Presidents’ Log

Membership numbers are in and the AAUW State College Branch remains the largest branch in Pennsylvania! Please continue to support the Branch by renewing your membership using the materials recently sent to you. Thank you to Carol Hodes and Jane Sheeder for their membership leadership!

This is the time of year when our calendars are bursting with AAUW-related activity. On April 22nd, Donna Trapp was recognized at the 43rd Rose Cologne Volunteer Recognition Dinner as the Branch’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year. Donna, chair of the Used Book Sale, reports that sorting and pricing for this year’s sale are complete. We are, however, in need of cashiers for the sale itself. Our deepest thanks are extended to all who participate over the year in this signature event for the branch.

Branch members contributed in many ways to the AAUW Pennsylvania meeting held recently in State College. Talat Azhar, Connie Schroeder, Sherry Crassweller, and Suzanne Kerlin have held 2014-15 leadership positions in AAUW-PA. The Branch’s Scholarship Committee selected recipients of Branch scholarships, and the Philanthropic Priorities and Funds Distribution Committee has completed its first

Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Volume 48, No.5 May/June 2015

Branch Award and Scholarship Banquet

Thursday, May 28th—Nittany Lion Inn Fireside Room - Reception 6:00 p.m; Dinner 6:30 p.m.

At our spring banquet, we will honor outstanding branch volunteers and branch scholarship recipients, who are introduced on page 3. Branch volunteers to be honored include Charlene Harrison, Outstanding Woman; Jennifer Karch, Spotlight Awardee; Louise Tukey, Special Honoree; and Donna Trapp, CCCHS Volunteer of the Year.

We also will honor the State College Area School District’s CSI (Challenging Science Investigations) program with the Gateway to Equity award for their work encouraging middle-school girls in the STEM fields. Tying into this award, our banquet speaker will be Kristin Dreyer, STEM Co-Chair for the branch, who will speak on Mapping STEM Initiatives. Kristin is the Program Director for Education & Outreach, Center for Nanoscale Science at Penn State. She was the only female to graduate with a Physics BS in 1992 at Penn State. She taught high school math and physics for 9 years, learning early on the value of encouraging girls to pursue their interests in STEM.

MAKE YOUR BANQUET RESERVATION TODAY! To attend the banquet, please complete and return the banquet

reservation form on page 3. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for the 54th

AAUW State College Used Book Sale

May 9th—May 12th Sat.—Tue., 9:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m.

Snider Ag Arena, Penn State The Book Sale Bulletin, complete with volunteer schedule information, was e-mailed or paper mailed to all book sale volunteers in late April. If you want to volunteer and have not yet received information, contact Nancy Eberly, nanceberly@hotmail.com, (717) 945-2895, today. This sale raises vital dollars for our branch scholarships and for our community grants program. Be sure to invite to friends and colleagues to join us!

(LOG, page 2)

Page 2

“A Few Good Women” March Program Draws a Crowd

Our March 26th branch program at Schlow Library, Telling the Story of a Few Good Women with author Lee Stout brought out a crowd. Nearly forty people attended the program, which was held in Schlow

Centre Region Library. It was co-sponsored with Penn State University Libraries, and two student groups, AAUW of Penn State and Women in Business.

Following a wonderful introduction of Lee by his former colleague and branch member, Sally Kalin, Lee provided a really interesting history lesson on what women faced in the early 1970s in their pursuit of executive positions in government. His book was based on the oral history project he conducted with over fifty men and women from the time. He read several fascinating passages from his book, which really made the history come alive.

Volume 48, Number 5

Program

(LOG, page 1)

review of Community Grant applications. Kudos to the leaders and members of both committees!

Plan to attend the May 28 banquet at which several award and scholarship recipients will be honored. Elections also will be held at the banquet for the co-president and the VPs for finance, marketing and communications, membership, and program. Thank you to leaders and members of the Nominating and Leadership Committee who assembled the slate of candidates, to all who agreed to be nominated for a position, and to Program Committee members for arranging the banquet.

Our STEM, Public Policy, Centennial Celebration, Communications, and numerous other activities continue, sometimes quietly and under the radar. Nevertheless, they all are essential to the successful operation of our Branch. Let’s celebrate the conclusion of another incredible AAUW State College Branch year by coming out to support and staff all aspects of the 54th AAUW State College Branch Used Book Sale. See you at the Ag Arena!!

Charlene Harrison and Billie Willits

AAUW State College Co-Presidents

Congratulations, Donna Trapp CCCHS Volunteer of the Year

We were proud to honor Donna Trapp at the Centre County Council for Human Services Dinner on April 22nd, for her tremendous leadership as Used Book Sale Chair.

Members, make sure to stop by to congratulate Donna in person at the Used Book Sale, and offer to lend a hand, if you’re not already signed up.

Membership Renewals Due

Membership renewals have been mailed for 2015-16. Please make checks payable to AAUW State College Branch and mail them to: AAUW State College Branch Treasurer, State College, P.O. Box 735, State College, PA 16804. You can save a stamp by bringing your form and check to the Used Book Sale or the May 28th Awards and Scholarship banquet. All membership forms received before May 31st will be entered into a drawing for a gift card—an extra incentive to get yours in early.

Program Ideas Sought

The branch program committee is currently gathering fresh ideas for our 2015-2016 branch programs. With member input, we will develop programs that appeal to the broadest possible audience.

The second half of our program year occurs in in spring 2016 and includes the period when we will commence our Centennial

programming. The 100th anniversary of our branch is February 18, 2016. The centennial theme will run through all scheduled programs between February—October, 2016.

By May 31st, send program ideas to Jen Karch, jnkarch13@gmail.com

and Connie Schroeder, connieschroeder@gmail.com.

Page 3 Branching Out

MAY 28th BRANCH AWARD & SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET RESERVATION

Please clip this portion of the page and mail it with your $25 check, payable to AAUW State College Branch. Send to

Christine Bishop, State College Branch Programs, 205 First Avenue, State College, PA 16801. Checks in advance are

strongly preferred, but will be accepted at the door with advance registration. Meal choice must be provided by 5/20.

The reservation deadline is Wednesday, May 20th at 5:00 p.m.

Salad: snow pea salad, featuring quick-seared snow peas with sorrel, scallions, carrots, and chopped herbs on mixed greens with an Asian vinaigrette. Entrees: #1 Devilled Chicken — Roasted 11 ounce European style chicken breast with grilled asparagus, creamy polenta and a black peppercorn and tomato sauce. #2 Seafood Sofrito — Sofrito-sauteed shrimp, mussels and clams, served with spring vegetables, and Israeli couscous. #3 Wild Mushroom Puff Pastry — Puffed pastry squares stuffed with duxelle of wild mushrooms and English peas, and a lemon and tarragon vegetarian veloute. Dessert: Almond and peach galette.

Dinner Choices: ___ #1 Devilled Chicken ___ #2 Seafood Sofrito ____#3 Wild Mushroom Puff Pastry

Name___________________________________ Questions? Contact Christine, cbishop@ccysb.com, (814) 441-3571

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Congratulations, 2015 Branch Scholarship Recipients Lucy Hall Originally from Peru, Lucy came to the U.S. as a teenager and worked hard to learn English so she could become a teacher. She earned her associate’s degree from Penn State Harrisburg and moved to State College with her husband and three children in 2013. Lucy is now enrolled at Penn State University Park in the College of Education, and plans to become an ESL teacher. She has offered free instruction in Spanish to neighborhood children and college students, and volunteered at a local food bank. She is the recipient of the Suzanne McCrae Kerlin scholarship.

Elizabeth Timblin Elizabeth is a Penn State student living in Pleasant Gap with her two young children. She is enrolled in the Eberly College of Science, majoring in biotechnology with a clinical science option. Previously, she earned an associate’s degree in Accounting that allowed her to work part time, but her longer term goal is to earn a four-year degree in science. She has been taking courses part time since 2009 and will graduate in 2016. Elizabeth will receive the Evelyn Marboe Scholarship.

Michele Miller Michele lives in Bellefonte and is a business administration student at South Hills School of Business & Technology. She had attended Lock Haven University previously, but left school after her freshman year to work for WalMart, where she became an assistant manager. At WalMart, she became involved in the Relay for Life and continues to contribute to this cause. Michele decided to resume her education in fall of 2014, but this time at South Hills, where she will complete her associate’s degree in 2016. Michele is the recipient of the Simmons-Jansma Project Renew Grant.

Lenna Neff Lenna is a graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School and is currently enrolled as a part-time student at Penn State. She enrolled at Penn State following high school, but left school in her junior year due to financial issues. Lenna was a certified EMT for ten years, but had to discontinue that after suffering a back injury. She is married and she and her husband have two adopted children. Their 19 year old son lives at home and has special needs.

Volume 48, Number 5 Page 4 Branching Out

By Mary Dupuis and Dianne Gregg Public Policy Co-Chairs

Local Spring Primary Choices: Not Many

There are very few choices on the local Spring 2015 primary ballot, regardless of party. We will highlight the county and municipal races with opposition for this election, focusing on the municipal races within the State College and Bellefonte areas. Where possible, we have included website or other sources of information for your use.

At the county level, only the Republican ballot will have contests for sheriff and register of wills. Sheriff: BRYAN SAMPSELL and RICHARD SWANK are vying for the Republican nomination. No further information is available on these candidates.

For Register of Wills: Christine Millinder and Hope Miller are candidates.

CHRISTINE MILLINDER, chief assistant in the office of Register of Wills; she has worked for Centre County government for 28 years. (Voteforchristinemilinder.com)

HOPE MILLER has served as elected tax collector for 16 years and owned her own business. (www.votehopemiller.com)

The District Judge position in Harris Twp and Penns Valley (49-03-04) has TOM JORDAN, the incumbent, facing MELISSA KRUM (melissakrumformagisterialdistrictjudge on Facebook.)

State College Borough Council has five candidates for four positions on the Democratic ballot:

DAVID J. BROWN DAVID STONE JESSE L. BARLOW, Prof of Computer Science and Engineering (www.cse.psu.edu/~barlow) JANET ENGEMAN (engemanforcouncil.com) CATHERINE DAULER, incumbent (cathydauler.com)

Bellefonte Borough Council has one contest, in the 3rd (West) Ward. FRANK BUD HALDERMAN, incumbent, is facing JOANNE TOSTI-VASEY, women’s rights activist (tosti-vasey.com)

Bellefonte Area School Board has five vacancies. There are seven candidates on the Democratic ballot and six on the Republican ballot.

AAUW Dollars at Work

We regularly feature organizations which are funded through our branch community grants program. In 2014, we awarded C-NET a grant for $1,500.

The mission of C-NET is to maintain and operate, on a not-for-profit basis, a government and educational access network to inform the public on subjects useful and beneficial to the community via cable television channels and Internet communications. The three semester long internship is awarded to a Penn State female student in a technology field. The intern produces audio and video for C-NET programs. C-NET Production Internships offer students production experience in a professional setting. Learn more at http://cnet1.org/.

Congratulations to our newest Honorary Life member, Kathy Detwiler! She is a retired math teacher from State College schools who works tirelessly pricing the math books at our Used Book Workshop. Honorary Life membership is granted by the national AAUW to members with fifty years of membership.

Congratulations Kathy Detwiler, 50-year Honorary Life Member

Page 5 Volume 48, Number 5

Statewide Elections are for High Court Judges

These races receive very little coverage, which is unfortunate because so many matters of our rights and of governmental policy ultimately are decided by the high courts. These courts handle gerrymandering of political districts and overturned the Voter ID law. The battle over the NCAA Consent Decree that led to the settlement played out on appeal.

We have three statewide courts. To oversimplify, Commonwealth handles appeals involving governmental bodies while Superior handles appeals from the county courts involving persons. Appeals from either go to the Supreme Court.

Candidates’ websites are listed below. Additionally, these candidates must go before the PA Bar Association for review. You will find those evaluations and the reasoning behind them at: http://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/pr012815.asp [or just Google PA Bar Association ratings 2015]. Following a brief listing by level of ranking and information about the process, these detailed assessments of candidates also contain links to the candidates’ questionnaires. You will see more names than appear on ballots because some decided not to run. Two candidates are missing because they were evaluated after the initial deadline.

The respective political parties endorsed candidates. Their endorsements do not necessarily match the Bar Association rankings. Democrats endorsed Dougherty and Wecht, leaving the third position unendorsed, meaning, in essence, an open primary. Republicans endorsed Covey, Olson and George.

SUPREME COURT: Three vacancies exist, so you get

three votes [this has not happened since before Pennsylvania became a state].

DEMOCRATS: Highly Recommended by the Bar—Christine Donohue www.donohueforjustice.com, Anne Lazarus www.voteannelazarus.com and David Wecht www.wecht2015.com are sitting judges on the PA Superior Court. Recommended—Kevin Dougherty www.doughertyforpa.com, John Foradora www.voteforadora.com and Dwayne Woodruff www.judgedwaynewoodruff.com are county judges [Philadelphia, Jefferson and Allegheny counties respectively].

REPUBLICANS: Highly Recommended—Cheryl Allen, currently on Superior Court https://www.judgecherylallen.com, Judy Olson, currently on Superior Court http://electjudgejudy.com and Correale Stevens, currently appointed to a vacancy on Supreme Court [no campaign website]. Recommended—Mike George, county judge in Adams http://judgemikegeorge.com. Not Recommended—Anne Covey http://www.pagopjudges.com/anne-covey/, currently on Commonwealth Court, and Rebecca Warren, Montour county District Attorney https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-Warren-for-Supreme-Court-Justice/730452823713162.

SUPERIOR COURT: vote for one.

DEMOCRATS: Highly Recommended—Robert Colville, Allegheny county judge

www.judgecolvilleforsuperiorcourt.com Recommended—Alice Beck Dubow, Philadelphia county judge www.judgealicedubow.com. The Democratic party did not endorse.

REPUBLICANS: Recommended—Emil Giordano is unopposed. https://www.facebook.com/judgegiordano.

COMMONWEALTH COURT: vote for one.

DEMOCRATS: Recommended—Todd Eagen www.toddeagen.com and Michael Wojick

www.wojcikforjudge.com. Both are in private practice. The Democratic party endorsed Eagen.

REPUBLICANS: Recommended—Paul Lalley is unopposed. https://www.facebook.com/lalleyforjudge.

Special thanks to Mary Dupuis and Dianne Gregg, Public Policy

Co-Chairs, for their concerted efforts throughout the year gathering

unbiased and comprehensive information in the public policy realm.

Page 6 Volume 48, Number 5

AAUW Statewide Annual Meeting Yields Strong State College Branch Turnout

The April 10-11th AAUW-PA meeting, held at the Ramada in State College brought out nearly 100 attendees from around the state, including 18 women from AAUW State College Branch and two members of the AAUW of Penn State student group.

AAUW State College Branch members played an important role in meeting logistics. Several members assisted with meeting registration, and twelve branch members helped transport sixty meeting attendees to the Creamery & Campus Tour on Friday night (where a good time was had by all!). Branch Co-Presidents Billie Willits and Charlene Harrison each assisted with a session by introducing speakers and Charlene moderated the Humphrey Fellows panel discussion. Heartfelt thanks from AAUW-PA to AAUW State College Branch for their support!

Recognition was an important part of the meeting. Charlene Harrison was recognized as Branch Outstanding Woman, and Jennifer Karch was recognized with the Spotlight award. Right, Special Honoree Louise Tukey, with AAUW-PA President Dot McLane, was honored for her nearly 54 years helping with the AAUW State College Used Book Sale and for her role as branch historian. The branch was also recognized among the top ten PA branches, for giving $6,040 to AAUW Funds.

AAUW-PA Program VP (and State College Branch member) Talat Azhar recruited speakers from the rich resources of our community. Penn State Law professor Shoba Wadhia provided a session on Human Trafficking, attorney Jeffrey Helffrich from Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir spoke on Voter Rights and the Penn State Humphrey Fellows shared insights on women’s rights in their countries. 2014-15 Penn State Laureate and Keynote Susan Russell (right, with AAUW of Penn State member Jordan Glover) gave a rousing pitch for dignity.

Above: State College Branch members Candace Davison, Sherry Crassweller, Kristine Crassweller and Charlene Harrison helped staff registration.

AAUW of Penn State Update

The week of April 12th was an extremely busy one for members of the AAUW of Penn State student group They were involved in the first ever Women's Empowerment Week on campus. Each day had a separate theme (sexual assault, pay equity, love your body, voter registration and women’s rights) and we staffed information tables on each topic.

The week was very successful and we spoke to men and women students on campus each day to raise awareness for the various issues we were promoting. —Jordan Glover, AAUW of Penn State President

$tart $mart Workshop Offered On April 16th, a $tart $mart salary negotiation workshop led by Annie Houle from AAUW National was offered on campus. Fifteen students attended, 10 facilitators were trained to offer for future workshops.

Page 7 Volume 48, Number 5

Nancy Weinreb is a regular at the

SPRING & SUMMER STEM work continues through the spring and summer. There is lots going on and coming up.

We’ve awarded grants to girls interested in science and groups interested in promoting science to women and girls. The committee has agreed to offer Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) a continuing grant, through the mini-grant program, to conduct their Voices conference for middle-school girls. We also agreed to fund the Expanding Your Horizons program for middle schoolers on an ongoing basis. We have co-sponsored EYH with the PSU College of Science for a number of years. The GWIS national meeting and symposium will be held on the Penn State Campus on June 20, and AAUW will have a table for our materials.

MATHH (Magical Adventures for Talented Heroines and Heroes) will be held this summer on July 21, 28, and August 4, with groups beginning at 1:30 and 2 pm. Each program lasts about an hour, with the first half hour held at Schlow Library and the second half hour held at Discovery Space. This year, the topics will be Superhero Powers: Seeing the Unseen, Weather and Climate, and Electricity and Energy. These programs are aimed at elementary school children. STEM Committee members Valerie Alstadt (vja113@psu.edu) and Candace Davison (ccd2@psu.edu) are taking the lead for the MATHH 2015 summer program.

All three after-school middle school science programs are finishing up for the school year. Bald Eagle Area is about to finish with its robotics program. State College and Bellefonte are complete. The summer program in State College, CSI: Challenging Science Investigations, will be held July 27-30 at the Mt. Nittany Middle School. AAUW volunteers will be important!

Kudos to the State College Area School District’s CSI program for being named recipient of the 2015 Gateway to Equity Award. It will be presented at our Award and Scholarship Banquet on May 28th. Details are provided on pages 1 and 3.

Our STEM committee holds its final monthly meeting of this year on May 1, 5:00 p.m. at the Borough Building. Everyone is welcome!

Mary Dupuis, mjmdupuis@aol.com

April 28th Education Forum in State College

If you live in central PA, join Education Voters, school officials, and community leaders at this education forum to discuss school funding and state funding policy.

Tuesday, April 28th 6:30 p.m.— 8:30 p.m.

Grace Lutheran Church (in Harkins Hall)

205 S. Garner Street, State College

A panel of superintendents from central PA districts, including State College and Bellefonte, will share how state funding issues have impacted their school districts. Education Voters will share information about how you can advocate for fair and adequate state funding for all public schools in this year's state budget. Panelist presentations will be followed by a question and answer period.

Click HERE to register for the forum. For more information, contact:

Susan Spicka (717) 331-4033

sspicka@educationvoterspa.org

Learn more about Education Voters: www.educationvoterspa.org/

Education Voters Pennsylvania is

dedicated to supporting policies that

strengthen and support great public

schools in every community to

ensure opportunities for all children,

informing the public about the needs

and importance of public education,

and ensuring our elected leaders

adopt and implement a pro-public

education agenda.

Expanding horizons.

Candace Davison reads a math-centered book to MATHH participants.

Since its first meeting in 1881, AAUW has

been a catalyst for change. Today, with

more than 170,000 members and donors,

1,000 branches, and 800 college and

university partners, AAUW advances equity

for women and girls through advocacy,

education, philanthropy, and research.

AAUW's voice has long influenced

legislative debate on critical social issues. It

provides millions of dollars in fellowships,

grants and awards to outstanding women

from around the globe and for community

action projects. AAUW also funds

pioneering research on women, girls, and

education.

Through leadership programs, women and

girls acquire the skills they need to succeed

and assume leadership roles in their

academic, professional, and personal lives.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT In principle and in practice, AAUW values

and seeks a diverse membership. There

shall be no barriers to full participation in

this organization on the basis of gender,

race, creed, age, sexual orientation,

national origin, disability or class.

Used Book Workshop 2100 East College Avenue

(814) 235-6884

Branch Co-presidents: Charlene Harrison, chh1@psu.edu

Billie Willits, bsw2@psu.edu

Program Vice-president Christine Bishop, cbishop@ccysb.com

Marketing & Communications VP Victoria Sanchez, vsanchez@psu.edu

Finance Vice-president Sally Kalin, sallywkalin@gmail.com

To join, renew, or update your membership, contact: Membership Co-VPs

Carol Hodes carolhodes@yahoo.com

Jane Sheeder jane.sheeder@gmail.com

Share Your News! The deadline for the next newsletter is May 27th. Send AAUW-related news to:

Connie Schroeder connieschroeder@gmail.com

Get Well wishes to Anne Heinsohn, who underwent surgery in April for a hematosis following an accident where she hit her head on a car door.

Sympathy to Lenore Horner, whose husband Jackson G. Horner died March 12th in Sarasota, Florida.

Get Well wishes to Doris Trueblood, whose suffered fractured vertebrae in her back in a fall on the ice March 5th while walking her dog at Foxdale.

Sympathy to Helen Dickerson Wise, whose son Dan H. Wise died on March 3rd in Boalsburg.

FiveThirtyEight Shows Pennsylvania Has Larger Gender Wage Gap Than National Average

By Abby Smith, Contributing Writer

April 8th was Equal Pay Day, calculated by the number of extra days women need to work to earn the same average paycheck that men did in 2013. This year, women needed to work an extra 98 days to get to the national average. But in Pennsylvania, they’d have to work even longer. Last month, FiveThirtyEight highlighted statistics from the National Women’s Law Center that ranks Pennsylvania 40th in the size of the gender wage gap, including numbers for D.C.

In Pennsylvania, the average woman earns an annual salary of $37,414, according to 2012 data, while the average man brings home $49,330. This equates to a 24.2-cent wage gap. In other words, women in Pennsylvania in 2012 earned 75.8 percent of every dollar men did. Pennsylvania’s wage gap is 0.7 percent worse than the national average. Nationally, in 2012, women earned an average of $37,791 compared to men’s $49,398, coming out to a 23.5-cent wage gap.

FiveThirtyEight confirms the statistic commonly used by the White House, that women earn nearly 77 cents of every dollar men make, but explains that the figure “misses a lot of nuance.” It doesn’t take into account such factors like men frequently working more hours and men often being overrepresented in higher-paying industries, the article reports.

For the full article visit: http://www.politicspa.com/fivethirtyeight-shows-pennsylvania-has-larger-gender-wage-gap-than-national-average/65326/

More AAUW-PA Annual Meeting Memories

Three Penn State Humphrey Fellows presented Human Rights and Women’s Rights, a panel discussion on women’s rights in their countries: Arjana Blazic, Croatia; Wafaa Shakir, Iraq; Pei-Wei Lee, Taiwan. The panel was moderated by branch member Charlene Harrison.

Officer Election May 28th

Individuals nominated for branch offices will be elected at a brief business meeting following our May 28th Award & Scholarship Banquet. Nominees include: Co-President (2015-2017)—Alison Franklin; Membership Co-VP (2015-2017)—Candace Davison; Programs Co-VP (2015-2017)— Jennifer Karch and Connie Schroeder.

—Talat Azhar, Nominating/Leadership Committee

AAUW-PA Annual Meeting Memory