January 2014                                                                                                                                                           http://daw‐ca.aauw.net 

The Advocate

http://daw-ca.aauw.net January 2014

Homicides, Drugs and Gangs: My Career as a Prosecutor

Speaker: Mary Knox Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County

Thursday, January 30, 2014, 11:30 am-2:30 pm

Diablo Country Club, 1700 Clubhouse Rd. Diablo

Our speaker, Mary Knox, has been working in the county prosecution field for 28 years. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Narcotics Officers’ Associa-tion Prosecutor of the Year 2003 award, for her work in gangs and homicide. A graduate of Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, UCLA, and Pepperdine University Law School, Ms. Knox progressed in her career in misdemeanor trials, felony trial team, sexual assault cases, major vendor narcotics prosecution, and gang homicide cases. She supervises the Homicide unit today. She is the daughter of branch member Mimi Knox of Walnut Creek.

A three course lunch will be served. Please make your reservation and payment online at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/jan2014/ or by sending a check of $29 per person to DAW-AAUW, PO Box 996, Alamo, CA 94507, and state the attendee(s) names and choice of entrée: chicken, salm-on or vegetarian ravioli. Reservations deadline: January 20, 2014.

For more information, please contact Mimi Knox.

Presidents’ Message Now that the holidays are in the past, we look to another exciting year. Howev-er, before we close 2013, we wish to thank our many members who helped make the 9th Annual Holiday Home Tour a huge success. Special thanks to Co-Chairs and Docent Coordinators Anna Freitas and Jane Stimpson for their incred-ible hard work and leadership. Sincere gratitude to all our volunteers shown at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/2013hhtresults/. Also, special thanks for our Holiday Party/General Meeting to Carol Highton for the use of her beautifully decorated home and Judy Lauper for making all of our delicious food.

Take a moment to mark your 2014 calen-dar with upcoming dates for our branch programs, general meetings and events such as the Garden Tour (May) and Ex-panding Your Horizons (February). We encourage all members to volunteer and support our branch events. We will see you Thursday, January 30 for our lunch-eon and general meeting featuring Mary Knox, Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County.

Happy New Year to all,

Loretta Altshuler and Karen Large

AAUW Contra Costa County IBC

Film & Discussion Sunday, January 26, 2014, 1:30pm

Lafayette Library, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

AAUW of Contra Costa County invites the public to watch a one hour film, Sexual Assault, Naming the Unnamed Con-spirator in Lafayette. In this film, Anne Munch, JD, examines how societal atti-tudes influence cases of sexual as-sault. There will also be a panel of ex-perts dealing with sexual assault for a discussion after the film. This free pro-gram is open to the public and is guaran-teed to give you new insight concerning this very serious topic as well as actions you can take to change cultural attitudes.

Info: http://daw-ca.aauw.net/ibc-film/ Contact: Diane Bell-Rettger

AAUW – DKG Joint Event Speaker: Mamie Chow

AAUW Funds Recipient

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 5:30 - 9:00 pm

Scott’s, 1333 N California Blvd., WC

Please join us for our annual collabora-tive meeting with Delta Kappa Gamma - Society of Key Educators (DKG) and Pleasant Hill-Martinez Branch at Scott’s Restaurant in Walnut Creek. Our speak-er will be Mamie Chow, a current recipi-ent of an AAUW Funds Grant to com-plete her MA in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Dinner choices ($35): Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Grilled Salmon or Vegetarian. RSVP with a check payable to Denise Dolan, P.O. 551, Alamo, CA 94507.

Questions: Carol Kennedy, AAUW Funds VP

Danville‐Alamo‐Walnut Creek AAUW ‐ The Advocate 

January 2014                                                                                                                                                           http://daw‐ca.aauw.net 

Public Policy Update and Activities by Asha Bajaj and Joan Conley, Public Policy Co-chairs

Covered California, California’s health insurance marketplace is up and running and is the only avenue for the federal premium assistance which makes health coverage more affordable for many. Also through Covered California, Californians can find out if they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. To view the variety of healthcare options, visit http://www.coveredca.com/pledge/

On 27 November 2013, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) released draft- pro-posed regulations on the re-cently enacted California Com-petes Tax Credit and has scheduled workshops through-out California. The California Competes Credit provides a credit against the income and franchise tax.

The California slaughterhouse and meatpacking companies that supply beef to the National School Lunch Program and others will pay $3.1 million to settle allegations arising from the release of upsetting videos in February 2008 by the Hu-mane Society of the United States. The disturbing videos prompted the recall of 143 mil-lion pounds of beef. About a fourth of that was in the school lunch program.

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, Assem-bly Bill 491 allows both Califor-nia hospitals and nonprofit and for-profit corporations to adopt bylaws that make it possible for the governing board to make business decisions in the ab-sence of a quorum during an emergency, narrowly defined in the bill.

Pew report concerning gen-der and the workplace for mil-lennial women finds that women ages 25-34 have the narrowest gender pay gap – 93 percent compared to an average 84 percent for all women workers age 16 and older. This is mainly due to increased education lev-els as well as more women par-ticipating in the workforce than ever before. However, there are

still roadblocks to end-ing the gender pay gap for millennial women. The report suggests millennial women are less likely to ask for a raise or promotion and cites work/life balance as a factor that will in-crease the millennial gender pay gap over time. §

Next meeting Public Policy Forum

Thurs Jan 23, 2:30 pm Cherubini’s, Alamo. Join us for stimulating conversation on issues related to Public Poli-cy. RSVP Asha Bajaj

or 925-899-9396

Women's Summit Thurs, Jan 16, 2014; 9 am-4:30 pm

Sacramento Convention Center "Advancing Women’s Health, Wealth & Pow-er," will be presented at the 2014 California Women’s Policy Summit. The leading organi-zation for this annual summit is CCRWF (California Center for Research on Women and Families).

Our DAW branch is sending one member (Asha Bajaj) and helping to fund two addi-tional members to attend this Summit. In doing so, our branch can receive the training and then participate in the Title IX Assess-ment of schools in our local community. Please contact Asha Bajaj or 925-899-9396 for more info about the summit and carpool.

AAUW Funds: 2013 Year End Report

by Carol Kennedy, AAUW Funds VP

A big thank you to the 60 members – 24% of the branch – who made special individual donations to AAUW Funds in 2013. Along with our successful Garden Tour fundraiser in May 2013, we have sent an amazing $40,500 to Association this year. Our Branch truly believes it is important to help women who strive to a make a difference in today’s world. §

AAUW Fellowships & Grants 125th Anniversary Video

Since 1888 AAUW has funded women’s graduate education, investing in women who go on to change the world. By 2013, AAUW has awarded nearly $100 million in fellowships, grants and awards to more than 12,000 women from over 130 countries. In this video, you will learn about the influence alumnae and AAUW members have had all over the world through the 125-year-old fellowships and grants program. Join us in cele-brating AAUW’s rich history by sharing this video with your networks and AAUW community. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQFv56YYSws&feature=youtu.be

Danville‐Alamo‐Walnut Creek AAUW ‐ The Advocate 

January 2014                                                                                                                                                           http://daw‐ca.aauw.net 

Please Support Our Advertisers

Spring Garden Tour May 9 & 10, 2014

Calling for Volunteers by Mary Holzheimer and Kathy McKnight,

Garden Tour Chairs

Big Success!!! 2013 Holiday Home Tour

Ticket Sales and Donations: $21,211

Drawing for Quilt Donated by Mary Mix: $1,275 Quilt Winner: Geilyn Johnson

by Anna Freitas and Jane Stimpson, Holiday Home Tour Chairs

Our 2013 Holiday Home Tour on De-cember 13 and 14 was a huge success for our guests and for our Branch. We sold 748 tickets. Adult ticket sales were 301, senior sales were 447. Between Tuesday night and Saturday evening of the tour, 128 tickets were sold. From the chocolate and candy apples sales, we will receive $225 or 10% of the can-dy sales.

The grand sales total is $22,711 pri-or to expenses. Our 2014 Local Scholarships and Tech Trek pro-grams are funded now, thanks to our 2013 Holiday Home Tour.

The homes were magnificent. Decora-tions varied from family collections to designer styled trees. Docents provid-ed detailed information about their spe-cific home’s history and decora-tions. Many guests were overheard commenting on the personal stories and decorating tips provided by the docents and homeowners.

The success of this event came from careful planning and willing volunteers numbering over 180 AAUW DAW Branch members, friends, and families

including husbands, daughters and granddaughters. We continue to be amazed at the depth of commitment this branch has to scholarships for women and middle-school girls.

Danville Express newspaper wrote an article about our tour on Dec 16.

We warmly thank you and recognize the entire Holiday Home Tour team! We appreciate the entire branch’s efforts in making this a success. Much gratitude to all our volunteers shown at:

http://daw-ca.aauw.net/2013hhtresults/

Plans are underway for the 14th annual DAW-AAUW Garden Tour. A variety of beau-tiful gardens will be featured once again for another outstanding tour. Please reserve the dates now on your calendar. All proceeds from our annual Garden Tour go toward AAUW Funds, the educational heart and soul of AAUW. AAUW funds support ground-breaking research, scholarships and grants for aspiring women scholars. Our 2014 goal is to raise $25,000 by selling 750 to 800 tickets.

Your participation as a volunteer for this event is critical to its success. In order to staff the gardens to ensure the safety for our guests and security for the homeowners, we will need over 120 docents. Please volunteer three hours of your time to help with this worthwhile event. You can sign up to volun-teer at our website now. In addition, sign-up sheets will be available at the March 22 Branch New Member Welcome and at AAUW branch meetings. You may also con-tact Mary Holzheimer or Kathy McKnight. §

January 2014                                                                                                                                                           http://daw‐ca.aauw.net 

 

Creativity Night Tues, April 29, 2014

5:00 - 9: 00 pm Save this date for the third annual Danville-Alamo-WC AAUW Crea-tivity Night. This year we are look-ing for members who would like to share their creativity with interest-ed members. We are talking about fine arts, crafts, photography, and more. If you have any questions about our event or wish to partici-pate this year please contact Jan Hersh or 925-820-7542.

http://daw-ca.aauw.net/creativity/

AAUW (American Association of

University Women) is a charitable mem-bership organization with a nationwide net-

work of more than 165,000 members and donors whose mission is to advance equity

for women and girls through advocacy, edu-

cation, philanthropy, and research. Our Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek branch

meetings and activities feature speakers discussing current issues, women’s issues,

and other timely and interesting topics.

Please learn more about us at

http://daw-ca.aauw.net/.

Contact us at daw-aauw@gmail.com

Teresa Cheung and Holly Sauer, Editors

Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek AAUW

P.O. Box 996 Alamo, CA 94507

Accepting 2014 Scholarship Applicants

by B. Lynn Goodwin-Brown, 2014 Scholarship Chair

Do you know any women, perhaps a family member or friend, seeking a bachelor or graduate degree? She may be eligible to apply for a Local Scholarship of $1,000 or more from our DAW Branch of AAUW.

We’re looking for women who reside or resided in the Wal-nut Creek (including unincorporated Walnut Creek) or in the San Ramon Valley School District while in public or private high school. They must be graduate students or have at least junior level standing in college in the fall. Most importantly, we’re looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs, scientists, teachers, researchers, scholars, writers, artists, doctors and more. We want to help women who will give back to their community and the world.

If you know any women who qualify, please encourage them to read about the scholarship. Application information is at http://daw-ca.aauw.net/2014-scholarship/. Tell them to surprise and entice us. Completed applications are due March 1, 2014. Committee members include Carol Gerich, Robin Halloran, Kathie Hixon, Loretta Lewis, and Lynn Goodwin-Brown. We look forward to reading the applica-tions. §

Calling for Volunteer Workshop Monitors Expanding Your Horizons

Math-Science Conference for Girls Saturday, February 22, 2014 Las Positas College, Livemore

2014 Expanding Your Horizons is looking for volunteers to be workshop monitors. The workshop monitors will work half day shifts (9-11am and/or 12:30-2:30 pm). No experience is re-quired. Please contact 2014 EYH Committee Co-chairs Iris Stone and Pamela Burdusis or sign up to volunteer at:

http://daw-ca.aauw.net/eyh-volunteering/

From aauw.org Sixth Annual AAUW

Art Contest Attention AAUW artists!

The annual AAUW Art Con-test is a great way for mem-bers to showcase their tal-ent. Again this year, National Museum of Women in the Arts founder Wilhelmina Hol-laday will award special recognition to one of the winners. Winning entries will be featured on AAUW note cards mailed to members this spring. See past winners and learn more at:

http://www.aauw.org/contests/