To get to this point, the Chapel Hill branch had to find (1) a school where the program could be held, (2) women in different STEM fields to be presenters, (3) women from our branch who would serve as volunteer aides (4) have all presenters and volunteers register and be screened for the Durham Public Schools (DPS) and (5) have a committee to organize the program for a balanced presentation of STEM fields.

When the school year begins in the fall of 2008, there will be registration for this program that will not have any additional cost to the girls that attend the after school program at the Oak Grove Elementary School. The demographics of the school is 85 % African-American, 10 % Hispanic and 5% other. If this program is successful, we plan to sponsor a second session in the spring, 2009 for 4th grade girls. Later, this program may become a model for other schools in North Carolina.The program will encompass both presentations by women in different STEM fields and projects to draw the girls into considering STEM fields for their eventual career. The girls will both learn that they can do this work and will learn how they can get to their goal of a STEM career.

Dr. Restrepo, a recipient of a prestigious American Association of University Women International Fellowship, studied Public Health at the University of Alabama. Dr Restropo spoke to the group, in both English and Spanish, about her studies and experiences with her International AAUW fellowship and of her appreciation for this award. She is a native of Colombia, South America where she received her medical degree. She continues at the University of Alabama, now studying under a Fulbright Scholarship. Dr. Restrepo plans to return to Colombia to help women gain control over their reproductive lives. Of vital importance to her, is improving the welfare of Colombian children.

The Sandhills/Southern Pines Branch of AAUW is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year; on the national level, the AAUW 125th anniversary was recognized in 1996. Locally, the branch supports four projects: the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series, a tuition scholarship for a Sandhills Community College student, the Sally Ride Awards in the Moore County Middle Schools, and the Christmas Book Tree for needy children at the Country Book Store. In addition, nationally, AAUW awards nearly $4 million in fellowships, grants and awards for outstanding women around the globe. For more about AAUW fellowships and grants see

• Information on fellowships and grants
• Directory of fellowship and grant recipients

Anyone holding an associate or higher degree is eligible for membership in AAUW. Consider joining to support our efforts to fund remarkable scholars like Dr. Restrepo or participate in our other work to advance equity for all women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. For more information on joining, see

• Contacts for Sandhills/Southern Pines branch
• Joining AAUW NC or one of the other branches
• Joining AAUW as a member-at-large (national benefits only)

Related story and picture published April 9, 2008, in the Southern Pines Pilot.

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

OUR NEXT EVENT: Installation Banquet, May 17th (Saturday), 3:30 p.m. at Connie’s house. Please bring finger food to share. We will be installing the new officers and enjoying a relaxed atmosphere of camaraderie before we part for the summer months. (Meetings resume the end of August.) Please let Connie know you are coming - 346-8223 or cgo@ec.rr.com .
***********************************************************************

2008-2009 OFFICERS: A new slate of officers was presented to the membership and approved by unanimous vote at the March meeting. Your new officers will be JoAnn Hall and Judy Martin, Co-Presidents; Heather F. Ochse, Vice-President/Programs; Nelda Howell, Secretary; Katharyn Thayer, Treasurer. Vice-President of Membership remains open. These officers will be installed at the installation banquet on May 17th.
***********************************************************************

CCCC Scholarship Fundraiser: Our fundraiser with partner Charlene Shearer of Tastefully Simple went very well in spite of torrential rain. Combined with funds left over from last year, we raised enough money to offer two scholarships at Coastal Carolina Community College. Thank you to everyone who attended, especially those who drove from Morehead City and Swansboro! Thank you, too, to Charlene for once again providing us with lots of delicious samples.
***********************************************************************

AAUW/NC CONVENTION: Please go to aauwnc.org to view pictures and summaries of the meetings and activities at convention held April 18-20 in Greensboro. Thank you, Greensboro Branch, for your generous hospitality!
***********************************************************************

CALENDAR
May 17 (Saturday), 3:30 p.m. - Installation Banquet, 107 Epworth Drive, Jacksonville. Please bring finger food for sharing. Call Connie at 346-8223 for directions or to tell her you are coming. Dues for the 2008-2009 year may be paid at this time.

NO MEETINGS IN JUNE AND JULY. The August newsletter will announce plans for the coming season of activities.
***********************************************************************

Heather F. Ochse, Editor, hksalc@yahoo.com
*AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.*

• Jacksonville Regional
• Sandhills/Southern Pines
• Statesville
• Winston-Salem

Don’t forget the sample news release that you can still use to discuss your branch’s participation in Convention! Get a head start on next year’s Wall of Success!

Click a picture for a larger version

There are a few spots left for Camp Invention 2008, hosted by the Office of Conferences and Institutes at Appalachian State University.

The camp, which will run from June 23 to 27, is holding spots for students who are eligible to receive scholarships and attend the camp for no or reduced cost. These spots will be held for a limited time only.

Camp Invention is a nationally acclaimed day camp created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation. It gives children the opportunity to learn about math and science while having fun.

Read the full article: www.mountaintimes.com/mtweekly/2008/0410/science.php3

Special recognition to Greensboro for the largest 3-year increase of any branch in the state: 19%!

Chapel Hill and Brevard had the largest growth in absolute numbers: 8 members. See also the 2/1/2008 report.

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