Club News

The Washington, Iowa, Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) met on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at the home of Marde McConnell with June Asper, Alice Edgin, Debbie Stanton and Millie Youngquist as co-hostesses. Prior to the business meeting a group of 21 enjoyed a delicious potluck and time of visiting.

Janet Conrad, WCSD teacher and camp director, thanked the group for their scholarship assistance for young girls to attend Camp Invention. Ms. Conrad said this was Washington?s sixth year to participate in this June, week-long, national STEM program. Also sharing fun, learning experiences were one of AAUW?s scholarship recipients and another participant. AAUW members thanked them all for coming.

Also, prior to the business meeting, Jenisa Harris told about the very successful University of Illinois MakerGirl program that AAUW and the Washington Free Public Library co-sponsored this past June. The online program taught by college women was for girls in second to fifth grade and involved 22 girls having the opportunity to learn how to use 3-D printers.

President Youngquist showed a very informative, 10-minute video provided by national AAUW. This video told of the impact the national organization is having in the area of research, advocacy and education on behalf of women and girls. The national organization has been empowering women since 1881 and the local branch since its formation in 1973.

President Youngquist asked members to speak about the various local projects. Virginia Bordwell told of the well-received Little Free Library, with members being encouraged to ?fill? the library directly or to deliver books to her office. Marde McConnell spoke of the group?s 33 years of hosting the National Honor Society Reception for WHS students and their parents. Debbie Stanton shared about the 35 years of the annual local scholarship award for a woman or women continuing education, and she told of new facebook ideas to ?get the word out? about the scholarship. President Youngquist added that the group supports the local, alternative high school students by arranging career speakers each spring. Lastly, Karen Murphy told of the local fundraising projects of selling greenery and having a Mike Zahs-led, historical bus tour.

The 2016-17 program booklets were passed out and upcoming programs were highlighted. In closing, President Youngquist reminded the group of the next meeting Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at the home of Heather Heddens with co-hostesses Nancy Maguire, Karen Murphy and Peg Stephens. The program will be Washington City Administrator Brent Hinson speaking on ?What?s New At the City.?

Anyone wanting more information about AAUW, feel free to contact Marde McConnell, 653-3884 or Jennine Wolf, 461-1497 or Millie Youngquist 653- 4673.