JOIN US FOR A NEW YEAR OF EXCITING EVENTS IN 2021-2022
In-person Branch Meetings are back! Please join us the second Saturday of every month at the Easttown Library, 720 First Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312 unless otherwise indicated. The following is our list of upcoming events for the year. We hope to see you there!
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
The Encouragement Project
Presented by Dale Power
Saturday, March 12, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
(Attend either in person or via Zoom)
Dale Power describes herself as a "serial entrepreneur"; she's owned a catering company, a children's entertainment company, and currently, a boutique marketing firm. Along the way she's learned that: "the one thing that will make all the difference is encouragement, finding and giving it." In response to this conviction, she founded the Encouragement Project.
Dale writes the following about the program she'll present: "Take a moment to think back through your life. Think about a time when you were up against what seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Then there was someone (sometimes the last person you expected), who observed your talent that, if released, would help you conquer it.
Each of us knows that others need it and often find ourselves too busy to take the time to respond with it. Encouragement is a tool to ignite the spirit. Through stories and exercises, we will explore the tools and skills of encouragement. The best thing about this circular process is that it is as good for the giver as for the receiver!"
Please bring friends to this presentation; it promises to be inspiring. We have planned a hybrid program, both in-person and on Zoom. If attending via Zoom, look for the email invitation from Susan Norris a few days before the meeting. Hope to see you all there- come to be encouraged!!!
September 11 Family Nursing in Underserved Communities, Susana Bosques
October 9 Fair Districts Pennsylvania
November 13 Open Hearts: a path to Racial Healing, Anita Friday
January 8 Advocating for Women in Tennessee, Nina Gurak
February 12 Mysteries of Mangos, Connie Kirker
March 12 The Encouragement Project, Dale Power
April 2 Julia Child, as presented by Linda Kenyon
May 14 A tour of Chanticleer Garden, followed by a box lunch on the porch. Installation of officers.
The following are some of the exciting topics we've covered at prior Branch Meetings. Please feel free to let us know if you have any ideas for other topics or areas you'd like to see us cover. We look forward to your input.
BRANCH MEETING
SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH VIA ZOOM
"FIRST LADIES OF THE UNITED STATES: 1789 -THE PRESENT"
Presented by Trish Chambers
Through her company, Trish Chambers Productions, Trish presents programs designed to bring history alive. She has spoken at national parks, schools, libraries, historical societies and senior communities along the eastern seaboard. Trish has appeared on the History Channel, on radio, and in a film, "Gods and Generals." She has won numerous awards. Her programs feature humor and realism.
March is Women's History Month. It is a good time to learn about our First Ladies. On the 13th, Trish will share interesting facts about America's First Ladies. We'll learn about each woman's legacy and her contribution to the expanding role of the Office of the First Lady in history. Do come, via Zoom, to learn about an amazing and diverse group of women.
The Zoom link will be provided to participants the week of the meeting.
Martha Washington
Dr. Jill Biden
VALLEY FORGE BRANCH MEETING
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13TH, 10:15 VIA ZOOM
Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt: The Woman’s Touch to Impressionism
Presented by Fred Dixon
Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt were the only women in the early Impressionistic movement. They faced a great deal of hostility trying to make their way in a male dominated profession and struggled for the recognition they deserved. Both had close associations with two of the most prestigious artists of the era, who importantly influenced their careers. Berthe’s relationship with Manet has been called “the greatest relationship ever recorded on canvas.” Cassatt was the only woman with whom Degas had a close association. Things did not always go smoothly, however.
Their art represented the world they were part of, one of refinement in the fashionable 19th century French bourgeoisie. Cassatt, in particular, created paintings with a tender mother and child theme and works that became a symbol of feminism. Come, virtually, to see their art and hear their stories.
Fred Dixon and his wife Martha have collected art for 35 years and have travelled to many of the most important museums in the U.S. and Europe and to Italian cathedrals to view Renaissance and Baroque art. They were docents at the Barnes Foundation for ten years. Fred’s book, 700 Years of Art History; Pre-Renaissance to Modernism, from which this lecture is taken will be available to members for the discounted price of $35.00. Contact Eleanor Erskine to purchase a signed copy.
VALLEY FORGE VIRTUAL BRANCH MEETING
"IT HAS BEEN A LONG INTERMISSION"
Presented by Andrew Leggieri
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2021 at 10:15 a.m.
Broadway theaters across the country and many other cultural institutions have been dark since March. We all miss experiencing the arts in person, and we can't wait until we can sit in the audience and feel the joy of being there. We long to hear the applause.
How have the performers and theater personnel managed to survive during this long intermission? We will welcome Andrew Leggieri, a budding off-Broadway director, to our January branch meeting. He can take us backstage and discuss the challenges of 2020 and the hopeful future for the Great White Way.
Please join us by Zoom on Saturday, January 9th for this enjoyable program. We will email the Zoom link to our members the week before the meeting. We hope to "see" you there!
VIRTUAL BRANCH MEETING
"CLIMATE CHANGE: WHAT DOES THE DATA TELL US?
Presented by Dr. Jennifer Clemons
Department Chair, Energy Technologies
Delaware Technical Community College, Dover, DE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 AT 10:15 A.M.
Log in, say hello and be ready for the program at 10:30 A.M.
Dr. Jennifer Clemons will join us by Zoom to share her interest and knowledge in climate change. What is meant by climate change? How is this different from global warming? What does the data tell us, and how do scientists interpret it? And what public policy issues are associated with this very "hot" political topic?
Please join us by Zoom on Saturday, November 14 for this pertinent and informative program. We will email the Zoom link to our members the week before the program. Hope to "see" you there!
VALLEY FORGE AAUW VIRTUAL BRANCH MEETING
"GENERAL ELECTION- NOVEMBER 3, 2020
EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW"
Presented by Susan Carty and
The League of Women Voters of Chester County
Saturday, October 10, 2020 @ 10:15 a.m. by ZOOM
Come join a discussion with the League of Women Voters and become enlightened about this November's election. The League is a non-partisan organization that does not support or oppose political parties or candidates, so no one will get "political." But, we will become informed and motivated to participate actively in this very important government process.
Susan Carty has years of experience with the League in Chester County and at the state level. She will enhance the meeting with some history of the League of Women Voters (it is their 100th birthday!) with a discussion of some local issues concerning the environment and land use, and will tell us about the new and improved Pennsylvania election laws. Of course, we'll have a chance to ask all those nitty-gritty questions about election details (i.e. who is running for State Senator in my district?)
Please plan on joining us virtually and get informed! We will send out ZOOM access information prior to the meeting. We encourage you to invite friends to join in on that morning; please let Sue Norris know their names so that she can grant proper access.
Can't wait for this meeting and can't wait to vote!!
Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:15 a.m. Easttown Library:
"Vital Issues in Harrisburg"
Presented by Kristine Howard
Pennsylvania State Representative, 167th Legislative District
We are very fortunate to have Representative Howard as our October speaker. She was elected in 2018, and her district includes Easttown, Malvern Borough, Willistown and East Whiteland.
A Berwyn resident, and the mother of seven children, Kristine Howard has worked as an attorney and a child welfare investigator. In the Pennsylvania House, she serves on the following standing committees: Children and Youth, Human Service and Finance, as well as a number of caucuses. Education is one of her primary interests.
Do come and bring your friends. It is important to hear about the work of our State Legislature as well as to voice concerns and opinions to our elected officials.
Rep. Kristine Howard
"GLAD Good News from ORION Communities, Phoenixville"
Presented by Kris Keller, Executive Director
Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 10:15 a.m.
Easttown Public Library, Berwyn, PA
ORION's mission is to "offer hope for individuals and families experiencing hardship due to poverty, disability or illness by building bridges that lead to self-reliance." That keyword- self-reliance- was so important to our late AAUW member, Gladys Black. She was a champion for women to stand independently, and ORION continued that mission by establishing the GLAD program in Gladys' memory. GLAD supports single moms and their children right in our own backyard in Phoenixville. We will honor Gladys by sharing our morning with Kris Keller and by learning more about how this program impacts our community.
Please plan on attending this kickoff meeting for 2019-2020!
Most Meetings are held at:
Easttown Township Library 720 First Avenue Berwyn, PA 19312
Valley Forge Branch, AAUW 2015-2016 Scholarship Winners
Once again, our chapter is proud to be able to sponsor scholarships for non-traditional female college students. This year, we had enough money to award scholarships to three very deserving Delaware County Community College women students.
Pictured, right, with AAUW Valley Forge Members Susan Norris and Norma Winther, far right, are two of the three scholarship winners. The taller student has an undergraduate degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University. She now is working toward a nursing degree with great determination and dedication.
The other recipient, pictured with her daughter, tells us she is pursuing her dream career. "i am," she told us, "currently at DCCC to gain my associates in liberal studies, so that I can attain a degree in Mortuary Science. Hard times will not tear me away from my passion."
Our third winner, not shown, is in her mid-twenties and suffers from clinical depression. She has had to drop out of school in the past but is determined to succeed this time. "I am trying every day; it isn't easy but I am here!"
What an honor for us to be able to help these women as they struggle to meet their goals. Thank you to all of the AAUW Valley Forge branch members who helped make these scholarships possible through support of our annual Book Sale and with direct contributions.
Norma Winther
Scholarship Chair
AAUW members Susan Norris and Norma Winther with two scholarship winners
