September 2012 Vol. XXXIII n
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V I S I O N S September 2012 Vol. XXXIII No.1 
Schenectady, NY Branch Founded in 1902 September’s General Meeting Wednesday, September 19 – 7 p.m. Location: Niskayuna Public Library 
Speaker: M. Dolores Cimini, Ph.D,.Licensed Psychologist Adjunct Clinical Professor, School of Education, University at Albany Assistant Director for Prevention and Program Evaluation Director, Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program Topic: “Opening Doors to Opportunity: STEM Education for Women with Disabilities” Using her own life, educational, and career experience, Dr. M. Dolores Cimini will explore the facilitators and barriers to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education for young women with disabilities. The presentation will focus on the critical role of support and access to training and mentoring opportunities for young women with disabilities in STEM and what women in the sciences can do to open doors for our future generations of young women with disabilities interested in pursuing STEM careers. Invite your friends and relatives to this very informative meeting.
The New 2012-2013 Board Co-Presidents - Bobbi Richardson and Arlene Maranville Secretary- Jackie Mendini Treasurer - Carol Reynolds AAUW Funds VP: Ann Hicks Membership VPs - Pam Haller and Gerri Pinkerton Legal Advocacy Fund VP: Linda Ward Newsletter - Linda Zuckerman Program VP Ellen Auerbach Study and Interest Group VP - Karen Huggins Nominating Committee - Jennie Pennington and Robin Eddy By-Laws Chair - Andrea Versaci Circulation Reba Mehan Directory Chair - Jennie Pennington Educational Equity – Elise Russo International Relations: Elise Russo Public Policy - Linda Rizzo Publicity - Faith Weldon Web Master: Robin Eddy WANTED Children’s Play Coordinator Duties include Providing live performances for Schenectady school children and finding a venue No experience needed. Lots of help provided. BONUS Great Satisfaction 
GARAGE SALE We are in need of a garage to hold our annual sale. This is a major fundraiser and also a lot of fun. If you are willing to share your space for this worthy cause, please contact Arlene or Bobbi. 
DID YOU KNOW?
. C     O-PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE
Welcome to the start of the 2012-13 AAUW year! We have just returned from the NYS AAUW Leadership conference and are energized by the exciting work done throughout the state by both local branches and state committees. They are moving forward the AAUW mission in a dedicated way. Our hope is to continue this movement by Broadening Our Borders. In the next few months we will be working on our plan for the future. Its success depends on your involvement and participation in all that we do – attending general meetings, joining interest groups, fundraising and recruiting new members. We need your help! We have a solid base on which to build. Our branch was again honored with the 21st century Platinum Award for Overall Programming. We received individual awards for our programs on My Sister’s Keeper, voter education, our website and participation in the Schenectady county Literacy Event. In total contributions the various funds, we ranked 5th in the state. Hats off to two of our members who are serving in the AAUW state organization. Robin Eddy and Elise Russo have been appointed the District IV coordinators and Elise has also accepted the state International Relations and Cultural Affairs Chair. They are in the process of planning the District IV conference to be held on October 27 at SCCC when we will have the opportunity to meet with members of local branches in a meaningful way. Several events in the area may be of interest to you: In October, PBS will be showing the film Half the Sky, a PBS Independent Lens show. Part 1 of Half the Sky airs Monday, October 1, at 9 pm; Part 2 airs Tuesday, October 2, at 9 pm. on WMHT: Time Warner Channels 11 or 1811. Some of you may have read this book last year after our December meeting when Melissa Guardo introduced us to My Sister’s Keeper. Melissa has been appointed by the national AAUW Board of Directors as the AAUW United Nations Representative. Congratulations to Melissa! The Sage Colleges in Troy are holding a Character Education workshop on October 25 with Lee Hirsch, the director of the movie Bully Schenectady County Community College is now officially an AAUW College/University partner. We are looking forward to working with them on joint projects and signing up the students as E-members. Perhaps we’ll even get the faculty to join. We hope to see all of you on September 19 at our General meeting at the Niskayuna Branch Library. Ellen Auerbach, program VP, is busy putting together an interesting and inspiring program to get us energized for the coming year. Bobbi Richardson roberta_richardson@hotmail.com and Arlene Maranville amara041@aol.com
DISTRICT IV CONFERENCE RIGHT HERE IN SCHENECTADY SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, October 27. NYS AAUW’s District IV, comprising 7 branches from north of the Capital Region to Poughkeepsie and west to the Johnstown area, will be having its annual conference on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 9:00 am. The Schenectady Branch’s new and valuable partnership with Schenectady County Community College will be highlighted as the conference is held on SCCC’s campus. The theme of the conference will follow the 2013 focus of the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women which is preventing violence against women and girls. Violence is a most important issue and deserves our attention globally and locally. Robin Eddy and Elise Russo, Co-Director’s for District IV, are planning a program which will build awareness about violence (physical abuse, maiming, trafficking, bullying, etc.) perpetrated against women and girls internationally as well as in New York State. Two areas to be highlighted by guest speakers are prevention and access to support services. Although a deadly serious topic, there will be some fun activities on the conference program too. The conference will serve the dual purpose of learning about this important women’s issue as well providing the opportunity to build relationships and partnerships with members of the other branches throughout District IV. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for additional information about this exciting event. Elise Russo
AN UPDATE ON THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT AAUW underscores the importance of issue advocacy. One issue of great importance is the Paycheck Fairness Act. What does this mean?? It simply means that women should receive equal pay for equal work. Women who have the same credentials as men, the same position, and work the same amount of hours should receive equal pay. Again, the Paycheck Fairness Act did not pass in the United States Congress or the New York State Senate. In 2010, women working full time still earn just 77 percent on average of what men earn, a gap of 23 percent. Progress in this area has been stalled in recent years, and there is no evidence or hope that pay gap will go away on it own without legislation on the national, state, and local levels. Women in collective bargaining units do receive equal pay for equal work. Professional women and lower income women who do not belong to a bargaining unit are the ones being negatively affected. The National Committee on Pay Equity points out that women who work full time still earn less than men working full time in every single state. This committee also highlights that women in 20 states have seen the wage gap widen between men and women. On the national level, 2010, the Paycheck Fairness Act passed the US House of Representatives but failed to get enough votes in the US Senate. The President stated, “I am deeply disappointed that a minority of Senators have prevented this bill from finally being brought up for a debate and receiving a vote.” This year, both the United States House of Representatives and Senate defeated the bill. The President expressed his disappointment again. On April 17, AAUW lobbied both the New York State Assembly and Senate to vote for the Paycheck Fairness bill. Our Assembly with a wide margin passed bill (A.6130a Wright) but the New York State Senate did not have a companion bill, and it never reached the floor of the Senate. This is not the first time the New York State Senate has refused to vote on this issue. During the month of June, presentations were made by our local branch to the Schenectady County Legislature and the Niskayuna Town Council regarding this matter. Both governmental organizations were asked to sponsor a resolution supporting the New York State Assembly bill and urging the Senate to pass a companion bill. On June 14, the Niskayuna Town Council passed a resolution sponsored by Town Supervisor Landry. The resolution was forwarded to the New York State Senate. Our local branch was very appreciative that the Supervisor and Town Council took this initiative supporting equal pay for women. We have come a long way since Susan B. Anthony wrote “a woman must have a purse of her own.” Eleanor Roosevelt said that “every man, every woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity and equal dignity without discrimination.” However, we still have a difficult task of eliminating discrimination against women in the area of pay equity. Women must continue to raise their voices through lobby efforts and their power of the vote to let their representatives know that they demand equal justice under the law. Linda Rizzo
MEMBERSHIPNow that a new year has begun, it’s time to think about encouraging our friends, colleagues, and other people we know to join AAUW. Your personal contact is certainly the best motivator, and there are a number of focal points you might keep in mind as you describe our organization to them. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. It has more than 100,000 members and 1,000 branches. It works in conjunction with 600 college and university institutions across the nation, one of which recently became a member of AAUW, Schenectady County Community College.
http://www.aauw.org/about/aauwExperience/fusion/index.html. For more details about what we do at the local level, have them visit the AAUW Schenectady Branch website at http://schenectady-ny.aauw.net/ . Please mention our outstanding programs and invite them to attend some with you. Share information about our varied Study and Interest groups and some of our fund-raising activities such as our garage sale and participation in Niska-Day. We would be happy to send informational packets to any perspective members if you will please forward their names, addresses, and phone numbers to us at gpinkerton@nycap.rr.com (346-4560) or Haller915@aol.com (399-8580). Thank you. Pam Haller and Gerri Pinkerton
If you’re interested in attending a meeting, contact the leader. B  ook Exchange I
Leader: Dottie Potochnik (399-3854) No regular meetings
Leader: Ellie Rowland (370-1958) No regular meetings
Leader: Kay Stancyzk (583-6904) September 14, 7 pm Theme: Alsatian French Hostesses: Judy Block and Linda Zuckerman
Leader: Gail Karl (393-7590) September 24, 7 pm P CIA Graduate Program: Preparing Nutritious and Healthy Meals Hostess: Linda Zuckerman Location: 1137 Fernwood Drive, Niskayuna
Co-Leaders: Joan Amell (399-4709) and Andrea Versaci (370-1455)
Book: Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle T :Lemmon Reviewer: Grace Riccobono Hostess: Bobbi Richardson Location: 1417 Fox Hollow Drive, Nikayuna Co-Hostess: Joan Bergin
Leader: Robin Eddy (346-1683) S eptember 10., 1:30 pm
Hostess: Lois Rowe Location: 2263 Berkley, Niskayuna
Hostess: Maxine Borom Location: 2171 Fox Hill Road, Niskayuna N Quilting Leader: Gerri Pinkerton (346-4560) September 25, 7 pm Program: Vacation Inspiration Presenter: Marguerite Pileggi Hostess: Gerri Pinkerton Location: 803 Dongan Avenue, Scotia
Leader: Winnie Balz (372-3663) October 1, 7:30 pm Program: Mini Topics Presenters: Emma Hart, Maxine, Borom, Winnie Balz Hostess: Nancy Walden Location: 1930 Clifton Park Road, Niskayuna
Leader: Arlene Gollmer (399-2479) September 13, 1:00 pm Program: TBA Planner: Arlene Gollmer Location: 2 Pinewood Drive, Glenville Serendipity Leader: Jennie Pennington (372-7503) Schenectacy AAUW Bloggers The new group gives Branch members a chance to communicate in real time about topics that interest them. Contact Jennie Pennington (372-7503)
AAUW Advances Equity For Women and Girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The AAUW Educational Foundation promotes funds to advance education, research and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change. The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination. In Principle and in Practice AAUW Values and seeks 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.
VISIONS Schenectady Branch Newsletter AAUW (published monthly except Jan., July, August) The deadline for newsletter items is the 1st week of the month prior to publication.
AAUW Schenectady Branch C/O Linda Zuckerman 1137 Fernwood Drive Niskayuna, NY 12309 
AAUW's Mission AAUW Advances Equity for women through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. AAUW's Vision AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls. AAUW's Promise By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational and educational barriers to so that all women have a fair chance. In Principle and in Practice AAUW Values and seeks 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. 
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tudy and Interest Group Meetings for September 2012
ew members welcomed.