Club News

The Washington, Iowa Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) met on Aug.18 at 6:30 p.m.  at the home of Jan Stiles with co-hostesses Virginia Bordwell, Julia Gamon, and Peg Stephens. Prior to the business meeting Linda Sturdevant, Scholarship Committee member, introduced one of the group?s 2015 scholarship recipients: Pasoari Widastuti of Indonesia and a former WHS foreign exchange students.

Pasoari, a second-year student at Kirkwood Community College, told of her career dreams in the fashion field and shared how grateful she was for the scholarship. Linda also read an e-mail from the other scholarship recipient, Beth Dillon. Beth, a Central College student, also thanked the group and told of her plans to study in Wales this fall, to further her background in business.

The group was also honored to have co-directors of Camp Invention, Janet Conrad and Julie Timmins, in attendance. They told of the week long, nationally recognized STEM camp. In 2015 it involved 103 campers, five teachers, 15 Silver Cord volunteers and several parent volunteers. The directors introduced three young girls who were campers, two of whom had received partial scholarships from AAUW to attend the camp. These young campers spoke enthusiastically about their activities during camp and thanked AAUW for helping to make it possible for them to attend camp.

Marde McConnell led the business meeting in President Millie Youngquist?s absence. She announced to the group that the AAUW hosted National Honor Society Reception for students and parents will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 17. She also reminded the group that the STEM event for eighth-graders, co-sponsored by AAUW, Washington Community School District and Kirkwood Community College, will take place on Feb. 18, with Feb. 25 as the weather make-up date. Sign-up sheets to help with both events were passed around.

Virginia Bordwell reported on the Little Free Library located at Goodwill. The group decided to try to see that more children?s books are placed in the library. Julia Gamon volunteered to follow up on the children?s book for the next month.

Karen Murphy reported that the greenery sale information will be ready next month. She also reported that there will be an upcoming bus trip focusing on entertainment venues in southeast Iowa. This highly popular, fund raising project will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with Mike Zahs leading the tour for AAUW.

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