High Country Branch, AAUWNC’s newest branch, started with 15 members in 2006, and now has 26 members. Life member and former AAUWNC president, Elizabeth Laney, after months of work, formed the branch which now has expanded and grown not only in numbers but in enthusiasm for and dedication to the Mission of AAUW.

During this year, much has happened to fulfill the mission of AAUW. Program Officer Beth Mueller planned some enlightening programs with speakers including the Northwest North Carolina teacher of the year, the editor of a local newspaper and the director of the New Opportunity School at Lees-McRae College. Two of our talented members gave presentations, one on Southern women authors and the other on her experience teaching at a Navajo reservation.

We have three fundraising projects. One is our STEM project for which we raised over $380.00 through donations and a yard sale last October. We are sending two girls to the camp at ASU entitled “Camp Invention” and one girl to the ASU math camp. Our second project is raising money for the New Opportunity School at Lees-McRae College. Thirdly, our baskets raffled off at the state meeting benefited the Educational Foundation.

Plans for programs for the remainder of 2008 include reviewing the AAUW “Behind the Pay Gap” study with the director of the Equity office at ASU, a presentation on the literacy program in Boone, a yard sale to benefit the New Opportunity School, a social event with lunch and a play in Banner Elk, a report on the ASU math and science camps from the director of the programs, a meeting at the new Oasis Center to learn more about what is being done for women victims of abuse, and a report from the head of security at ASU on protecting women’s safety at ASU. In the fall, a student from ASU’s “Writing on the Web” class will set up a web site for our branch.

Another great year is ahead for High Country Branch.

Barbara McCaughey
May 2, 2008
Branch contacts

In the fall our programs included summer fun activities and an introduction the Advocacy program of NCAAUW. We hosted the fall state Leadership Conference, visited China with Dr. Jim Corey, and played BINGO for Fun and EF contributions.

The winter programs included Dr. Mary Stephens who talked about her dissertation “Empowered Black Teen Mothers, Overcoming Barriers to Educational Attainment.” We learned more about the Arts in High Point from the Principal of Penn-Griffin School for the Arts- a review.

The spring presented a fun way to learn about Women’s History when we placed ourselves in roles to portray the trail-blazing women of North Carolina history. Of course April is our state conference hosted by the triad branches, after which Karen Perry will talk about the Pay Gap: a review of AAUW literature. The grand finale will be our annual picnic in June at the Mendenhall Plantation in Jamestown.

We have been very busy with our various advocacy projects. We have been collaborating with the High Point YWCA and attended their Annual Meeting - we purchased a $500.00 as a donation to the YW, in addition, donations of clothing for Women in Transition Clothing Closet were made to the YW, and we had a booth at the West End Community Center Open House sponsored by the City of High Point.

Other collaborations are in the planning stages with High Point University and the Roy B. Culler Senior Center for a reading “club” for seniors following the Adelente list of AAUW. In addition, this year the High Point Branch will offer the Evelyn Thompson Scholarship program for graduating high school seniors in High Point area high schools.

Our branch meeting programs focused on the theme of “Asheville in the 21st Century: Issues and Opportunities.” We added three new study and interest groups for a total of nine: an evening world affairs group, a film group, and an international dining group.

We continued our fund raising events for the Educational Foundation as well as local scholarship awards by holding “Private Collections” events at various members’ homes and an afternoon tea and silent auction at an historic inn with magnificent gardens. To attract new members we had a tea at the home of our Co-President and monthly “Lunch Bunch” get-togethers at local restaurants. In celebration of support and participation by our members, we had our second annual Friend Raiser in November at the Governor’s Western Residence, when we celebrated and networked with each other and invited guests to get acquainted with AAUW. Our membership increased from 147 in September to 158 as of April 1.

LaDean Peterson and Judi Peterson, Co-Presidents
April 9, 2008
Branch contacts

NEW & PROSPECTIVE  MEMBER TEAS IN FALL ‘07& SPRING ‘08

UPDATED COMPUTER PROGRAM  MATCHING MEMBER’S SKILLS TO
ORGANIZATION’S NEEDS (MEMBERSHIP INTEREST FORM)

NON POLITICAL VOTERS GUIDE FOR NC ELECTION IN MAY ON WEBSITE; WILL BE PRINTED IN TRANSYLVANIA TIMES.

INTERVIEWING SKILLS & COMPENSATION WORKSHOPS FOR FEMALE
STUDENTS AT BREVARD COLLEGE

TUTORING PROGRAMS AT FREEDOM SCHOOL (RISE & SHINE) AND BREVARD ELEMENTARY

JEOPARDY PROGRAM, TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH IN MARCH, FOR 5TH GRADE STUDENTS AT 3 ELEMENTARY & 1 CHARTER SCHOOL.

PARTICIPATION IN EXPO FOR 5TH GRADE STUDENTS

HONORED 3 LOCAL WOMEN AT OUR ANNUAL “WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” LUNCHEON

EQUAL PAY RALLY TO BE HELD ON 22 APRIL IN FRONT OF COURTHOUSE.  MAYOR HARRIS WILL DESIGNATE DAY AS EQUAL PAY DAY.  WOMEN IN PERIOD COSTUMES, SPEECHES, ETC.

ANNUAL BOOK SALE WEEK OF JULY 4TH TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOCAL COLLEGES, SCIENCE CAMPS, WORKSHOPS, OTHER NEEDY CAUSES.

Geraldine Hambley, President
April 9, 2008
Branch contacts

September: NH Co. Councilwoman Pat DeLair-”Ethics, Compassion, and Government”

October: Dr. Curtis Stiles, Assoc. UNCW Professor, Marketing and Management
Department, “Thalian Hall Project”

November: Carolina Authors Luncheon

Chaired by Phyllis Leimer and Brooks Preik, this luncheon benefits the AAUW
Educational Foundation and supports scholarships for non-traditional women
students transferring from Cape Fear Community College to UNCW. This year’s
authors: Clyde Edgerton, Jill McCorkle, Melton McLaurin, and Mary Alice
Monroe. Funds raised totaled almost $3400.

January: Midori Albert, UNCW Forensic Science Professor-”What the Dead Have Taught Me About the Living”

February: John Milligan, Executive Director of WHQR-”Is There a Future for Public Radio?”

March: Clancy Thompson, Board Member of the Covenant with North Carolina’s Children-this program is a prime example of how innovation with public and private funding can address grassroots needs, helping children develop both socially and cognitively.

April: Joy Shortel, Phoenix Employment Ministry-focuses on men and women whose incomes place them at or below the poverty level and helps them to find career paths.

May planned: Jane Stephenson, Founder and Executive Director of New Opportunity
School for Women-”The Challenge of Women of Courage”
In addition to these programs, member and author Blonnie Wyche conducted a writing workshop in January, for members interested in doing family histories or memoirs. At our December luncheon, a silent auction raised $326 for LAF, bringing the total this year to over $500. The Wilmington Branch continues to facilitate three monthly book clubs and a
monthly International Relations Group.

Projects: Eyes to Future: Children with vision problems are discovered each year through the Branch’s efforts with this program. More than 20 volunteers are trained to screen students, which leads to further testing by vision specialists. In 2007, approximately 6000 New Hanover County students were screened.

AAUW Wilmington has moved to electronic newsletter publication and is most grateful for the leadership of Newsletter Editor, Amanda Boomershine.
Sandra McLaurin, President
April 8, 2008
Branch contacts

Our Branch continues to support the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series, now marking the 21st year since the free lectures were initiated. Four of the most important committees on this board are chaired by AAUW members, Lois McCarthy, Judy Allen, Bea O’Rand and Sue Williamson. After the second Pauley Lecture on Oct. 16, we hosted the reception for the speaker and the attendees.

Last summer, our branch was represented at the National Convention in Arizona by Lois McCarthy.

In September we organized a dinner meeting for agencies in our community, with Moore County educators foremost in our minds. Two education lawyers from Legal Aid Society NC in Durham spoke on laws protecting NC children.

In December, a donation was made to the Christmas Book Tree whereby needy children received free books.

On March 5, we cooperated with the League of Women Voters to conduct a voters registration drive. A reception was included, and we arranged for a free showing of the film “Iron Jawed Angels.” All this occurred on the campus of Sandhills Community College and was open to the public.

On March 15, our branch honored Dr. Claudia Restrepo and Byran Kelso by preparing a wedding breakfast. Dr. Restrepo, of Columbia, South America, is a recipient of an International AAUW Fellowship. She spoke to us of her studies and her appreciation for this award.

At the moment, we are involved with the Belk Charities Day Sale to raise money for our projects.

Plans are being made to celebrate our 30th anniversary and AAUW’s 125th in May with a reception honoring our charter members and past presidents.

Sue Williamson, President
April 8, 2008
Branch Contacts