”. Feel free to come any time.Coordinators: Annette Lewis and Peggy Audibert

Book GroupsADELANTE! Online book group sponsored by AAUW. Go to www.aauw/org/resource/adelante-book-list. It’s a great source for book ideas. October’s book is “Finding Time: The Economics of Work-Life Conflict” by Heather Boushey, a 1997-98 AAUW American Fellow. Ms. Boushey examines the increasing demands on employees’ time, increasing work-life conflicts, and the impact upon productivity. The book presents detailed innovations to help Americans find the time they need and help businesses attract more productive workers.BRAIN BOOKS will meet on Tuesday, October 25 to discuss “But What If We’re Wrong? Thinking About the Present as if It Were the Past” by Chuck Klosterman (2016). This book asks what our world would look like if viewed from the future. The meeting is 1:30–3:30 p.m. in the Ashland Public Library.Coordinator Sandra Coyner.DAY BOOKS will meet at the home of Julie Downey on Wednesday, October 19 at 1 p.m. to discuss “The Plover” by Brian Doyle. Please contact Julie if you wish to join us. Coordinator: Laurie CarterMONDAY EVENING BOOKS will meet on Monday, October 10, at 7 p.m. . Jean Conger will be hosting and leading the

discussion of “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman. Contact Shannon Stuver with any questions. Coordinator: Shannon StuverDAY NONFICTION meets on the 1st Wednesday at 1 p.m. . Our October 7 meeting is at the home of Diana Quirk, who will lead us in a discussion of “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough. Jean Conger will host and lead a discussion of “Indonesia, Etc.” by Elizabeth Pizani on November 2. Coordinator: Linda LipkindEVENING NONFICTION will meet Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m. the home of Ellen Fowler to discuss “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, led by Mary Coombs. We would welcome new members! Coordinator: Ellen FowlerTHURSDAY EVENING MYSTERY  meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. . The host is responsible for a light snack and for leading a discussion of the book. We will meet at the home of Sandy Theis to discuss “Still Water” by Viveca Stein. Please let Sandy know if you will attend. If you are interested in joining us please contact one of the coordinators: Carol Ryan or Rosemary Adalian.

Dining, Games, Knitting & GenealogyDINNER CLUB: Enjoy casual dinners three times a year. Coordinators: Sunny Anderson & Elaine SweetPOTLUCK SUPPERS:  Our first potluck supper will be held on Tuesday, October 11 at 6 p.m. at the home of Dick and Elaine Sweet. Bring a dish of your choice to share and a bottle of wine. Please be sure to

RSVP to Elaine so we have enough chairs for everyone. Coordinator: Elaine SweetBOARD GAMES meets the 1st Wednesday at 7 p.m. . We will meet on October 5 at the home of Caroline Morse. RSVP to Hostess and Coordinator.Coordinator: Christy AustermannGENEALOGY: Our meeting time is usually 1:30-3:30 on the 4th Thursday at the Jackson County Genealogy Library, 3405 S. Pacific Hwy., Medford. Our October meeting will be on Thursday, October 27. The November and December meetings will be combined into one holiday meeting on Thursday, December 1. Any AAUW Ashland member interested in family research (beginning or advanced) who would like to share discoveries and tips with our interest group is welcome. We will help you get started.Coordinator: Linda LipkindKNITTERS AND STITCHERS will meet Thursday, October 13, 1 - 3 p.m., at the home of Marlyn Barrick. We invite all members to attend and bring a hand project to work on while we visit. RSVP to Marlyn if you are planning to attend. Coordinator: Peggy Audibert

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New members (from left) Lisa Dunagan, Marty Lemke, Karen Grove, Marisa Stone, Ann Bard, Molly Caruthers

It was a full house for our welcome back meeting in the SOU Rogue River Room.

Named gift honorees (from left) Priscilla Arnold, Alice Mallory, Wanda Chin, Regina Ayars

New Co-President Elaine Hamlin

September 2016 “Welcome Back” Meeting

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Kathy Brandon, Public Policy Chair, showing our Branch’s many initiativesTo promote our upcoming Dollars for Scholars ($$$4Scholars) event, Bessie Azari, Christy Austermann, and Caroline Morse took us on a “Shopping Spree”, led in verse by Rae Otto (not pictured).

Nancy Kramarenko and Ginny Dugan sold homemade treats as a fundraiser.

Ellen Fowler and Linda Lipkind signed up avid readers for book groups.

Annette Lewis and Regina Ayars enjoyed perusing books being sold by Carol Ryan at the Women in Need (WIN) table.

Mimi Pippel and Sara Walker

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Calling for Photos Throughout the Year for Next Year’s Directory!

I want to catch you all before the start of the year’s activities and remind you that I’d love to collect personal photos of your interest groups, friendship circles, salons, and other AAUW happenings for next year’s 2017-2018 Membership Directory. Each year I try

to include pictures of as many members as I can in the Directory. Alice Mallory does a great job of photographing our monthly Branch Meetings, but we could also use more photos taken at our smaller group meetings. Group photos and candid shots are a great way to remember our AAUW Ashland friends and the good times and fruitful projects we’ve enjoyed together.Please email photos at full resolution any time during the year to me, including the date and place taken and a list of people in the photo. If you didn’t find your photo in the Directory this year, I apologize. It is probably because I didn’t have a photo of you, or at least didn’t have one that you would have liked! So please improve your chances of appearing in the Directory next year by sending me your best shots!

—Linda Lipkind Directory Editor

Ashland Vision is a monthly newsletter of the Ashland,

Oregon, Branch of AAUW

Vol. 31, No. 2 — October 2016

Co Presidents: Elaine Hamlin and Sandy Theis

Financial Officer: Diana Quirk

Recording Secretary: Peggy Moore

Membership Chair: Priscilla Arnold

Public Policy Chair: Kathy Brandon

Contact Secretary: Rosemary Adalian

Newsletter Team

Editors: Pat Brewer and Ellen Fowler

Designer: Chris Licata

Photographer: Alice Mallory

Readers: Rae Otto, Alice Mallory, Margaret Karsten

Newsletter deadline is the 15th of the month. Photos of interest group activities are welcome.

AAUW Ashland Website: http://ashland-or.aauw.net

In principle and in 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, disability or class.

2016-2017 Membership Directories Need HomesThe 2016-2017 AAUW Ashland Membership Directories not picked up at the September Branch meeting are currently residing at the home of Priscilla Arnold and will be available at the October Branch Meeting. Please try to get yours by the next meeting, if you haven’t already, and if you can deliver one or two to members who have not picked theirs up that will help save the cost of mailing them.

Charitable Partners — These four members have pledged to make a donation to the AAUW/SOU Scholarship Fund every time an AAUW member uses their services or refers someone who uses their services. We thank them for their generosity and dedication to AAUW.

Julie Downey, Broker Gateway Real Estate  541 261 -7939www.gateway-realestate.com/ julie-downey

Liz Murphy, CFP MBA/Financial AdvisorRaymond James Financial Services541-779-9907Liz.Murphy@RaymondJames.comraymondjames.com/lizmurphy

Annette Pugh, BrokerGateway Real Estate541-840-1455eap@mind.net

Sara Walker, BrokerPatricia Sprague Real Estate541-951-5454 sara@hatsoff2u.comwww.hatsoff2u.com

In Our ThoughtsI have sent a card to Dick and Elaine Sweet. Elaine had a fall that resulted in a broken shoulder, and Dick recently had his gallbladder removed. Reports indicate that they are both doing well in the healing process.

—Rosemary Adalian

“The future must not belong to those who bully women. It must be shaped by girls who go to school and those who stand for a world where our daughters can live their dreams just like our sons.”

— President Barack Obama, United States, at the United Nations General Assembly 2012