American Association of University Women

Notes from Sue: Looking Backward

My first president’s message this year was “Looking Forward.” Now that the year is almost over, it seems appropriate to indulge in “Looking Backward.”

The Corvallis Branch, now with 105 members, has enjoyed getting to know our 100^th member, Juliana Mbuthia. Juliana, the recipient of an AAUW International Fellowship, will be the main speaker at our Scholarship Luncheon in May.

We’ve engaged with several community partners to expand our influence and our own horizons. We’ve addressed the issue of change in several ways. A joint meeting with the American Association of Women in Community Colleges at LBCC explored “Creativity in your Bones: Tapping Your True Creative Self.” With the Friends of the Library, we co-sponsored a popular session with Harriet and Charlotte Childress, authors of Clueless at the Top, an exploration of hierarchies and lessons in diversity. We learned about the lives of women in Uzbekistan from Dr. Nancy Rosenberger and explored our own goals for health and fitness with Mike Waters of Timberhill Athletic Club.

Six interest groups engaged many of our members in meaningful discussion and social interaction. Our Literature groups are overflowing and contemplating splitting into several smaller groups. The Great Decisions group met at a local Assisted Living facility and enjoyed participation by some of the residents. Monthly no-host lunches kept us in touch while exploring Corvallis’ various eateries. The gourmets among us enjoyed several thematic dinners throughout the year, and some of us played bridge each month.

Our main fundraiser, the Bridge Marathon, brings in over $2000. In addition, we had a poinsettia sale to benefit EF at our Christmas Tea and will hold our annual Used Book Sale for LAF at our May Scholarship Luncheon. This year, we are also tried a Mystery Film night that allowed us to donate more than $400 to EF and LAF.

We will award scholarships to two local women, one at OSU and one at LBCC. We continue to sponsor an award to the Outstanding Senior Woman at OSU. In addition to a plaque, we present her with an AAUW membership. We also donate scholarships so that several girls can attend summer programs at OSU for talented and gifted youngsters.

We do a lot. Can we do more? I believe the key to doing more lies in cultivating a closer relationship with OSU and exploring how we can partner with them in moving toward equity for girls and women. I believe we can help each other work on this important issue.

Snippets on Healthy Aging, a book by our own branch member Marion Dickens, will be available at the May Luncheon for $10. Marion has had a long career in nursing, including teaching at OHSU School of Nursing. She has graciously given our branch the rights to her book and any funds we realize from its sale.