Upcoming:
April 26, 6:30 pm./AAUW Equity Issues: Wine & Whine
Join us at 6:30 or 7 pm if you can for an informal discussion of current issues affecting women.
You bring the wine and we’ll discuss/vent about how women’s issues are being handled in today’s news and government decisions. Do you care about women’s healthcare and bodily autonomy? publishing the ERA? access to unbiased education in public schools? freedom to read? pay equity and economic security? encourage girls to explore STEM careers? Learn how AAUW can support our rights. Email for Zoom link.
March 24, 2024: Des Plaines Library, Elizabeth Packard
Elizabeth Packard was committed to the Illinois State Hospital in 1860 and was kept under lock and key for three years, all the while protesting her sanity. While her husband insisted to everyone that she was insane, Elizabeth was able to obtain her release. Realizing that current law allowed married women to be placed in asylums by their husbands, Elizabeth started a campaign to change that unjust law. Through her perseverance, her voice was heard.
This timely living history portrayal by Laura F. Keyes shows how, throughout history and even up to the present day, women’s voices are silenced and marginalized when they dare to express opinions contrary to those of the men in power. To register
Feb. 21, 2024: A Community’s Guide to Human Trafficking
Presenter: Elisa Munoz
The Chicago Branch, in partnership with the Jane Addams Branch will present A Community’s Guide to Human Trafficking presenter with Elisa Munoz, the Human Trafficking Victim Coordinator for the State’s Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Unit in Chicago. https://www.cookcountytaskforce.org/ Elisa has been in the anti-human trafficking field for 4 years. She is a member of the Core Team of the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Join us to learn the facts about exploitation and the crucial role community members have in trafficking prevention. Registration required: Link to register
Human Trafficking doesn’t discriminate based on race, gender or geographical location. It happens everywhere, be it downtown Chicago, the wealthy suburbs, or the rural parts of the state. What does differ is the way in which victims of human trafficking are viewed and treated by law enforcement and the legal system. Victims of human trafficking are protected under United States and Illinois law.
The AAUW Book Club Discussion state-wide book group meets online. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 pm to discuss Nomadland: Surviving America in 21st Century
Nomadland by Jessica Bruder interviews a variety of people who are traveling from job to job to stay above the poverty line. They have no permanent home since they are constantly mobile. They have formed a different kind of caring community. Registration link.
Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood by Dawn Turner. Three girls live in the same apartment complex yet have different life outcomes. How did their neighborhood, family and friends affect their lives so differently? This is a thought provoking story.
Author interviews
NPR fresh Air interview: Memoir explores how racism and violence impacted ‘Three Girls from Bronzeville’ (37 minutes) https://www.npr.org/2021/11/15/1055787497/memoir-explores-how-racism-and-violence-impacted-three-girls-from-bronzeville
Wilmette Library author video interview: (1 hr ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBa15x0RA3U&t=24s
Chicago Humanities Festival interview (53 min.) by Dahleen Glanton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-OgnbgtNsQ
Further books on the overall theme of families fighting poverty in the US will be –
March 19: Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts
All AAUW members and guests are welcome to our AAUW Book Club Discussions.
Questions? Contact Carolh…@gmail.com
Jan. 13, 2024: Paid Family & Medical Leave
AAUW IL has been working on a bill to provide insurance for folks to take paid medical and family leave. One of the reasons that women have less earning power and fewer retirement resources is that often, it is the woman who leaves the job force to care for ailing parents, in-laws, siblings, partners, and children. This legislation, when passed, will allow all workers to take paid family and medical leave. Sarah Labadie, of Women Employed, will share the ups and downs of getting this complicated legislation passed. Developing and passing legislation is how we get AAUW values working for everyone. Link to the program recording.
Dec. 20, 2023: Did You Say Books and PJ’s? Count Me In!
The Northwest Suburban AAUW branch program will be a casual, social get together via Zoom, Did You Say Books and PJ’s? Count Me In! Wear your holiday PJ’s or your holiday sweater and plan to share one (or maybe two) of your favorite books with all of us that you have read in 2023. It can be a novel, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, non-fiction or even poetry; your choice-your favorite.
Nov. 14, 2023: Debunking Gun Violence Myths
Learn how to advocate for sensible gun safety policies and practices and counter misinformation. Recording link: https://youtu.be/oe1ITH8695Q
Presented by GVPedia President and Founder Devin Hughes, Debunking Gun Violence Myths is an in-depth discussion on prevalent myths about guns and safety. Devin also will talk about Armed with Reason, GVPedia’s initiative to counter the gun lobby’s “firehose of falsehood.” Armed With Reason features articles from GVPedia and from leaders in the gun violence prevention movement, survivors, gun owners, and advocates from across the country. This platform is an inclusive space where people across the country can share ideas, network, and collaborate.
November 11, 2023: AAUW Fellows & Grantees
The AAUW Chicago Branch, in partnership with the Jane Addams Branch, is once again hosting a virtual meeting via Zoom to showcase three AAUW Fellows and Grantees. Program recording link: https://youtu.be/HT2eSROO0so
This year’s presenters include:
Seyma Kabaoglu International Fellowship, Turkey
Northwestern University
Cultural anthropology: Ph.D., Cultural anthropology
Ms. Kabaoglu is conducting an ethnographic study of politics of doubt and ethical finance in Turkey’s Islamic participation banking industry.
Dana Fanslow Career Development Grant
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
Library sciences: M.S., Social Justice & Administration
Ms. Fanslow’s work consists of educating others that literary collections, programs, and physical spaces should reflect that the world is not one-dimensional so individuals can learn about themselves, as well as others.
September 2023/ Barbie & Ken: Gender Roles Discussion
Have you seen the Barbie movie? Did it change your mind about the roles of men and women?
Does Barbie discover her true purpose? How would you describe the movie? a gleeful escape, a laugh out loud comedy or a battle cry. What aspects did you enjoy most? music, costumes, production, or drama? What was the influence of director/co-writer, Greta Gerwig?
Is Ken a helpless pawn in Barbieland? Let’s talk about it.
Here’s an interesting article. Join us for a discussion on Sept. 20.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/…/what-the-movie-barbie…
Program recordings, Part 1 Movie Reviews and Part 2 Movie Discussion. Barbie Ken discussion questions. Dream Reads Bookworm Barbie Needs to read for follow-up discussion. If you have any questions, please contact Elaine at elainefisher128@gmail.com
August 30, Teaching Civics: Why It is Important
Let’s talk about the importance of civics education in our US schools!
(c) 2006 Bonnie Jacobs
Our national report card shows that we are not doing a good job teaching US history and civics, and that is not preparing our students to be active citizens. Understanding how our government works, our rights and responsibilities as citizens, and the importance of active participation in our democracy is crucial to maintaining a healthy society. An informed and Engaged citizenry is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. Join us for the presentation!
Civics education is the foundation upon which informed and engaged citizens are built. It empowers us to make well-informed decisions, hold our elected officials accountable, and actively contribute to shaping our communities.
That’s why we invite you to join us for an enlightening presentation on how we can improve civics education in our schools. Our presenter, Ed Spire, looks into these issues and focuses on the newly created Educating for American Democracy Roadmap, which points the way to improving this important area of education. Ed Spire is co-lead of NWSOFA’s Restore our Democracy project, where they focus on issues regarding the effectiveness of the US democracy.