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AAUWNOVEMBER 2019BIRMINGHAM BRANCH BULLETINBirmingham, Michigan - Since 1920birmingham-mi.aauw.netNovember Luncheon Donation.For Big Family of MichiganOur November luncheon donation willsupport the Christmas present programat Big Family of Michigan.which supplies 10 presents per child forfoster care and grandchildren beingraised by grandparents. This includesinfants and teens up to age 18.(See pg. 5 for more details)Suggestions/Needs:Gift cards for teens to Walmart, Target,Amazon, McDonalds, pizza places, etc.,Adult coloring books, markers, coloredpencils, new books, educational toys andgames, infant toys, board games, artsand craft projects for all ages,Hair care products and supplies, bodycare sets for teens, perfume, make up,finger nail polish, leggings-any size.(See Big Family of Michigan Facebookpage for requests from specific children).Theater Goers, 2 pm, Sun., Nov. 17Program: Crazy for You,Village Players, Birmingham.Deadline for tickets ( 21) is Nov. 7thRSVP Sue WinowieckiWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2019General Meeting and LuncheonThe Iroquois Club43248 N. WoodwardBloomfield Hills, 48302Cash bar, no valet parkingSpeaker: Tracy Purrenhage, South OaklandCounty Resource Recovery Authority(SOCCRA)Does recycling “spark joy” for you? Do you know what happens toyour bottles and cans and plastic? What about that old paint?Tracy Purrenhage explains it all. Marie Kondo would be proud.Menu: Michigan maple salad with chicken, romaine, goat cheese,apple, dried cherries, and honey-roasted pecans. French rolls andbutter. Chocolate chip cookies. Coffee, tea, soft drinks. Vegetarianor lactose intolerant available with reservation.PLEASE NOTE - IT’S A WEEK EARLYRESERVATION DEADLINE, WEDNESDAY, October 30thPlease send 28 per person, with your check payable to “AAUWBirmingham Branch”, as well as program-only reservations to:Nancy O'Connor,3220 Vinsetta Blvd., Royal Oak, 48073248-259-4196nancyaoconnor1101@gmail.comSorry no refunds.Study Group Hostesses: Artistic EndeavorsAAUW Directory of Recommended ServicesUPCOMING dates toremember:Nov. 15: Level Up!, offeringskill building, back to school,a better job. Event sponsored by AAUWBirmingham, OCC, AAUW Farmington.March 18, 2020: ExplorathonMay 13: Branch Centennial Celebration,Forest Hills, Country Club.May 15-16: AAUW Michigan StateConvention - Midland.May 29: Study Interest Group Leaders/Board Reception, Doyle Center.For an updated version of our own “Angie’s List”go to AAUW Birmingham Branch website:birmingham-mi-aauw.netPlease let me know if you have been pleased or satisfied recentlywith the services of a contractor or a professional and would bewilling to recommend the service provider toothers. Also, if you have in the pastrecommended, referred or used someone on thelist and now know of information there that is nolonger correct, please let me know so others won’tbe disappointed. We need your additions andcorrections on an ongoing basis to keep our listcurrent. Thank you!248-538-5133 sharpe1@yahoo.comIrene SharpeNOVEMBER 2019AAUW BULLETIN
PRESIDENT’S NOVEMBER MESSAGEAAUW BulletinVol. 47, Issue 3, November 2019Publication No. 012-130The AAUW Birmingham BranchBulletin is published monthly,September through June, for themembers of the Branch.Postmaster: send corrections to KarenLinnell, AAUW Bulletin, 1025 Fairfax,Birmingham MI 48009.Known office of publications is1025 Fairfax, Birmingham MI 48009.Periodical postage paid atBirmingham MI 48012.AAUW Birmingham Branch BoardBranch President:Sally Doty248-909-4583Vice President-Program:Kathy Stasys248-644-1481Vice President-Membership:Patty Orlowski248-641-3892Recording Secretary:Kathy Fredrickson: 248-930-1974Corresponding Secretary:Rita Dates248-882-2919Treasurer:Sandra Dickerson248-736-8811Dues Treasurer:Karen Boyk248-321-6026Study Group Coordinators:Lynn Hipp248-420-4615Linda Kevorkian248-219-1915Communications:Jean Ivory248-454-8750Communications Electronic:Sharon McKenna313-570-2013Branch Website:birmingham-mi.aauw.netBulletin Editor:Marion Muma248-792-9780Bulletin copy deadline is the 17th of theprevious month. Send copyand/or corrections to:marionmuma@gmail.comAAUW of Michigan info: aauwmi.orgSunday morning, I opened the Detroit Free Pressand was extremely happy to see the lead storycovering most of the front page by Susan Tomporentitled “Decades of Debt”. She was talking aboutstudent loans as they are used by young people toattain a college degree. In it she states:“So often student loan debt is talked about in wideranging terms that mask the true impact on acommunity, particularly on women of color”.Women hold almost two-thirds of the outstanding student loan debtin the United States, according to a key study by AmericanAssociation of University Women, a nonprofit based in Washington,D.C., that promotes equity for women and girls. Tompor goes on toquote Deborah Vagins, Senior Vice President of Public Policy andResearch for AAUW. This eye-opening article is available online if youdid not get a chance to read it over the weekend. Your donations to thePatron Donor Friend Contributor Fund help make research like thispossible.On Monday morning, the Detroit Free Press had a lead story on“Jump-Starting Careers – Skilled trade apprenticeships in high demand,help avoid debt.” This article was describing programs in the highschools that are developed in partnership with the Downriver CareerTechnical Consortium, which coordinates technical training for nine highschools in southern Wayne County.Our activities and programs such as the Level Up: Education, Jobsand Careers being planned to occur on November 15th at the OCCRoyal Oak campus (see pg. 7) and Explorathon, which introducesSTEM careers to 8th through 12th grade girls, are important steps. Theyhelp move our mission forward locally.Yes, we need donations to fund our local scholarships, programsand sponsorship of young women attending NCCWSL (NationalConference of College Women Student Leaders). But we also need youto donate to the national programs. The national programs also benefitour local programs through research and development grants such asthe Jean Ivison Walker Grant that we just completed. We celebrate allof you and wish that we could say that our members support themission both locally and nationally.Last month was our 93rd book sale, which in the past has been themain source of the funds to sponsor local scholarships. As eBooksusage has increased, profits from the book sale have declined. We willnow have to depend on other types fund raisers and the generosity ofour members and other community members. It is for that reason thatwe have transformed the Forever 29 program that we have had in thepast into the new Tributes and Memorials. (See pg. 7 for a listing ofbook sale donors.) We also thank all of you who brought food for theworkers and, of course, to all of you and your family members thatworked either at the sale or over the summer. Without all of this helpwe could not continue. (See the book sale report on pg. 7.)I know that I have been talking mostly about money in this column,but we can’t move the mission without it. As many of you are looking atthe Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA’s, consider giving theAAUW Birmingham Branch Foundation, Inc., a donation. If it is sentdirectly from your financial institution, it is not a taxable event for you.Lastly, have a safe and thankful holiday.Sally DotyNOVEMBER 2019AAUW BULLETINPage 2
PLEASE ADD NEW MEMBERSTO YOUR DIRECTORY:Barbara Havens3812 Winding Brook CircleRochester Hills, MI 48309barahavens@gmail.com248-855-5305October 9, 2019 Board Meeting Highlights Estelle Babitch7074 BridgewayWest Bloomfield 448322suedaniels123@gmail.com(H) 248-932-1181(C) 248-980-1181 An update for your new directory:Please delete home phone entirelyfor Eva Mitri.Please update information on pg. 5for Nancy O’Connor:Remove her home phone entirelyUpdate her email to:nancyaoconnor1101@gmail.com Treasurer Sandy Dickerson reported that as of September 30, 2019,total branch assets were 27,008.99, and net assets were 26,758.99.President Sally Doty reviewed the upcoming events and dates.A motion was passed to renew our branch liability insurance with ourcurrent provider for the 2019-20 year.Membership vice president Patty Orlowski announced that 13 newmembers will be welcomed at the Friday, October 25th new memberreception.AAUW Funds chair Sue Longstreet stated that donations are stillbeing collected, and the total received so far is 5,500. (see below)Menus/Venues chair Colette Stager reviewed plans for the May 13thbranch Centennial Celebration at Forest Lake Country Club, whichwill be an especially wonderful event and also a branch fund-raiser.Diversity Representative Cathy Hurley invited members toparticipate in the gift-wrapping activity at Big Family of Michigan onNovember 15, from 10 am to noon. (see list of needs on pg.1).Book Sale chair Carol Pyke reported on the book sale. (see pg.7)Jean Ivory reported on plans for the November 15th Level UP event,which is sponsored by AAUW Birmingham, OCC, and AAUWFarmington. (see pg.7)REPORT FROM BIRMINGHAM BRANCH FUNDSOur Patron Donor Contributor Fund (PDFC) this year has already receiveddonations from nearly 30% of our members. All contributors will be acknowledgedand thanked in the December bulletin.Let me remind everyone how important this Fund is to AAUW. Our 93rd Book Sale was a challenge this year,largely because of the new location. However, we persevered and were able to provide free books to teacherswho attended, as well as schools that are part of our outreach. PDFC was established to cover the loss of incometo the sale when we give these free books to teachers. This allows us to send contributions to support research,legal advocacy, public policy and educational grants to the AAUW.Last year we completed the Jean Ivison Walker fund, which is already supporting an exceptional womannamed Ruby Felton with a Career Development Grant, allowing her to pursue a master’s degree in pastoralcounseling. Our contributions are also helping J’Taime Lyons (working on her MBA at the University ofMichigan); Bolor Amgalan (working on research in New York - after being awarded an International Fellowship inMongolia); Kanchan Swaroop (working on a master’s degree in environmental engineering at the University ofMichigan); and Alison Parks, PhD (who won an American Fellowship to study politics and gender issues).We are so proud of giving these women, and the AAUW, our support. I encourage all of you to consider acontribution to the PDCF. If we had 100% contribution, it would be amazing. Any amount makes a significantdifference. Please make sure you send your tax-deductible donation to the Patron Donor Friend Contributor Fund(payable to the AAUW Birmingham Branch Foundation, Inc.) to me by December 1, 2019.Sue Longstreet, Birmingham Branch AAUW Funds Chair, 2019-2020NOVEMBER 2019AAUW BULLETINPage 3
STUDY GROUP CALENDAR - November, 2019AAUW & SOCIAL ISSUESCommunity Outreach10 am, Fri, Nov. 15Big Family of Michigan. Contact Cathy Hurley. See pg.5 formore details.International Relations10 a.m., Mon., Nov. 4Program: Panama. Hostess: Carol Pyke, 248-203-2952Public Policy2:30 pm, Thurs., Nov. 14Program: “The Generations”; Presenters, Allison Friedman& Carol Pyke. Hostess: Karen Linnell, 248-594-9871The Breakfast BunchNo Program ScheduledARTS & HUMANITIESArt Matters11 am, Thurs., Nov 14Program: Art lecture by Wendy Evans – the ManoogianCollection-Armenian Art. Cost, 5. Location: Jewish Comm.Center, Maple & Drake. Please RSVPJoBeth30@gmail.com by Nov. 12 if interested.Artistic EndeavorsNo Program ScheduledModern ArtThurs., 12:30 pm, Nov. 21(Please note date change)Program: Archives of Cranbrook. RSVP Linda Kevorkian(kevorkianlk@gmail.com) or Miriam Mercier(mirimercier@gmail.com) if interestedBOOK CLUBSBelles Lettres1:30 pm, Thurs., Nov. 7Topic: The Painted Drum, Louise Erdrich.Hostess: Julie Reisig, 248-642-5742Beyond Adelante6:30 pm, Tues., Nov. 5Topic: Stony the Road, Henry Louis GatesHostess: Cindy Clement, 248-433-3629Green ThumbNo Program ScheduledLet’s CookNo Program ScheduledNeedleworks10 am, Wed., Nov. 20Hostess: Kathy Stasys, 248-644-1481ON THE TOWNOpera Divas10 a.m., Mon., Nov. 18Program: Glass’ Akhnaten; Presenter: Julie Blair;Performance Date, Nov. 23. Location: Bloomfield TwpLibrary. RSVP Lorraine Clay (313-433-1459) for discussionTheater Goers2 pm, Sun., Nov. 17Program: Crazy for You, Village Players, Birmingham.Deadline for tickets ( 21) is Nov. 7. RSVP Sue Winowiecki,248-635-0462 or suewinow@gmail.com2 pm, Sun, Dec. 15Program: Sherlock Holmes & the Adventure of the FallenSouffle, Purple Rose, Chelsea.Deadline for tickets ( 43) is Nov. 24. RSVP SueWinowiecki, 248-635-0462 or suewinow@gmail.comTwo Thumbs UpThurs., Nov. 7Time, location and movie determined by hostess.Hostess: Uma Bedi, 248-855-1796JUST FOR FUNCanasta:Mondays, 1:30 pmFor more information, please contact Sue Winowiecki,248-635-0462 or suewinow@gmail.comMah Jongg:1 pm, Wed., Nov. 6, 20 & 27Hostess: Py Wolfe, 248-824-0776. Location: Bloomfield TwpLibraryBridge:Contemporary Books2:30 pm, Thurs., Nov. 18Topic: Lost Roses, Martha Hall Kelly.Hostess: Vivian Norton, 248-682-80603rd WednesdayNov. 20, 11:30 am, Village ClubChair: Mary Hines – 248-642-1881Morning After Readers9:30 am, Mon., Nov. 11Topic: The Spectator Bird, Wallace StegnerHostess: Linda Schnorbus, 248-723-50084th ThursdayNo game scheduledChair: Sharon Grisdale, 586-612-5940Mystery Book ClubNo Program ScheduledNorthside BooksNo Program ScheduledPolitical Inquiry10 am, Wed., Nov. 20Topic: War with Russia: From Putin & Ukraine to Trump &Russiagate, Stephen F. Cohen. Hostess: Joan Black. Location: Carol Pyke, 248-203-2952PotpourriNo Program ScheduledThurs. Morning Readers10 am, Thurs., Nov. 21Topic: Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia OwensHostess: Kathy Stasys, 248-644-1471HOME & GARDENCooking Light11:30 am, Thurs, Nov. 21Hostess: Gloria Freeland, 248-709-1508NOVEMBER 20194th Wed. early Evening,Nov. 27, 3:30 pm, HeathersChair: Kay Norton –248-737-06481st FridayNov. 1, 11:30 am, Village ClubHostess: Beverly Pintar– 248-626-43112nd FridayNov. 8, 11:30 am, HeathersChair: Mary Lou Harrison - 248-643-89833rd FridayNov. 15, 11:30 am, Village ClubChair: Carol Wiseman – 248-540-21784th Friday (Duplicate)Nov. 22, 11:30 am, Village ClubChair: Kay Norton –248-737-0648CONTACTSKay Norton for bridge - 248-737-0648.Lynn Hipp for calendar changes - 248-420-4615.Information due by the 17th of the Month.Study/Interest Group Membership –call Chair listed in the AAUW Directory,pages 8-10AAUW BULLETINLynn HippPage 4
Community Outreach ActivitiesBig Family of Michigan Christmas Program (BFOM):Calling all Christmas Elves. We are returning to Big Family ofMichigan on Friday, November 15th from 10:00 -12:00 to shop andwrap gifts for foster children and children being raised by grandparents in Michigan.Currently there are 142,000 grandchildren being raised by grandparents here in Michigan, many of whomcan not afford Christmas presents for their grandchildren. We shopped and wrapped last year and had a greattime. I have signed up for all 15 slots that morning so I need a good turn out of volunteer elves! The center hasall the gifts, all the wrapping paper and tape, they just need workers.Our November luncheon donation is for BFOM. (See page 1 for suggestions.) If you aren't attending theluncheon, donations can be dropped off at my home (Cathy Hurley, 2644 Cheswick Dr.,Troy), or call to arrangea pick up. We will be delivering our donations on the day of the outreach. Hope you can come.Please RSVP to Cathy Hurley at cathyghurley@gmail.com or 248-867-3906.Moonbeams for Sweet DreamsWe are planning another night at Beaumont Hospital to participate in the Moonbeams for Sweet Dreamsproject. This is a great way to brighten up the night for children stuck in the hospital during the month ofDecember. Warm clothes and flashlights are all that is needed to participate. More details and the date to beannounced.Cathy Hurley, Community Outreach ChairArt Matters did a September 27th tour of Kirk in the Hills in Bloomfield HillsOur private tour of the Kirk was a great experience covering the rich history of such a jewel in this city. A tourof the entire church was a very thorough education - including information about the architecture, stained glasswindows, artworks, tapestries, the gardens and so much more. A great time was had by all.Above left and right: Art Matters members enjoyed thearchitecture, art, and the beautiful stained glass to be foundeverywhere. On the left, even a Pewabic pottery tile.NOVEMBER 2019AAUW BULLETINPage 5
The November Study and Interest Group Spotlight is on:PUBLIC POLICYWHAT HAPPENS AT PUBLIC POLICY STUDY GROUP MEETINGSThe Public Policy study group meets every third Thursday afternoon at 2:30, most often at Karen Linnell’shome. The purpose is to stay aware of public policy issues both at the state level and national level that alsoaffect the policy issues held by AAUW. (See Two-Minute Activist aauw.us/twominuteactivist.org and GovernmentRelations Reports www.aauwmich.org.)The AAUW public policy priorities are aligned with our mission to advance gender equity for womenand girls through research, education, and advocacy. Our positions are shaped by our commitment to beingnonpartisan and fact-based and to acting with integrity to achieve equity for all. Our three main areas of focusfrom the 2019 AAUW strategic plan are education and training; economic security, and leadership. A full anddetailed description of the priorities may be found on our branch website birminghammi.aauw.net., provided by Mary Pollock, AAUW of Michigan Government Relations Coordinatorand registered lobbyist.Mary PollockOur monthly meetings explore various public policy topics either by member research orspecial guests, and we encourage you all to visit and see how Public Policy meetings stimulateyour thinking. In October we hosted Mary Pollock, AAUW of Michigan Government RelationsCoordinator and registered lobbyist. She was informal with us, answering our questions andelaborating on details of various legislators.Here are just a few of the interesting facts she shared during her interesting and dynamic presentation: The governor has appointed Cheryl Bergman as the executive director of the Women’s Commission leading15 appointed members. The commission plans to hold Town Halls around the state to develop a list of actionplans to be presented to the governor that deal with women’s issues. Only 5% of CEOs are women, so AAUW works to train women in leadership and the STEM careers.(NCCWSL is an example which our branch supports.) 2/3 of student debt is held by females. Half of our nation’s births occur out of wedlock. Census plans will include an on-line short form that can also be completed by phone. Michigan is expectedto lose one congressional district following the census data. New congressional lines will be drawn by acommission yet to be established.Carol Pyke, Public Policy Study Group ChairPublic Policy members left to right, Becky Rank, SueWinowiecki, and Barbara Moorhouse.NOVEMBER 2019Public Policy members left to right, Joan Black, Sue Stoll,and Allison FriedmanAAUW BULLETINPage 6
BOOK SALE NEWSMany thanks to all who worked so hard on the used book sale (UBS).Unfortunately, the sale was not nearly as successful as we had hoped, but it wasnot from a lack of effort! Members, husbands, friends, children andgrandchildren worked together to do all the jobs. It was a supreme effort!TRIBUTES ANDMEMORIALSThis tribute goes to thefollowing people who madedonations to or at theSeptember book sale. Theyare hereby honored andthanked for their support.Lucinda ClementCarol Wiseman CummingsPamela HoffmanPatricia JuddLinda MacQueenJulie MatthewsMarion MumaCarol PykePamela PykeRebecca PerryMarge ThomasCarlene VanVoorhiesJean WalkerIn spite of the disappointing results, the committee has decided that the usedbook sale will continue. It has been a key philanthropy for 93 years, and itshould be our legacy into the future - even with lessprofit. The 4000 that was the net income this year willbe used as part of the funds for scholarships. Whateveris made each year will be part of several fund-raisers tosupport our scholarship budget.The sale will be contingent, however, upon findinga suitable site for the sale. It must be on a majorthoroughfare, so that will be the number one task. Wemay change the month, the days of the sale or the hoursof the sale, particularly as to Sunday. We also willdetermine how to utilize others in the labor that isinvolved. A planning committee was established with Susan Mundy as the chair,supported by Sally Doty, Jody Kuhn, Cindy Longhway, Sue Longstreet andKathy Rice.The leftover books from this year’s sale are stored at the sorting site with theidea they may be used as a beginning inventory. Thank you to BirminghamPublic Schools for allowing us to use the facility for storage. Thank you to allwho supported the sale with time, energy, donations and undying commitment!!!Carol Pyke, Used BS Chair (retired)The Fight for Pay Equity: A Federal RoadMap Updated September 2019In 2018, median annual earnings in the U.S. for menworking full time, year-round were 55,291,compared to just 45,097 for women, according tothe most recent census data. That means womenwere paid just 82% percent of men’s earnings — agap of 18 percent.The gap narrowed over the past half-century, butprogress has stalled in recent years. Our federalequal pay laws need an update and agencies can domore to ensure women bring home the pay theyhave rightfully earned.Congress must take action to close the gender paygap by passing legislation that will enable all womento take home a fair paycheck. The Paycheck Fairness Act would protectworkers by updating and strengthening the EqualPay Act of 1963. The Pay Equity for All Act would prohibitemployers from seeking salary history during thehiring process. The Fair Pay Act would requireemployers to provide equal pay for work ofequivalent value.from Oct. 2019 AAUW Mission and ActionNOVEMBER 2019WHAT IS LEVEL UP?Level Up - Education, Jobs,and Careers (formerly known asWomen in Transition) will beheld on November 15, 2019, atOakland Community CollegeRoyal Oak campus.This event is sponsored bythe Birmingham and Farmington AAUW Branches,Oakland Community College, and with a grant from TheVillage Club in Bloomfield Hills.This workshop is for people who are entering or reentering the workforce and those who would like toimprove their working situation. The attendees will bedivided into three groups - those who may needassistance with Adult Education and GED; those who areready to enroll in post-secondary education; and thosewho are employed or under-employed desiring a changeand/or improvement in their career.Marjorie DiLiddo and I are serving as co-chairs. If youare interested in participating or contributing in any way,please refer to the branch directory and contact one ofus.Jean Ivory,Branch Website CommunicationsAAUW BULLETINPage 7
AAUW BulletinBirmingham BranchKaren Linnell1025 FairfaxBirmingham, MI 48009Entered as a Periodical inBirmingham, MichiganReport of Annual Statement of Ownership Management and Circulation for branch newsletter as required by USPS.NOVEMBER 2019AAUW BULLETINPage 8
3220 Vinsetta Blvd., Royal Oak, 48073 248-259-4196 nancyaoconnor1101@gmail.com. Sorry no refunds. Study Group Hostesses: Artistic Endeavors AAUW Directory of Recommended Services For an updated version of our own "Angie's List" go to AAUW Birmingham Branch website: birmingham-mi-aauw.net
