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Campbell: Providing a way for women to
connect
By Kay Campbell/ AAUW Corner
Thursday, September 7, 2006
The rush is on!
With school back in session, we women are once more fully engaged in tending
to our work, whether that be with family, career, community activities or
some combination of all three. When we get home, we're exhausted, wondering
where the days and weeks go. Tired as we are, we know we need to take time
to nurture ourselves, to stimulate our intellect to keep refreshed. We also
know we need girlfriends to help us get through our life stages, whether
we're fully involved in our careers, young mothers at home, new empty-nesters with kids off to college, or retirees.
Yet it's hard to connect, to make new friends outside of the places we
frequent each day.
The members of AAUW - the
American Association of University Women - have been sharing friendship and
a love of lifelong learning for 125 years, since the organization was
founded in 1881. Today, AAUW has more than 100,000 members nationwide. Many
also join local AAUW branches that meet regularly to learn more about
topics of interest ranging from art history and financial planning to
politics, and to raise funds to support women's higher education, forming a
network of friends in the process.
AAUW's Hingham-Area branch,
founded in 1968, brings together women from Plymouth to Quincy, ranging
in age from young mothers to retirees. We sponsor thought-provoking public
presentations, raise funds to support women in education, and work on
service projects. The branch also funds an annual Recognition Award, given
to a South Shore woman of
promise as she pursues education beyond high school.
Our branch is kicking off the
program year with a Potluck Supper on Sept. 12, at 6:30p.m. at Hingham's
Allerton House, 15 Condito
Road. Our featured speaker at the
event will be Patricia Ho of Beverly, Outgoing President of AAUW
Massachusetts, who will address public policy issues that AAUW is pursuing
on the national level. We'll also hold a book swap to raise funds to
support our Recognition Award.
Our upcoming public meetings
include presentations on "Travel As Education", "De-clutter
Your Space and Your Mind", "Nutrition for a Busy Life",
"Coaching Yourself to Leadership", and an evening entitled
"Susan B. Anthony - The Invincible!" presented by Sally Matson.
In January, the group plans a casual supper and book discussion of
"Women of The Silk" by Gail Tsukiyama. In April, the branch will
confer its Recognition Award, followed by a May celebration banquet to
close out the program year.
We invite all holders of
bachelor's or associate's degrees from Plymouth to Quincy to join
our branch. Prospective members are welcome at any branch meeting and are
invited to attend the Potluck Supper. RSVP to Sheila Doherty: 781-267-1098
or e-mail: sheilad1234@usadatanet.net. If you are interested in reading
more about AAUW, visit: www.aauw-ma.org.
Hingham Journal, September 7, 2006
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