Welcome to the McLean Area (VA) Branch of AAUW

Founded more than half a century ago, in 1969, our branch has a strong program in support of AAUW’s mission to advance equity for women and girls. Browse our site to learn more about our goals, programs, and other activities. Join us by becoming a member

November Branch Meeting
Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30 pm
Mclean Community Center
with speaker Judy Waxman

Will Women Ever Control Their Bodies

Judy Waxman is one of the nation’s leading healthcare law and policy analysts and activists. She served on the staff of the federal health agency, the Congressional committee on solving the problem of the uninsured and at three prominent non-profit healthcare advocacy organizations. Prior to retirement, Ms. Waxman worked at the National Women’s’ Law Center where she was Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights.

Beginning in ancient times, women have tried to control their own bodies.  This is also true for women throughout US history, starting with indigenous women. This presentation will present evidence, through time, of practices, social customs, and laws that have impacted women’s ability to decide their own reproductive life. It will end with a discussion of the state of reproductive freedom today.

Need a ride? Contact Betsy Schroeder at icu43 at cox.net by November 15th.

AAUW McLean Area Branch Holds 2024-2025 Kickoff Program

Attendees at the September 15th, 2024, Branch event included, from left to right: Nina McVeigh, Liaison to Park View High School; MacKenzie Bills, a 2022 candidate for the Iowa State House; Nora Tafader, STEM Achievement Award recipient from Park View High School; Phyllis Provenzano, Liaison to Park View High School; Lily Rodriguez Velis, STEM Achievement Award recipient from William O. Robey High School; Kathleen Chestnutt, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; and Judy Page, STEM Chair

The Branch held its first program of the 2024-2025 year on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the McLean Community Center. The program on “Gender, Women, and Politics: Where Are We Now” featured two speakers discussing the state of women in politics on the international and national stage.

Kathleen Chestnutt, Program Officer on the Gender, Women and Democracy team at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), and MacKenzie Bills, a 2022 candidate for the Iowa State House, shared information about barriers women face to full participation in the political process, including running for office, and efforts to address those. Following the presentation, the panel took questions from the audience.

Additionally, two local high school students were recognized at the event for their accomplishments in STEM fields. Annually the branch presents STEM Achievement Awards in math and science to female students in their junior or senior year of high school.

The students at the event honored for receiving the following STEM Achievement Awards were:
Park View High School – Science: Nora Tafader
William O. Robey High School – Math: Lily Rodriguez Velis
William O. Robey High School – Science: Lily Rodriguez Velis

The STEM students spoke about their interest in STEM and their plans for future studies at the college level. One additional recipient of a STEM award who was not in attendance is Alison Martinez, who received the Math Achievement Award at Park View High School.

The members of the McLean Area Branch STEM Awards Committee who managed the 2024 STEM Achievement Awards are Nina McVeigh, Phyllis Provenzano, and Judy Page, STEM Chair.

April Program Promotes Community Engagement

Students and teachers at Graham Road Elementary School in West Falls Church, Va.

As part of the McLean Area Branch’s program priorities, we have pledged greater support for community programs that increase educational and employment opportunities for girls and women in our own backyard. To strengthen our impact, we have formed a collaborative arrangement with the Falls Church AAUW Branch.

On April 18, the McLean and Falls Church branches co-hosted a program, “A Call to Action: Together Making a Difference in our Community,” at which speakers from four local organizations described ways AAUW members can volunteer and otherwise provide support to help improve economic security for local women and children. The groups represented were:

  • Graham Road Elementary, a Title I school in West Falls Church that serves a diverse, predominately low-income population
  • SHARE, a McLean-based, all-volunteer organization that provides food, clothing and  other basic needs to economically stressed families and individuals
  • ESOL program at Vienna Presbyterian Church, which provides English and citizenship classes to speakers of other languages
  • Welcoming Falls Church, which provides hospitality and assistance to immigrants and refugees in the community

To kick off our new program focus, Anita Booth has spearheaded efforts to support Graham Road Elementary. AAUW members can participate by donating financially or through activities such as mentoring or assisting with special events like a book fair or clothing and food drives. Contact Anita (anitabooth at gmail.com) to express your interest.

New Interest Group Formed on Culturally Diverse Films

The McLean Area Branch’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee has started a DE&I film discussion group to promote greater understanding of cultural diversity in the United States and other countries. The format is similar to the morning and evening literature groups. Members will view films independently through streaming services  (some at a cost of around $2.00 to $4.00) and then meet virtually for discussion.

The group discussions, held via Zoom and led by various moderators, are held the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in participating should contact Ruth Nowjack-Raymer (ruthoheast at gmail.com)  or Myrtle Hendricks Corrales (myrtlehencor at gmail.com). In the subject line, please write “AAUW Movie Group.”

A Dozen New Members Come on Board

On February 18 the McLean Area Branch hosted an informal welcome brunch for new members at the McLean Community Center. Turnout was strong, with three dozen people attending, including 13 new and prospective members and the branch’s co-presidents, board members, and the chairs of various committees.

New members, left to right: Debra Goldberg, Victoria Photos, Barbara Zamora-Appel, Hamideh Soltani-Almadi, Phyllis Yoshida, Lisa Camalier, Marilyn Uveges, Frances Hamilton, Hana Hall, and Carolyn Wyatt.

As part of the orientation, longtime member Caroline Pickens presented a brief history of AAUW and various highlights over the years. Co-presidents Anita Booth and Sue Christie spoke on branch activities and explained ways new members could become involved through the committees and community engagement projects. Lots of ideas were exchanged and plans shared about future leadership roles in the branch.

Environmental News 

The environment was also top of the list because of it impacts all our lives and global warming must slow down considerably.  Ellie Dasenbrook has volunteered to submit an Environmental News column for our monthly newsletters.

Integral to the values and principles of AAUW, is a respect for inclusiveness of membership and implicit with that value is respect for the environment in which our membership exist. With the approaching celebration of Earth Day, 2024, on April 22, it is a great time to support chapter awareness on the importance of protecting our natural environment, on becoming more informed about our climate crisis and urging all to think about their personal responsibility in maintaining sustainable behaviors.

Following are a few practical ideas that will encourage your efforts:

  1. Get outdoors, Nature is calling and grab your “Covid” plastic gloves, a compostable trash bag (in grocery stores now!) and pick up some trash as you walk.
  2. Use biodegradable cleaning products – one suggestion is “Clean People” Laundry Detergent Strips – hello@getcleanpeople.com. Recommended by Janet Taylor!
  3. Reduce food waste – don’t just tell your kids/grandkids to clean their plates, you do as well and when ordering at a restaurant, ask for a compostable container and take home what you don’t eat.
  4. It is a big election year! Talk to candidates and read their policy positions online and vote to elect public officials who will promote sound and solid environmental policies.
  5. Spring/Planting/Gardening time is here! Read labels on the plant food/fertilizers/weed control products you use. Better yet, think about creating a biodiverse garden which will attract pollinators.

For more ideas for saving our “Parent Earth,” the Sierra Club has an extensive list:
https://www.sierraclub.org/toiyabe/100-things-you-can-do-save-planet

In March members of Lobby Corps advocated in support of the upcoming Title IX rules. We’re expecting congressional challenges when the rule is finalized, so it’s important for members of Congress to understand the support for Title IX. A crucial AAUW-supported rule that would protect the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex athletes has been delayed and is not expected this spring.

Below is a link to the 2 Minute Activist allowing you to let your elected officials know that you want them to support

The Gender Equity in Education Act (GEEA) Once you have filled out your information, the information will automatically self-populate the next time you take part in the 2 Minute Activist.

For more information on what is happening in the Virginia Legislature, please go to:
VPAP.org.

Branch Appeals AAUW Education Requirement

In recent months, the McLean Area Branch has mounted an effort urging National AAUW to adopt as its most most important
priority in the next year elimination of the educational requirement for AAUW membership. We have asked the national  leadership to develop a rigorous strategy to bring about the policy change in 2024.

We find AAUW’s education requirement for membership discriminatory and contrary to
the very values for which AAUW stands. To underline the seriousness of our concern on this issue, we reduced our contribution to the national organization as a percentage and in real dollars in our latest budget. An email sent to all members on March 5 included copies of our branch’s correspondence to and from National AAUW on this matter. For more information, contact co-presidents Anita Booth or Sue Christie.

DE&I Committee Develops Strong Program of Activities

Our branch has developed a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion actions under the guidance of our DE&I Committee, formed in the 2021-22 program year. The committee has developed a broad list of activities and recommendations to guide the branch’s efforts in this area.

At the committee’s urging, our morning and evening book clubs now include works with relevant DE&I themes in their reading lists. Our Public Policy Committee informs members of DE&I issues under consideration in Congress and the Virginia legislature. We started a Student Inclusion Recognition Award to recognize high school students who encourage DE&I-related activities in their schools, and we extended our scholarship program to include the historically Black Bennett College in North Carolina.

See item above on the committee’s formation of a new interest group to discuss films of culturally diverse stories and themes.

Turn Your Shopping Into Support for Our Branch

Members can provide continuing financial support for the McLean Area Branch by using ShopRaise for online shopping. Revenue from the partnership, established last fall, helps us fund our scholarships, awards, and other programs. The 1,000-plus stores in the program include major retailers such as Macy’s, L. L. Bean, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walgreens, Walmart, and Staples.

Click here to obtain the ShopRaise app for your computer; on a mobile phone or tablet, search for ShopRaise in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. More instructions are available here.

McLean Branch Achieves 5-Star Status in AAUW

In June 2022, we achieved the distinction of being named a 5-Star Branch of AAUW. The recognition came in response to the success of our work in five areas:

      • Programs
      • Advancement: Fundraising and Membership
      • Communications and External Relations
      • Public Policy and Research
      • Governance and Sustainability

Our branch’s excellence stems from the passion and dedication of our members. Our latest membership rolls reflect a renewal rate of over 90%! To join us, visit our membership page for more information or download an Application Form.

Check It Out: AAUW’s ‘Work Smart’ Tips to Boost Your Salary

AAUW’s Work Smart Program is designed to help women close the gender gap in pay by developing the skills they need to negotiate   advancement opportunities. The online learning tool is free and accessible at this link.

Members of Our Branch Excel in Leadership Positions

We have an extraordinary range of talent and leadership skills across our membership. Apart from professional accomplishments, a large number of women in AAUW McLean have been elected to national, state, and local offices in AAUW and their communities. Here’s a sample.