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President's Message
Branch Information
Branch Calendar
Special Interest Groups
Scholarships
AAUW
National Association PA State
Association
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Welcome to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania branch of the American Association of
University Women. AAUW is
an organization of more than 100,000 members who value education and equal
rights -- and together provide a powerful voice for women and girls.
Newsbriefs
(Click
program and special interest group
for full events listings.)
Special Interest Groups.
As the 2008-2009 program year winds down, check
but some of AAUW-Harrisburg's special interest group calendar
items! Join the Cuisine Club at Niko's May 30, come to the Afternoon Book
Group's June 3 planning party,
or join Dine Around Harrisburg for dinner at Nonna's (June 10) or Café Magnolia
(July 8). You can also plan ahead for a White House Christmas tour or trips to
Baltimore Center Stage productions. Click
here for descriptions of the special interest groups.
May luncheon highlights honorees.
On May 16, 2009, AAUW Harrisburg celebrated the
accomplishments of several honorees at its annual spring luncheon at the
Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
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Anne Alsedek, instrumental in helping to develop
the Capital Area School for the Arts, was honored as Community Woman of the
Year. As the event's featured guest, Anne spoke about arts education and the
opportunities it affords for the young women in our community.
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Carol Corlett Howard, named AAUW-Harrisburg's
Outstanding Woman, coordinates the literacy night dinner at the YWCA’s homeless
shelter, working tirelessly to help out the women and children in the shelter.
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Barbara Passeri Warfel, named the branch's
Emerging Star, designed, implemented, and conducts an arts program especially
for senior adults residing in assisted living facilities and has chaired the
branch's Culture Vulture travel group for nearly a decade.
In March, the branch also honored members Erica
Voss-Meloy and Marcia Hajduk with $500 gifts given in their names to AAUW's
Education Foundation in recognition of their dedication to the mission of AAUW.
Join
AAUW or renew your membership. You can download the application for
membership in AAUW Harrisburg for the 2008-2009 program year now! See
join AAUW
below for more
information.
YWCA outreach program. AAUW Harrisburg Branch has an ongoing outreach project at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg designed to:
(1) promote literacy through a permanent library plus scheduled book gifting; (2) provide “Dinner with the Book Ladies” monthly during the school year; and
(3) deliver emergency items for Mothers with children living at the YWCA. The AAUW has been quietly engaged in these projects for more than six years with current programs planned through May, 2010.
There is an ongoing need for donations,
including pocket-sized dictionaries that we would like to provide in the
reference section free for the taking. The staff who work and train clients in
the computer lab where the library is located have asked too for any books
pertaining to writing business plans, grants, resumes and trademark, copyright,
and patent information. The adult fiction, non-fiction and inspirational
sections are most heavily used and would benefit from any books on current or
recent best-seller lists. Please contact Anita
(Adm1105@aol.com or 579-6408) to arrange for delivery or pick-up of
donations. Back to Top
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Branch Information
AAUW, founded in 1881, is the largest and oldest national organization
for women. AAUW's Mission is advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.
The AAUW Harrisburg Branch was formed in 1921. Branch members
are homemakers, career women, public officials, and professionals. They
are women in every stage of life, from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
They have joined together to use education for the benefit of women and
society.
Many know of AAUW locally through our support of local scholarship and community programs.
Through our scholarship
program, we assist local college students in need, as well as older
returning students. We also support national AAUW scholarships and research
toward educational equity for women and girls.
Our community outreach
also focuses on education and the arts, through work such as a literacy
program at the Harrisburg YWCA, and events at our libraries, art museums, and theaters.
In fact, we were among the organizations involved in the founding of Theater
Harrisburg.
We have a monthly
newsletter and a great number of branch project volunteer opportunities. Most of
our members participate in lively meetings of special
interest groups, for example, to sample fine dining, books, bridge, theater,
and arts events.
AAUW Harrisburg's monthly
meetings from September through May offer the opportunity to network, as well as
a rich calendar
of programs. Please come, and see what we're all about--or find out how to join
right now. We are making a special effort to attract young members, and
are committed as an organization to be responsive to their needs and desires.
Check the links below to learn more about AAUW's national programs. Then use your browser's Back button to return to this page.
Public
Policy Program Legal
Advocacy Fund Educational
Foundation
Voter Education
Campaign Educational
Equity Research
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Join AAUW
AAUW membership is open to graduates who hold the baccalaureate or
higher degree from an accredited college or university, to those who hold an associate or equivalent degree,
and to students pursuing a degree. We value and
seek a diverse membership, with
no barriers on the basis of
gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.
The annual dues of $85 ($35 for student affiliates) includes membership in the AAUW Association,
AAUW-PA, and
the AAUW Harrisburg Branch. Dues assistance is available for those who
need it; for information, e-mail Adm1105@aol.com. Membership
application >>
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President's Message
It's great to be a part of AAUW Harrisburg! Why?
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The mission of AAUW - To advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. I shouldn't need to say more, but I do... many women under 30 believe that the battle for equity is over, yet research shows that women still have to work almost 16 months to make as much as a man does in a year, and it starts within 3 years of graduation. Equity is still an issue that everyone needs to keep in mind.
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The women (and men) of AAUW - Vibrant, intelligent, and influential people right here in the greater Harrisburg area, as well as throughout Pennsylvania and all over the world.
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The local impact of AAUW Harrisburg - Making a difference through our local monthly programs, community outreach, scholarships, and activities.
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The broader influence of AAUW - Supporting advocacy, scholarships, litigation, and research sponsored by the national AAUW Association.
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The evolution of AAUW - Changing status from a 501(c)4 to a 501(c)3 for most of AAUW opens up our fundraising, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, and may significantly cut costs of operating the national education and equity efforts.
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The possibilities of AAUW are limited only by our collective imaginations -
Women equally represented in every office (corner office, dean's office or Oval Office); humane, fair, equal treatment for all men, women and children; educational opportunities based on interest and potential, not cash flow; a world where we don't just strive for equity, we expect, achieve and celebrate it.
Browse this web site for more information about what's happening with AAUW Harrisburg. Whether you are a member or a visitor, please join us at one of the events on our
calendar. Feel free to contact
me with suggestions, questions, or concerns.
Toni Lee Neikens
President, AAUW Harrisburg
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Community Grants
When the Harrisburg Branch has funds available, local agencies are invited
to apply for small grants to provide a special program or service that
relates to the AAUW Harrisburg mission. The proposal may be for
one-time funding or an on-going project.
Past grants have gone to: Hemlock Girl Scout Council; Friends of the
Kline Branch Library; the DELTA Community; Lighthouse Street Ministry;
St. Stephen's Episcopal School; Scott School Parent Center; Harrisburg
Area Community College (HACC) Emergency Assistance Fund; Dauphin County's
Kline Branch Library Children's Collection; Penn State Harrisburg Women's
Enrichment Center's Educational program for women incarcerated at Dauphin
County Prison; Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to coordinate the
Adopt-a-School America Reads Program for Harrisburg City School District;
and Harrisburg YWCA TechGyrls Club.
E-mail
any
questions. Interested
groups may see past grant guidelines at these links: in PDF
format or RTF format.
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Special Interest Groups
Many members regard the special interest groups (SIGs) as the "heart" of AAUW.
These small groups meet on a regular basis, usually once per month, to
take part in an activity they all enjoy. Joining at least one of these
groups is an excellent way for new members to meet people. Each month the
special interest group meeting schedules are listed in the branch newsletter,
The
Connection. New groups may form at any time, according to interest.
- Cuisine Specialties: An evening of cooking with a different theme
each month. Meets on Thursdays.
- Paperback Books: An evening review and discussion of selected
literature available in paperback.
- Recent Literature: An afternoon group reviews and discusses
recent books.
- Cuisine Club: Couples (any twosome), enjoy a variety of Saturday
evening dining experiences at area restaurants.
- Dine Around Harrisburg: Week night dining out at local restaurants.
- Culture Vultures: Travel to cultural sites and events with AAUW
friends.
- Theatre/Play & Discussion: The AAUW drama group
meets to read, discuss and attend
plays.
Check SIGs
events list >>
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AAUW -
Harrisburg Branch
PO Box 1625, Harrisburg, PA 17105-1625 o 717-233-8227
Updated
May 2009.
E-mail the
web manager - E-mail info@aauwharrisburg.org
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