Advancing Equity for Women and Girls

No December Meeting: Happy Holidays!

General Meeting: Sat., Nov. 16

Huge thanks to Owens Estate & Wealth Management Strategies for sponsoring this program.

The focus of our November 16 program was food insecurity – what that means, how it is being addressed, who are the people in need and how we can help. AAUW member Sue Van Son organized an excellent program to more fully understand the scope of this humanitarian issue. With her expertise as a former director of the IFM, she moderated a panel of experts on food insecurity in our region. They were:

Leslie Lovejoy

Phil Alfonso

Julie Thorbury

• Leslie Lovejoy, Executive Director of Gold Country Senior Services, which operates Meals on Wheels and runs a new senior centern
• Phil Alonso, Executive Director of Interfaith Food Ministry, with Development Director Victoria Lindsay, and Operations Manager Venus Paxton
•  Julie Thornbury, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Nevada County, with Heather Haddock, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator

These panelists described how they deliver or make available food or meals to those in need, from seniors who cannot make meals and have no one to support them in an isolated situation, to families or individuals whose income has been reduced or lost, whose expenses have increased beyond manageability, or whose health issues have impacted their abilities to support themselves. These families and individuals seek assistance sometimes once or twice a week or month, but sometimes as little as two or three times a year.

Food insecurity has increased in this county with one in three families frequenting one of these organizations for help. Those who experience food insecurity often face challenges in receiving assistance due to a lack of transport or a reluctance to ask for help. In closing remarks, Sue Van Son implored the audience to contribute whatever they are willing and able to give, whether by volunteering or by providing financial or food donations.

Questions from the audience regarding resources available to these organizations and efforts to make use of food thrown away by restaurants and supermarkets were answered with positive assurances that these organizations explore routes often unseen. The Food Bank, in particular, applies for funds from federal and state agencies with budget areas designated specifically for nonprofits like them. While the need is growing, these organizations are having helpful impact on thousands per year who experience food insecurity. 

Saturday, Oct 19, 9:30-11:30, Tech Trek in the Spotlight

The October ’24 program was dedicated to the AAUW Tech Trek program and offered an opportunity to meet our 2024 Trekkers. This past July, eight Nevada County middle-school girls attended the week-long AAUW Tech Trek camp at UC Davis where they explored wide-ranging STEM fields.

Six of those girls were able to attend the meeting and described their classes and perceptions in details that conveyed the significance of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their heartfelt gratitude and warmth gave us a view of how meaningful this week away from home has impacted them and quite possibly their future goals. 

Prior to the Trekkers’ presentation, Megan D’Errico, Associate Dean of Science and Mathematics, of Sierra College, spoke to us about the importance of early interventions with girls that boost their knowledge and confidence around STEM careers, interventions that dispel the notion that girls are not suited to the currently male-dominated world of science, tech, and engineering. Megan holds a PhD from Stanford in Geological and Environmental Studies and told the audience her original ambition was to be a doctor. However, once in college, Megan discovered her true calling during a field trip where she was able to apply academic knowledge to nature. Megan had female mentors along the way and emphasized the importance of those models in opening her eyes to a wider world. Her story exemplifies how important that exposure can be. Megan praised the Tech Trek program for its work in doing just that–to exposer girls to the possibilities around STEM and a professional life within its realm.  

The Nevada County Branch has sponsored girls to participate in Tech Trek since it began in 1998, for 26 years! At the start of the program Martha Rees gave a stirring introduction to Tech Trek and its undeniable success.

Huge thanks to Sierra Tech Guy (David Ball) for sponsoring this program!

Saturday, September 21, 2024: Welcome Back Brunch 

Co-Presidents Carol McMillan and Diane Kellegrew presided over the Branch’s first meeting of the year. The meeting was well attended and offered information about the AAUW mission, with a focus on National AAUW Fund fellowships and grants, our Local Scholarship program, and the ever popular, much touted Tech Trek, which will be center stage for the October program.

Attendees were encouraged to explore the many Interest Group displays and consequently gather a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of four prizes, a pair of tickets to the Onyx movie theatre in Nevada City.

 

Brief descriptions of future programs were given by Program VPs Bernadette Sylvester and Carolyn Feuille. In place of a regular meeting in December, the Branch offers a celebratory night of fun at Off Broadstreet theater. This December 6 (Friday) evening event looks as though it will sell out, so if you want to attend, you need to purchase your ticket(s) ASAP!

Attendees also had an opportunity to converse with their table mates about their talents and histories, getting better acquainted as a result, and enjoying the camaraderie of being together after a summertime hiatus.