Club News

The Washington, Iowa, Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) met on Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at the home of Karen Murphy with Mary Wagamon serving as co-hostess. President Millie Youngquist conducted the business meeting and began by welcoming guest: Nancy Maguire. Treasurer Patty Roe reported that the AAUW-sponsored bus trip was very successful and will help to fund our local, spring scholarships.

Marde McConnell reminded the group of the AAUW hosted Tuesday, Nov. 17, National Honor Society Reception for students and parents, and handed out sign-up sheets about this event. Members also were asked to sign up to help with the eighth graders Feb. 18 STEM event, co-sponsored by AAUW, Washington Community School District and Kirkwood Community College.

It was reported that there is much activity at the AAUW Little Free Library located at Goodwill. Members were encouraged to continue to donate books, particularly children?s books, to Virginia Bordwell or to take them directly to the library.

Karen Murphy reported that the recent AAUW bus trip focusing on entertainment venues in southeast Iowa was much fun and that there were over 40 participants. She shared that in addition to historians Mike Zahs and Loren Horton leading the tour, local resident Mike Kramme also shared much information on tour day. Due to the popularity of the event, tentative plans are under way for a spring tour! President Youngquist thanked Karen Murphy and Linda Sturdevant for their roles in promoting the event.

Virginia Bordwell encouraged members to vote on Nov. 3. Members were reminded to turn in greenery orders and that poinsettia pick up will be Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the UP Home Campus Center.

The evening?s program was John Hays telling about his Pure Water for All system and its impact throughout the world. Over 10 years ago, John was working for the City of Washington Water Department when he was asked by a friend to create a portable water purification system. The friend wanted to be able to drink ?dirty? lake water at his vacation cabin. John initially turned down his friend?s request but eventually relented and through much trial and error, John?s portable water purification system was developed.

From this humble beginning, John?s water purification system has bettered the lives of poor people in over 50 countries, with John having personally visited over 20 countries. While other water systems exist, John?s is considered to be the cheapest device which saves the greatest number of lives. Volunteers meet weekly to help assemble the devices. The systems are either given away directly to poor people in villages having ?dirty? water or they?re ?sold? to church groups, also trying to help people around the world have safe drinking water.

John feels led by God to do this work. John has written many journals about the unbelievable experiences he?s had and the people he?s met in his travels. In closing, John said that he hopes to one day write a book about his many experiences meeting poor people throughout the world and helping them through his Pure Water for All drinking water purification system.

Anyone wanting more information about the American Association of University Women, feel free to contact Marde McConnell, 653-3884 or Jennine Wolf, 461-1497. AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Membership is open to all graduates who hold an associate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.